North East Research Articles

Cloud Forest Tree Growth Responses to Climate and Drought Vary by Island and Species in the Macaronesian Region

ABSTRACTAimMacaronesian cloud forests are insular ecosystems subjected to local environmental variability, but the responses of their tree species to climate variations have never been studied. Our aim was to assess how the variation in environmental conditions associated with the geographical location of several islands in three Macaronesian archipelagos affects the growth patterns and drought‐resistance of the dominant cloud forests trees.LocationAzores, Madeira and Canary archipelagos. Portugal and Spain.TaxonLauraceae, Aquifoliaceae, Clethraceae, Oleaceae, Rosaceae and Cupressaceae.MethodsWe assessed variations in the radial growth response of 10 cloud forest tree species from 18 populations on 5 islands along a geographical gradient in Macaronesia. We quantified the influence of local climatic variables and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and East Atlantic Pattern (EA) circulation patterns on tree growth and how drought events affected to the resistance, recovery and resilience indices estimated for these species.ResultsTrees from the same island showed similar growth patterns, particularly in islands with marked hydric stress. In Madeira and the Canary Islands, radial growth was mainly determined by water availability, winter NAO negatively affected growth and droughts caused abrupt narrow growth‐ring width. In the Azores, the effect of the EA was positive, as it increased temperature and relative humidity and promoted growth. Trees from wetter environments demonstrated higher growth resistance to drought, while trees from drier sites showed faster growth recovery after drought events.Main ConclusionsHomogeneous growth patterns among species from the same island suggested that the radial growth of trees in cloud forests is mostly determined by local environmental conditions, which are more important for their growth than phenotypic traits. The variability in water availability determined by a latitudinal geographical gradient throughout the Macaronesian region influenced both the climatic response of the trees and their resilience to drought.

Gold in Ores of the Natalka Giant Deposit (North East Russia): Content, Distribution and Speciation

The content, distribution and speciation of gold in ores of the Natalka deposit (North East Russia) were studied. According to atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), the vein and veinlet-vein ores are highest grade in gold, whereas veinlet-disseminated ores are lower grade and disseminated ores are poor in gold. According to light microscopy and electron probe microanalysis, up to 85% of gold in the Natalka ores is represented by large and small grains of free native gold associated with gangue and sulfide minerals. The gold grains of 0.01 to 2 mm in size are dominated and their fineness vary from 720 to 860 ‰. Up to 20% of native gold is represented by finely dispersed particles < 0.01 mm in size and a fineness of 750–990‰. Most of this gold is fixed and bounded mainly to with sulfides. According to “phase” chemical analysis with AAS, arsenopyrite is richest in gold whereas pyrite is poorer in gold. Using AAS with analytical data selections for single crystals, two non-mineral forms of “invisible” gold were found in these sulfides, namely the structurally bound (structural) and surficially bound (surficial) forms. The structural gold is incorporated into the mineral structure. The surficial form is confined to nano-sized non-autonomous phases on the sulfide mineral surfaces and often dominates over the structural form. The maximum gold concentrations on the surface of arsenopyrite and pyrite were confirmed by LA-ICP-MS data. It is expected that not all “invisible” gold is a refractory gold. The major part of gold contained in arsenopyrite and pyrite as finely dispersed, micron- and submicron-sized particles, as well as the surficially bound gold, can be extracted with modification of current flowsheet, which enhances the value of the gold ores at the Natalka deposit.

Elevational Effect on Aleppo Pine Seed Production and Seed Germination in east north Libya

Al Jabal Al Akhdar mountain south of the Mediterranean in Northern Libya is the only native habitat for Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) in eastern North Africa. Located between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sahara Desert, climate change and human activities are threatening its existence. We studied three woodlands of P. halepensis at different elevations in this unusual and rare ecosystem. We found that P. halepensis is producing more cones per tree and more seeds per cone than trees in more northern populations, with a net result at higher altitude of more than 7 times the number of seeds per tree compared to the northern Mediterranean. Moreover, seeds from woodland at the highest altitude showed better germination, longer root length, higher root and shoot dry mass and better growth than the other two populations, so are most likely to grow better during intermittent precipitation and be big enough to survive subsequent dry periods. We conclude that P. halepensis is capable of self-maintenance in this southern outpost in the short-term, but is likely to rapidly deteriorate in the face of climate change and a lack of protection. Conservation action to protect and facilitate spread of natural stands is urgently needed.

