Additional project ideas:
1. Monitoring of land use pattern influenced by human settlement
2. Shelterbelt impact of plantation – Natural forests and plantations
3. Soil characteristics influenced by Forest vegetation
Chemical, physical and biological
With support from local institutions (if feasible)
4. Study of water table through dug well monitoring
5. Assessment of top soil loss due to brick industries.
6. Change in rainfall pattern due to land use change inundated forest areas (under hilly region) – from historical records and secondary data source
7. Soil horizons study under different land use systems – To get the idea of soil formation process
Suggested Theme for some Specific Land Situations
• Urban and industrial areas
1. Study of the air pollution (in industry peripheries)
i. Monitoring floating particles- dust, fog/smog
2. Influence of urban settlement on quality of nearby water body
i. Chemical, physical and biological
ii. With support from local institutions (if feasible)
3. Pollution load to rivers and water reservoirs on religious events like, Idol immersion, holy bathe etc.
4. Disposal of solid wastes and their fate in urban settlement areas – Heavy metals, polythene disposal,
• Low land ecosystem
1. Assessment of alternate strategies of land use in low land eco system
i Production potentiality (Economics)
ii Sustainability and livelihood
2. Economics of fish production, land utilization efficiency
3. Seasonality of fish production and other related issues
• Dry regions
1. Assessment of wind and water erosion,
2. Monitoring extreme weather events (from secondary database)
3. Assessing potentiality of community and individual water harvesting structures
• Rural and Agricultural systems
1. Estimating biomass production capacity of different land use system
2. Estimating irrigation load of a crop land – Water received from rainfall, surface irrigation and ground water against crop water requirement
3. Waste disposal, sanitation, water quality and public health in rural settlements
Group Members:
Dr.M.K. Nanda, Dr M.C.Kundu, Dr.M. Ghosh, Dr.P.K. Bandyopadhyay,
Dr. E. Kunhikrishnan, Mr.K.Batabyal
தே.கு.அ.மாநாடு 2010
NCSC 2010 - Tamil Nadu
5. Sub- theme - IV Anthropogenic activities on land லேபிளுடன் இடுகைகளைக் காண்பிக்கிறது. அனைத்து இடுகைகளையும் காண்பி
5. Sub- theme - IV Anthropogenic activities on land லேபிளுடன் இடுகைகளைக் காண்பிக்கிறது. அனைத்து இடுகைகளையும் காண்பி
வெள்ளி, 18 ஜூன், 2010
Project 6: Effect of land use options on erosion loss of surface soil
Project 6: Effect of land use options on erosion loss of surface soil
Introduction:
The top soil is precious to all living beings. The top soil is being continuously eroded by the different natural agents like air and water. The vegetation cover checks the soil erosion in two ways. The canopy/leaves of the vegetation absorb the momentum of the falling raindrop where as the root system holds the soil particles against the erosive action of flowing water and wind. The erosion problem is more severe in the dry land areas where the vegetation cover is sparse. In hilly areas proper land shaping like, terracing, ploughing (across the slope) are some of the popular approaches to check soil erosion. Injudicious land use planning aggravates the erosion problem. The proposed experiment is aimed at assessment of erosion potentiality of different land use system.
Objective:
1. To monitor the quantity of soil loss under different cover vegetation
2. To analyze the role root system in binding soil particles to the land surface
3. To study the fate of rainfall on land as influenced by soil characteristics
Materials required:
• Leak proof tin tray 2´x3´x8´´ size
• Sample planting materials (seeds of fast growing herbaceous plants propagation materials- root cuttings of different grasses)
• Small funnels water collecting cylinders
• Typical soils collected from different locations (soils should be of different characters)
• Rose can
Methodology:
• Make wholes in the bottom of each tray at the both ends and middle of the bottom plate and one side of the tray
• Fit the funnel in each of the whole and seal the side of the funnels for leak proof.
• Fill the trays in each tray with different types of soil (make compact) leaving 1” from the top and place the trays side by side at slide inclination (1:20) sufficiently above the ground surface so that water can be collected in receiving cylinders placed below the funnels at the bottom of each tray.
• Treat different trays by -
a) Root cuttings of different grasses, b) Sow fast growing herbaceous plants like spinach, c) Barren (no vegetation) -compact, d) Barren- tilled (surface made loose using some hand implement), e) Barren- furrow and ridge along the slope, f) Barren- furrow and ridge accross the slope, g) Mulching with straw (or other materials)
• After setting the trays water was applied periodically at 7 days interval to each tray with help of rose can.
• Water collected in the cylinders is dried up and the dry weight of sediments is recorded after watering.
• Note the sediments collected under each system and find how it is related to the vegetation cover (that is gradually growing during the study period), tillage practice, furrow and ridge system along the and across the slope
Relevance:
Water is the main agent for soil erosion in sloppy lands. Vegetation cover as well as different land shaping practices can protect soil erosion due to water. This project will help the students understand the process of soil erosion by water and the ways and means to check the soil erosion due to flowing water.
Introduction:
The top soil is precious to all living beings. The top soil is being continuously eroded by the different natural agents like air and water. The vegetation cover checks the soil erosion in two ways. The canopy/leaves of the vegetation absorb the momentum of the falling raindrop where as the root system holds the soil particles against the erosive action of flowing water and wind. The erosion problem is more severe in the dry land areas where the vegetation cover is sparse. In hilly areas proper land shaping like, terracing, ploughing (across the slope) are some of the popular approaches to check soil erosion. Injudicious land use planning aggravates the erosion problem. The proposed experiment is aimed at assessment of erosion potentiality of different land use system.
