High Altitude Cold Desert Research Articles

Skeletal muscle transcriptomics of sheep acclimated to cold desert and tropical regions identifies genes and pathways accentuating their diversity.

The current study attempts to investigate the differences in gene expression in longissimus thoracis muscles between sheep breeds acclimated to diverse environments. Changthangi sheep inhabits the cold arid plateau of Ladakh, at an altitude above 3000m with prevalence of rarefied atmosphere. Muzzafarnagri sheep, on the other hand is found in the sub-tropical hot and humid plains at an altitude of about 250m. Comparative transcriptomics was used to provide a molecular perspective of the differential adaptation of the two breeds. RNA sequencing data was generated from four biological replicates of the longissimus thoracis muscles from both breeds. The common genes expressed in both breeds were involved in muscle contraction and muscle fibre organization. The most significant pathways enriched in Changthangi muscles were glycogen metabolism, reduction of cytosolic Ca++ levels and NFE2L2 regulating anti-oxidant, while those in Muzzafarnagri were extracellular matrix organization and collagen formation. The hub genes identified in Changthangi were involved in hematopoiesis and HIF signaling pathway, suggesting the molecular acclimatization of Changthangi to the high altitude cold desert of Ladakh. The nodal genes discovered in Muzzafarnagri sheep were associated with the extracellular matrix which accentuates its significance in the development, growth and repair of muscles. The observed transcriptomic differences underscore the morphological and adaptive disparity between the two breeds. The candidate genes and pathways identified in this study will form the basis for future research on adaptation to high altitude and body size in small ruminants.

Comparative livelihood vulnerability assessment of villages to climate change in high-altitude cold desert, Ladakh, India

Comparative livelihood vulnerability assessment of villages to climate change in high-altitude cold desert, Ladakh, India

Detection of Heavy Elements in the Pulp of Snow-Capped Seabuckthorn Medicinal Plant Using Emission Spectroscopy

Seabuckthorn (SBT) is a very popular plant in high-altitude cold desert areas which has tremendous medicinal properties. The present study used Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to analyze SBT fruit pulp extracts concerning heavy metals Potassium, Phosphorus, Calcium, Magnesium, Copper, Manganese, Zinc, Boron, Nickel, Cadmium and Lead. This study found that heavy metals in SBT herbal plant was in the range of 8.65 g/kg Potassium, 1.74 g/kg Phosphorus, 0.692 g/kg Calcium, 0.546 g/kg Magnesium, 39.45 mg/kg Iron, 5.468 mg/kg Copper, 12.68 mg /kg Manganese, 8.25 mg/kg Zinc, 11.36 mg/kg Boron, 0.35 mg/kg Nickel, 0.021 mg/kg Cadmium and 0.027 mg/kg Lead. The findings of this study were compared with the prescribed limits of these metals in WHO guidelines and the content of all these heavy metals was found to be within safe limits.

Hydrosocial territories in transition: Implications of traditional agricultural and irrigation water management practices under the effects of social, institutional, and environmental changes in Ladakh, India

Traditional societies have played a vital role in the management and development of their local environments through their knowledge and practices. The engagement of people with their immediate environment has historically shaped the landscapes and their way of life. This reciprocal relationship between human beings and their natural environments, both in its historical and contemporary perspectives, is significant in sustainability research. Ladakh in India is a high-altitude cold desert region. Water is a scarce resource, and the local communities have developed unique water management practices that shape livelihoods and landscapes. This study aims to analyze the traditional water management practices in Ladakh through the lens of human–nature relationships to establish its significance in the contemporary regional context. It utilizes primary survey data and GIS to establish how traditional water management practices are bounded by hydrosocial territories. Using the social-ecological systems framework, this study identifies the changes experienced by these hydrosocial territories in the context of social, institutional, and environmental spheres. The results from this study contribute to the scholarship on hydrosocial territories in Ladakh that represent a balanced human–nature relationship by means of traditional water management practices, and highlight its significance in framing policies for sustainable management of scarce water resources in the region.

