Showing papers in "Journal of the Indian Institute of Science in 2000"

Conservation status of forests in India: a cause for worry?

Abstract: In the last few decades there has been a growing concern about the alarming increase in the rate of deforestation of thetropical forests and its impact on their biodiversity. This concern seems to be well placed considering that the tropical forests, which account for only about 7% of the total area, contain over 50% of the earth's biodiversity. In this paper.we address :he conservation status of forests in India in the light of the worldwide view on this problem. We examine the changes in the forest area in the country for two time periods: (a.) between 1900 and 2000, and (b) between 1990and 1995. Our analyses suggest that the status of Indian forests in post-independence India has deteriorated far less when compared to pre-independence period, as also far less when compared to countries such as Brazil and Indonesia.However, it is necessary to continue keeping a close vigil on the rates of deforestation and formulate strongerconservation strategies that would strengthen further the conservation status of the forests in the country.

A modified area-product method for the design of inductors and transformers

Abstract: A design method which is an improvement over the area-product method (Ramanarayanan. V., Power electronics class notes, 1996) for the design of inductors and transformers working al 50 Hz is proposed in this work. An iterative method is developed over the existing area-product method to achieve an optimal core for a given set of input specifications. A large database of cores and user-interactive software is developed. The contributions made in this work are: (i) a design method for inductors which achieves substantial (30%) savings in the material when compared to the conventional method. (ii) a similar design method for transformers that add more features to the conventional method and (iii) a method to estimate the parasitic leakage inductance (error < 40%) in transfonners based on stored energyprinciples.

Mapping of forests based on biological diversity to identify conservation sites: A case study from Udupi and South Canara districts of Karnataka

Abstract: Forest classification is traditionally based on the structure and composition of vegetation, which in tum is strongly linked with the climatic profile of the area. Forest maps thus prepared cannot appropriately meet the needs of the managers whose renewed mandate is to conserve the biological richness of the forests. The emerging need for protecting the forests is to understand the spatial distribution of the conservation value of the forests besides knowing their vegetation types. In other words, we need maps that depict the spatial distribution of biological diversity of the forests. In this paper, we report on our attempt to develop such biodiversity maps for the forest ranges of Udupi and South Canara districts of Karnataka state. Utilizing the data from the vegetation sampling of the Forest Survey of India, we developed a terrain view of the density and diversity of tree species and have attempted to identify the sites with the highest conservation value. We propose that such maps be developed for the entire country and discuss the potentialities andproblems associated with this protocol.

Spatial patterns of biodiversity of lichens

Abstract: With its diverse ecological conditions, and its geographical location at the confluence of three of the eight biogeographic realms, Indian landmass supports rich diversity of flora accounting for above 10% of the 20,000 species oflichens so far described in the world. The paper reviews the status of the lichenological research in the country andpresents species diversity patterns at different spatial scales ranging from global, national through regional to the local landscapes. Ecological patterns emerged from the recent studies within India are also assessed. Knowledge gaps are identified and conservation implications are discussed.

Flora of the Indian Institute of Science campus

Abstract: Floristic inventory of the Indian Institute of Science campus was undertaken to enumerate the biodiversity of the campuswhich harbors part of the natural vegetation of Bangalore city. The inventory yielded 112 species of woody (trees)and 265 species of nonwoody (shrubs/herbs/grasses) plants. Species were analysed for nativity and utility and were also enumerated. Analysis of woody species revealed that 44.5% of trees were native (indigenous) and 55.5% wereexotic in origin. Family Fabaceae dominated the tree flora and Poaceae (grasses) dominated the nonwoody flora.Utilitarian aspects of herbaceous plants were also studied.