Objective:
1. To monitor the quantity of soil loss under different cover vegetation
2. To analyze the role root system in binding soil particles to the land surface
3. To study the fate of rainfall on land as influenced by soil characteristics
Materials required:
• Leak proof tin tray 2´x3´x8´´ size
• Sample planting materials (seeds of fast growing herbaceous plants propagation materials- root cuttings of different grasses)
• Small funnels water collecting cylinders
• Typical soils collected from different locations (soils should be of different characters)
• Rose can
Methodology:
• Make wholes in the bottom of each tray at the both ends and middle of the bottom plate and one side of the tray
• Fit the funnel in each of the whole and seal the side of the funnels for leak proof.
• Fill the trays in each tray with different types of soil (make compact) leaving 1” from the top and place the trays side by side at slide inclination (1:20) sufficiently above the ground surface so that water can be collected in receiving cylinders placed below the funnels at the bottom of each tray.
• Treat different trays by -
a) Root cuttings of different grasses, b) Sow fast growing herbaceous plants like spinach, c) Barren (no vegetation) -compact, d) Barren- tilled (surface made loose using some hand implement), e) Barren- furrow and ridge along the slope, f) Barren- furrow and ridge accross the slope, g) Mulching with straw (or other materials)
• After setting the trays water was applied periodically at 7 days interval to each tray with help of rose can.
• Water collected in the cylinders is dried up and the dry weight of sediments is recorded after watering.
• Note the sediments collected under each system and find how it is related to the vegetation cover (that is gradually growing during the study period), tillage practice, furrow and ridge system along the and across the slope
Relevance:
Water is the main agent for soil erosion in sloppy lands. Vegetation cover as well as different land shaping practices can protect soil erosion due to water. This project will help the students understand the process of soil erosion by water and the ways and means to check the soil erosion due to flowing water.
Project 5: Population pressure on land: quality of life
Project 5: Population pressure on land: quality of life
Human habitation is primarily influenced by availability of natural resources as well as climate and land features. In the modern age, however, the work/job facilities and economic conditions have become major influential force behind development of human habitation. With rapid progress of industrialization and urbanization along with population explosion during the last few decades, people concentrate on small piece of land for their living. As a result, people undergo certain stress on account of various social and family related issues in their living places. Hence, it is pertinent to assess the life style and living condition of people settled under different situations like, slums, colonies, rural areas, industrial belts etc.
Objectives:
1. To determine population density per unit area in selected slums/apartments of locality
2. To assess the quality of life based on parameters of living area
Methodology:
• Select at least 2 slums or 2 apartments in the locality.
• Visit the selected area and measure the area of living place.
• Fill up the questionnaire/data format through interaction with the head of each family and assign score values against each factor/item.
Note : Table not included.
• Calculate population density(PD) per unit area, which is expressed in percentage, using the equation as given below
PD,% =
• Determine the quality of life on the basis of over all scoring:
Score <7 = low
Score 8-14 = medium
Score >14 = high.
• Compare between 2 slums/apartments in respect of population density and quality of life
Relevance:
This evaluation will help to understand various factors and their interaction influencing stress in living places. This project will generate some basic information that can be passed to local authority like panchayat/municipality for future development works.
Human habitation is primarily influenced by availability of natural resources as well as climate and land features. In the modern age, however, the work/job facilities and economic conditions have become major influential force behind development of human habitation. With rapid progress of industrialization and urbanization along with population explosion during the last few decades, people concentrate on small piece of land for their living. As a result, people undergo certain stress on account of various social and family related issues in their living places. Hence, it is pertinent to assess the life style and living condition of people settled under different situations like, slums, colonies, rural areas, industrial belts etc.
Objectives:
1. To determine population density per unit area in selected slums/apartments of locality
2. To assess the quality of life based on parameters of living area
Methodology:
• Select at least 2 slums or 2 apartments in the locality.
• Visit the selected area and measure the area of living place.
• Fill up the questionnaire/data format through interaction with the head of each family and assign score values against each factor/item.
Note : Table not included.
• Calculate population density(PD) per unit area, which is expressed in percentage, using the equation as given below
PD,% =
• Determine the quality of life on the basis of over all scoring:
Score <7 = low
Score 8-14 = medium
Score >14 = high.
• Compare between 2 slums/apartments in respect of population density and quality of life
Relevance:
This evaluation will help to understand various factors and their interaction influencing stress in living places. This project will generate some basic information that can be passed to local authority like panchayat/municipality for future development works.
Project 4: Study of the influence of tillage on soil physical properties
Project 4: Study of the influence of tillage on soil physical properties
Fifty per cent of the soil’s compositions is void (occupied by air and water) which can be modified by anthropogenic activities like tillage, farm mechanization, etc. The void space is formed by both micro (small) and macro (large) pores. Water is easily drained out from the macro pores and is retained more in micro pores. Roots require water and air from soil for the growth which depends on how much water and air the soil can hold. When the soil gets compacted by traffic load, the total pore space is decreased which affects water retention as well as root penetration. Bulk density is the index that measures the compaction of soil. High bulk density value indicates high compaction and less pore space. It also implies the closer contact of the soil particles that increases the heat conduction within the soil. Tillage disintegrates soil particles, modifies soil pore spaces and slows down soil conduction in soil as compared to untilled or compacted soil. The modification depends on the intensity or frequency and types of tillage use. As for example, a tractor drawn ploughing differs in depth with country plough.
By looking comparison between tilled and untilled soil, the question of whether different intensity and type of tillage affect the physical properties of soil will be addressed. The question will be answered by comparing the bulk density, water holding capacity, presence of micro and macro pores and soil temperature.