Technical and cost efficiency analysis of irrigated onion production insight from smallholders irrigated onion farmers in north East Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

IntroductionOnions are an imperative root crop that can be grown both under irrigation and rain-fed conditions. It is considered a complementary product to tomatoes and is a globally commercial crop. Onions are a popular crop in Ethiopia for human consumption and export.MethodsFor this study, 150 smallholder producers were surveyed to collect cross-sectional data. A single-step Cobb–Douglas stochastic frontier model was used to estimate both the technical and cost efficiency of irrigated onion production.ResultsThe results from the maximum likelihood stochastic frontier model result indicated that the technical efficiency in onions was influenced by the age of the household head, slope of the land, number of extension contacts with development agents, distance from the sampled respondent’s residence to the office of the kebele agriculture office, and the number of oxen owned by the sampled households. Cost efficiency, on the other hand, was determined by the age and educational status of the household head, family size in man equivalent, and the size of irrigated land owned by the onion farmer. The study found that the average technical efficiency score for irrigated onions in the study area was 87%, while the average cost efficiency score was 84%.DiscussionThis indicates that, on average, onion farmers in the study area could potentially increase their technical efficiency by 13% and their cost efficiency by 16% with existing inputs, technologies, and current environmental conditions. Thus, the study suggests institutional interventions such as providing extension services to farmers who are far from agriculture offices, advising on fertility reclamation measures, facilitating young farmers in onion production, and assisting in asset building, particularly in acquiring oxen, to maximize technical and cost efficiency in the study area.

A service evaluation of the North East Essex Diabetes Service (NEEDS)

ABSTRACT Improving outcomes and the integration of diabetes care for adults is a National Health Service ambition. In north east Essex, United Kingdom, an innovative interprofessional community-based diabetes service (North East Essex Diabetes Service (NEEDS)) was developed to provide a single point of access and continuity of care across an integrated, interprofessional care pathway. The aim was to evaluate how NEEDS was embedded into Primary Care, and gain insight into how it works from the perspective of staff delivering the service and from those receiving care. A mixed methods approach was used. Retrospective data from GP surgeries involved in NEEDS were analyzed. Online surveys (n = 21) and focus groups (workforce n = 23; service users n = 6) were conducted. A clear pathway of diabetes care across an integrated, interprofessional care system was demonstrated. Standard care processes and patient outcomes were higher than those recorded for other GP surgeries across England. Service users reported that they received support with more control over their care. The workforce reported a reduction in bureaucracy, blurring of professional boundaries, and thus autonomy to develop the service. The “virtual ward” provided a true interprofessional team approach. Patients and the workforce reported feeling empowered, demonstrating a holistic high-quality approach to patient care.

(wl-2622)-Free Movement Regime and Ethnic Belonging in North East India

While the Government of India is mulling over scrapping the Free Movement Regime and fencing the India–Myanmar Border considering security reasons, both Mizoram and Nagaland governments perceive it as potentially disrupting the ethnic bonds among the communities across the border. The issue in question is a textbook example of how collective identity and shared values cut across the physical boundaries set by the modern nation state and how communities and nation state negotiate each other. Ethnicity as a primordial identity has the potential to disengage with political identity created by territorial states. However, the end result depends on the negotiating capacity of the state with different stakeholders involved in the issue.

The Shaman Culture of North East India: A Tapestry of Tradition and Spirituality

The shamanic traditions of North East India represent a rich tapestry of cultural heritage, deeply rooted in the indigenous communities of the region. This article delves into the profound significance of shamanism as a spiritual practice, its role in healing, and its vital connection to nature and community life. Celebrated for its holistic approach to health and harmony, shamanism intertwines rituals, ancestral wisdom, and sustainable living, offering a unique perspective on human spirituality and the environment. Despite modern challenges like urbanization and globalization, efforts to preserve and revitalize these ancient practices are gaining momentum, ensuring their continued relevance and inspiration for generations to come. By exploring the enduring legacy of shaman culture, we gain valuable insights into the resilience and interconnectedness of humanity and the natural world.

