Spatial variation of soil respiration on a drained peatland : a case study from Lettosuo-peatland, Finland

Soil respiration (Rs), especially from drained peatland, has a significant role in the global carbon cycle. Drained peatland adds more CO2 effluxes due to the aerobic condition and fast decomposition rate of organic matter. In such condition, peatlands are no more carbon sink rather than a source. However, soil respiration (Rs) is known to be markedly variable with time and space. Many ecological studies showed an exact measurement of Rs is critical. Even a spatial variability of Rs is less known at a plot scale. This study investigated the spatial variation of Rs and its relationship with some explanatory factors (soil temperature, water-table level, moss cover, drainage ditch distance, and vegetation cover) in Lettosuo-peatland, Tammela, Finland. Soil respiration (Rs), soil temperature (Ts), and water-table level (WTL) were measured at 98 sampling plots during May to August 2017. A closed chamber system is known as Environmental Gas Monitor (EGM) was used to measure soil respiration. Once at the end of the measurement in August, vegetation site type (St), ditch distance (Dd), field layer vegetation (FLV), and ground layer vegetation (peat moss (Mp), forest moss (Mf)) were measured. The results showed that the mean rate of CO2 efflux was 0.49 ± 0.1 ( ± Std) g CO2 m-2 h-1 at 13.51 ± 0.8 ( ± Std) °C (at 5 cm depth) ranging from 0.15 to 0.98 g CO2 m-2 h-1. A multiple linear model indicated (R2 =0.18) that about 18% of the spatial variation of Rs could be explained by Ts, WTL, and Dd collectively, but only WTL (R2 = 0.12) could explain 12% variation alone. The spatial variability of soil respiration was mainly driven by the variability in WTL

A COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE EFFECT OF LIQUOR RATIO OF ACID AND NEUTRAL(POWDER) ENZYME ON DENIM GARMENTS

Young people as well as older people have now great passion for the denim cloth. Today jeans are available in many colors and designs. In this study we tried to reveal the difference in between two types of cellulase enzymes acid and neutral (powder) enzyme. To do this, denim samples were collected and prepared according to the recipe of equal amount of enzyme by varying the liquor ratio. Basically there were no differences found in between acid and powder enzyme on different fastness properties like rubbing, washing, perspiration, light fastness test. But there was a significant difference in weight loss%. Acid enzyme exhibited little bit more enzymatic effect than powder enzyme and it also showed more weight loss % . But the neutral enzyme required less money rather than acid enzyme and no need to control pH, easy to use. Moreover, lower liquor ratio gave higher abrasion. Acid enzyme gave more back staining than neutral enzyme

SME Development Challenges and Opportunities in Bangladesh: A Case Study on Poultry Hatcheries by Triple Triangle Framework (TTF)

In the last half decade, there has been a visible growth in the poultry industry of Bangladesh leading to an increase in the per capita availability and consumption of chicken meat and egg. Although this growth has resulted in the minimization of the gap of human protein requirement, but compared to other developing countries as well as developed countries, per capita meat consumption is still very much lower. So there is a vast opportunity to improve total poultry industry by setting proper strategy to manage challenges and using opportunities effectively as well as efficiently. As a result the prime objectives of researchers are to explore the challenges and opportunities of poultry hatcheries focusing on SME players. Primary data has been collected by in-depth interviews and focus group discussions with different tiers of poultry professionals. Major findings of the research are the knowledge gap in respect of competitive dynamics, strategic management, global linkage potentials and modern technologies as well as another prime constraint is funding and fund management in terms of accessibility, availability and affordability (3A)

EFFECT OF YARN COUNT & STITCH LENGTH ON SHRINKAGE, GSM AND SPIRALITY OF SINGLE JERSY COTTON KNIT FABRIC

Single jersey cotton weft knitted fabrics tend to undergo a certain dimensional changes due to different yarn parameters and knitting parameters. The investigation was carried out to compare the effect of different yarn counts & stitch lengths on the spirality, GSM and shrinkage of knitted fabric. In this study the experimental results show that when yarn count is fixed, the increment of stitch length results decrement of spirality, increment of shrinkage and decrement of GSM. On the contrary, when stitch length is fixed, the increment of yarn count results increment of spirality, decrement of shrinkage and decrement of GSM. Some exceptions were also experienced

Estimation of Stock Status Using the LBB and CMSY Methods for the Indian Salmon Leptomelanosoma indicum (Shaw, 1804) in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