Objectives:
3. To study the influence of tillage on water holding capacity of soil
4. To find out the influence of tillage on bulk density
5. To identify the influence of tillage on soil porosity
Materials required:
• Agricultural fields in which a) ploughing is done through power tiller/tractor, b) ploughing is done through country plough c) Pasture/barren land where (no ploughing done)
• 9 GI pipes of 6 cm height and 5 mm diameter to be used as soil core
• Knife, Hammer, Wooden plank, Spade, Small cloth, Rubber band, Weighing Balance, Drier, Beaker, Thermometer
• Funnel fitted with a polythene pipe of 100 cm length
• A clump attached at 100 cm height
Methodology:
Experiment -1 : Bulk density of soil (g/ cm3)
1. Scrap the soil surface with spade where the core is to be inserted
2. Insert a core with the use of a wooden plank and hammer
3. Pull the core from the soil with the help of a spade
4. Cut the extra soil present in the two open ends with knife and clean the soil from the outer of the core by hand
5. Weigh the empty can and put the excavated soil from the core and keep it in the drier at 105o C for 24 hrs
6. Measure the volume of the core as: πr2h (3.17 x 2.52 x 6)
7. After deducting the empty weight of the can from No 5, measure the dry weight of the soil in can.
8. Measure the bulk density of soil as-
Bulk density (g/ cm3) =
Experiment - 2: Water holding capacity (%)
1. Same as from Sl No. 1 to 4 of Study 1.
2. A small piece of cloth is covered in one end of the core with the help of a rubber band
3. Place the core in a Petri dish and water is poured 1/3rd in it
4. Keep this as such for 24 hrs, in that time the soil gets saturated
5. Take the core out of the Petri dish and keep it on the table for 10 min.
6. Collect 5 tea spoon moist soil from the core in an empty can
7. Weight the soil in can and keep it in the drier at 1050C for 24 hrs
8. After deducting the empty weight of the can, measure the moist and dry weight of the soil in can
9. Calculate the soil moisture content in the soil core as:
10. The calculated value indicates the water holding capacity of the soil. As all the pores here are occupied by water, the calculated water holding capacity also indicates the total porosity of the soil.
Experiment- 3: Soil porosity (%)
1. Calculate percent total pore space (Micro and macro pores) present in a soil core using the following formula –
2. The value of bulk density can be obtained from Sl. No. 8 of Study 1
3. The value of particle density (also known as True density) can be considered as 2.65 g/ cm3, which is the average value considered for all practical purposes.
4. One can find out separately both micro and macro pores of the soil by other way too as given below
(A) Micro porosity
1. Same as from Sl No. 1 to 4 of Expt. 2
2. Clamp the funnel at 100 cm height
3. Place a beaker at the end of the pipe fitted in the funnel.
4. Keep the core on to the funnel for 24 hrs
5. Collect 5 tea spoon moist soil from the core in an empty can
6. Same as from Sl No 7 to 9 of Expt. 2..
7. The moisture content thus calculated indicates the moisture present in the smaller/micro pores i.e., micro porosity.
(B) Macro porosity
Deduct the values obtained in Sl No. 10 of Exp. 2 and Sl. 7 of Exp 3.
Experiment-4: Soil temperature (0C)
• Insert thermometers in tilled and untilled soil up to a depth of 5 cm (2 inches) at the morning (8 hr) and record the soil temperature
• Compare the variations in soil temperatures
Relevance:
With the increase in intensity of tillage: (1) soil gets compacted i.e., bulk density is increased, (2) total pore space is reduced (3) micro pore space is decreased (4) water holding capacity is decreased (5) soil temperature is increased.
Fifty per cent of the soil’s compositions is void (occupied by air and water) which can be modified by anthropogenic activities like tillage, farm mechanization, etc. The void space is formed by both micro (small) and macro (large) pores. Water is easily drained out from the macro pores and is retained more in micro pores. Roots require water and air from soil for the growth which depends on how much water and air the soil can hold. When the soil gets compacted by traffic load, the total pore space is decreased which affects water retention as well as root penetration. Bulk density is the index that measures the compaction of soil. High bulk density value indicates high compaction and less pore space. It also implies the closer contact of the soil particles that increases the heat conduction within the soil. Tillage disintegrates soil particles, modifies soil pore spaces and slows down soil conduction in soil as compared to untilled or compacted soil. The modification depends on the intensity or frequency and types of tillage use. As for example, a tractor drawn ploughing differs in depth with country plough.
By looking comparison between tilled and untilled soil, the question of whether different intensity and type of tillage affect the physical properties of soil will be addressed. The question will be answered by comparing the bulk density, water holding capacity, presence of micro and macro pores and soil temperature.
Objectives:
3. To study the influence of tillage on water holding capacity of soil
4. To find out the influence of tillage on bulk density
5. To identify the influence of tillage on soil porosity
Materials required:
• Agricultural fields in which a) ploughing is done through power tiller/tractor, b) ploughing is done through country plough c) Pasture/barren land where (no ploughing done)
• 9 GI pipes of 6 cm height and 5 mm diameter to be used as soil core
• Knife, Hammer, Wooden plank, Spade, Small cloth, Rubber band, Weighing Balance, Drier, Beaker, Thermometer
• Funnel fitted with a polythene pipe of 100 cm length
• A clump attached at 100 cm height
Methodology:
Experiment -1 : Bulk density of soil (g/ cm3)
1. Scrap the soil surface with spade where the core is to be inserted
2. Insert a core with the use of a wooden plank and hammer
3. Pull the core from the soil with the help of a spade
4. Cut the extra soil present in the two open ends with knife and clean the soil from the outer of the core by hand
5. Weigh the empty can and put the excavated soil from the core and keep it in the drier at 105o C for 24 hrs
6. Measure the volume of the core as: πr2h (3.17 x 2.52 x 6)
7. After deducting the empty weight of the can from No 5, measure the dry weight of the soil in can.
8. Measure the bulk density of soil as-
Bulk density (g/ cm3) =
Experiment - 2: Water holding capacity (%)
1. Same as from Sl No. 1 to 4 of Study 1.
2. A small piece of cloth is covered in one end of the core with the help of a rubber band
3. Place the core in a Petri dish and water is poured 1/3rd in it
4. Keep this as such for 24 hrs, in that time the soil gets saturated
5. Take the core out of the Petri dish and keep it on the table for 10 min.
6. Collect 5 tea spoon moist soil from the core in an empty can
7. Weight the soil in can and keep it in the drier at 1050C for 24 hrs
8. After deducting the empty weight of the can, measure the moist and dry weight of the soil in can
9. Calculate the soil moisture content in the soil core as:
10. The calculated value indicates the water holding capacity of the soil. As all the pores here are occupied by water, the calculated water holding capacity also indicates the total porosity of the soil.
