Hills Area Research Articles

Early Identification of Geological Disasters in Loess Hilly Area of Ningnan Based on InSAR Technology: A case study of Yuanzhou District, China

Using small baseline subset InSAR (SBAS-InSAR) technology and multi-temporal synthetic aperture radar data, multitemporal phase and long-term sequential deformation monitoring and early identification of geological hazards were carried out in the loess hilly area of southern Ningnan-Yuanzhou area. Based on the analysis of radar visibility in the loess hilly area of southern Ningxia. The Sentinel-1A historical archived data of 36 periods from January 2019–December 2021 and descending orbit data from January 2019–May 2021 were used to carry out monitoring of surface deformation in the river basin, and a total of 61 hidden danger. 49 new concealed high risk points were identified by comprehensive optical remote sensing interpretation. The annual average deformation rate of the radar line-of-sight direction of the ascent data was -47.6746–71.6472mm/a, and the cumulative deformation variable was -81.20–121.61mm. There were 23 new concealed high risk points identified. The annual average deformation rate was -72.1574–51.6028mm/a, and the cumulative deformation variable was -165.6–112.4 mm. During the descending orbit, there were 21 obvious deformations and 16 newly discovered geological hazards. Taking a group of ascending orbit deformation zones in Yuanzhou District as an example, which proved that the application of SBAS-InSAR technology in the loess hilly area of Ningnan was feasible.

An innovative methodology for the adjustable use of energy line angle for susceptibility mapping by using cone propagation approach

Rockfall frequently occurs in the mountainous areas and threatens structures such as settlement areas, transportation lines, and agricultural field. The empirical approaches for rockfall mapping have been an attractive research topic in rock mechanics in the recent years, because producing rockfall maps of large areas by using the deterministic and the probabilistic analysis seems difficult due to the necessity of numerous inputs. The cone propagation approach is preferred as a practical tool particularly in the regional scale. The digital elevation model (DEM) of a region prone to rockfall is used for determination of possible propagation zones based on a simple geometric rule known as the energy line angle (reach angle). As a new term, ELAmax_stop was defined to represent the energy line angle that extends to the border of the propagation zone as the maximum run-out distance that is obtained from application of the cone approach to all points (pixels) in source area. The angle denoted as α refers to the threshold slope angle of the steep areas utilized to identify potential source areas by using DEM. Conceptually, the fallen rock blocks within a rockfall-prone region stop within the cone propagation zone, which is bounded by the energy line angles α and ELAmax_stop. While the value of α is susceptible to the resolution of DEM, ELAmax_stop, which exhibits a wide angle range as documented in the literature, is controlled by rock block features together with slope surface properties of the propagation zone. Due to the variability of ELAmax_stop and α depending on the studied region and the resolution of the DEM, the boundary value of the energy line angles between different susceptibility classes need to be adjusted by considering α and ELAmax_stop. By adopting the cone propagation approach to enable adjustable use of energy line angles for rockfall susceptibility mapping, a series of graphical presentations was prepared. These graphical presentations allowed for the prediction of energy line angles corresponding to various rockfall susceptibility classes including very low, low, medium, high, and very high. In addition to the graphical presentations, a series of practical equations were derived for the same purpose. In the final part of the study, a new rating system, namely the run-out distance rating (RDR), was introduced for the preliminary determination of ELAmax_stop. Due to the empirical structure of the methodology, the suggested supportive approach to the practitioners for determining ELAmax_stop should be considered as an initial step that opens to improvement. The proposed methodology in this study was implemented in the regions of Kargabedir Hill and Sivrihisar residential areas in Turkey to prepare rockfall susceptibility maps.

