Central University of Orissa, Koraput

About: Central University of Orissa, Koraput is a based out in . It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Biodiversity. The organization has 42 authors who have published 86 publications receiving 912 citations.

Habitat Choice and Arboreal Behaviour of Sri Lankan Narrow-Mouthed Frog Uperodon taprobanicus (Parker, 1934) in Mangroves of Bhitarkanika, Odisha, East Coast of India

Abstract: The Sri Lankan narrow-mouthed frog Uperodon taprobanicus (Parker, 1934) is a common, semi-fossorial, semi-arboreal, nocturnal insectivorous species of microhylid frog distributed in South Asia, including peninsular India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The species have been recorded from a wide variety of habitat types including dry forests, plantations, wetlands and areas close to human habitations. In the present study, the habitat choice and arboreal behaviour of the U. taprobanicus was investigated in Bhitarkanika mangrove wetland of Odisha in east coast of India. The species was recorded from holes of the trees, roads, grasslands, near the basin of ponds, inside leaf litters, shrubs (fence) and branches of tree at different heights in the forest close to human habitation. The arboreal distribution pattern of the species in trees ranged from ground level to 9.0 m. Although recorded from mangrove habitat, the habitat choice was restricted to 14 numbers of non-mangrove plants, which includes 13 numbers of planted species like mango (Mangifera indica), jhaun (Casuarina sp.), cocoanut (Cocos nucifera) etc. and one mangrove associate jagula (Tamarix dioica). Among the planted trees, mango and Casuarina sp. of plants were found to be more preferred trees as maximum number of frogs were found in clusters in these two types of trees.

Geoengineering Structures of Crabs and Their Role in Nutrient Cycling in Mangrove Ecosystem of Mahanadi Delta, Odisha, India

Abstract: Ecological function of bioturbation and nutrition profiling by the crabs are considered to be the best ecological engineering works affecting the physical and chemical processes of the sediments. In the present survey programme, an attempt has been made to study the burrow structure of two families of brachyuran crabs, viz. Ocypodidae and Grapsidae along with their role in nutrient cycling (with respect to organic carbon and nitrogen). Burrow structure was studied through plaster of paris cast and L-, J-, Y-, I- and S-shaped burrows were identified and recorded. Seasonal analysis of surface sediment temperature, pH, salinity, sediment texture, organic carbon and nitrogen was performed at all the four sampling sites. Depth analysis of sediment nutrients was performed at four selected sites namely Sanatubi, Batighara, North Jamboo and South Jamboo where a significant variation of sediment nutrient has been proved at all depths between 0–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–15 cm, respectively. Significant relationship (p < 0.05) between sediment temperature, pH and salinity along with sediment nutrients was pronounced seasonally. Similar relationship (p < 0.05) was also shown between density sediment nutrients which proves that the density of crabs plays a vital role in maintaining the natural biogeochemical cycling process in the environment.

Soil Organic Carbon (soc): A Proxy to Assess the Degree of Anthropogenic and Natural Stress

Abstract: The carbon budget of planet earth is regulated by the soil compartment in all types of ecosystems. We conducted a first order analysis of soc in November 2017 both in the mangrove dominated Indian Sundarbans and the highly urbanized city of Kolkata with the aim of identifying the natural and anthropogenic contributions of organic carbon in soil. We also attempted to analyze the spatial variation of soc between these two significantly different ecosystems. We observed a comparatively higher mean value of soc in Kolkata (2.06%) than in the Sundarbans (1.25%). The significant spatial variation in soc between Kolkata and the Sundarbans (p < 0.05) may be attributed to anthropogenic stress, which is of greater magnitude in the city of Kolkata. The significant spatial variation in soc between north and south Kolkata (p < 0.05) is due to the efficiency of the drainage system in the north and the magnitude of city limit expansion in the south. In the Sundarban deltaic complex, a natural phenomenon like erosion seems to be a determining factor in the domain of soil carbon dynamics. soc analyses of all major metropolises around the world, of which Kolkata is one, are essential to understand the carbon sequestration potential of urban soils.

Socio-Cultural Reproductive Health Practices of Gadaba Tribe of Odisha: Some Observations of Koraput District:

Abstract: A bstract: Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive sys tem, and to its functions and processes . This study mainly concen trated on the reproductive health care of women of Gadaba Tribe of Koraput. The main objective of the study was to study the antenatal and post-natal care practice of Gadaba women. To find pregnanct; related socio-cultural practices ofGadaba women. To identification misbelieves regarding food and working status of women during pregnancy. Anthropological methods like observation, interview scheduled, and case study were used to for collection of empirical data and secondary data collected from different Journals and books to get better insight in to the reproductive health of tribal. To collect on birth related practices, in depth inves tigation were carried out in this tribal group with the help of questionnaire and personal discussion and also through the personal observation.

An Inventory of Chiropteran Fauna in Bhubaneswar City, Eastern India

Abstract: An inventory of chiropteran fauna was carried out in Bhubaneswar city, Odisha, eastern India during October 2015 and March 2016 following roost survey and mist net survey techniques. During the study a total 19 species of bats belonging to seven families including the nationally threatened Rhinolophus rouxii were recorded of which family Vespertilionidae was the most diverse one, represented by five species. Majority of 11 species are found roosting and breeding in old temples and caves and are vulnerable from renovation activities, persecution and tourism. Therefore, long term monitoring of these sites are essential to understand the population trend over time and derive appropriate conservation implications.