Experiment- 3: Soil porosity (%)
1. Calculate percent total pore space (Micro and macro pores) present in a soil core using the following formula –
2. The value of bulk density can be obtained from Sl. No. 8 of Study 1
3. The value of particle density (also known as True density) can be considered as 2.65 g/ cm3, which is the average value considered for all practical purposes.
4. One can find out separately both micro and macro pores of the soil by other way too as given below
(A) Micro porosity
1. Same as from Sl No. 1 to 4 of Expt. 2
2. Clamp the funnel at 100 cm height
3. Place a beaker at the end of the pipe fitted in the funnel.
4. Keep the core on to the funnel for 24 hrs
5. Collect 5 tea spoon moist soil from the core in an empty can
6. Same as from Sl No 7 to 9 of Expt. 2..
7. The moisture content thus calculated indicates the moisture present in the smaller/micro pores i.e., micro porosity.
(B) Macro porosity
Deduct the values obtained in Sl No. 10 of Exp. 2 and Sl. 7 of Exp 3.
Experiment-4: Soil temperature (0C)
• Insert thermometers in tilled and untilled soil up to a depth of 5 cm (2 inches) at the morning (8 hr) and record the soil temperature
• Compare the variations in soil temperatures
Relevance:
With the increase in intensity of tillage: (1) soil gets compacted i.e., bulk density is increased, (2) total pore space is reduced (3) micro pore space is decreased (4) water holding capacity is decreased (5) soil temperature is increased.
Project 3: Influence of mulch on soil physical properties
Project 3: Influence of mulch on soil physical properties
Mulching is an effective erosion control practice, protecting soil surfaces from erosive action of falling raindrops and abrading wind. Mulches can also slow down water and wind movement at the surface. The mulches depending on colour of the mulching material increase or decrease the amount of absorbed radiation and also restrict the outgoing heat from the surface and thus change the energy balance. Mulches are used to keep soils warmer once temperature begins to drop in the winter. They also conserve water by restricting the soil evaporation. Mulching is an important component of many agricultural land use systems particularly in dry lands.
Objectives
1. To identify the influence of mulch on soil temperature
2. To identify the influence of mulch on soil moisture
Materials required
• Agricultural fields with mulching
o Paddy / wheat straw may be used as a mulch material
o Plastic (clear, white, or black) mulches or paper mulches
o Any other type of mulch
• Agricultural field with no mulching
• Simple thermometers
• Spoon for soil collection
• Cans for sampling
Methodology:
Temperature study
• Find two crop fields of the similar soil types and crop, of which one has been mulched (with straw, plastic or paper) and the other one is without mulch.
• Insert thermometers in the mulched and unmulched soil up to a depth of 5 cm (2 inches) at 8, 12, 16 and 20 hrs and record the soil temperature
• Record the diurnal temperature variations and compare which soil condition will warm or cool more rapidly
Moisture study
• Weigh eight 250 ml empty cans
• Note the irrigation dates in mulched and unmulched fields
• In the same mulched and unmulched field, collect soil samples at a depth of 5 cm (2 inches) in cans with the help of a spoon at same time used in soil temperature 7 days interval after the date of irrigation
• Weigh the moist soils with can
• Dry the samples and measure soil moisture contents after subtracting can weight.
Soil moisture (%) =
• Compare which soil condition will retains or conserves more moisture
Relevance:
The specific heat of water is 1.0 calorie per gram while the specific heat of soil is about 0.2 calories per gram. This means with the same energy input, the soil temperature will increase five times more than the water temperature. Mulched soils conserve water that contributes to slower warming.
Mulching is an effective erosion control practice, protecting soil surfaces from erosive action of falling raindrops and abrading wind. Mulches can also slow down water and wind movement at the surface. The mulches depending on colour of the mulching material increase or decrease the amount of absorbed radiation and also restrict the outgoing heat from the surface and thus change the energy balance. Mulches are used to keep soils warmer once temperature begins to drop in the winter. They also conserve water by restricting the soil evaporation. Mulching is an important component of many agricultural land use systems particularly in dry lands.
Objectives
1. To identify the influence of mulch on soil temperature
2. To identify the influence of mulch on soil moisture
Materials required
• Agricultural fields with mulching
o Paddy / wheat straw may be used as a mulch material
o Plastic (clear, white, or black) mulches or paper mulches
o Any other type of mulch
• Agricultural field with no mulching
• Simple thermometers
• Spoon for soil collection
• Cans for sampling
Methodology:
Temperature study
• Find two crop fields of the similar soil types and crop, of which one has been mulched (with straw, plastic or paper) and the other one is without mulch.
• Insert thermometers in the mulched and unmulched soil up to a depth of 5 cm (2 inches) at 8, 12, 16 and 20 hrs and record the soil temperature
• Record the diurnal temperature variations and compare which soil condition will warm or cool more rapidly
Moisture study
• Weigh eight 250 ml empty cans
• Note the irrigation dates in mulched and unmulched fields
• In the same mulched and unmulched field, collect soil samples at a depth of 5 cm (2 inches) in cans with the help of a spoon at same time used in soil temperature 7 days interval after the date of irrigation
• Weigh the moist soils with can
• Dry the samples and measure soil moisture contents after subtracting can weight.