Age Structure and Growth Rate of the Triploid Batura Toad, <i>Bufotes baturae</i> (Anura: Bufonidae), Inhabitant of a High Altitude Hot Spring in the Eastern Pamirs (Tajikistan)

The paper reports the results of the first skeletochronological study of age structure and distinguishing characteristics of growth in the triploid toad Bufotes baturae, inhabitant of Sasyk-Bulak hot spring in the Pamir Mountains (3797 m a.s.l.). Minimal and maximum ages of males of the species were three and seven years, respectively. The age of females ranged from three to six years. Mean age for both sexes was 4.0 years. The majority of males (46.2%) were three years old, most females (58.8%) were four years old. The age of sexual maturity was reached after three hibernations (46% in males and 24% in females). The majority of toads breed once at the age of three or four years. Only few (18% in females and 23% in males) individuals in this population were older. Harsh high-altitude cold desert conditions and limited food resources may cause high mortality of the toads. The correlation between the minimal age at sexual maturity and the degree of dryness of climate was demonstrated among species of the genus Bufotes. As a rule, toads which live in more humid climatic conditions mature earlier. Perhaps, this explains that substantial part of semi-aquatic individuals of B. baturae in the hot spring mature at earlier age (3 years) than other polyploid species (4 – 5 years) that inhabit arid environments. In both sexes of B. baturae, growth rate was similar to that of other closely related high-mountain species, diploid B. latastii and triploid B. pseudoraddei.

Hydroponic Technique: A New approach for Crop Production at Trans Himalayan High-altitude Cold Desert Regions of India

Aims: The trans-Himalayan high-altitude cold desert regions of India is characterized by a rugged topography at an altitude ranging from 2550 to 7742 meters above sea level. It has a vast geographical area of 72976 km2 with very little cultivated area of about 13726 hectare. Hydroponic is a soilless cultivation technique which may produce fresh vegetable in areas where environmental stress (cold, heat, dessert etc.) and limited space or on non-arable land is a major constrains for agriculture production.
 Methodology: The experiment was conducted under open natural ventilated double layer polycarbonate green house in cold desert high altitude conditions of Leh, India. The hydroponic structures were designed for crop production (viz. leafy greens, vegetables, fruits etc) in deep water culture (DWC) and nutrient film technique (NFT) hydroponic techniques and compared them with conventional soil grown system. Nutrient solution for growing vegetables was prepared and standardized.
 Results: The result obtained has shown that crop yield was significantly higher in hydroponic system as compared to traditional system for all crops. The recorded increase in yield for various crops in hydroponic system compared to soil grown system were: arugula 221%, atriplex 248%, coriander 288%, fenugreek 208%, lettuce 293%, mint 237%, mustard 227%, spinach 294%, cucumber 533%, strawberry 280%, summer squash 229% and tomato 345% which were significantly higher. Hydroponics can be explored to grow vegetables round the year especially for leafy greens. The hydroponic systems may come out as a valuable asset to forward and remote area of trans-Himalayan region for growing fresh vegetables where cultivated land and availability of the water are the limiting factors for crop production.

Cultural Systems in Water Management for Disaster Risk Reduction: The Case of the Ladakh Region

Abstract There has been an increase in hydrological disasters over the past few decades as a result of climate change. Also, there is a growing recognition of the need to integrate traditional knowledge into Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and Climate Change Adaptation (CCA) policies and practices on a global scale. Traditionally, village folk have used observation-based, traditional methods to avoid high economic costs associated with sustainable management of their resources and livelihood. Due to ongoing climate change impacts and migrations, indigenous knowledge is gradually disappearing, and other modern systems have been unable to effectively replace it to the desirable extent. This paper investigates how the traditional knowledge and cultural systems of local communities living in the high-altitude cold desert region of the Ladakh region in India have contributed to their water management systems. In addition, the article discusses how haphazard changes in the contemporary environment are causing issues related to water scarcity and livelihood leading to the slow onset of disasters. Through non-participant observations during a two-month volunteering engagement and literature review, the present study attempts to track the changing realm and attitude of the Ladakhi community towards water conservation in light of climate change and depleting resources. A comparison was made between the government and non-government initiatives for the conservation and management of water resources. The results of this study suggest that traditional knowledge and cultural systems have a significant role in increasing community participation and awareness of climate change and disaster risk.

Sedimentation rates and sediment age of the high-altitude cold desert Ramsar Wetland, the Chandratal, inferred from radionuclide (210Pb and 137Cs) technique.

