Central Hills Research Articles

Climatic and anthropogenic deflation change factors in the territory of Belarus and their regional features

The present study deals with the analysis of the frequency and recurrence of extreme deflation phenomena in the territory of Belarus. The deflation intensity was estimated using meteorological data. 810 cases of dust storms and drifting snow were recorded in the country in the period of 1961–2022, of which 238 had low intensity, 213 – medium intensity and 359 – high intensity. The deflation phenomenon dynamics was analyzed: in the period of 1961–2000 the number of cases decreased gradually, but after 2000 there was an increase in dust storms. The growth of deflation repeatability corresponds to ongoing current climate changes. The spatial zoning of the country by deflation intensity was conducted based on the relief, the composition and structure of cover deposits, and the conditions of economic development of the area. The zones are presented as follows: with low deflation intensity (central Belarusian hills and ridges, northern and eastern regions of the country), medium (central regions of the country) and high (Belarusian Polesie, Grodno, Volkovysk and Slonim uplands with adjacent plains and lowlands).

Current and future environmental suitability for bats hosting potential zoonotic pathogens in rural Kenya.

Synanthropic bats live in close proximity to humans and domestic animals, creating opportunities for potential pathogen spillover. We explored environmental correlates of occurrence for a widely distributed synanthropic African bat, Mops pumilus-a species associated with potential zoonotic viruses-and estimated current and future environmental suitability in the Taita Hills region and surrounding plains in Taita-Taveta County in southeast Kenya. To project future environmental suitability, we used four Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 general circulation models that capture temperature and precipitation changes for East Africa. The models were parameterized with empirical capture data of M. pumilus collected from 2016 to 2023, combined with satellite-based vegetation, topographic, and climatic data to identify responses to environmental factors. The strongest drivers for current environmental suitability for M. pumilus were short distance to rivers, higher precipitation during the driest months, sparse vegetation-often related to urban areas-and low yearly temperature variation. To predict current and future areas suitable for M. pumilus, we created ensemble niche models, which yielded excellent predictive accuracies. Current suitable environments were located southward from the central and southern Taita Hills and surrounding plains, overlapping with urban centers with the highest human population densities in the area. Future projections for 2050 indicated a moderate increase in suitability range in the southern portion of the region and surrounding plains in human-dominated areas; however, projections for 2090 showed a slight contraction of environmental suitability for M. pumilus, potentially due to the negative impact of increased temperatures. These results show how environmental changes are likely to impact the human exposure risk of bat-borne pathogens and could help public health officials develop strategies to prevent these risks in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya, and other parts of Africa.

Minimizing the Cost of Overstocking: Towards a Thinning Regime for Community - Managed Pine Plantations in the Central Hills of Nepal

The authors assess the impact of stocking levels on the growth of Pinus Roxburghii and Pinus Patula which were planted in the two central hill districts of Nepal over the past two decades, and are generally overstocked due to conservative thinning practices. An analysis of more than 150 tress at different stocking levels showed that overstocking has reduced volume growth, and if thinning is delayed, this will be equivalent to a loss of over USD 200 per hectare per anum. To maximize income from such plantations, thinning regimes for the two species are also suggested.

Contributions of Community Forestry in Rural Social Transformation: Some Observations From Nepal

This paper examines the contribution of Nepalese Community Forestry in social change process in two central hills districts of Nepal. Analysis of data indicates improvement in forest management, decision making, representation of poor and women in forest management and utilisation, awareness on economic and ecological contributions of forests. Debates and discussionshave increased as regards roles and responsibilities of users as well as mechanisms for gender-sensitive, poverty-focused and equity-based forest management activities. All these factors are contributing to achieve sustainable management of forest resources, to improve the living condition of people and to promote non-coercive social transformation.

