Energy & Wetlands Research Group Centre for Ecological Sciences Indian Institute of Science Bangalore 560 012, India E Mail: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in mds@ces.iisc.ernet.in Tel: 91-080-22933099/23602075 Fax: 91-080-23601428 Dr. T.V. Ramachandra, Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc Dr. Niranjan V. Joshi, Centre for Ecological Sciences, IISc Dr. M.D. Subash Chandran, Centre for Ecological Sciences
Dear Dr Ramachandra, Yes, I had said 16th by mistake. We will beon site visit to Gundya on 16th. The programme you suggest, namely, 15th September: Meeting regarding carrying capacity study (TVR, MDS, Ananth Ashisar) 8 30 to 12 followed by meeting with the WGTF beginning at 12 noon, both at Aranya Bhavan meeting room (eigth floor), Karnataka Forest Department is fine with me. As to agenda of the meeting on carrying capacity study, it will be presentations from your group regarding the conceptual framework, data already available from various sources, fresh collection of data, expected processing of data, modeling exercises and finally expected outcome. Please make a very detailed presentation on all these issues. We have ample time.
Invitation from KARNATAKA BIODIVERSITY BOARD, vide letter KBB/Misc/Western Ghats study/15/09-10/1314 dated. 29-06-2009 (Ref: Letter No.FEE 49 ENV 2009, dated 22-05- 2009 of the Secretary to the Government, Forest, Ecology & Environment, Bangalore).
Carrying capacity is defined as the maximum number of activities - like domestic, agriculture, transport, industries - that can be done continuously over a period of time without affecting: the existing quality of life (from the point of view of existing traditional practices, access to resources, health and pollution levels) processes and functional capability of ecosystems biodiversity the balance of resources (renewability/regeneration is maintained) the fact that activities can be done on a sustainable manner neighbouring systems existing ecological systems like coastal systems, forests etc.
to obtain the limits on the availability of resources and their usage. different regions may not be developing at the same level, there is normally a skewed level of development. Utilisation of resources will not be uniform in all regions. Patterns of development (based on perception, availability of infrastructure) may vary. But development is a continuous process. Hence, carrying capacity studies for different regions will allow us to divide the state into regions of different classes
Land-use, land cover changes. Inventorisation and mapping of biodiversity (terrestrial, aquatic-flora, fauna). Inventorisation and mapping of domesticated biodiversity (agricultural, horticultural and livestock). Understanding ecology, biodiversity and hydrology relationships. Understanding cultural diversity in relation to conservation such as of sacred groves and sacred trees, sacred animals, totemic species, etc., traditional resource utilization and management, traditional skills and arts, traditional economic activities such as production of artifacts (wood and stone carving, bamboo and cane works, earthen artifacts, carpentry, etc.), skilled farm labour, etc. Identification of heritage and cultural sites. Assessment of renewable energy potential (region-wise). Assessment of carbon dynamics (sequestration potential, emission). Assessment of ecosystem services and goods (ecosystem-wise). Socio economic worthiness of people s institutions and organisations. Identification and mapping of natural disaster prone regions, monitoring and mitigation measures through eco-restoration (eg. creation of green barriers to prevent sea erosion). Global significance of the region (RET species, threatened ecosystems, protected areas, etc.). River basin-wise, integrated holistic valuation (tangible and intangible) and assessment of ecological carrying capacity. Impact of developmental projects (power, industry, monoculture plantation, etc.). Formulation of ecologically sound developmental plan for sustainable productivity of the district.
Review of scientific literatures, policy documents, forest working plans, literatures related to socio-economic aspects, etc. Compilation of literatures biodiversity, ecology, etc. To understand the research gaps
Temporal Remote Sensing Data -Helps to understand land cover changes -Assessment of Carbon dynamics -Carbon sequestrtion potential -Identification of local hotspots of biodiversity -Prioritisation of conservation regions -Habitat fragmentation analysis Land Cover Dynamics
Primary survey Literature review (from all universities, journals, reports, forest department documents, French Institute documents..) Workshops at Taluk levels schools (SBR) Workshop s -Agriculturists, Fishing community, medical practitioners..