Simulating the Wind Energy Distribution in the Coastal Hilly Area of the Jiaodong Peninsula Using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model

This study simulated the wind energy density distribution in the Jiaodong Peninsula region using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. The impacts of different boundary-layer and near-surface parameterization schemes on the simulated wind speed and direction were investigated. The results indicate that the Yonsei University (YSU) scheme and the Quasi-Normal Scale Elimination (QNSE) scheme performed optimally for wind speed and wind direction. We also conducted a sensitivity test of the simulation results for atmospheric pressure, air temperature, and relative humidity. The statistical analysis showed that the YSU scheme performed optimally, while the MRF and BL schemes performed poorly. Following this, the wind energy distribution in the coastal hilly areas of the Jiaodong Peninsula was simulated using the YSU boundary-layer parameterization scheme. The modeled wind energy density in the mountainous and hilly areas of the Jiaodong Peninsula were higher than that in other regions. The wind energy density exhibits a seasonal variation, with the highest values in spring and early summer and the lowest in summer. In spring, the wind energy density over the Bohai Sea is higher than over the Yellow Sea, while the opposite trend is modeled in summer.

A cell-based association data integration method for locating potential drilling targets: A case study at the Dalli Cu–Au porphyry deposit in Iran

The presence of various spatial exploration proxies (predictor patterns) as vectors to distal porphyry mineralization in surrounding areas of a known outcropping mineralized porphyry center at the Dalli Cu–Au deposit in Iran provided evidence for the occurrence of similar porphyry mineralization in the subsurface. Factor analysis was applied to soil geochemical data from the Dalli South Hill area to define favorable geochemical variables and to create surface multi-element anomaly maps reflecting the presence of porphyry Cu–Au mineralization in the subsurface. Reduction-to-pole and analytical signal filters were applied to ground total magnetic field data to define high magnetic signatures that could be associated with potassic alteration and porphyry mineralization in the subsurface. Then, a data-driven cell based association (CBA) data integration method was applied to the favorable spatial proxies to define their association with Cu–Au mineralization and locate subtle high potential targets (cells) for drilling. The conventional CBA algorithms did not consider weights for the spatial proxies, and by using the ascendant hierarchical clustering (AHC) algorithm the results were classified into a binary map to show favorable and unfavorable cells with scores of 1 and 0, respectively. Predicting high potential targets for high-priced drilling, just based on using the binary map, could be very risky. Therefore, an innovative CBA data integration approach was employed to assign proper weights between 0 and 1 to the spatial proxies by calculating the importance of the presence of an exploration proxy in a cell using training (labeled) trenching geochemical data. A final continuous predictor map was generated and it successfully mapped the known outcropping porphyry center and its subsurface extension to the northeast as a high prospectivity class. This map also identified a narrow NE-trending high potential target (a few cells) of 200 m long in the southern part of the known porphyry center for drilling.

Study of assessment and monitoring of pastures land areas in hills based on GIS technologies (case study Southern Uzbekistan)

In this study, we have undertaken a comprehensive exploration of vegetation monitoring and biomass assessment in the mountainous and sub-mountainous regions of southern Uzbekistan, leveraging the capabilities of Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies and remote sensing data. Our research has focused on the critical analysis of biomass levels during the primary plant season, as well as continuous plant monitoring. Our methodology involved the utilization of Landsat 9 satellite image data, further analyzed through the application of two essential vegetation indices, namely the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and the Soil- Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI). One of the key objectives of our investigation was to assess the potential for extrapolating the biomass model for plant cover using GIS technologies. This extrapolation aims to extend our understanding to encompass the period of continuous vegetation coverage monitoring. The combination of GIS, remote sensing data, and advanced vegetation indices serves as a powerful framework for gaining insights into the dynamics of plant growth and biomass variations. Such research not only enhances our understanding of the ecological landscape but also provides valuable information for sustainable land management and agriculture practices in the region

Exploration and Collection of Root and Tuber Crop Germplasm in Southern Districts of Assam, India