Exploring the Potential of Geotourism with a Focus on Kahagolla Landslides Area in Sri Lanka


 
 
 
 Geotourism is a new type of tourism based on geological features. As such, the primary goal of this research is to identify the possibility of converting protected natural hazard areas into profitable Geotourism sites. A geologic hazard visible in the geological environment is a natural event that occurs within the earth's crust which poses a threat to life and property. One such example is landslides. The Kahagolle landslide area is 3.5 ha in size and landslide prevention and mitigation activities have been conducted here as part of a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) project costing millions of rupees. The attractiveness and profitability of this location lie in the availability of different landslide mitigation methods within a single area. Located along the Beragala-Hali Ela highway (A16) in close proximity to Haputale and Bandarawela, the site has the potential to attract many domestic as well as international tourists who visit the central hills of Sri Lanka. This was an inductive study using field observations as primary data, and content analysis of published papers and NBRO documents that have been used as secondary, qualitative data. The main conclusion drawn based on the results is that there certainly is a possibility of improving this area as a Geotourism site aimed at foreign and local tourists mainly for educational purposes. The recommendation is to build an information center with the capacity to raise awareness and enhance knowledge about the history of this landslide, the geological quality of the area along with details of the mitigation project. As such, tickets could be issued, and the site arranged into zones from top to bottom while the methods used could be shared with visitors.
 Keywords: Geotourism, Landslides as tourist sites, Mitigation activities
 
 
 

Exploring the spatiotemporal patterns of county-scale PM2.5 drivers in Shandong Province from 2000 to 2020.

In the rapid development of air pollution over the past two decades in Shandong Province, it has played a detrimental role, causing severe damage to regional ecological security and public health. There has been little research at the county scale to explore the spatiotemporal causes and heterogeneity of PM2.5 pollution. This study utilizes a Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression Model (GTWR) to environmentally model meteorological elements and socioeconomic conditions in Shandong Province from 2000 to 2020, aiming to identify the key driving factors of PM2.5 concentration changes across 136 counties. The results show that PM2.5 pollution in Shandong Province peaked in 2013, followed by a rapid decline in pollution levels. Geographically, counties in the western plains of Shandong generally exhibit higher pollution levels, while most counties in the central hills of Shandong and the Jiaodong Peninsula are in low pollution areas. Strong winds positively influence air quality in the southeast of Shandong; high temperatures can ameliorate air pollution in areas outside the southeast, whereas air pressure exhibits the opposite effect. Precipitation shows a significant negative correlation in the Laizhou Bay and central Shandong regions, while relative humidity primarily exerts a negative effect in coastal areas. The impact of fractional vegetation cover is relatively mild, with positive effects observed in southern Shandong and negative effects in other regions. Population density shows a significant positive correlation in the western plains of Shandong. Economic factors exhibit predominantly positive relationships, particularly in the northwest and the Jiaodong Peninsula. Electricity consumption in southern Shandong correlates positively, while industrial factors show positive effects province-wide. PM2.5 pollution in Shandong Province demonstrates significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity, aligning with governmental expectations for the effectiveness of air pollution control measures. The conclusions of this study can be utilized to assess the efficiency of air pollution abatement at the county level and provide quantitative data support for the revision of regional emission reduction policies.

Epidemiology and clinical features of Hypnale nepa (hump-nosed pit viper) envenoming in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka homes 3 species of hump-nosed pit vipers including Hypnale Hypnale, H. zara and H. nepa from which, latter 2 are endemic to the country. Even though former 2 are the subject of several publications, no major clinical studies have been done regarding H. nepa bites. As these snakes confine only to central hills of the country, their bites are very rare. The objectives of this study were to describe epidemiological and clinical features of H. nepa bites. A prospective observational study was conducted for patients admitted with H. nepa bites to Teaching Hospital, Ratnapura, Sri Lanka for 5 years commencing from June 2015. Species identification was done using a standard key.There were 14 (3.6%) patients with H. nepa bites of which 9 (64%) were males and 5 (36%) were females. Their age ranged from 20 to 73 years (median 37.5). Seven bites (50%) occurred on lower limbs. Majority of bites (10; 71%) happened at daytime [0600–1759 h] in tea estates (8; 57%). Most patients (8; 57%) were admitted within 1–3 h from bite. Hospital stay was 2.5 days (IQR 2–3). Local envenoming was observed in all patients including local pain and swelling [mild (7; 50%), moderate (5; 36%), severe (2; 14%)], local bleeding (1; 7%) and lymphadenopathy (1; 7%). Nonspecific features were observed in 3 (21%). Systemic manifestations were found in 2 (14%) including microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia and sinus bradycardia. Two (14%) had myalgia. H. nepa bites frequently cause local envenoming. But, rarely systemic manifestations may occur.

