Effect of DEM data resolution on low relief region sub-watershed boundaries delineating using of SWAT model and DEM derived from CARTOSAT-1 (IRS-P5), SRTM and ASTER

Watersheds are natural integrators of hydrological, biological, and geological processes and as such require an integrated approach to data analysis and modeling, which usually starts delineating accurately a polygon vector layer of watershed boundaries as input. In that way, Garrah sub-watershed in Shahjahanpur district of U.P., India, had been isolated with the objective of evaluate the accuracy of sub-watershed boundaries derived from three different sources: One was delineated by 2.6 m resolution CARTOSAT-1 DEM (IRS-P5) and other two were derived from a 30 m ASTER DEM and a 90 m SRTM DEM, using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model. In this analysis we found that the accuracy of CARTOSAT-1 DEM is so best for accurate delineation of a sub-watershed in the management of the watershed, and the coarse spatial resolution SRTM DEM (90 m) performed much better and significantly than the high spatial resolution ASTER DEM (30 m) it’s cause of the errors in the ASTER DEM, map algebra was used to define where the “Fill” tool had filled the sinks finding that the errors in the stream network occurred where some especially large fills had occurred. Not only the visual interpretation of the produces figures indicate the SRTM DEM delineated sub-watershed as relatively more accurate from ASTER DEM delineated sub-watershed boundaries, also statistics for the SRTM DEM elevation turned in significantly higher than that of the ASTER DEM. Overall SRTM DEMs offer more precise elevations while, ASTER DEMs offer more details. Therefore, the accuracy of the sub-watershed delineation depends on the first place on the accuracy of the DEM

Dry matter dynamics and carbon flux along riverine forests of Gori valley, Western Himalaya

IntroductionRiverine forests in the Himalaya represent a biodiverse, dynamic, and complex ecosystem that offers numerous ecosystem services to local and downstream communities and also contributes to the regional carbon cycle. However, these forests have not been assessed for their contribution to dry matter dynamics and carbon flux. We studied these parameters along three classes of riverine forests in eastern Uttarakhand, dominated by Macaranga, Alnus, and Quercus-Machilus forest.MethodsUsing volume equations, we assessed tree biomass, carbon storage, and sequestration in the study area.ResultsThe total standing tree biomass in Macaranga, Alnus, and Quercus-Machilus forest ranged from 256.6 to 558.1  Mg  ha−1, 460.7 to 485.8 Mg ha−1, and 508.6 to 692.1 Mg ha−1, respectively. A total of 77.6–79.6% of vegetation biomass was stored in the aboveground biomass and 20.4–22.4% in belowground plant parts across the riverine forests. The carbon stock in Macaranga forest ranged from 115.5 to 251.1 Mg ha−1, in Alnus forest from 207.3 to 218.6 Mg ha−1, and in Quercus-Machilus forest from 228.9 to 311.4 Mg ha−1. The mean annual litterfall was accounted maximum for Quercus-Machilus forest (5.94  ±  0.54 Mg ha−1 yr.−1), followed by Alnus (5.57  ±  0.31 Mg ha−1 yr.−1) and Macaranga forest (4.67  ±  0.39 Mg ha−1 yr.−1). The highest value of litterfall was recorded during summer (3.40  ±  0.01 Mg ha−1 yr.−1) and the lowest in winter (0.74  ±  0.01 Mg ha−1 yr.−1). The mean value of net primary productivity and carbon sequestration was estimated to be highest in Quercus-Machilus forest (15.8  ±  0.9 Mg ha−1 yr.−1 and 7.1  ±  0.9 Mg C ha−1 yr.−1, respectively) and lowest in Alnus forest (13.9  ±  0.3 Mg ha−1 yr.−1 and 6.1  ±  0.3 Mg C ha−1 yr.−1, respectively).DiscussionThe results highlight that riverine forests play a critical role in providing a large sink for atmospheric CO2. To improve sustainable ecosystem services and climate change mitigation, riverine forests must be effectively managed and conserved in the region

Mechanisms of Action of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Tissue Repair Regeneration and their Implications

Cell replacement therapy holds a promising future in the treatment of degenerative diseases related to neuronal, cardiac and bone tissues. In such kind of diseases, there is a progressive loss of specific types of cells. Currently the most upcoming and trusted cell candidate is Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) as these cells are easy to isolate from the tissue, easy to maintain and expand and no ethical concerns are linked. MSCs can be obtained from a number of sources like bone marrow, umbilical cord blood, umbilical cord, dental pulp, adipose tissues, etc. MSCs help in tissue repair and regeneration by various mechanisms of action like cell differentiation, immunomodulation, paracrine effect, etc. The future of regenerative medicine lies in tissue engineering and exploiting various properties to yield maximum output. In the current review article, we have targeted the repair and regeneration mechanisms of MSCs in neurodegenerative diseases, cardiac diseases and those related to bones. Yet there is a lot to understand, discover and then understand again about the molecular mechanisms of MSCs and then applying this knowledge in developing the therapy to get maximum repair and regeneration of concerned tissue and in turn the recovery of the patient

Quantitative Analysis of Tree Species Diversity in Different Oak (Quercus spp.) Dominated Forests in Garhwal Himalaya, India