Impact of Insurgency on Universities in North East Nigeria

The study was on the impact of Insurgency on Universities in North East Nigeria. Three objectives which were translated to three research questions were answered by the study. The research design for the study was descriptive survey. The total population of the study was 15,502 teaching and non-teaching staff in the 15 universities in the region. The sample for the study was purposively selected with 1,501 respondents having 1011 academic staff and 490 non-academic staff. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire with a rating scale of 4-point. The validation of the instrument was done by three experts. In order to check for the reliability of the instrument, the instrument was pilot tested on fifty-two staff of Federal polytechnic, Mubi using test-retest method. The reliability test was carried out on the instrument using Pearson Moment Correlation Coefficient and a reliability index of 0.69 was obtained. The data obtained from the study was analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Results from the study revealed that brain drain impacted negatively on the universities in the region due to insurgency and also, there was drop in the enrolment rate of students due to insurgency. Recommendations made include: the government at both federal and state levels should make effort in recruiting more staff in the universities in the north east Nigeria.

Building Connections and Striving to Build Better Futures: A Qualitative Interview Study of Alcohol Recovery Navigators' Practice in the North East of England, UK.

To address the holistic and continuity of care needs of people who attend North East hospitals frequently for alcohol-related reasons, Recovery Navigator (Navigator) roles were introduced into Alcohol Care Teams in six hospitals in the North East of England, UK, in 2022. The Navigators aimed to provide dedicated holistic support to patients experiencing alcohol harms, starting whilst in the hospital with the potential to continue this beyond discharge. This qualitative study explores the contributions that the Navigators make towards integrated alcohol care. Twenty-five semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 7 patients, 1 carer, and 17 staff. We used reflexive thematic analysis and applied the concept of continuity of care and Self-Determination Theory. The findings suggest that all of the participants value Navigators having dedicated time to work with patients to address their social needs, that patients benefit from having someone who provides relational support and is 'gently persistent', and that most of the Navigators have good relationships with community providers and have supported the transition of patients to these services. Staff recognise the challenges of holistic alcohol care in hospitals, and the support of the Alcohol Care Teams and Navigators is seen as invaluable. Navigators help to address gaps in the provision of holistic support for patients who experience significant health inequalities.

Long-Term Impacts of Aerosols on the Cloud, Temperature, and Rainfall Over the North–East Monsoon Region

Long-Term Impacts of Aerosols on the Cloud, Temperature, and Rainfall Over the North–East Monsoon Region

Subduction and rifting ‒ reflect of oscillatory tectonic processes on boundaries of the lithosphere segments in the probable-deterministic gravity models

Research subject. Convergent boundaries of the Euroassian, North American, Pacific lithosphere plates and protooceanic plate of the South China Sea on the Eastern Asia. Aim. On the base of tectonic analysis of 3D rheological gravity models compared with another geologic-geophysical data to study deep structures in zones of joint of lithosphere plates and to define space-time relations between subducton and rift structures. Material and Methods. Land and seas gravity measurements on the Russian territory and Land Gravity Data.bgi.omp.obs-mip.fr, model: EGM08_CBA_global_2190_2.5m on the territories of South East China and Sea of Japan were used. Main method of research is the gravity method for modeling of rheological properties of the crust and upper mantle by distributions of the density contrast (differentiation) of geological media (authors method). Results. Analysis of 3D distributions of density inhomogeneities in a tectonosphere of the North East Russia, Japan Sea Region, Sikhote Alin and South East China is carried out, as a result of which in the Eastern margin of Asia identical traces of tectonic processes on boundaries of the lithosphere plates, reflected their directed-oscillatory character are revealed. Traces of the subduction processes has been founded in a shape of inclined rigid sheets (slabs) reflected by maximums of the density contrast and moved under continental margin and island arcs. However the subduction was not constant in time and periodically was interrupted by kickbacks and gaps of subducting slabs under influence of rifting and transform-shift processes. In time the rifts and attendant their shifts have been displaced in a direction from autochthonous to allochthonous segments: in the North East Asia from North Asian Craton to North American plate, on the Eastern Asia – from the continent to Pacific, and on the South East Asia – from the South China Sea Plate to Yangtze plate. Conclusions. Revealed features of a structure and geodynamic evolution of convergent zones are universal characteristics of upper rigid layers of the Earth (crust and lower lithosphere) moved above subcrustal viscous layer and astenosphere under influence of the oscillation tensions, caused, most likely, by deviation of the Earth rotation parameters. In all of four areas identical sequence of subductional and rifting processes has been revealed. A subduction accompanied by thrusting of the upper crust layer over autochthonous segments was repeatedly interrupted by gaps of crustal and lithosphere sheets and a formation of stretch-shift structures. Sudduction is not main and defining process in the convergent boundaries of lithosphere plate, bat represents a privet element of the oscillatory tectogenesis.