Spatial pattern optimization of rural production-living-ecological function based on coupling coordination degree in shallow mountainous areas of Quyang County, Hebei Province, China

IntroductionThe shallow mountainous area in Hebei province is a crucial part of the ecological security barrier and regional ecological conservation construction in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei (BTH) region. In recent years, the contradictions in the development of the rural “production-living-ecological” function (PLEF) in shallow mountainous areas are prominent, so optimize its spatial pattern is beneficial to rural sustainable development. But there are significant problems in the existing research, such as the lack of fine-scale research and effective guidance for rural PLEF. Based on this, this study takes Quyang County as an example, starts from the perspective of PLEF coordinated development, finally puts forward the optimization strategy of rural production-living-ecological space (PLES) pattern by evaluating rural PLEF and its coupling co-scheduling.MethodsThis study first fused multi-source data such as POI and remote sensing images to build a comprehensive evaluation system of rural PLES, combined with entropy weight method and analytic hierarchy process to give weight to various indicators, and calculated the PLEF distribution of Quyang County on the 300 × 300m grid scale. Then the collaborative development of PLEF is measured by coupling coordination degree model. Finally, according to PLEF and its coupling and coordination, the functional space types are divided according to the principles of coordinated development and ecological optimization, and the optimization strategy of PLES pattern is proposed on the village scale.Results(1) The spatial distribution of PLEF in Quyang County is significantly different, and the order of functional intensity is: ecological space (ES) > production space (PS) > living space (LS). (2) The PLEF coupling coordination degree generally presents the spatial distribution characteristics of “low in the north and high in the south”, which is highly related to its topographic features. The high-value areas are mainly spread over southern plains with developed economy and rich ecological resources, while the low-value areas are located in the northern mountains and the central hills. (3) On the grid scale, the PLES pattern is identified as six types: production-living-ecological balance space (PLEBS), production-living space (PLS), production-ecological space (PES), living-ecological space (LES), ES and PS. Among them, the proportion of PLEBS and ES is larger. (4) On the village scale, it is suggested that PLEBS villages further emphasize high-quality coordinated development; ecological function leading optimization type (EFLOT) villages adhere to ecological priorities and ensure the development of ecological space functions; villages with composite functions should combine their own advantages and the spatial characteristics of the surrounding countryside, optimize and control infrastructure configuration, industrial structure, ecological protection and other aspects of classification, overcome shortcomings and improve the coordination of the PLEF.DiscussionBased on previous studies, this paper explored and improved the research scale, analysis methods, evaluation indexes and optimization ideas in the field of rural PLEF. Therefore, the results can guide for the high-quality coordinated development of territorial space and rural revitalization construction of counties in shallow mountainous areas.

Integrated nutrient management in barley (Hordeum vulgare) under central plateau and hills agroecological region

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons of 2017–18 and 2018–19 at the Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, to find out best integrated nutrient management strategy in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). The correlation and regression were studied between yield attributes and yield as influenced by these treatments. The experiment was laid out in a randomized block design (factorial), comprising combinations of 6 fertility levels [75% recommended dose of fertilizers (RDF), (45 kg N and 22.5 kg P2 O5 ) 100% RDF (60 kg N and 30 kg P2 O5 ); 125% RDF (75 kg N and 37.5 P2 O5 ); 75% RDF + farmyard manure (FYM) 5 t/ha; 100% RDF + FYM 5 t/ha; and 125% RDF + FYM 5 t/ha, and 4 liquid bioinoculants, viz. Azotobacter, phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Azotobactor + PSB and Azotobactor + Azospirillum + phosphates solubilizer + PGPR (plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria) at the rate 5 ml/kg seed. The results indicated that, application of 125% RDF in conjunction with FYM 5 t/ha had significant effect on yield attributes, viz. effective tillers (45.36), ear length (9.37 cm), ear weight (3.22g), grains/ear (54.49), grain weight/ear (2.70 g), straw weight/ear (0.52 g), filled spikelet/ear (54.47), least number of unfilled spikelet/ear (3.24) and test weight (49.92 g), and grain (5.20 t/ha), straw (7.79 t/ha) and biological yield (12.99 t/ha) which was at par with 100% RDF + FYM 5 t/ha. However, both these fertility levels significantly increased the grain weight/ear over application of 75% RDF + FYM 5 t/ha, 125% RDF, 100% RDF and 75% RDF during both the years. The barley crop under the influence of conjoint inoculation with liquid bio-fertilizers, consisting combination of Azotobacter + Azospirillum + phosphates solubilizer + plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) recorded significantly higher yield attributes, grain (5.12 t/ha), straw (7.57 t/ha) and biological yields (12.69 t/ha) and was found at par with inoculation of Azotobacter + PSB inoculation. The results showed positive interrelationship between grain yield and yield components, viz. effective tillers, ear length, test weight, grain/ear and grain weight/ear, clearly indicate that grain yield is dependent on several component which are interrelated with each other.