As one of the largest and most commercially valuable finfish species, Leptomelanosomaindicum (Indian salmon) significantly contributes to Bangladesh’s marine catches. The length-based Bayesian biomass (LBB) method and catch-based Monte Carlo method (CMSY) are among the most recent and powerful methods for predicting the state of fisheries resources from data-limited fisheries. CMSY requires catch and resilience data, as well as quantitative stock status information. For LBB, only length–frequency (LF) data are required. The stock status of L. indicum was estimated using these two independent methods, utilizing twenty-one years of catch–effort and length–frequency data (978 individuals) from commercial fisheries on the Bangladesh coast. Here, a BSM (Bayesian state-space implementation of the Schaefer surplus production model) was also employed. The current study’s findings showed that the B/B0 ratio of currently exploited biomass to unexploited biomass (0.1) was smaller than BMSY/B0 (0.36) and B/BMSY = 0.28 was smaller than the reference value of 1.0, indicating the grossly overfished and depleted condition of the stock. Similar trends in the results were found for B/BMSY = 0.11 ( FMSY) further justify the severely overfished conditions of L. indicum stock in the study area. Furthermore, the Lc_opt (optimal length at first capture) was higher than the Lc (length at first capture), indicating that this species is being overfished, and that mesh sizes should be increased for better management. This study provides information on biological reference points (BRPs), and confirms the severely overfished status of L. indicum in the coastal waters of Bangladesh. More specific and prompt management measures are required to recover and sustainably manage this valuable species, and protect the fish stock from commercial extinction

Socio-Economic Characteristics and Fishing Operation Activities of the Artisanal Fishers in the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest, Bangladesh

The Sundarbans Mangrove Forest (SMF) is a complex ecosystem containing the most diverse and abundant natural resources of Bangladesh. The research was designed to investigate the socio-economic characteristics and fishing operation activities of the artisanal fishers in the SMF through case studies. Despite the great importance of mangroves in the livelihood of the artisanal fishermen in the SMF, deforestation is perceived to continue due to illegal logging and deterioration of mangroves for climate change, increased salinity, natural disasters, shrimp farming and household consumption. The consequences are depleted fish and fishery resources, changes in fisher's primary occupation and livelihood status. The present study also elicited several risks and shocks of the fishermen livelihood like the attack by dacoits, hostage, ransom, and attack by tigers, natural disasters, river bank erosion. However, the artisanal fishermen adopted different strategies to cope with the changing conditions by forming associations, violating the fisheries laws and regulations, migrating, sharing responsibilities with the household members, and transmitting local ecological knowledge. This study concludes that there is an urgency to update the existing policies and management issues for the sustainable extraction of the SMF resources for the improvement of the artisanal fishermen livelihood.Peer reviewe

Estimation of Stock Status Using the LBB and CMSY Methods for the Indian Salmon Leptomelanosoma indicum (Shaw, 1804) in the Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh

As one of the largest and most commercially valuable finfish species, Leptomelanosomaindicum (Indian salmon) significantly contributes to Bangladesh’s marine catches. The length-based Bayesian biomass (LBB) method and catch-based Monte Carlo method (CMSY) are among the most recent and powerful methods for predicting the state of fisheries resources from data-limited fisheries. CMSY requires catch and resilience data, as well as quantitative stock status information. For LBB, only length–frequency (LF) data are required. The stock status of L. indicum was estimated using these two independent methods, utilizing twenty-one years of catch–effort and length–frequency data (978 individuals) from commercial fisheries on the Bangladesh coast. Here, a BSM (Bayesian state-space implementation of the Schaefer surplus production model) was also employed. The current study’s findings showed that the B/B0 ratio of currently exploited biomass to unexploited biomass (0.1) was smaller than BMSY/B0 (0.36) and B/BMSY = 0.28 was smaller than the reference value of 1.0, indicating the grossly overfished and depleted condition of the stock. Similar trends in the results were found for B/BMSY = 0.11 ( FMSY) further justify the severely overfished conditions of L. indicum stock in the study area. Furthermore, the Lc_opt (optimal length at first capture) was higher than the Lc (length at first capture), indicating that this species is being overfished, and that mesh sizes should be increased for better management. This study provides information on biological reference points (BRPs), and confirms the severely overfished status of L. indicum in the coastal waters of Bangladesh. More specific and prompt management measures are required to recover and sustainably manage this valuable species, and protect the fish stock from commercial extinction

Mud crab (Scylla serrata Forsskal 1775) value chain analysis in the Khulna region of Bangladesh