Fatty acid composition, total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, and antioxidant activity of Niger seed (Guizotia abyssinica) accessions collected from major producer areas of Ethiopia.

Oils from various sources are vital nutritional components with a variety of roles in our body. Niger seed (Guzoita abyssinica) is endemic to Ethiopia and is among the major oil seed crops grown in the country. The fatty acid composition and the concentration of other bioactive phytochemicals in it vary with species type, geographical origin, cultivation season, and varietal types. The present work investigated the fatty acid profile and the total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC) and antioxidant activity (AA) of Niger seed samples obtained from five different zones in the Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia. using internationally accepted standard methods. In all the samples, its main unsaturated acids were linoleic acid, ranging between 67.30 and 74.67% with respect to the relative percentage comprising 179 to 234 mg/g in terms of concentration; oleic acid constitutes between 5.43 and 11.02% of the total fatty acid or 1.03 and 1.60 mg/g of dry matter. Among saturated acids, it was the most abundant palmitic acid, ranging between 10.32 and 10.66% of the entire fatty acids comprising 24.80 to 37.10 mg/g. Amongst the zones, the seed from Amhara region, specifically from North Gondar has been the richest regarding a total of 347.74 mg/g. In addition, the total phenolic content ranged between 10.89 and 11.78 mg GAE/g, whereas the content of total flavonoids ranged from 5.42 to 6.67 mg CE/g. Aqueous methanol (80%) extracted more phenolic content than absolute methanol. On a regional basis, the Amhara region, represented by the North Gondar and East Gojjam zones of the study area, had relatively higher TPC and TFC than other regions. The DPPH scavenging assay IC50 value (μg/mL) ranged between 133-188 μg/mL and poorly correlated with TPC. Among the different fatty acids obtained, four of them, linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids, are the major ones, followed by a significant amount of phenolic compounds irrespective of the variety of the studied samples and sampling of locations. The study also confirmed that TPC and TFC are not the only phytochemicals responsible for the antioxidant activity of the niger sees, as was reflected by the poor correlation between TPC and AA activity. Hence these findings indicate that the seeds of Niger could be an important source of essential fatty acids and medicinally important phytochemicals important for nutritional health improvement and agricultural development in Ethiopia.

Goods and Services Tax (GST) and Its Impact on North East India: A Study of Revenue Generation and Public Utilities

India introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2017 to replace multiple indirect taxes and bring in a united taxation system. The impact of this on North East India is investigated in this study with regard to revenue generation, public utilities and related sectors. However, the findings suggest that GST has made major strides in improving revenue collection for the region, but its effects on public utilities as well as agriculture and the SME sector are mixed.