El Nino/La Nina and IOD impact on Kharif season crops over western agro-climatic zones of India

Climate modes like ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) and IOD (Indian Ocean Dipole) produce an impact on the monsoon rainfall over India. Monsoon rainfall is extremely important for the agriculture of our country. The impact of these climate modes on monsoon rainfall thus in turn affects the rain-fed crops (kharif). In this study, four kharif season crops namely rice (Oryza sativa), maize (Zea mays), pulses and sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) are chosen over four arid/semi-arid agro-climatic zones of western India to study the effect of the climate modes on selected crops. The detailed analysis has been carried out to show the impact of rainfall in the El Nino/La Nina (phases of ENSO) and IOD years on the crop productions over the mentioned zones viz. (Central plateau and hills region; Western plateau and hills region; Gujarat hills and plains region; Western dry region) from 1966–2011. The results show that rice productions which require hot and humid conditions have been largely affected during drought years associated with El Nino which results in poor rainfall over all the zones. The production of pulses which does not require excess humid conditions shows marginal improvement during the neutral years or non-El Nino/non-La Nina years. Maize production seems to be better in La Nina years and worst in the El Nino years as La Nina years are responsible for good rainfall in all zones. El Nino years provide a minor impact on sugarcane productions in different zones. La Nina years are well suited for sugarcane production in all zones of our study as sugarcane requires a good amount of moisture. Positive IOD years are associated with poor crop productions as compared to negative IOD years mostly in all zones as most of the positive IOD years happen to be El Nino years. El Nino-rainfall relation being dominant than positive IOD-rainfall relation is, therefore, responsible for negative rainfall anomalies over the selected zones.

Significant range extension of Streptanthus squamiformis (Brassicaceae), a Ouachita Mountain endemic

Streptanthus squamiformis Goodman (Brassicaceae) is a plant narrowly endemic to the Athens Plateau; Central Hills, Ridges, and Valleys; and Central Mountain Ranges ecoregions of the Ouachita Mountains, and previously known from five adjacent counties in western Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. We document a 100-km range extension of this species to Perry County in central Arkansas, its first occurrence in the Fourche Mountains Ecoregion.

Post-Laramide, Eocene epeirogeny in central Colorado—The result of a mantle drip?

Abstract The Southern Rocky Mountains first rose during the Laramide Orogeny (ca. 75–45 Ma), but today's mountains and adjacent Great Plains owe their current height to later epeirogenic surface uplift. When and why epeirogeny affected the region are controversial. Sedimentation histories in two central Colorado basins, the South Park–High Park and Denver basins, shifted at 56–54 Ma from an orogenic to an epeirogenic pattern, suggesting central Colorado experienced epeirogeny at that time. To interrogate that hypothesis, we analyzed thermal histories for seven samples from central Colorado's Arkansas Hills and High Park using thermochronometers with closure temperatures below ~180 °C, enabling us to track sample exhumation from ~5–7 km depth. Three samples are from the Cretaceous Whitehorn pluton, and four are Precambrian granitoids. All zircon and titanite (U-Th)/He dates (ZHe and THe) and one apatite fission-track (AFT) date are similar to the 67 Ma pluton emplacement age. Whitehorn dates using the lower-temperature apatite (U-Th)/He (AHe) thermochronometer are 55–41 Ma. These data require two exhumation episodes, one ca. 67–60 Ma, the second beginning at 54–46 Ma. The pluton reached the surface by 37 Ma, based on the age of volcanic tuff filling a pluton-cutting paleovalley. The Precambrian samples do not further refine this thermal history owing to the comparatively higher He closure temperature of their more radiation-damaged apatite. Laramide crustal shortening caused 67–60 Ma exhumation. Arkansas Hills shortening ended before 67 Ma, so shortening could not have caused the exhumation event that began 54–46 Ma; thermochronology supports the Eocene epeirogeny hypothesis. Epeirogeny affected >2.0 × 104 km2, from the Sawatch Range to the Denver Basin. We attribute epeirogeny to an Eocene mantle drip that likely triggered subsequent drips, causing younger exhumation events in adjacent areas.