An exploration was conducted in Southern districts of Assam comprising of Karbiyanglong, Dima Hansao, Hailakandi and Karimgunj regions. With diverse agro climate coupled with varied soil and rainfall pattern, these regions are best suited for cultivating tuber crops and play significant role in food security of tribals inhabited. In hilly areas, tuber crops were grown mainly in jhums and in homestead farming, while in plains they are grown in small pockets under mixed cropping. Of the four districts explored, diversity in yam and taro were maximum in Karbianglong and Dima Hasao offering good scope for taxonomic studies. Farmers Interviewed during exploration reported a declining trend in the production and the number of local varieties maintained in individual farms since the past decade. The factors include displacement by other crops, little research attention, drought, short shelf life, shortage and non availability of planting material, limited knowledge among youth and susceptablity to new pests and diseases. In the present mission, a total of eighty nine (89) tuber crop species comprising of thirty five (35) yam, twenty eight (28) taro, eight (8) sweet potato, six (6) xanthosoma, five (5) tapioca, four (4) arrow root, two (2) elephant yam and one species of Stemona were collected. The study revealed that there is ample scope for multi-crop explorations combining crop wild relatives and landraces diversity.

Detection of Anaplasma in Haemaphysalis longicornis from Hilly Area in Central China

Detection of Anaplasma in Haemaphysalis longicornis from Hilly Area in Central China

Laissez-faire Approach to Disaster Risk Reduction: A Case Study of Floods in Belgrade, Serbia

Abstract Objective The city was hit by a flood on July 5, 2022. Afterwards, the mayor of Belgrade declared that no one should be blamed because we cannot influence God’s will. Objective is examination of the relationship between such a laissez-faire approach to Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) from the city government, and some groups from hill areas (historically not flooded), who were flooded and have started to develop DRR approaches to adequately respond to the next possible flood. Methods Participant observation site work is in progress and includes 32 households in the residential hill area of Belgrade that experienced its first rain floods from 2019 to 2023. DRR is represented through self-installed special devices on the city sewage network. The data collection and analysis included narrative analysis and sociological analysis of photographs. All data was first anonymized as some practices were viewed as legitimate but not always legal. Results During the relevant three years, the number of non-flooded homes increased proportionally with increasing self-installation of special devices on their city sewage system Conclusions Groups left without official DRR policies can develop resilience through individual actions in communal infrastructure and find ways to resist natural hazards and government laissez-faire DRR.

Multiple Range of Output Converter for Hazard Sensors with PV System

Currently one of the renewable energy sources that is growing rapidly used a source of electricity from solar energy. Solar energy is converted into electrical energy through solar cell technology or photovoltaic. The proposed system designed a DC to DC converter to supply multiple outputs from the source of PV with an input value of 17VDC located on rural side supply an information of the temperature and humidity of a soil at the hill area near to a river. The converter able to produce multiple output of voltage within the given range.

Studies on groundwater quality index around industrial areas of low hills in Himachal Pradesh

The present study emphasizes on groundwater quality assessment and working out the interrelationship between various physico-chemical parameters and potentially toxic elements in low-hills of Himachal Pradesh. The study was conducted in industrial areas of two districts and a total of 240 groundwater samples were collected during 2020-2022 from borewells and handpumps and analyzed 21 parameters such as temperature, turbidity, TDS, EC, pH, DO, BOD, alkalinity, sulphate, nitrate, sodium, calcium, total hardness, chloride, magnesium, manganese, iron, zinc, copper, chromium, and lead. The study area was divided into five locations in both the districts and samples were taken during pre-monsoon and postmonsoon to check the seasonal variation. The estimated values were then compared with drinking water quality standards prescribed by BIS and location-wise WQI value was calculated. The results showed that in both the districts, the physico-chemical parameters under study were within the permissible limits. The WQI values range from 43.85 to 25.85 in district Sirmaur and 39.18 to 25.60 in district Una. In both the districts, the WQI lies under the good to excellent category and were suitable for human consumption. Location-wise, the highest WQI value was highest around the industries followed by samples within the industry > along the main highway > residential areas, and the lowest value was in the control which was the samples taken from the Department of Irrigation and Public Health supply. Seasonal-wise, the concentration of the physico-chemical parameters as well as the WQI was higher during post-monsoon than pre-monsoon.