Status and prospects of cultivation of Garcinia species in India

Garcinia is one of the important genus of family Clusiaceae. There are more than 250 species in this genus. The trees of the genus are evergreen and medium in size. These are distributed in tropical regions, with high species diversity in South Asia and South Eastern Asia. In India, 43 species are found which are distributed in North East India, the Western Ghats and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Most of these species produces edible fruits and known for their medicinal values. Garcinia provide spice, fruit, medicine, cooking butter, colour and polishing agents for metallic surfaces such as gold and silver. The fruits of the genus contain p-hydroxycitric acid which has inhibitory effect on lipogenesis and helps in controlling obesity in human beings. Most of these species are found in wild but some are cultivated for fruits . Mangosteen, Kokum, Malabar tamarind, yellow mangosteen are some species which are cultivated in India and some region South Eastern Asian countries. The cultivation is these fruits is gaining popularity due to their unique taste and medicinal properties. The status, genetic resources, their production practices and prospects in India is summaries in this article.

Climate Extremes Related with Rainfall Trends in Agniyar River Basin

The rainfall extremes variability due to climate change can be detected by the trend analysis. The trend analysis is implemented for the precipitation data period starting from year 1980 to 2021 (42 years) for the Agniyar river basin. The Mann-Kendall (M-K) test is employed to identify trends in precipitation, while The trend's magnitude is calculated using the Sen's slope method. The rainfall trend in Yearly Maximum Daily Rainfall (YMDR), South West Monsoon (SWM), Summer season, North East Monsoon (NEM), winter season and annual rainfall are computed. The results of twelve rain gauge stations in the Agniyar river basin revealed increasing, decreasing, and non-significant trends, with a notable increase in precipitation observed at some locations with acceptable significance. Most of the stations showing declining trend in precipitation based on Sen’s magnitude and negative slope. The outcome of this study needs of hour to the hydrologists, water resources engineers, water resources managers, environmentalist, sustainable development policy makers, inter-disciplinary climate change researchers and consultants involved in solving problems related to change in climate impact. The results of precipitation extremes are necessary for creating adaptation strategies in response to climate change.

Ecosystem productivity and carbon dynamics in Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur, India: a gray relational analysis perspective.

An in-depth understanding of carbon dynamics and ecosystem productivity is essential for conservation and management of different ecosystems. Ecosystem dynamics and carbon budget are assessed by estimating net ecosystem production (NEP) across different global ecosystems. An ecological productivity assessment of forest and floating meadow ecosystems in Keibul Lamjao National Park (KLNP), Manipur, North East India, was conducted using the multi-criteria decision-making process namely, gray relational analysis (GRA). The analysis was performed on 24 selected criterions classified either as "higher-the-better" or "lower-the-better" based on their degree of influence on the carbon budget. Floating meadows exhibited a higher production of aboveground and belowground biomass and a higher total mortality and decay. Furthermore, the study found that floating meadows exhibited a higher soil organic carbon (SOC) and net soil organic matter (SOM) than the forest ecosystem. The forest ecosystem showed higher total respiration (RT), heterotrophic respiration (RH), and autotrophic respiration (RA) than floating meadows. Floating meadows exhibited a higher net primary productivity (NPP) of 616.49 ± 33.87 gCm-2year-1 than the forest ecosystem, which has a NPP of 566.64 ± 65.26 gCm-2year-1. Similarly, floating meadows have higher NEP (495.25 ± 36.46 gCm-2year-1) than forest ecosystems (418.39 ± 65.76 gCm-2year-1). These characteristics have a significant influence on the carbon budget in floating meadows as compared to forest ecosystems, as shown by larger values of gray relational coefficient (GRC) in GRA. The floating meadows ecosystem (0.82) obtained 54.72% gain in gray relational grades (GRG) value with the forest ecosystem (0.53). This study might help in improving KLNP and other adjutant areas for conservation and management policies from the vital information given on the importance of wetlands in carbon dynamics and ecosystem productivity.