In the current scenario, the pristine Himalayan Wetlands are under endangerment due to higher sedimentation rate, including siltation, reduction of ecological value, pollution, and significant anthropogenic encroachment along with advanced civilization. The more increased sedimentation reduces the depth and existing expansion of the Wetland. This study articulates the record of sedimentation in the Chandratal present in Western Himalaya, Himachal Pradesh, India, at the altitude of 4300m. The sedimentation rate of the Chandratal was calculated based on a 1-m core sample considering isotopes of 137Cs and 210Pb dating techniques. The present study based on the Constant Rate of Supply (CRS) model of 210Pb reveals that the Wetland experienced an average sedimentation rate of 1.75 ± 0.04cm/year during the last 63years observed from 1953 to 2016. The 137Cs peak method-based calculated sedimentation rate of the Chandratal is 1.6 ± 0.02cm/year representing the years for about 62years from 1954 to 2016. The Wetland's functional survival prevalence was estimated to be 420 and 459years based on 210Pb and 137Cs dating techniques, respectively. The study communicates that the magnified human interference in the catchment area of the Chandratal is accountable for the faster sedimentation in recent years.

Season-sex interaction induces changes in the ecophysiological traits of a lizard in a high altitude cold desert, Puna region.

Functional traits are those characteristics of organisms that influence the ability of a species to develop in a habitat and persist in the face of environmental changes. The traits are often affected by a multiplicity of species-dependent and external factors. Our objective was to investigate thermal biology of Liolaemus ruibali in a high altitude cold desert at the arid Puna region, Argentina. We address the following question: do sex and seasonal variations in environmental temperature induce changes in the ecophysiological traits? We measured and compared the operative temperatures between fall and spring; and between sexes and seasons, we compared the ecophysiological traits of lizards, microenvironmental temperatures and thermoregulatory behavior. Air and operative temperatures were different between seasons. We found an effect of season-sex interaction on field body temperatures, preferred temperatures, panting threshold and thermal quality. The voluntary and critical temperatures presented seasonal variation in relation to changes in environmental temperatures, suggesting thermal acclimatization. We note behavioral changes between seasons, with the substrate being the main resource for gaining heat in spring. We conclude that Liolaemus ruibali is an efficient thermoregulator; it is a eurythermic lizard and presents phenotypic plasticity in different ecophysiological and behavioral traits induced by sex and seasonality. In addition, we predict that this population could buffer the effects of projected global warming scenarios.

Effect of Salix alba leave extract on growth performance, antioxidant level and immune status of broiler chickens reared at high altitude cold desert

Effect of Salix alba leave extract on growth performance, antioxidant level and immune status of broiler chickens reared at high altitude cold desert

Clinical Management of Sarcoptic Mange in Dromedary Camels Reared Under High Altitude Cold Desert

Clinical Management of Sarcoptic Mange in Dromedary Camels Reared Under High Altitude Cold Desert

Standardization of agrotechniques for raising of seabuckthorn plantations in Lahaul, a high altitude cold desert region of Himachal Pradesh

Standardization of agrotechniques for raising of seabuckthorn plantations in Lahaul, a high altitude cold desert region of Himachal Pradesh

A subterranean ecosystem-engineering rodent influences plant emergence and reproductive strategy in a high-altitude cold desert

AbstractPlant emergence from seed banks and from asexual reproduction could be strongly influenced by environmental and biological factors. Among environmental factors, animal disturbances deserve special consideration. In this study we test the hypothesis that disturbances resulting from the burrowing activity of Ctenomys affect plant emergence (sexual and asexual) in the south of the cold Puna desert. Richness and abundance of seedlings and sprouts growing in areas disturbed or undisturbed by Ctenomys were recorded at the beginning and at the end of the vegetative season. In general terms, the activity of Ctenomys does not affect richness of emerging species, but does have a significant influence on the type of emergence. Analyses between areas revealed that seedling emergence was significantly higher than sprout emergence in areas showing Ctenomys activity, whereas no significant differences were found between types of emergence in undisturbed areas. Although vegetative emergence was important, plant emergence from seeds appears to be relevant to the recolonization of areas disturbed by Ctenomys.

Studies on Physicochemical and Sensory Attributes of Potatoes Stored During Winter in High-Altitude Cold Desert, Ladakh, India

This study assessed the feasibility of providing a regular supply of locally produced potatoes during landlocked winter months in Ladakh region. Potato tubers were stored (January–May) in semi-underground stores where conditions were between 0.2–13.6 °C and 87–96% relative humidity. Periodical sample analysis was carried out on sensory attributes and the physicochemical attributes firmness, sprouting, pulp temperature, total soluble solutes, sugar level, vitamin B6, dry matter, weight loss and CIPC residue level, to evaluate the quality of the stored potatoes. Pearson’s correlation analysis measured the relationship between various physicochemical attributes that helped improve understanding of potato variability. CIPC residue concentration was within the recommended limit of 30 mg/kg tuber in peeled and unpeeled tubers ranging from 0.02 to 0.12 mg/kg and 0.04 to 3.90 mg/kg, respectively. Tubers stored during extreme winter conditions showed the highest level of total sugar 927 ± 8.54 mg/100 g after 5 months of storage. Vitamin B6 was 0.276 mg/100 g in CIPC treated potato and 0.190 mg/100 g in non-treated potato which is approximately 15% of recommended daily vitamin B6 intake. Based on the results of this study, potatoes stored in zero energy–based semi-underground stores were in good quality after a period of 5 months and suitable for consumption.

