Differences in Tree Species Diversity and Soil Nutrient Status in a Tropical Sacred Forest Ecosystem on Niyamgiri Hill Range,Eastern Ghats,India

We have quantitatively analyzed the tree species diversity with respect to soil nutrient status in three sites of a sacred forest ecosystem of Niyamgiri hill range,Eastern Ghats,India.Extensive field surveys and sampling were conducted in 3 sites of the hill range:Site 1 Pterocarpus dominated forest(PTF)(19°40'02.2" N and 83°21'23.1" E),Site 2 Mangifera dominated forest(MAF)(19°40'02.8" N and 83°21'40.8" E) and Site 3 Mixed forest(MIF)(19°36'47.1" N and 83°21'02.7" E).A total of 28 families,42 genera,46 tree species,and 286 individual trees were recorded on an area of 0.6 ha.Tree density varied between 470 and 490 individuals ha-1 and average basal area between 3.16 and 10.04 m2 ha-1.Shannon Index(H') ranged from 2.34 to 4.53,Simpson's Index ranged from 0.07 to 0.09,and equitability Index ranged from 0.7 to 1.34.The number of individuals was highest in the girth at breast height(GBH) class of 50-70 cm.The soil nutrient status of the three forest types was related to tree species diversity.The soil pH value of the three sites reflected the slightly acidic nature of the area.Species diversity was positively correlated with organic carbon and phosphorus and negatively with nitrogen,EC and pH.The results of the current study may be helpful to further develop a conservation planfor tree species in tropical sacred forest ecosystems.

Estimation of carbon pools in secondary tropical deciduous forests of Odisha,India

Secondary tropical forests sequester atmospheric CO 2 at relatively faster rates in vegetation and in soil than old-growth primary forests.Spatial understanding of biomass and carbon stocks in different plant functional types of these forests is important.Structure,diversity,composition,soil features and carbon stocks in six distinct plant functional types,namely:Moist Mixed-Deciduous Forest,Peninsular Sal Forest(PSF),Semi-Evergreen Forest(SEF),Planted Teak Forest,Bamboo Brakes(BB),and Degraded Thorny Shrubby Forest were quantified as secondary tropical deciduous forests of the Chandaka Wildlife Sanctuary,Eastern Ghats of Odisha,India.Seventy-one species≥10 cm Girth at breast height(GBH)were recorded,belonging to 38 families and 65 genera.Above-ground biomass carbon and soil organic carbon ranged from 2.1–72.7 Mg C ha^(−1) and 20.6–67.1 Mg C ha^(−1),respectively,among all plant functional types.Soil organic carbon and important value index were positively correlated with above-ground biomass carbon.Maximum carbon allocation was in SOC pool(51–91%),followed by the above-ground biomass pool(9–52%),indicating SOC is one of the major carbon sinks in secondary dry forests.The results highlight the importance of secondary tropical deciduous forests in biodiversity conservation and ecological importance in reducing greenhouse gases.

Persistent free radicals in humin under redox conditions and their impact in transforming polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons

The role of humic substance-associated persistent free radicals(PFRs)in the fate of organic contaminants under various redox conditions remains unknown.This study examined the characterization of original metal-free peat humin(HM),and HM treated with varying concentrations of H2O2 and L-ascorbic acid(VC)(assigned as H2O2-HM and VC-HM).The concentration of PFRs in HM increased with the addition of VC/H2O2 at concentrations less than 0.08 mol/L.The evolution of PFRs in HM under different environmental conditions(e.g.,oxic/anoxic and humidity)was investigated.Two types of PFRs were detected in HM:a relatively stable radical existed in the original sample,and the other type,which was generated by redox treatments,wa s relatively unstable.The spin densities of VC/H2O2-HM readily returned to the original value under relatively high humidity and oxic conditions.During this process,the HM-associated"unstable"free radicals released an electron to O2,inducing the formation of reactive oxygen species(ROS,i.e.,·OH and·O2-).Th e generated ROS promoted the degradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons based on the radical quenching measurements.The transformation rates followed the order naphthalene>phenanthrene>anthracene>benzo[a]pyrene.Our results provide valuable insight into the HM-induced transformation of organic contaminants under natural conditions.

Study on textile waste generation in the undifferentiated municipal solid waste stream in Guimarães,Portugal

Guimarães is a middle sized city and municipality located in northern Portugal.The municipality has committed to reducing the annual amount of undifferentiated municipal solid waste(MSW)from 371 kg/capita in 2021 to 120 kg/capita by 2030 under the Zero Waste Cities Certification process.In the municipality of Guimarães,one of the constant fractions of MSW composition is textile waste(TW),which the revised EU Waste Framework Directive requires separate collection by 1 January 2025.Therefore,two indicators of TW generation were analysed to identify waste collection routes with a high level of textile waste generation for the priority implementation of separate collection:TW composition in the undifferentiated MSW stream and TW generation per capita.Basic statistical analysis methods were used to process the source data of TW composition in the undifferentiated MSW stream.Cluster analysis was applied to the data set on TW generation per capita,considering the area typology(urban,rural or mixed)of collection routes.It was considered that 39%of the industrial sector of Guimarães consists of textile and clothing production and represents small-and medium-sized enterprises,which can affect TW generation in the undifferentiated MSW stream.Causal-comparative research was used to define the correlation between TW generation per capita and the economic activity of the textile and clothing industry in the municipality.As a result,applying a multi-disciplinary approach,a project of the Textile Waste Generation Map was presented.