Soil moisture (%) =
• Compare which soil condition will retains or conserves more moisture
Relevance:
The specific heat of water is 1.0 calorie per gram while the specific heat of soil is about 0.2 calories per gram. This means with the same energy input, the soil temperature will increase five times more than the water temperature. Mulched soils conserve water that contributes to slower warming.
Project-2: Changing trend in agricultural land use pattern
The changing cropping pattern contributes significantly to the land use change. As agriculture covers large part of our country’s geographical area agricultural land use change study bears great relevance. With agricultural land use change there is remarkable change in biodiversity with respect to associated weed, pests and pathogens. The change in fertilizers and chemicals use has significant impact on soil and ground water contamination. Cropping system affects the farmer’s economy as well as sustainability in long run. Land use mapping is part of the area feature mapping. While mapping agricultural land use crop practices over the year including fallow periods may be noted. Seasonal fallow and fallow for a period of more than one year may be indicated
Objective
1. To record agricultural land use changes over time (since last 20/40 years)
2. To analyze causes/drivers/pressure leading to these changes
3. To list out possible consequences and
4. To finally prepare a land use history of the chosen crop land
Methodology
• Select 50 respondent farmers aged above 50 years in the surrounding areas/region
• Identify and visit the cropland unit of each farmer
• Make the record of all crops and fallow in the following format and fill up three such formats for (a) present situation, (b) 20 years back, (c) 40 years back for each farmer through participatory approach
note:Table not included
Develop the timeline for agricultural land use pattern and write about a land use history for the chosen area
Identify the causes and effects of change in land use pattern
Relevance:
This project will help the students to understand the history of agricultural land use system of their locality along with related forcing functions like knowledge and economic standard of farmer, size of farm unit, resource availability, marked demand as well as other social factors.
The changing cropping pattern contributes significantly to the land use change. As agriculture covers large part of our country’s geographical area agricultural land use change study bears great relevance. With agricultural land use change there is remarkable change in biodiversity with respect to associated weed, pests and pathogens. The change in fertilizers and chemicals use has significant impact on soil and ground water contamination. Cropping system affects the farmer’s economy as well as sustainability in long run. Land use mapping is part of the area feature mapping. While mapping agricultural land use crop practices over the year including fallow periods may be noted. Seasonal fallow and fallow for a period of more than one year may be indicated
Objective
1. To record agricultural land use changes over time (since last 20/40 years)
2. To analyze causes/drivers/pressure leading to these changes
3. To list out possible consequences and
4. To finally prepare a land use history of the chosen crop land
Methodology
• Select 50 respondent farmers aged above 50 years in the surrounding areas/region
• Identify and visit the cropland unit of each farmer
• Make the record of all crops and fallow in the following format and fill up three such formats for (a) present situation, (b) 20 years back, (c) 40 years back for each farmer through participatory approach
note:Table not included
Develop the timeline for agricultural land use pattern and write about a land use history for the chosen area
Identify the causes and effects of change in land use pattern
Relevance:
This project will help the students to understand the history of agricultural land use system of their locality along with related forcing functions like knowledge and economic standard of farmer, size of farm unit, resource availability, marked demand as well as other social factors.
Project-1: Influence of vegetation cover on microclimate
Project-1: Influence of vegetation cover on microclimate
The microclimate in simple term refers to the modified climate of a small area which is different in temporal and spatial scale from the climate of the region. The microclimate is modified by vegetation cover, industrialization, development of human settlement and any other intervention in the land use pattern. Tree plantation restricts incoming radiation and has a cooling impact on the microclimate. Trees also act as shelterbelts and reduce desiccating effect of wind. Vegetation cover greatly modifies the soil environment in long run which is a vital component of the microclimate. Modification of microclimate is the perceptible and immediate effect of anthropogenic intervention in land use system. A basic understanding of microclimate will help the students to conceive the possible impact of land use change.
Objective
1. To understand the microclimate
2. To study the impact of vegetation cover on microclimate
3. To have a comparative study of microclimate under different land use system
The experiment may be divided in two components
(A) Field study - monitoring microclimate of different land use system
(B) Development of workable model to understand the concept of microclimate
Part A: Field study - monitoring microclimate of different land use systems
Methodology
Select different land use systems in the surrounding locality
a) Crop land
b) Barren land
c) Forest land/Orchard
d) Settlement areas and any other typical land use system.
Two simply measurable parameters: temperature and evaporation are selected. This can be improvised by incorporating additional indicators.
• Keep circular leak proof open pan of ½ m diameter and 50 cm depth at the representative place of each land use system. Fill with water up to 30 cm depth. Cover it with wire net.
• Keep the thermometers in suitable places to measure soil temperature, water temperature (of the pan) and air temperature in these sites. Care should be taken to avoid direct radiation on the bulb of the thermometer.
• Record the temperature observations three times daily at early morning (say, 7 am), mid day (say at 12 to 2 pm) and during evening (say, 6 pm) over a period of 4 months at weekly interval.
• Record the depth of water from these pans at weekly interval and add water as per requirement during the period of study
• Collect the soil samples from each site at 10 cm depth 3 days after each rain event. Take the fresh weight (immediately after collection) and again by drying the same sample at 105 0C for 24 hours in an oven. Calculate the moisture content as below -
Soil moisture content = (Fresh soil weight – Dry soil weight)/Dry soil weight
The impact on soil evaporation can only be perceptible if soil types are same because the soil type (textural class) is a major driving factor for water release from soil for evaporation
Important note: It is a group activity. Time synchrony has to be maintained for observations at different field sites. Each student may be assigned one site for diurnal observation.