Characteristics of vegetation and soil in Caragana korshinskii plantations in the hilly and sandy areas of northwestern Shanxi Province, China

We investigated the changes of soil nutrients and plant communities in the artificial sand fixation forests of Caragana korshinskii with different ages. The results showed that soil organic carbon and soil total nitrogen contents increased with the stand ages, and were significantly higher in 40 and 50 year-old than other ages. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents recovered much faster in the surface layer (0-10 cm) than in others. Soil nutrient stoichiometric ratios (C:P, N:P) in the 0-10 cm soil layer differed significantly among different stand ages. With the increases of stand age, C and N contents in C. korshinskii leaves increased significantly, and reached the maximum at 50 year-old. Leaf P content increased first and then decreased, being maximum at 18 year-old. Leaf C:N first increased and then decreased, being maximum at 12 year-old. The contents of photosynthetic pigments and leaf C:P and N:P decreased first and then increased, being minimum at 18 year-old. C. korshinskii was mainly influenced by N availability before 40 year-old, but mainly limited by P after. The species number, density, and vegetation cover of annual and perennial herbaceous plants increased with stand ages, and the community shifted from a simple shrub plant community to a complex shrub-herb community. The biomass of C. korshinskii and herbaceous plants increased significantly with stand age, and had a significant positive correlation with the contents of soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and N:P.

Research on Agricultural Machine Scheduling in Hilly Areas Based on Improved Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-III

Research on Agricultural Machine Scheduling in Hilly Areas Based on Improved Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-III

Are women empowered in The Indian Hilly areas: A study of government funding scheme

Are women empowered in The Indian Hilly areas: A study of government funding scheme

Modelling effects of immediate rainfall on sap flux of Cypress trees in the Southwest Hilly area of China

Background The hilly region of the central Sichuan basin is one of the most severely affected areas in China in terms of soil and water loss. For this reason, a large area of mixed alder and cypress forest has been established for protection. However, the uneven distribution of rainfall significantly impacts the stability of water usage in the plantations. Therefore, accurately understanding the response of trees to real-time rainfall is essential for effective forests management that optimizes hydrology and water resources. Aims To examine how the sap flux of the cypress forest responds to environmental factors and develop response models for two different conditions.

Study on the suitability and growth performance of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) in mid hill areas of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Study on the suitability and growth performance of Labeo calbasu (Hamilton, 1822) in mid hill areas of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Migration From Uttarakhand and Developmental Implications in Rural Hill Areas

Migration From Uttarakhand and Developmental Implications in Rural Hill Areas

Performance test of a half-feed peanut-cleaning picker suitable for clay hill areas in southern China

Performance test of a half-feed peanut-cleaning picker suitable for clay hill areas in southern China

STUDY ON THE ANALYSIS OF PEDOCLIMATIC AND HYDROGRAPHIC CONDITIONS IN ORDER TO INTRODUCE IRRIGATION IN AN AGRICULTURAL FARM IN THE HILLY AREA

The observations made through this paper aim to analyse local conditions and identify optimal solutions for introducing irrigation in an agricultural farm in a hill area, located in the north of Oltenia region, Romania, more precisely Ghioroiu, Valcea County. The relief of the area is characteristic of the hill area with numerous plateaus and valleys, valleys made over the years by the hydrographic network and from the runoff from the slopes. In such areas apparently several sources of water are available, but only part of them can be used for irrigation.Water sources available in the area have been identified, namely groundwater, surface springs and surface waters (Olteț River belonging to the Olt River hydrographic basin). These sources were analysed if they can be used for agriculture through irrigation, and the result was that the Olteț River can be used in crop irrigation.The areas of agricultural land that are exploited by the respective agricultural farm were also analysed to determine which areas can be irrigated and by what method of watering.