Physicochemical Properties of Soil around the MSW Dumpsite in North East Coast – A Sustainable Waste Management Practice

Physicochemical Properties of Soil around the MSW Dumpsite in North East Coast – A Sustainable Waste Management Practice

Physico-chemical characterization of kiwifruit grown in different parts of India

The present study was carried out to investigate the physico-chemical parameters of five cultivars of Kiwifruit (Abbott, Allison, Bruno, Hayward and Monty) grown in different states of India (Sikkim, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh). Physico-chemical analyses such as fruit weight, fruit diameter, fruit length, fruit volume, fruit density, fuzziness, TSS, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, reducing sugar, non-reducing sugar and total sugar were determined. The physico-chemical properties of the fruits showed significant variations amongst cultivars and the locations of cultivation. Fruit weight was in the range of 42.38g in cv. Abbot grown in Himachal Pradesh to 95.84 g in cv. Bruno grown in Arunachal Pradesh. Fruit diameter was as high as 168 mm in cv. Hayward grown in Sikkim. Fruit length of 112 mm was observed as the highest in Cv. Bruno grown in Arunachal Pradesh. TSS was in the range of 11.16 oB in Cv. Monty collected from Himachal Pradesh to 17.03 oB in cv. Allison collected from Arunachal Pradesh. The variations in ascorbic were in the range of 80 mg (cv. Abott grown in Himachal Pradesh) to 112.26 mg/100g (cv. Bruno grown in Himachal Pradesh). All the cultivars under study had a narrow range of total sugar (11.26%- 12.99 %). Overall, the results revealed an appreciable quality of fruits grown in North East India at par with the commercially known kiwi-growing state of Himachal Pradesh. Almost all the physico-chemical parameters taken during the present studies were found to be at par with reported data of marketable fruits from different parts of the world, which reveals the standard quality of kiwifruits grown in India. More studies can be undertaken to establish the physico-chemical markers to identify the source of fruit.

Environmental and socio-economic impacts of a Hydropower Plant in North East India: Perception of rural people

India has enormous hydropower potential, particularly in the North Eastern region, which can be tapped to meet the growing energy needs of the expanding population and mitigate climate change. This study was conducted to evaluate how the Serlui B Hydropower Project, a small hydropower plant in Mizoram, NE India (an ‘Indo Burma global biodiversity hotspot region’) impacts the socioeconomic, ecological, and livelihood aspects of the rural indigenous population. In this study, the questionnaire method was used to assess the societal perception of the rural population on the impact of hydroelectricity generation on the environment, climatic variables, and socio-economy. In terms of effects on the environment and wildlife, 93% of the respondents observed it to be a negative view because of extensive deforestation and land submergence. Further, 54% of the respondents observed the deterioration of water quality, ascribed to the submergence of organic matter and suspended solids. Also, the excessive spread of water hyacinths (Eichhorniacrassipes (Mart.) Solms) in the small hydropower plants area can degrade the water quality and aquatic biodiversity which warrants urgent attention. Pertaining to rural livelihood-linked aquaculture, 77% of the respondents informed that fisheries have improved in terms of fish quantity and size however; some original rare species of fish underwent extirpation. In terms of energy and socio-economy, the survey obtained positive results from the respondents, as the majority of the interviewed people revealed sufficient energy supply, employment opportunities, and access to commercial Areca nut plantations after the establishment of the hydropower plant. The present findings are critically compared and discussed fromaglobal perspective to assess the impacts of hydropower projects on sustainable rural livelihood, environmental management, and climate action.

Analyzing Social Media Activities of Startups Incubated in the Business Incubators of North East India

Startups are slowly becoming a lead player in fostering economic prosperity of a nation. Despite its prominence in socio-economic systems, it is confronted with numerous challenges like lack of funds, expertise, mentoring and many more making them vulnerable and putting their survival at risk. Literature provides enough evidence that incorporation of social media strategy in the overall business strategy is beneficial for multinational businesses. However, limited studies have been found that deals with social media in the context of startups especially that are incubated in Business Incubators (BIs). A study has been carried out to address this gap by exploring the use of social media by 65 startups that are incubated in four BIs of Assam, the economically most developed state of north-east India. A total of 2795 social media posts have been identified from the verified profiles maintained by the startups on four popular social networking sites - Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. Data were collected on different social media metrics for a period of 3 months (91 days) and were analyzed that led to some interesting insights. This study has put up recommendations based on the analysis that may be implemented by the startups in formulating their social media strategy.