Relevance:
Note the difference in temperature and evaporation rate from each observation site. These parameters are easily perceptible but important indicators to define a microclimate of a place. Mark, how human intervention changes the microclimate. This will give help the students to understand the microclimate and in broad sense demonstrate how anthropogenic intervention is responsible for modification of the climate on the earth surface.
Part B: Understanding the concept of microclimatic
Materials required
• Earthen pot (6 Nos)
• Seedlings (Fast growing plant depending local suitability)
• Card board & Ply board
• Thermometer (2 Nos)
• Open pan of 20 cm diameter and 5 cm depth
Methodology:
• Take 6 earthen pots. Make a whole at the bottom of each pot.
• Fill the pots with one thin layer of small stones at the bottom and the rest with soil
• Plant one seedling in each pot and water regularly.
• Make two model houses using card board / ply board
• Place one model house in the middle of 6 pots and one house in open area
• Measure the temperature of the roof top of each house (using thermometer) at 15 days interval starting from the date of planting.
• Place the open pan near each model house and keep 2 cm depth of water in each pan. Add water to each pan after drying.
• Note the temperature difference between the two situations
• Note the time required to dry up the water from each pan
Relevance:
This project will give a direct experience to the students about how plantation helps in ameliorating the microclimate. Maintaining the plants from sowing to subsequent growth will induce the association of students with the plants and will help in understanding the concept of microclimatic modification at the same time. Hands-on learning process will be an interesting and effective method.
Note: These two exercises (part-A & part-B) may be considered complimentary to each other
The microclimate in simple term refers to the modified climate of a small area which is different in temporal and spatial scale from the climate of the region. The microclimate is modified by vegetation cover, industrialization, development of human settlement and any other intervention in the land use pattern. Tree plantation restricts incoming radiation and has a cooling impact on the microclimate. Trees also act as shelterbelts and reduce desiccating effect of wind. Vegetation cover greatly modifies the soil environment in long run which is a vital component of the microclimate. Modification of microclimate is the perceptible and immediate effect of anthropogenic intervention in land use system. A basic understanding of microclimate will help the students to conceive the possible impact of land use change.
Objective
1. To understand the microclimate
2. To study the impact of vegetation cover on microclimate
3. To have a comparative study of microclimate under different land use system
The experiment may be divided in two components
(A) Field study - monitoring microclimate of different land use system
(B) Development of workable model to understand the concept of microclimate
Part A: Field study - monitoring microclimate of different land use systems
Methodology
Select different land use systems in the surrounding locality
a) Crop land
b) Barren land
c) Forest land/Orchard
d) Settlement areas and any other typical land use system.
Two simply measurable parameters: temperature and evaporation are selected. This can be improvised by incorporating additional indicators.
• Keep circular leak proof open pan of ½ m diameter and 50 cm depth at the representative place of each land use system. Fill with water up to 30 cm depth. Cover it with wire net.
• Keep the thermometers in suitable places to measure soil temperature, water temperature (of the pan) and air temperature in these sites. Care should be taken to avoid direct radiation on the bulb of the thermometer.
• Record the temperature observations three times daily at early morning (say, 7 am), mid day (say at 12 to 2 pm) and during evening (say, 6 pm) over a period of 4 months at weekly interval.
• Record the depth of water from these pans at weekly interval and add water as per requirement during the period of study
• Collect the soil samples from each site at 10 cm depth 3 days after each rain event. Take the fresh weight (immediately after collection) and again by drying the same sample at 105 0C for 24 hours in an oven. Calculate the moisture content as below -
Soil moisture content = (Fresh soil weight – Dry soil weight)/Dry soil weight
The impact on soil evaporation can only be perceptible if soil types are same because the soil type (textural class) is a major driving factor for water release from soil for evaporation
Important note: It is a group activity. Time synchrony has to be maintained for observations at different field sites. Each student may be assigned one site for diurnal observation.
Relevance:
Note the difference in temperature and evaporation rate from each observation site. These parameters are easily perceptible but important indicators to define a microclimate of a place. Mark, how human intervention changes the microclimate. This will give help the students to understand the microclimate and in broad sense demonstrate how anthropogenic intervention is responsible for modification of the climate on the earth surface.
Part B: Understanding the concept of microclimatic
Materials required
• Earthen pot (6 Nos)
• Seedlings (Fast growing plant depending local suitability)
• Card board & Ply board
• Thermometer (2 Nos)
• Open pan of 20 cm diameter and 5 cm depth
Methodology:
• Take 6 earthen pots. Make a whole at the bottom of each pot.
• Fill the pots with one thin layer of small stones at the bottom and the rest with soil
• Plant one seedling in each pot and water regularly.
• Make two model houses using card board / ply board
• Place one model house in the middle of 6 pots and one house in open area
• Measure the temperature of the roof top of each house (using thermometer) at 15 days interval starting from the date of planting.
• Place the open pan near each model house and keep 2 cm depth of water in each pan. Add water to each pan after drying.
• Note the temperature difference between the two situations
• Note the time required to dry up the water from each pan
Relevance:
This project will give a direct experience to the students about how plantation helps in ameliorating the microclimate. Maintaining the plants from sowing to subsequent growth will induce the association of students with the plants and will help in understanding the concept of microclimatic modification at the same time. Hands-on learning process will be an interesting and effective method.
Note: These two exercises (part-A & part-B) may be considered complimentary to each other
Sub- theme - IV Anthropogenic activities on land
Sub-theme - IV
Anthropogenic activities on land
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.
