Background: Classifying vegetation into functional types is important to improve understanding of ecosystem functioning and to predict the influence of future climate change broadly and specifically. Identifying traits that differ between species and functional types is key to understand species’ functioning. Among traits, fine root traits, including chemical traits or concentrations of elements, are fundamental for plant functioning and environmental change response.
Methods: Samples from fine roots of fourteen species repeated six times each, were collected at Gelawdios church forest, Amhara region, Ethiopia. The six sites were separated by 200 meters (180 -200 meters). Chemical composition (concentration of elements) was analysed for the absorptive root of orders 1-3. Eleven elements (N, C, P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Na, Fe and S) were analysed using different methods for CN (carbon and nitrogen) and the rest of nine elements.
Results: The studied chemical traits showed significant differences between many species and some functional groups. Carbon and nitrogen showed significant differences between species, but regarding functional groups, only the nitrogen difference was significant (concentrations ranged from 0.65% to 3.21% across species). Significance and non-significance were observed in the other nine elements (P, K, Ca, Mg, Al, Mn, Na, Fe and S) between species and at the same time between functional groups. The concentration values of elements are also highly variable between species.
Conclusion: The results indicated some higher, some similar and some lower values in comparison to global values and other research results. These differences and variations between species could be due to climatic and environmental resource differences at both in micro and macro levels. The study of biochemical root traits was very recommendable to see the extent of its effects on the determination of species’ functioning. Although the correlations of these traits were not as strong as the correlations of morphological traits, the difference was wide, indicating that these traits are crucial in functioning and hence in the life strategy of plants. This study has a profound contribution for the understanding of tropical regions’ root traits and hence for the improvement of global biogeochemical models.
Background: This study investigates the occurrence and distribution of six threatened tree species within the Coastal Grama Panchayath of Sree Narayana Puram, spanning an area of 19.4 km². The study underscores the ecological importance of these species, particularly in sacred groves, as well as the threats posed by urbanization, tree removal, and climate change-induced degradation.
Methods: A systematic sampling method was employed for the study. The study area is divided into 42 subunits corresponding to the 21 administrative units, the wards. Surveys were conducted covering 1 km at a time and the completed surveys were in every 21 wards. Data was collected using Google Forms with GPS geotagging in a collaborative effort involving local community members, ward members, the Biodiversity Management Committee, and environmentalists.
Results: Among these species, the White Dammar tree (Vateria indica) exhibited a notable frequency of 52.3%, with a density of 1.72 trees per km. Other threatened species, including Saraca asoca and Hydnocarpus pentandrus, demonstrated densities of 0.50 and 0.45 trees per km, respectively, each showing approximately 25% frequency. Syzygium caryophyllatum had a frequency of 21.4% with a density of 0.5 trees per km. The findings highlight the clustered distribution of Hopea ponga and Aporosa cardiosperma, which, despite their lower density, indicate significant local abundance. The coastal region, excluding saline intrusion areas, is deemed suitable for the preservation of these threatened species.
Conclusion: To enhance conservation efforts, the study advocates for the integration of these findings into the Local Level Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (LBSAP), alongside initiatives aimed at safeguarding the identified species and their habitats.
India was once considered ‘too poor to be green’, but the strong historicity and prevalence of community forest management (CFM) suggest otherwise – that ‘environmental consciousness’ was always, and still to this day, present among Indians. At present, CFM is practiced all over Asia but is even more prevalent in India. This review synthesises case studies to assess the socio-ecological success and challenges faced within community forest management in the backdrop of India. CFM has improved forest regeneration, biomass, and carbon stock, but despite these gains, challenges persist. Climate change threatens the forest, while benefit-sharing mechanisms often favour state authorities, reducing community participation. Limited knowledge dissemination and bureaucratic constraints weaken local governance. Social disparities, especially gender-based exclusion, further hinder equitable resource distribution. By linking community, their forest conservation and the conflicts that arise from it, we recommend enhancing transparency, promoting justice and inclusive participation, and integrating technology to strengthen community forest management in India.
Urban flooding is an escalating threat driven by climate change, rapid urbanization, and altered land use patterns, resulting in increased impervious surfaces and disrupted hydrological cycles. Globally, flood risks have intensified due to rising temperatures and shifting precipitation patterns. Urban populations continue to grow, increasing the vulnerability and exposure of cities to flood hazards. In India, urban centers face frequent flood disasters with significant economic and social impacts. This study reviews recent advances in urban flood modeling, focusing on climatic and land-use influences, with applications of models such as PCSWMM, HEC-HMS, and coupled 1D-2D hydrodynamic approaches. Climate scenarios from IPCC’s latest reports and urban growth projections are integrated to assess future flood risks. Additionally, flood mitigation strategies, including Low Impact Development (LID) practices like detention ponds, permeable pavements, and green roofs, are evaluated for their effectiveness in reducing flood peaks and volumes. Case studies from Indian cities demonstrate the critical need for sustainable urban water management and adaptive infrastructure to enhance resilience against the increasing threat of urban floods induced by climatic and anthropogenic factors.
Artificial light at night (ALAN) is a poorly studied but ubiquitous type of environmental pollution that has profound ecological, physiological, and societal consequences. This mini-review is a synthesis of existing knowledge about the causes and effects of ALAN. It highlights the variety of effects it has on both ecosystems and human health. Excessive or improperly directed outdoor lighting is defined as ALAN. It causes various effects, including disturbances to astronomical observations, wildlife behavior, and human circadian rhythms. The environmental effects consist of disrupted migration, breeding, and nesting behaviors of animals, insects, and birds, and reduced hatching rates of sea turtles and coral reefs around the coast. In humans, ALAN has been linked to cancer, especially breast cancer, metabolic disorders, and mood disturbances as a result of disruption to the circadian rhythm. Although there is an increasing level of awareness of the problem, both through digital distribution and grassroots movements, successful mitigation has yet to be achieved. Urban lighting is expanding at a rate of more than 2 percent per year. This review classifies the types of lights that contribute to ALAN, explores its oncogenic processes, and considers citizen-led efforts to curb light pollution. We emphasize that interdisciplinary research and policy intervention are urgently required to tackle the environmental and health aspects of ALAN and suggest a range of measures, including less nighttime lighting, implementing blue-light-blocking devices, and increasing environmental surveillance. The lack of funds and research priorities is an additional reason to create global activities aimed at saving natural darkness and reducing the overall impact of ALAN.