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Shanghai Ocean UniversityA value chain analysis is a detailed description of all the activities and services needed to turn a raw product into a marketable good for delivery to final consumers. The mud crab business is considered by most marketing operators to be a profitable and viable business due to the high demand in the international market. Despite the importance of mud crab fishery, there is no structured marketing facilities in Bangladesh. This research aim to analyze the socioeconomic condition of actors, the profitability of farming, mapping the institutional and non-institutional barriers, and provide a better understanding of the possibility of technological interventions in the value chain. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected through participatory rural appraisal tools that include 200 individual interviews, 16 focus group discussions, and 24 key informant interviews conducted in south-west Bangladesh from July to December of 2019. The mud crab value chain analysis revealed that the chain started with crab collection (cultivated and wild harvest), before sale to local vendors, and ended with exporters through several intermediaries. Results noted that most (±95%) exportable crab came from natural sources, with rest (±5%) from aquaculture sector. The average price (USD/kg) ranged from $10.59−14.12 and$12.94−19.42 for male crabs (grade: XXL), followed by $10.00−11.77 and$11.77−17.06 for female (grade: FF1) in domestic and international markets, respectively. Despite the high profitability of these sectors, the livelihood of these stakeholders has remained relatively hard. Multi-pronged approaches, like a nursery or increasing farming and backyard seed production, and possible value addition at the farm level may help farmers.Peer reviewe

The economic contribution of fish and fish trade in Bangladesh

Bangladesh possesses a large wetland area comprising diversified fisheries resources. Fish and fisheries are an integral part of Bangladesh and have earned its importance due to immense export and revenue potential. The objective of this study was to investigate the trend of fish production, export and import of Bangladesh during the last two decades. Several reviews of the literature were done, numerical data was obtained from the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock (MoFL), Department of Fisheries (DOF), Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). The results showed that fish production has increased in Bangladesh during the last two decades, starting from 17.81 lakh metric tons in 2000–01 and reaching up to 41.34 lakh metric tons in 2016–17. Due to the gradual decline in capture fishery, a significant percentage of total production comes from aquaculture. Hilsha (Tenualosa ilisha) is the largest single-species fishery in Bangladesh which makes the highest contribution to the country's total fish production. Exports of the fish commodity in terms of quantity and value has declined in recent years due to food quality and safety standards. This study has highlighted the contribution of fisheries production in Bangladesh and trade to the country's economy. By paying more attention to the fisheries sector, Bangladesh can boost up its economy.Peer reviewe

Evaluation of impact of measles rubella campaign on vaccination coverage and routine immunization services in Bangladesh.

BACKGROUND: Like other countries in Asia, measles-rubella (MR) vaccine coverage in Bangladesh is suboptimal whereas 90-95 % coverage is needed for elimination of these diseases. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) of the Government of Bangladesh implemented MR campaign in January-February 2014 to increase MR vaccination coverage. Strategically, the MOHFW used both routine immunization centres and educational institutions for providing vaccine to the children aged 9 months to <15 years. The evaluation was carried out to assess the impact of the campaign on MR vaccination and routine immunization services. METHODS: Both quantitative and qualitative evaluations were done before and after implementation of the campaign. Quantitative data were presented with mean (standard deviation, SD) for continuous variables and with proportion for categorical variables. The overall and age- and sex-specific coverage rates were calculated for each region and then combined. Categorical variables were compared by chi-square statistics. Multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to estimate odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence intervals (CI) of coverage associated with covariates, with adjustment for other covariates. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis. RESULTS: The evaluations found MR coverage was very low (<13 %) before the campaign and it rose to 90 % after the campaign. The pre-post campaign difference in MR coverage in each stratum was highly significant (p < 0.001). The campaign achieved high coverage despite relatively low level (23 %) of interpersonal communication with caregivers through registration process. Child registration was associated with higher MR coverage (OR 2.91, 95 % CI 1.91-4.44). Children who attended school were more likely to be vaccinated (OR 8.97, 95 % CI 6.17-13.04) compared to those who did not attend school. Children of caregivers with primary or secondary or higher education had higher coverage compared to children of caregivers with no formal education. Most caregivers mentioned contribution of the campaign in vaccination for the children not previously vaccinated. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the evaluation indicated that the campaign was successful in terms of improving MR coverage and routine immunization services. The evaluation provided an important guideline for future evaluation of similar efforts in Bangladesh and elsewhere