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J. Thomas , S. S. Yadav , M. Varghese

Abstract

The flora of western Satpuda in the Khandesh Region holds a dual position having affinities with neighbouring floristic regions. Phytogeographical studies on the western Satpuda Mountains have shown that the region contains three groups of floristic elements spread in twenty categories, namely un-, bi- and pluri-regional elements. Among the uniregional group, the most common element is Indian (34.30%) followed by pantropical (10.44%) and paleotropic (10.04%) of pluri-regional group. Although the region has a number of other floristic elements, most of them do not have any appreciable contribution in the mountains. The study area does not contain any endemic species of its own. however, western Satpuda is acting as a refuge for some of the most endangered species of Maharashtra State and also as a centre of speciation and dispersal for African and Malayan elements.

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A. Nicodemus , B. Nagarajan , C. Narayanan , M. Varghese , K. Subramanian

Abstract

RAPD markers were used to study genetic variation in ten Teak (Tectona grandis L.f.) populations from Western Ghats and Central regions of India. Ten oligonucleotide primers resolved 90 amplification products of which 66 (73%) were polymorphic. The total genetic diversity detected within the species (H_sp) was 0.3 Average gene diversity (H₀) within different populations ranged from 0.185 to 0.261 (mean = 0.233). The Western Ghats populations had more diversity (H₀ =0.227 - 0.261) compared to those from Central India (H₀ =0.185-0.219). Partitioning of gel;etie diversity within and between populations showed that 78% of variation existing within populations and the rest between populations. A negative relationship was observed between latitude and within-population diversity. Nei's genetic distance between populations ranged from 0.053 to 0.264. Genetic distance. Tended to be low between populations from the same geographic region. The UPGMA dendrogram grouped the Western Ghats and Central Indian populations into two distinct clusters. Low intensity selection within populations is likely to capture a major portion of genetic diversity existing in Teak. The Western Ghats and Central Indian regions can be proposed as separate genecological zones for Teak. Future conservation strategies should aim at preserving both within and across population variation in Teak.

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Sachin D. Ghude ¹, G. S. Bhat ², Thara Prabhakaran ¹, R. K. Jenamani ³, D. M. Chate ¹, P. D. Safai ¹, A. K. Karipot ⁴, M. Konwar ¹, Prakash Pithani ¹, V. Sinha ⁵, P. S. P. Rao ¹, S. A. Dixit ¹, S. Tiwari ¹, K. Todekar ¹, S. Varpe ¹, A. K. Srivastava ¹, D. S. Bisht ¹, P. Murugavel ¹, Kaushar Ali ¹, Usha Mina ⁶, M. Dharua ¹, J. Rao ¹, B. Padmakumari ¹, A. Hazra ¹, N. Nigam ³, U. Shende ³, D. M. Lal ¹, B. P. Chandra ⁵, A. K. Mishra ⁵, A. Kumar ⁵, H. Hakkim ⁵, H. Pawar ⁵, P. Acharja ¹, Rachana Kulkarni ¹, C. Subharthi ¹, B. Balaji ¹, M. Varghese ¹, S. Bera ¹, M. Rajeevan ⁷

Affiliations
1 Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pashan, Pune 411 008, IN
2 Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru 560 012, IN
3 India Meteorological Department, New Delhi 110 003, IN
4 Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411 007, IN
5 Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Mohali, Mohali 140 306, IN
6 Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa, New Delhi 110 012, IN
7 Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, New Delhi 110 003, IN

Abstract

The objectives of the Winter Fog Experiment (WIFEX) over the Indo-Gangetic Plains of India are to develop better now-casting and forecasting of winter fog on various time- and spatial scales. Maximum fog occurrence over northwest India is about 48 days (visibility <1000 m) per year, and it occurs mostly during the December-February time-period. The physical and chemical characteristics of fog, meteorological factors responsible for its genesis, sustenance, intensity and dissipation are poorly understood. Improved understanding on the above aspects is required to develop reliable forecasting models and observational techniques for accurate prediction of the fog events. Extensive sets of comprehensive ground-based instrumentation were deployed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Major in situ sensors were deployed to measure surface micro-meteorological conditions, radiation balance, turbulence, thermodynamical structure of the surface layer, fog droplet and aerosol microphysics, aerosol optical properties, and aerosol and fog water chemistry to describe the complete environmental conditions under which fog develops. In addition, Weather Forecasting Model coupled with chemistry is planned for fog prediction at a spatial resolution of 2 km. The present study provides an introductory overview of the winter fog field campaign with its unique instrumentation.

Keywords

Aerosols, Atmospheric Profiles, Forecasting, Winter Fog.

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