​Nodulation, Yield Attributes and Yield of Mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.)] Influenced by Different Level of Potassium Humate and Fertility Levels

Background: Optimum crop growth and yield is result of interlinking of several factors. In semi- tropical soil in central plateau and hills zone are deficit in organic carbon and NPK content; therefore inadequate fertilization may leads to pure quality and also lower crop productive capacity of soil. For the maintenance of sustainable and productive production, maintaining soil health is a critical factor. Under low fertility levels, mungbean gives low seed yield. Potassium humate, nitrogen and phosphorus (RDF) application may be increase yield of mungbean in this zone. Method: A field experiment was conducted to study, “Nodulation, yield attributes and yield of mungbean [Vigna radiata (L.)] influenced by different level of potassium humate and fertility. The experiment was carried out in factorial randomized block design with three replications and sixteen treatment combination. Result: Result showed that total number of root nodules, effective nodules, fresh and dry weight of root nodules, leghaemoglobin, nodule index, no. of pods/plant, no. of seeds/pod, test weight, seed and straw yield were observed significantly higher with application of potassium humate @ 4.5 kg/ha. Among different fertility level, the application of 100% RDF significantly increased the total number of root nodules and effective nodules, fresh and dry weight of root nodules, leghaemoglobin, nodule index, no. of pods/plant, no. of seeds/pod and test weight, seed and straw yield. With combined application of potassium humate @ 3.0 kg/ha + 75% RDF significantly higher no. effective nodules, dry weight of root nodules and seed yield were observed, as well as saving of 25% RDF and 1.5 kg potassium humate were also observed.

Morphometry and habitat selection of the Mountain Hourglass Treefrog [<em>Taruga eques</em> (Günther, 1858)] (Amphibia, Rhacophoridae) in the Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka

Many amphibian species in Sri Lanka have become endangered with extinction. The endemic, Montane Hourglass Tree Frog (<em>Taruga eques</em>) is an endangered species that is restricted to the central hills in Sri Lanka, elevations above 1,270 m. This article discusses the population status, habitat utilization, foam nest construction, and threats to this species within the Horton Plains National Park, Sri Lanka. The study on which this article was carried out in five locations for one week per month over a period of five months. Randomly placed transects were used in the study. The density of <em>Taruga eques </em>was recorded as 5 individuals/100km2 within the park. The abundance of males was significantly higher than females indicating a male-biased pattern (M: F= 9:1). Herbs were the preferred microhabitat (33.6 %), whereas the most frequently recorded behavior was perching (92.1%). Nest construction occurred between herbs in 56.5% of cases. Hence, the entire life cycle of the species is dependent on the conditions of these microhabitats. Females possessed color patterns distinct from males, which may be useful in separating the sexes in visual observations. They had different color patterns which changed from individual to individual, and the hourglass mark was not prominent. Several putative threats were noted during the survey including road kills, over visitation, parasite attacks, predator pressure, and anthropogenic pressure. These findings provide pragmatic insights relevant to the conservation of <em>Taruga eques </em>in Sri Lanka.

