Drivers of fish diversity and turnover across multiple spatial scales: Implications for conservation in the Western Ghats, India

Freshwater ecosystems are extraordinarily rich in theiraquatic life. They sustain other terrestrial life and offer numerous ecosystem services to humankind. Fishisone of the most important componentsof freshwater ecosystems(Darwall et al., 2008). However, the status of freshwater habitat and associated aquatic life including that of fishes is in danger due to intense anthropogenic impacts such as small and big dams, water diversion schemes for irrigatedagriculture, deforestation, removal of riparian cover, sandmining and pollution. As a result, freshwater fishesare being driven to extinction. The extinction risk for riverine fishes is believed to be far greater than terrestrial organisms, and may even haveexceeded the natural rate of overall species extinction (Ricciardi and Rasmussen, 1999; Dias et al., 2017). Studies that quantify various anthropogenic threats to biodiversity of the Tropical Asian streams and rivers are inadequateas compared to those in the temperate regions.Streamsare being fragmented, disconnected and exploitedheavily for rising human developmental needs.Ecologistshave emphasizedthe need for their restoration, quantification of such threats and detail mapping ofaquatic biodiversity(Strayer et al., 2010; Dudgeon et al., 2010; 2011; Araujo et al., 2013; Alexandre et al., 2013; Shimadzu et al., 2013; Sakaris, 2013; Bae et al., 2016).Therefore thereis a need to address fish responses to the disturbances to the habitat at different spatial scales. Often lack of crucial information on species distribution, habitat ecology and species responses to different anthropogenic threats at multiple spatial scales impedesour ability to prioritize river conservation. My PhD research integrates some of these ideas and quantifies the native fish diversity and factors that drive this diversity in four river sub-basins of the Western Ghat biodiversity hotspot in India. Thestudy primarily assesses the fish diversity at multiple nested spatialscalesi.e. segment, habitat, stream order, and sub-basin. Two river basins (Mhadei and Malaprabha) have numerous hydrological barriers in the form of small checkdams, impoundments, barrages as well asother forms of disturbances such as substrate mining, fishing,and pollution from domestic and agricultural uses of rivers. Such disturbances have severely degraded the water quality and fish health in India (Daniels, 2002). The other two river sub-basins (Bhadra and Tunga) are hydrologically less modified but havelocal disturbances such as water diversion for agriculture, plantations and pollution

Assessing Hydrological Response to Changing Climate in the Krishna Basin of India

Impact of climate change on water balance components in the Krishna river basin are investigated using a semidistributed hydrological model namely Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The model is calibrated and validated using the measured stream flow and meteorological data for the period (1970-1990) at a single guage outlet. The model has been used further for hydrologic parameter simulations. Daily climate simulations from regional climate model PRECIS (Providing Regional Climates for Impacts Studies) is used as input for running SWAT and monthly hydrologic parameters such as precipitation, surface flow, water yield, Evapotranspiration (ET) and Potential Evapotranspiration (PET) are generated under the assumption of no change in Land Use and Land Cover (LULC) pattern over time. Simulations at 23 sub-basins of the Krishna basin have been obtained for the control runs (1961-1990) and the for two time slices of future scenarios (2011-2040) and (2041-2070). Model projections indicate increase in the annual discharge, surface runoff and base flow in the basin in mid-century

ASSESSING IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON TEAK AND SAL LANDSCAPE USING MODIS TIME SERIES DATA

Climate change poses a severe threat to the forest ecosystems by impacting its productivity, species composition and forest biodiversity at global and regional level. The scientific community all over the world is using remote sensing techniques to monitor and assess the impact of climate change on forest ecosystems. The consistent time series data provided by MODIS is immensely used for developing a different type of Vegetation indices like NDVI (Normalized difference vegetation indices) products at different spatial and temporal resolution. These vegetation indices have significant potential to detect forest growth and health, vegetation seasonality and different phenological events like budding and flowering. The current study aims to understand the impact of climate change on Teak and Sal forest of STR (Satpura tiger reserve) in central India by using Landsat and MODIS time series data. The rationale for taking STR as study site was to attribute the changes exclusively to climate change as there is no anthropogenic disturbance in STR. A change detection analysis was carried out to detect changes between the period 2017 and 1990 using Landsat data of October month. To understand the inter-annual and seasonal variation of Teak and Sal forests, freely available MOD13Q1 product (250 m, 16 days’ interval) was used to extract NDVI values for each month and four seasons (DJF, JJAS, ON, MAM) for the period 2000 to 2015. The climatic data (rainfall and temperature) was sourced from IMD (India Meteorological Department) at different resolutions (1, 0.5 and 0.25 degree) for the given period of the study. A correlation analysis was done to establish a causal relationship between climate variable (temperature and rainfall) and vegetation health (NDVI) on a different temporal scale of annual, seasonal and month. The study found an increasing trend in annual mean temperature and no consistent trend in total annual rainfall over the period 2000 to 2015. The maximum percentage change was observed in minimum temperature over the period 2000 to 2015. The average annual NDVI of Teak and Sal forests showed an increasing trend however, no trend was observed in seasonal and monthly NDVI over the same period. The maximum and minimum NDVI was found in the post-monsoon months (ON) and summer months (MAM) respectively. As STR is a Teak and Sal dominated landscape, the findings of the current study can also be applied in developing silvicultural and adaptation strategies for other Teak and Sal dominated landscapes of central India