Assemblage of spider diversity in Okkarai region of Pachamalai hills, Eastern Ghats, Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India

The Okkarai area of Pachamalai hills, Eastern Ghats, Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu, India, was studied for spider diversity in the current study. In total, 178 spiders were recorded, belonging to 12 distinct families (Araneidae, Desidae, Linyphiidae, Nephilidae, Oxyopidae, Pholcidae, Pisauridae, Salticidae, Sparassidae, Tetragnathidae, Theridiidae and Thomisidae), and 17 and 20 different genera and species, respectively. Araneidae family dominated the spider population, and the family dominance curve was in the ascending order of Araneidae (25.28%) > Oxyopidae (14.04%) > Pholcidae (14.04%) > Thomisidae (10.11%) > Tetragnathidae (7.86%) > Linyphiidae (6.74%) > Nephilidae (6.17%) > Sparassidae (5.05%) > Theridiidae (4.49%) > Pisauridae (3.37) > Salticidae (2.24%) > Desidae (0.56%). Araneidae (17.64%) had the most genera per family, and Araneidae and Oxyopidae (20.00%) had the most species per family; and about species composition, Pholcus phalangioides dominated with 14.04%. Spider guilds were represented by web patterns as well as hunting patterns. Web pattern comprised orb web (60.86%), cobweb (34.78%) and sheet web (4.34%). Orb web was represented by families Araneidae, Nephilidae and Tetragnathidae; cobweb by Desidae, Pholcidae, Pisauridae and Theridiidae; while Linyphiidae for sheet web. Ambushers (53.22%) and stalkers (46.77%) represented the hunting pattern whereas Pisauridae, Sparassidae and Thomisidae represented ambushers, and Oxyopidae and Salticidae represented stalkers. Araneidae and Oxyopidae had high species richness indicated by Hill’s (4), Margalef’s (1.33), and Menhinick’s (0.299) indices. Salticidae had high species evenness denoted by Alatalo’s (0.578), Pielou’s (0.488), Shannon’s (1.471) and Sheldon’s (1.413) indices; while Linyphiidae represented Heip’s index (1.347). Araneidae scored high on other indices, viz., Berger-Parker dominance (25.28%), community dominance (1.24), and relative dominance (20.00%); while Salticidae had a high Hill’s number abundance (1.413%), and Pholcidae had a high relative frequency (0.55). This study will contribute to the data on spider biodiversity, taxonomy, it's abundance, distribution, and community organization.

Unveiling the Wrath of Erosion: Assessing the Impacts of Soil Erosion on the Coastal Region of Bangladesh

Study on soil erosion in the coastal region of Bangladesh is crucial due to its severe environmental and socio-economic impacts. Understanding erosion patterns, identifying vulnerable areas, and developing effective conservation strategies are essential to safeguard agricultural productivity, preserve coastal ecosystems, and protect the livelihoods of coastal communities. This study focuses on soil erosion in the low-lying, flood-prone coastal regions of Bangladesh. The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) technique was used to calculate soil erosion rates. The southern section of the study area, characterized by high rainfall erosivity (R) and soil erodibility (K), exhibited the highest erosion rates at 1446 t/ha/year. The region experiences significantly higher rainfall erosivity than other parts of the world. Cox’s Bazar, Chittagong, Feni, and Patuakhali receive over 3000 mm/yr of precipitation, while Teknaf and Hatiya surpass 4000 mm/yr. The vulnerability of the soft, sand-rich topsoil to water-driven gully and rill erosion contributes to the high erodibility factor. Conversely, the northwest and low-lying marshy areas exhibit low erosion rates due to the flat terrain and deposition of eroded soil mass from the hinterland. The hilly areas of Chittagong, Teknaf, and Cox’s Bazar experience above-average erosion rates. Effective soil conservation and management strategies are essential for reducing soil erosion in Bangladesh’s coastal regions, considering local environmental conditions such as precipitation and soil type. The findings of this research provide valuable insights for future studies and policies on soil erosion management in the coastal districts of Bangladesh. By guiding efficient conservation efforts, this information can help mitigate the adverse impacts of soil erosion on the environment and economy. IUBAT Review, 6(2): 1-24