Characteristics of Atmospheric Particle-bound Polycyclic Aromatic Compounds over the Himalayan Middle Hills: Implications for Sources and Health Risk Assessment

This study was conducted in the Central Himalayan middle hills to understand the nature of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) embedded in aerosol particles, their sources and human health risk assessments. The level of sum of 15 particle-phase PAHs was between 9 and 335 ng/m3, with an average concentration of 73±66 ng/m3. There were strong seasonal differences in total suspended particles (TSP) and particle-bound PAH concentrations with higher concentrations in winter, followed by pre-monsoon and lowest in monsoon. The main contributor to the suspended particles was 5-ring PAHs (32%), followed by 4-ring (29%), 6-ring (28%), and 3-ring PAHs (11%). Conversely, the gas-phase PAHs showed that 3-ring PAHs contributed utmost to the total particles. The molecular ratios and principal component analysis indicated that both petrogenic and pyrogenic sources, particularly fossil fuel combustion, biomass combustion, and car exhausts, were the major sources of PAHs. The overall average Benzo (a)pyrene equivalent concentration of particulate PAHs was 11.71 ng/m3, which substantially exceeded the WHO guideline (1 ng/m3), and indicated the potential health risks for local residents. The average lifetime inhalation cancer risk (ILCR) estimates associated with carcinogenic PAHs was 8.78×10−6 for adults, suggesting the possible cancer risk and 2.47×10−5 for children, signifying extreme carcinogenic effects of PAHs on children’s health. Therefore, strict measures should be taken to reduce PAHs emissions in the region.

Massive Tick Bites Causing Spotted Fever Rickettsial Infection: A Hazard in a Tea Plantation, Sri Lanka

Tea plantations in Sri Lanka cover the central hills of the island, where spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsial infection is common. In most cases, the history of tick bite is obscure and eschars are not present. A 45-y-old female experienced massive tick bites while working in her tea plantation. She developed fever 2 d after exposure, but the diagnosis of SFG infection was not considered until a skin rash appeared on the eighth day. She had a very high titer of antirickettsial antibodies detected by immunofluorescence assay and responded to doxycycline. Here, we highlight the high risk of exposure to ticks and tick bites within tea estates and its causal relationship to SFG infection, which is increasing in Sri Lanka. Active case detection, notification, surveillance, and community awareness are imperative. Possible preventative measures for tick bites have to be introduced. There is a need to explore the effectiveness of local remedies currently in use.

Molecular phylogeny and phylogeography of the freshwater-fish genus Pethia (Teleostei: Cyprinidae) in Sri Lanka

BackgroundSri Lanka is a continental island separated from India by the Palk Strait, a shallow-shelf sea, which was emergent during periods of lowered sea level. Its biodiversity is concentrated in its perhumid south-western ‘wet zone’. The island’s freshwater fishes are dominated by the Cyprinidae, characterized by small diversifications of species derived from dispersals from India. These include five diminutive, endemic species of Pethia (P. bandula, P. cumingii, P. melanomaculata, P. nigrofasciata, P. reval), whose evolutionary history remains poorly understood. Here, based on comprehensive geographic sampling, we explore the phylogeny, phylogeography and morphological diversity of the genus in Sri Lanka.ResultsThe phylogenetic analyses, based on mitochondrial and nuclear loci, recover Sri Lankan Pethia as polyphyletic. The reciprocal monophyly of P. bandula and P. nigrofasciata, and P. cumingii and P. reval, is not supported. Pethia nigrofasciata, P. cumingii, and P. reval show strong phylogeographic structure in the wet zone, compared with P. melanomaculata, which ranges across the dry and intermediate zones. Translocated populations of P. nigrofasciata and P. reval in the Central Hills likely originate from multiple sources. Morphological analyses reveal populations of P. nigrofasciata proximal to P. bandula, a narrow-range endemic, to have a mix of characters between the two species. Similarly, populations of P. cumingii in the Kalu basin possess orange fins, a state between the red-finned P. reval from Kelani to Deduru and yellow-finned P. cumingii from Bentara to Gin basins.ConclusionsPolyphyly in Sri Lankan Pethia suggests two or three colonizations from mainland India. Strong phylogeographic structure in P. nigrofasciata, P. cumingii and P. reval, compared with P. melanomaculata, supports a model wherein the topographically complex wet zone harbors greater genetic diversity than the topographically uniform dry-zone. Mixed morphological characters between P. bandula and P. nigrofasciata, and P. cumingii and P. reval, and their unresolved phylogenies, may suggest recent speciation scenarios with incomplete lineage sorting, or hybridization.