~Mohandas K. Gandhi
Anthropogenic (Greek word, meaning manmade) effects, processes or materials are those which are derived from human activities. Since all agricultural activities are directly or indirectly, affected by how the “soil is handled”, its health becomes the prime concern before one can address human and livestock health issues. Managing soil is a formidable challenge to ensure productivity, profitability and national food security. Soil quality can be assessed by a number of physical, chemical and biological attributes / processes. Relevance of one or more unfavourable soils conditions for long periods leads to un-sustainability of agricultural system. Major effects of anthropogenic activities on land resources are summarized below:
Land degradation: Land degradation, defined as lowering and losing of soil functions, is becoming more and more serious worldwide in recent days, and poses a threat to agricultural production and terrestrial ecosystem. Land degradation includes loss of top soil, physical changes like damage of soil structure (compaction), chemical changes like salinization, sodification, acidification, deposition of heavy metals and an overall declination of fertility and productivity of soil. It is estimated that nearly 2 billion ha of soil resources in the world have been degraded which includes approximately 22% of the total cropland, pasture, forest, and woodland. Though climatic and geogenic processes are major driving forces for land degradation, the impact of anthropogenic factors can not be overruled particularly when local situations are taken into consideration. Among the anthropogenic processes, agriculture, industrialization and urbanization all contribute significantly.
Agricultural activities like tillage disintegrates soil structure, causes organic matter depletion encourages soil erosion and nutrient loss. However, tillage practices improve soil air and modify temperatures for seed germinations and microbial activities. Heavy traffic load of tillage implements causes soil compaction. Over irrigation and application of poor quality of irrigation water lead to problems like water logging and soil salinization. Injudicious application of chemical fertilizers of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and the concentration of livestock and their manures within small areas, have not only causes chemical degradation of agricultural land but also substantially increased the pollution of surface water by runoff and groundwater by leaching of excess nitrogen (as nitrate). Other agricultural chemicals like herbicides and pesticides causes contamination of surface as well as ground water.
The industrial wastes contribute largely to the chemical degradation of the valuable land resources. Improper waste management renders the surrounding areas vulnerable to heavy metal deposition in soil, water bodies, rivers as well as ground water. Rapid urbanization also aggravates the problem of land degradation still further.
Severe erosion of the productive top soil through wind and water action is aggravated by intensive mining, deforestation, improper range land management as well as injudicious tillage practices in agricultural fields. Besides that a sizeable amount of loss of top has been has been attributed to brick making and pottery affecting the livelihood of many traditional communities. It is important to note that it takes centuries to replenish 2.5 cm of top soil.
Loss of biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to totality of genes, species, and ecosystems of a region. India at present has 2.4% of land area of the world but contributes 8% species to global diversity. The Western Ghat, the Himalayas and the Indo-Burma regions are among the thirty four Hotspots identified worldwide as regards to vulnerable biodiversity resources. Biodiversity loss is a common phenomenon associated with land use and land cover change. When a natural forest land is transformed to farm land, the loss of tree species along with numerous associated flora, fauna and micro organisms is immediate and complete. Similarly, increasing grazing pressure on unmanaged pasture and rangelands causes severe damage to the biodiversity. Furthermore, the market driven intensive cropping system with overuse of chemicals leaves the agricultural biodiversity under severe threat. Even the so called eco- friendly technology of energy consumption like adaptation of bio-fuel when injudiciously followed has added tremendous pressure to the natural biodiversity of through dramatic shift in the land use pattern.
Green house gas load to atmosphere: Atmosphere is the mirror to our abuse to land resources. Every anthropogenic activity of concern to the precious land resources leaves an imprint in the atmosphere. There has been global ecological concern for increased concentration of carbon dioxide by 31%, methane by 151% and nitrous oxide by 17 % since 1750 which is incidentally coincided with the pace of land use change enforced by industrial revolution, urbanization, large scale live stock farming and by also modernization of agriculture. This has direct and indirect link with climate change and the problems associated with it. Though geological forces are assumed have big impact on increasing concentration of green house gases in the atmosphere, the human intervention can go a long way to ameliorate the adverse impact of increased GHG concentration. The soil-plant-animal system is an effective source of the important green house gases to the atmosphere. An efficient management of this system through judicious land use planning can increase the buffering capacity of the land resource.
Water contamination: Water is an important component of our land resource. The water which sustains the human life in the planet may become a source of diseases and a root cause of calamities if contaminated chemically or biologically. The quality as well as quantity of available water resource is regulated to a great extent by anthropogenic activities like industrialization, urbanization as well as by crop and livestock farming through unscientific disposal of solid and liquid wastes. The concentrations of heavy metals like, arsenic, lead, chromium etc in drinking water are in pockets due to a combination of geological and anthropogenic reasons. On the other hand a huge amount of harmful organic and synthetic effluents are leached to the surface and ground and surface water as farm land and urban wastes. The interrelation of water pollution with land use change must be analyzed for detailed understanding.
Hydrology: The hydrology refers to the study of water dynamics in surface and subsurface system. The natural catchments of watersheds are disturbed through rampant expansion of settlement areas. The technological intervention has made unimaginable geomorphologic changes possible at a faster rate. The large water bodies and hill tops are not spared. Even the natural river paths are modified by under man made projects. The rate of infiltration is impaired by rigorous anthropogenic activities enhancing the surface run off loss after each rainfall event. This has aggravated the water logging and flash flood in many urban and semi urban areas. On the other hand the ground water recharge is severely affected. This coupled with overexploitation of ground water to meet the demand from agriculture, industry and human settlement has made the situation worse day by day.
Although many of these problems are not solely from anthropogenic activities, these are certainly being aggravated by human activities. More over, it is the responsibility of every human being to sustain the land resources for the future generation through judicious land use planning. Nature is the school where the young minds are to be educated through participatory science activities.
Anthropogenic activities on land
There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.