Emerging science for sustainable water resource management: a guide for water professionals and practitioners in India

This book brings together new and innovative research and technical advancements arising from research conducted by the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) in collaboration with a number of different partners across India. The book aims to provide evidence for why and how emerging science can support sustainable management and use of water resources. It draws from the work of hydrologists, freshwater ecologists, water chemists and other experts who share the emerging science in their area of expertise. Examples of how and why this science shows promise for future applications to water management are given, particularly in an Indian context

Strategic Analyses of the National River Linking Project (NRLP) of India, Series 1. India’s water future: scenarios and issues

River basinsEnvironmental flowsDevelopment projectsWater requirementsIrrigated farmingWater demandFood demandGroundwater irrigationIrrigation efficiencyWater harvestingSupplemental irrigationWater productivityWater conservationDrip irrigationSprinkler irrigationRainfed farmingAgricultural policy

Emergence of Urban Settlements in North Karnataka - c.300 BC-c.300 AD with Particular Reference to Sannati

Urbanization has been studied almost from the middle of twentieth century by historians, archaeologists, anthropologists, sociologists and city planners. An urban center performs specialized functions with respect to the hinterland. In the process of urbanization relatively small settlements and simple communities develop into specialized centers and complex societies. In the case of studies of urbanization from an archaeological or historical standpoint, the major benchmarks often used to contextualize urbanization are location and size of settlements, monumental structures, art, script and coins. The issue of urbanization has been more widely explored in the case of northern India whereas it has been less well-studied with respect to Deccan and Karnataka in particular. Sannati (taluk Chittapura, district Gulbarga) is the principal site of enquiry. It is a Maurya-Satavahana settlement with some evidence for the megalithic age/iron age. Kanaganahalli and other adjacent sites such as Anegutti, Benagutti, Hasargundgi are well endowed with structural remains of Buddhist affiliation, particularly stupas. In this context the impact of prevailing ideological/religious beliefs on the contemporary socio-political order assumes importance. As may be inferred from Brahmi inscriptions, the Buddhist monastic classes and the paraphernalia depended upon the surplus which was perhaps being appropriated by the landed elite. In the context of early historic Karnataka it is also important to note that a brick structure, possibly a granary was located at Vadgaon-Madhvapur. The available inscriptions hint at the presence of an active elite who were interested in contributing towards the contemporary religious movements. There were several instances of donation. For instance, in the sixteenth reignal year of Chimukha Satavahana sculpted encasements were donated by a householder Tokhisa. The extremely rich and varied antiquities along with fine sculptures, complex structures are suggestive of the fact that material culture had attained maturity specially with respect to the antecedent cultures. Here the contribution of Mauryas and later the Satavahanas becomes important as they introduced new cultural traits which were adopted by the local communities in their day-to-day life. They had spread into Karnataka from outside but seem to have played a crucial role in facilitating the transition from proto-historic to the early historic. Trade and maritime contacts with the Roman world also provided impetus towards urbanization. In the early centuries of Christian era there were definite indications of social complexity and establishment of a political order and this constituted trends and patterns which seem to have met the yardsticks of urbanization. These yardsticks of urbanization can be identified in North Karnataka, particularly at Sannati around the beginning of Christian era, even when seen in comparison to other early historic landscapes in northern India and the Deccan