Hailstorm risk assessment for crop areas in Moldova Region (Romania)

Estimating the impact of hail on agricultural land is needed in order to streamline damage reduction methods. In this regard, hail risk maps were prepared for the region of Moldova for the main types of crops (wheat and rye, corn, potato, sugar beet, sunflower, vegetables, orchards and vineyards). The methodology that we used consists in determining the risk map, as the product between the hazard map (average annual number of days with hail), the exposure map (agricultural crop value) and the vulnerability map (the percentage occupied by a certain agricultural crop in the administrative units). Areas with severe hail risk are in the eastern half of Vrancea County, the western part of Galati County and the northeastern part of Iasi County, where there are large areas cultivated with vines, orchards and vegetables. In Vaslui County, the most exposed ATUs are those in the vicinity of Bârlad, Fălciu Hills and the Huși wine area. Most AUs in Bacău and Suceava counties, in the southern part of Neamț County, are included in the medium and high-risk classes due to the suitable conditions for cultivating most plants and the higher frequency of hail. The ATUs from Botosani County are included in the low and medium risk classes. The lowest level of risk is registered in the case of AUs from the mountainous area, the Curvature Subcarpathians and the areas with higher altitudes from the Central Moldavian Plateau and Tutova Hills.

Earthquake Impact, Coping Mechanism, and the Community Discourses: Experiences from the Central Hills of Nepal

Introduction: Nepal is vulnerable to many hazards and disasters. Geographically, Nepal is situated at the Indi-an and Eurasian seismic plates and is prone to disasters like floods, landslides, fire, and earthquakes. The earthquake of April 25, 2015, with a 7.8 Richter scale and several aftershocks, have resulted in a considerable loss of human lives, physical infrastructure, and natural resources in Nepal. Many studies on the impacts of the earthquake mentioned the challenges in community recovery. This paper examines and explains the impact of earthquakes on family and community, how family and community cope during the disaster. Besides coping mechanisms, this paper explains discourses or conflicts in the family and communities. The paper is an outcome of a statistical analysis of 912 households' survey conducted in Nepal's central hill, Kispang Rural municipality, a community affected by the 2015 earthquake in Nuwakot district. Methods: This research relies on literature review, key informant interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGD), field visits, expert interviews, etic and emic approaches to observe from the field. The research questionnaires were prepared and performed a household survey of 912 households. Various questions on how the earthquake in Nepal "X" has created the "Y" impacts and discourses or conflict in the family and the community in Nepal's central hills were analyzed. Results: The earthquake has impacted the families and communities; however, the families and communities had shown distinct coping mechanisms to stay resilient to the impact—various factors were identified where family discourses and conflict escalated, which has impacted the community peace. Family level discourses and conflict emerged mainly in collectivist society or joint or extended families. Gender-based violence/ conflict is also measured and found augmented after the earthquake in the community. Conclusion: The research study concluded that family discourses and conflict emerged when disaster relief and reconstruction policies do not incorporate the affected communities' needs. The multi-dimensional holistic, integrated policies that integrate all the affected communities' needs will support building community and family-level peace. Discriminative policies that divide families and communities should not be practiced.

Pioneers of the plantation economy: militarism, dispossession and the limits of growth in the Wa State of Myanmar

The characteristic mobility of highland populations in Southeast Asia relied to a large extent on their particular adaption to an ecological environment: swidden cultivation of tubers on mountain slopes. This ecology corresponded to cosmologies in which potency was limitless, or at least had no fixed and delimited precinct (as did the rice paddies and Buddhist realms in the valleys). Military state building, modern transport, and new crops and agricultural technologies have effectively ended swidden cultivation. In this article, I follow the pioneers of the plantation economy in the Wa State of Myanmar, who dispossess local populations of their land and employ them as plantation labour. The limits of growth and potency they encounter are (a) in the natural environment and (b) in the resistance of local populations. Yet, even though there are such limits, the potency to which these pioneers aspire is still limitless. It is however channelled through a new economy of life, epitomised in the plantation, nourished in excessive feasting, and maintained by the kinship dynamics of capture and care.