Morphometric, haematological and physio-biochemical characterization of Bactrian (Camelus bactrianus) camel at high altitude

BackgroundBiochemical and haematological parameters have not been determined in Bactrian camels kept at high altitude. Therefore, this study was undertaken to characterise different physiological, haematological, biochemical, and morphometric parameters of Bactrian camels of high altitude. For this, total fourteen high altitude healthy Bactrian camels were selected from Leh-Ladakh, India, a high altitude area, and thereafter divided into three age groups (N = 3 young; N = 6 adult; N = 5 old camels) to characterise for above parameters. All the results were compared with Lowlander Bactrian camels.ResultsMorphometric measurement showed significant difference in body height, body length, front-hump height and girth, back-hump height and girth, abdomen girth, neck length, and circumference of the shank in the young age group camels as compared to other age groups of Bactrian camels (p < 0.05). Furthermore, all the physiological and haematological parameters were similar in all the age groups of camels (p < 0.05). However, the leukocyte, erythrocyte, Hb, platelets, monocyte, and ESR level were towards the higher side of the normal reference range of Lowlander Bactrian camels. Whereas, the biochemical analysis revealed a significant increase in triglycerides and decrease in protein levels in the younger age group as compared to other age groups (p < 0.05). Although, albumin, aspartate aminotransferase, iron, magnesium, urea, and creatinine levels were insignificant among the different groups, but observed towards the higher side of the low altitude reference range. Interestingly, the glucose levels in all the groups were observed towards the lower side of the range, which showed metabolic adaptation to high altitude.ConclusionThese findings suggested there is morphometric and biochemical variation in Bactrian camel of high altitude. The results further helped in establishing novel reference ranges for these parameters in Highlander Bactrian camel. Hence, this study will be the basis of future research on a Bactrian camel from high-altitude cold desert and helpful for better camel husbandry and health management in high altitude.

Macro micronutrients and Antioxidant Potentials of Plants and Fungal based Food from Tawang Area Arunachal Pradesh India

Certain variety of plants such as vegetables, spices and seaweed are abundantly being grown in high altitude cold desert region of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, India. Therefore, five different vegetables, spices and seaweed were taken from that particular cold region viz., finger millet, nori seaweed, pepper corn, bean and mushroom have been selected based on the higher consumption of people of Northeast (NE) India for the proximate analysis, mineral, antioxidant and vitamin contents. So far, there is no nutritional composition studies have been carried out with available vegetables, spices and seaweeds growing in NE. For this reason, this study was undertaken to determine the macro and micro nutrients and antioxidant potential of these plant foods. Different analyzed varieties were significantly different for proximate composition and mineral content, and each variety showed significant differences. Common bean showed higher percentage of protein with 35.09% and fat percentage of the finger millet is higher (9.2%) as compared to other varieties from other regions (1-1.5%). Higher crude fibre was assessed in mushroom with 47.77% followed with pepper corn (38.42%), bean with 30.987%, and finger millet (5.14%).Calcium was higher in finger millet with 225 mg per 100g whereas iron content was higher in mushroom with 652 mg followed with beans (543 mg), pepper corn (408 mg per 100g). Higher amount of polyphenols observed in finger millet with 8.716 µg (GAE)/mg and highest total flavonoids in pepper corn with 48.196 µg (RU)/ml. Likewise, highest FRAP in finger millet noticed with 72.0 µg of FeSO4 equivalent /mg and reducing power (ascorbic acid equivalent /mg) in mushroom (244.0) and pepper corn (242.0). All samples had higher metal chelating activity between 86.657- 83.383 IC50 µg. Similarly, higher amount of vit B6 was noted in pepper corn with 197.0 mg while lowest in seaweed with 1.76 mg/100gm.&#x0D;

First report of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in sheep population of Ladakh, India.