Endemic Fish Diversity of Western Ghats

The Western Ghats along the West coast of Peninsular India are well known for their richness of biodiversity including freshwater species. The area has vast potential for endemic, cultivable and ornamental fish species. Indeed, it was the spices from the hill chain of Western Ghats that brought Europeans to India, an event of much significance in shaping the course of modern world history. Today, these Western Ghats are recognized as one of the eighteen “biodiversity hotspots” in the world, and are therefore a focus of great scientific interest

Renaissance in Fisheries: Outlook and Strategies - Book of Abstracts 9th Indian Fisheries Forum, December 19-23, 2011, Chennai, India

The Asian Fisheries Society – Indian Branch (AFSIB) since its inception in 1986, has been providing a platform for discussion at the national level on issues related to research, development, education and policies by organizing Indian Fisheries Forum (IFF) every three years in different parts of the country. The 9th Indian Fisheries Forum (9th iff) will be hosted by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), at Chennai during 19-23 December 2011. The main theme of the 9th iff is “Renaissance in Fisheries: Outlook & Strategies”. It would have a comprehensive look for the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, for achieving greater synergy among the stakeholders and planning strategies for capture fisheries and aquafarming to build higher levels of sustainability and profitability. The forum would also address the issues of impact of climate change and its mitigation, resource constraint and species diversification for the expansion of fish production activity; and encourage young scientists to undertake need-based and resource specific research. An international symposium sponsored by the Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem (BoBLME) is scheduled to be held during the forum on 21 December, 2011 with theme: Bay of Bengal–Ecosystem Approach to Fisheries Management

Development Policy as a Social Process: A Case Study of Niranthara Jyothy in Karnataka

Public policy processes are predominantly studied by separating processes of formulation, when the policy is thought to be ‘made’, from processes of implementation, where policy decisions are assumed to be ‘delivered’. Such a separation has significant analytical costs in the Indian policy making context, increasingly evident in policy domains that are marked by horizontal and vertical conflicts, where the state and its institutions, are engaged in an on-going process of re-calibration of their roles in response to pressures from globalization and a deepening of democracy. Increasingly, in several policy issues that directly affect livelihoods of diverse social groups, consensus during policy formulation is constructed through future imaginaries and narratives that are to be realised in ideal conditions. In such a style of policymaking, overarching commitment is to specific instruments of change or policy ‘models’. Policy goals, winners and losers from the change process are ambiguous, and conflicts of interests are resolved by delegating change to lower levels of decision-making. This study uses the policy case of Niranthara Jyothy to identify the processes of ‘how-actually’ policy change is negotiated in a complex policy domain that cuts across issues in energy, water and rural governance. It does this by showing how a thin overlapping consensus for change is negotiated around a policy instrument through narratives of efficiency and sustainability during policy formulation. It then traces the actors, their interests and justifications through which a delimited version of change is made acceptable when more context-specific knowledge and interests are accommodated during the policy process. By arguing that the policy process relies on fragmentation of arenas for gaining acceptance, each assembling a different set of actors, audiences and modes of justification, the study seeks to show how divergence of policy outcomes are in-built rather than incidental to the process of absorbing change, allowing both ‘success’ and ‘failure’ narratives to co-exist. By providing this descriptive account of policy deliberation that proceeds in multiple fragmented arenas, the study offers a contrast to the normative ideal of policy deliberation that relies on a consensus generated through open and rational deliberation in the public arena

Spatial and temporal variability of daily monsoon rainfall in Tunga and Bhadra River basins, Karnataka

The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) rainfall product 3B42-V7 and the telemetric station data sets of years 2010 and 2011 for the monsoon season were used to study the spatial and temporal variability of the daily rainfall in Tunga and Bhadra River basins in Karnataka. The daily rain observations of gauge and TRMM estimates show correlation coefficient values of 0.63 for the stations located within the Western Ghats (highland) and 0.40 for the stations located away from the Western Ghats (midland). The threshold of 50 and 75 of the mean surface rainfall gives a good accuracy of 0.89 and 0.4 for midland stations and 0.62 for highland stations. The reliability of the TRMM data varies depending on the root mean square error of 10.74 mm in highland region and 5.25 mm in midland region. The amplitude of the variability is high over the highland stations; this may be due to the orography and the inconsistency in cell resolution of the satellite to that of the point data of the rain gauging stations. The variability in the diurnal time scale is also studied and it is found that high rainfall activity is in the afternoon hours in both the highland and midland regions. A bimodal variation during the active monsoon phase and unimodal variation during rest of the season is noticed in the highland region of the area, and unimodal variation in midland region is noticed throughout the south-west monsoon period