Himalayan broad-leaved forests are mainly dominated by oak (Quercus spp.) species. Oak species with other tree species provide numerous ecosystem services and serve as lifeline for local inhabitants. Overall tree diversity and their status in different oak dominated forests viz., Quercus leucotrichophora (1500-2200 m), Q. floribunda (2201-2700 m) and Q. semecarpifolia (2701-3300 m) were studied in Garhwal, Himalaya. A total of 54 tree species (40 genera) in Q. leucotrichophora, 43 tree species (30 genera) in Q. floribunda and 23 tree species (16 genera) in Q. semecarpifolia dominated forests were recorded. Lauraceae was the dominant family in Q. leucotrichophora and Q. floribunda forests (6 and 8 species respectively), while Ericaceae (3 species) was the dominant family in Q. semecarpifolia dominated forests. Pinaceae and Taxaceae were only two gymnospermic family represented by Pinus roxburghii at low, Abies pinrow at mid, Abies spectabilis and Taxus wallichiana at higher elevational oak forests. There was no significant variation (p=0.8) between overall tree density in different oak forests which ranges from 33751 individual/ha in Q. semecarpifolia to 43392 individual/ha in Q. leucotrichophora forests. The seedling density has significant variation (p=0.01) in different oak forests where highest density was recorded in Q. leucotrichophora forests (1981 individual/ha) and lowest in Q. semecarpifolia forests (348 individual/ha). The Total Basal Area (TBA) reported from Q. leucotrichophora (88.06 m2/ha) and Q. floribunda (110.5 m2/ha) forests was higher than those of earlier reported from the region, while basal area of Q. semecarpifolia (90.16 m2/ha) was comparable with the forests of western Himalaya

Database of Himalayan Plants Based on Published Floras during a Century

The Himalaya is the largest mountain range in the world, spanning approximately ten degrees of latitude and elevation between 100 m asl to the highest mountain peak on earth. The region varies in plant species richness, being highest in the biodiversity hotspot of Eastern Himalaya and declining to the North-Western parts of the Himalaya. We examined all published floras (31 floras in 42 volumes spanning the years 1903–2014) from the Indian Himalayan region, Nepal, and Bhutan to compile a comprehensive checklist of all gymnosperms and angiosperms. A total of 10,503 species representing 240 families and 2322 genera are reported. We evaluated all the botanical names reported in the floras for their updated taxonomy and excluded >3000 synonyms. Additionally, we identified 1134 species reported in these floras that presently remain taxonomically unresolved and 160 species with missing information in the global plant database (The Plant List, 2013). This is the most comprehensive estimate of plant species diversity in the Himalaya

New phytogeographically noteworthy plant records from Uttarakhand, western Himalaya, India

We recorded three species of angiosperms viz., Dontostemon glandulosus, Potentilla pamirica and Carex sagaensis for the first time from Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve in Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. These species had not been reported from the state of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya till date. Since these species are restricted in distribution and very little is known about them, we provide diagnostic features of these species along with photographs to aid field identification, phytogeographic and ecological notes. </p

Rediscovery, phytogeography and conservation status of Leptodermis riparia Parker (Rubiaceae) in Western Himalaya, India

Leptodermis riparia Parker (Rubiaceae) is rediscovered after a gap of 90 years from its Type locality in eastern part of Uttarakhand, Western Himalaya. In addition, we recorded two new localities of this species in the state. All the three populations were found along stream courses especially on rocky substrates rich in limestone. The Type locality for this species was devastated due to severe floods of 2013. In this article, we have presented description, habitat characteristics, phytogeography and conservation status of L. riparia in the Western Himalaya

Influence of Anthropogenic Activities on Forest Carbon Stocks—A Case Study from Gori Valley, Western Himalaya

Carbon stock assessment in various ecosystems is vital for monitoring the health of these ecosystems and national accounting for the United Nations convention on climate change. The influence of various anthropogenic drivers on carbon stock in different ecosystems has not been examined comprehensively. This study aims to determine the impact of anthropogenic pressures (lopping, cutting, grazing) on soil physico-chemical properties and carbon stock in four temperate broadleaf forests dominated by different species of oak, viz., Banj oak (Quercus leucotrichophora), Rianj oak (Quercus lanuginosa), Moru oak (Quercus floribunda) and Kharsu oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) along an elevation gradient from 1700–3000 m asl in Gori valley, western Himalaya. Biomass data were collected from 120 quadrats of 10 × 10 m size at three distinct altitudes (4 forest sites × 3 altitudes × 10 quadrats) and analysed for carbon stock, whereas soil samples were randomly collected in triplicate from three depths of each altitude of the forest site and further analysed for their physico-chemical properties. A total of 767 individual trees with a diameter of ≥31 cm were measured at twelve sites and standing biomass was estimated following the growing stock volume equations. Mean carbon stock was highest in Moru oak (396.6 ± 29.5 Mg C ha−1) and lowest in Banj oak forest (189.3 ± 48.6 Mg C ha−1). We also found soil to be the largest pool of forest carbon (43.0–59.7%) followed by aboveground biomass (31.5–45.0%), belowground biomass (8.4–11.7%) and litter (0.4–0.5%). The basal area showed significant effect on altitude and carbon stock, whereas disturbance showed significant (p 2 = 0.60) with the basal area, indicating that nitrogen enhances tree growth and forest carbon stock. However, anthropogenic disturbance showed a significant negative impact on the basal area, soil nutrients and carbon stock of oak forests. This concludes that forest structure, anthropogenic pressure and soil parameters contribute to the carbon stock of the area. Considering the significance of these overexploited oak forests, it is recommended to conserve the old-growth forest species in the study area, since they have the highest carbon accumulation potential