1 2 3 4 6 7 8 5 11 12 9 10 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Figure 1. Uttara Kannada district map with study regions (darkened squares) and various landscape elements under consideration Field sampling transects with quadrats - Species area curve
Total Table 1: economic Classification value of total (TEV) economic = value for wetland Direct Use Value + Indirect Use Value + Option Value + Existence Value Total economic value (TEV) = Direct Use Value + Indirect Use Value + Option Value + Existence Value USE VALUES Direct use values Indirect use values Option value and Quasi- NON- USE Existence value Option Benefits Food Nutrient retention, Potential future use (as per direct Biodiversity, NTFP Flood control, and indirect use). Culture, Fuel wood, Storm protection, Future value of information, e.g., Heritage, Recreation, Ground water recharge, pharmaceuticals, education. Bequest Fish External ecosystem (Boating, Fauna, Walking) support, Filtration, Transport, Erosion control Wildlife, harvesting, Micro-climate, Peat/Energy Shoreline stabilization
Benefits Methodology for economic valuation Direct method Indirect method Direct Non-consumptive (1) Ecotourism/recreation 1. Contingent valuation 1. Travel Cost Method (2) Education and Research 2. Experiments (3) Human habitat (4) Other non-consumptive uses Indirect 1. Contingent valuation 1. Change-in-productivity method approach (A) Watershed benefits : 2. Experiments (1) Agriculture productivity 2. Replacement cost (2) Soil conservation approach (3) Recharging of group water (4) Regulation of stream flows (5) Other watershed benefits (A) Ecosystem services 1. Contingent valuation 1. Replacement cost method approach (1) Nitrogen fixing 2. Experiments 2. Indirect estimates (2) Waste assimilation derived from experiments (3) Carbon Store (4) Microclimatic functions (5) Other ecosystem services (C) Evolutionary process Contingent valuation Indirect estimates derived methods from experimental data (1) Global life support (2) Biodiversity Non-use values Contingent valuation
Stage I: several studies will be conducted to obtain estimates on availability of different resources, calculation on utilization of resources for existing and proposed activities, estimation of total usage for the defined horizon of 20 years for various resources using trend analysis and calculation of net availability of resources. Stage II: Formulation of ecologically sound developmental plan for sustainable productivity of the district
Land-obtain an existing land use, land cover and land use map of all taluks for a suitable scale. Water-Three activities are to be done-estimation of water availability in each region for every month on a dependable basis, analysis of existing consumption requirements of water by different sectors Energy-Similar to water resources, the estimates of energy potential, energy usage by every sector and their projection for the next 20 years Transportation-We need to look at road, rail and water transportations, transportations within the district and outside, and identify possible alternate routes. Fish is a major source of food and employment in the district. So it is desirable to study the productivity of fish based on current harvesting trends in different areas of the district. Air -we need to establish limits on various pollutants like sulphur oxides, carbon oxides etc. Identification of regions exceeding carrying capacity disaster prone regions (like Karwar landslides..), appropriate management mitigation strategies.
Activities (Duration 60 months) 1) Staff recruitment and purchase of equipments and literature (books, reports, data CD, etc.) 2) GIS database development remote sensing and collateral data 3) Land-use, land cover changes -Remote sensing data analysis and collection of field data 4) Exploratory field survey to identify the sampling grids coveringthe entire district of Uttara Kannada and representative of all landscape elements: Opportunistic survey of flowering plants in various landscape elements in all seasons. 5) Plant animal interaction in different landscape elements 6) Understanding ecology, biodiversity and hydrology relationships 7) Soil studies (ecosystemwise) 8) Visits to other institutional herbaria/museum for reference 9) Understanding cultural diversity in relation to conservation such as of sacred groves and sacred trees, sacred animals, totemic species, etc. 10) Assessment of renewable energy potential (region-wise). 11) Assessment of carbon dynamics (sequestration potential, emission). 12) Assessment of ecosystem services and goods (ecosystem-wise). 13) Identification and mapping of natural disaster prone regions 14) River basin-wise, integrated holistic valuation 15) Impact of developmental projects 16) Formulation of ecologically sound developmental plan for sustainable productivity of the district 17) Interim report preparation and submission, FR: Final Project Report 18) Organizing discussion meetings and workshops 19) Formulation of carrying capacity and validation exercise 20) National Symposium 21) Project co-ordination meeting (PI, Co-investigators, project staff and students)
Renewable Energy Potential assessment Solar Wind Hydro Bio-energy Energy Demand
Ecology Economic valuation Significant Results
Activity Chart Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Activity Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 1 * * 2 * * * * * * * * * * 3 * * * * * * * * * 4 * * * * * * * * * * * 5 * * * * * * * * * * * 6 * * * * * * * * * * * 7 * * * * * * * * * * * 8 * * * * 9 * * * * * * * * * * * 10 * * * * * * * * * * * * 11 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 12 * * * * * * * * * * * 13 * * * * * * * * * * * 14 * * * * * * * * * * * 15 * * * * * * * * * * * 16 * * * * * * * * 17 * * * * FR 18 * * * * * 19 * * * * 20 * * 21 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * FR: Final Report
Interim report submission Quarter 4, Year 1, Quarter 4, Year 2 Quarter 4, Year 3, Quarter 4, Year 4 Landscape map with biodiversity information Quarter 3, Year 2 Spatial database of Uttara Kannada Flora with attribute information Formulation of Integrated Ecological Carrying Capacity (IECC) framework Recommendations for policy reforms addressing specific problems Publication of technical reports (based on themes) Publication: IECC of Uttara Kannada District (with color plates) Quarter 2, Year 4 Quarter 4, Year 3 Quarter 4, Year 5 On completion of respective themes Quarter 4, Year 5
Integrated ecological carrying capacity framework for Uttara Kannada, covering systematically landscape and waterscape elements. Valuation of ecosystem services and goods river basin wise. This work will help decision makers in matters regarding sustainable use and planning of developmental activities through proper zoning with minimal impact on critical biological systems of the district. Conservationists will be enabled to devise corridors and micro-corridors for animal migration as well as select appropriate species of plants enabling faunal conservation while restoring natural ecosystems such as degraded forests, mangroves, beach vegetation etc. An open ended work with inbuilt provision for integration of fresh data and findings in the future.
Ecological Research @ Central Western Ghats
http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/biodiversity http://ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in