~Mohandas K. Gandhi
Anthropogenic (Greek word, meaning manmade) effects, processes or materials are those which are derived from human activities. Since all agricultural activities are directly or indirectly, affected by how the “soil is handled”, its health becomes the prime concern before one can address human and livestock health issues. Managing soil is a formidable challenge to ensure productivity, profitability and national food security. Soil quality can be assessed by a number of physical, chemical and biological attributes / processes. Relevance of one or more unfavourable soils conditions for long periods leads to un-sustainability of agricultural system. Major effects of anthropogenic activities on land resources are summarized below:
Land degradation: Land degradation, defined as lowering and losing of soil functions, is becoming more and more serious worldwide in recent days, and poses a threat to agricultural production and terrestrial ecosystem. Land degradation includes loss of top soil, physical changes like damage of soil structure (compaction), chemical changes like salinization, sodification, acidification, deposition of heavy metals and an overall declination of fertility and productivity of soil. It is estimated that nearly 2 billion ha of soil resources in the world have been degraded which includes approximately 22% of the total cropland, pasture, forest, and woodland. Though climatic and geogenic processes are major driving forces for land degradation, the impact of anthropogenic factors can not be overruled particularly when local situations are taken into consideration. Among the anthropogenic processes, agriculture, industrialization and urbanization all contribute significantly.
Agricultural activities like tillage disintegrates soil structure, causes organic matter depletion encourages soil erosion and nutrient loss. However, tillage practices improve soil air and modify temperatures for seed germinations and microbial activities. Heavy traffic load of tillage implements causes soil compaction. Over irrigation and application of poor quality of irrigation water lead to problems like water logging and soil salinization. Injudicious application of chemical fertilizers of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and the concentration of livestock and their manures within small areas, have not only causes chemical degradation of agricultural land but also substantially increased the pollution of surface water by runoff and groundwater by leaching of excess nitrogen (as nitrate). Other agricultural chemicals like herbicides and pesticides causes contamination of surface as well as ground water.
The industrial wastes contribute largely to the chemical degradation of the valuable land resources. Improper waste management renders the surrounding areas vulnerable to heavy metal deposition in soil, water bodies, rivers as well as ground water. Rapid urbanization also aggravates the problem of land degradation still further.
Severe erosion of the productive top soil through wind and water action is aggravated by intensive mining, deforestation, improper range land management as well as injudicious tillage practices in agricultural fields. Besides that a sizeable amount of loss of top has been has been attributed to brick making and pottery affecting the livelihood of many traditional communities. It is important to note that it takes centuries to replenish 2.5 cm of top soil.
Loss of biodiversity: Biodiversity refers to totality of genes, species, and ecosystems of a region. India at present has 2.4% of land area of the world but contributes 8% species to global diversity. The Western Ghat, the Himalayas and the Indo-Burma regions are among the thirty four Hotspots identified worldwide as regards to vulnerable biodiversity resources. Biodiversity loss is a common phenomenon associated with land use and land cover change. When a natural forest land is transformed to farm land, the loss of tree species along with numerous associated flora, fauna and micro organisms is immediate and complete. Similarly, increasing grazing pressure on unmanaged pasture and rangelands causes severe damage to the biodiversity. Furthermore, the market driven intensive cropping system with overuse of chemicals leaves the agricultural biodiversity under severe threat. Even the so called eco- friendly technology of energy consumption like adaptation of bio-fuel when injudiciously followed has added tremendous pressure to the natural biodiversity of through dramatic shift in the land use pattern.
Green house gas load to atmosphere: Atmosphere is the mirror to our abuse to land resources. Every anthropogenic activity of concern to the precious land resources leaves an imprint in the atmosphere. There has been global ecological concern for increased concentration of carbon dioxide by 31%, methane by 151% and nitrous oxide by 17 % since 1750 which is incidentally coincided with the pace of land use change enforced by industrial revolution, urbanization, large scale live stock farming and by also modernization of agriculture. This has direct and indirect link with climate change and the problems associated with it. Though geological forces are assumed have big impact on increasing concentration of green house gases in the atmosphere, the human intervention can go a long way to ameliorate the adverse impact of increased GHG concentration. The soil-plant-animal system is an effective source of the important green house gases to the atmosphere. An efficient management of this system through judicious land use planning can increase the buffering capacity of the land resource.
Water contamination: Water is an important component of our land resource. The water which sustains the human life in the planet may become a source of diseases and a root cause of calamities if contaminated chemically or biologically. The quality as well as quantity of available water resource is regulated to a great extent by anthropogenic activities like industrialization, urbanization as well as by crop and livestock farming through unscientific disposal of solid and liquid wastes. The concentrations of heavy metals like, arsenic, lead, chromium etc in drinking water are in pockets due to a combination of geological and anthropogenic reasons. On the other hand a huge amount of harmful organic and synthetic effluents are leached to the surface and ground and surface water as farm land and urban wastes. The interrelation of water pollution with land use change must be analyzed for detailed understanding.
Hydrology: The hydrology refers to the study of water dynamics in surface and subsurface system. The natural catchments of watersheds are disturbed through rampant expansion of settlement areas. The technological intervention has made unimaginable geomorphologic changes possible at a faster rate. The large water bodies and hill tops are not spared. Even the natural river paths are modified by under man made projects. The rate of infiltration is impaired by rigorous anthropogenic activities enhancing the surface run off loss after each rainfall event. This has aggravated the water logging and flash flood in many urban and semi urban areas. On the other hand the ground water recharge is severely affected. This coupled with overexploitation of ground water to meet the demand from agriculture, industry and human settlement has made the situation worse day by day.
Although many of these problems are not solely from anthropogenic activities, these are certainly being aggravated by human activities. More over, it is the responsibility of every human being to sustain the land resources for the future generation through judicious land use planning. Nature is the school where the young minds are to be educated through participatory science activities.
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