Ladakh is the high altitude (11,184 ft above sea level) cold desert region in the state of Jammu & Kashmir (India), where winter temperature goes below - 35°C. A total of 37 faecal samples were collected from local Changthangi and Russian merino sheep of the Leh region of Ladakh, having the history of diarrhoea and emaciation, followed by death. Of the 37samples collected, 20 (54.05%) showed presence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection on faecal smear examination after Ziehl-Neelsen staining. The number of samples positive for Cryptosporidium sp. infection on faecal smear examination was 7 and 13 for Russian Merino and local Changthangi sheep, respectively. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection was similar in both sexes, 11/20 (55%) in females and 9/20 (45%) for males. The Age-wise occurrence of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in different age groups was found to be: 50% in less than 2year age group and 50% in more than 2year age group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Cryptosporidium sp. infection in adult sheep from India. The survival of the parasite at such freezing temperature gives the insight about its cold-resistant nature.

Effects of mulching and zinc on physiological responses and yield of sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum) under high altitude cold desert condition

In arid regions of the world, drought stress, lack of water availability and micro nutrient deficient sandy soils affect normal growth and development of plants resulted in poor growth and yield. The aim of the study was to evaluate combined effects of mulching and zinc application on growth, physiological responses and yield of capsicum (Capsicum annuum L.) under high altitude cold desert conditions. Field experiment was conducted in the cold desert environment of trans-Himalayan Ladakh region with five levels of zinc (ZnSO4), viz. 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40 kg ha-1 with and without polythene mulching during 2013 and 2014 cropping season. Results showed that mulching with zinc significantly improved leaves membrane stability index (MSI) and relative water content (RWC) and also helped in reducing leaf water loss (LWL) and electrolyte leakage (EL) indicating better plant physiological responses. Significant improvement in leaf chlorophyll content was also observed. Both mulching and zinc application remarkably enhanced plant growth characters and capsicum yield. But, during 2014, sudden decrease in minimum and maximum temperature at flowering and fruiting stage adversely affected proper fruit set and its development resulting into poor capsicum yield. Application of mulch also reduced irrigation water requirement of plants. Knowledge from the present study indicated that combined application of ZnSO4 and mulching could be the feasible strategy against weather abnormality, water savings and obtaining better yield of vegetables grown in zinc deficient sandy soils of arid regions.

Understanding historical, cultural and religious frameworks of mountain communities and disasters in Nubra valley of Ladakh

Ladakh, a high altitude cold desert in India inhabited by various ethnic communities, has become quite vulnerable to environmental hazards like flash-floods, cloudbursts, snowstorms, landslides etc. This landscape which has been traditionally dominated by Buddhist and Muslim communities, has witnessed much devastation in the 2010, 2012 and 2015 flash-floods and cloudbursts which resulted in a big loss of human lives besides massive infrastructural damages.The present paper seeks to study the impact of religion, culture, customs and rituals of this small Himalayan Ladakhi society in directly or indirectly influencing disaster response and recovery mechanisms. It would also explore the impact of behavior, perceptions and responses of Ladakhi communities in times of disasters. The paper seeks to understand not only the cultural framings in the times of disasters but also its socio-cultural settings, inter-community relations, government's role that can influence risk reduction, disaster's Impact on livelihood and cultural survival.

Hippophae rhamnoides as novel phytogenic feed additive for broiler chickens at high altitude cold desert

Extremes of climate and hypobaric hypoxia cause poor growth performance in broiler chickens at high altitude. The present study examined the potential of Hippophae rhamnoides extract as phytogenic feed additive for broilers reared at 3500 m above mean sea level (MSL). Higher content of phytomolecules were recorded during characterization of the extract. Immunomodulatory activity of extract was observed in chicken lymphocytes through in-vitro studies. Thereafter, for in vivo study, 105 day old Rhode Island Red (RIR) Cross-bred chicks were randomly distributed in to control and treatments T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6 which were supplemented with H. rhamnoides aqueous extract along with basal diet, at level of 100, 150, 200, 300, 400, and 800 mg/kg body weight of chicken, respectively. Among the experimental groups, birds in the T3 group represent the highest body weight. Furthermore, treatment group birds had shown better physio-biochemical indices as compared to control group birds. Interestingly, lower mortality rate due to ascites and coccidiosis was recorded in treatment groups and therefore, higher net return was observed. Hence, present investigation demonstrated the beneficial effect of H. rhamnoides extract (@200 mg/kg) at high altitude and therefore, may be used in formulation of feed additive for poultry ration.