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Some important indicators and their inferences

S.No Data/Information Analysis Inference/Recommendation

1. Sometimes frost experienced in the area or Minimum January temperature is 00C or around 00C

Frost happens due to low temperature. Low temperature conditions can generate pool frost in undulating areas. Pool frost can kill aerial parts of frost tender species. Frost hardy species remains indifferent from frost condition.

We should avoid planting of frost tender species. To achieve good survival, planting of frost hardy species is needed.

or

Our area is not fit for frost tender species. We should try frost hardy species only.

2. Drought once in 3-4 years

Due to failure of rains, drought prevails in the area. During sub- normal rain year, water table also goes down and upper layers of soil become drier.

We should avoid drought tender species for planting. Drought hardy species can survive better in the area.

or

Area is suitable for xerophytes. Avoid hygrophilous species. 3. All streams are

ephemeral or seasonal

Overall water regime is poor in the area. Even water regime of low- lying area is not good. Availability of moisture is limited during lean period.

Area is not good for hygrophilous broad-leaved species. One should go for xerophytic, drought hardy species.

4. Cattle freely graze Gazing is a limiting factor in the Either go for fenced plantation of if

Biological Processes Pedological Process Time in years Process Time in years Process

1-50 1)Immigration of appropriate

plant species 1-1000

1)Accumulation of fine material by rock weathering 1-50 2)Establishment of appropriate

plant species

1-10 3)Accumulation of fine mineral

materials captured by plants 1-1000

2)Decomposition of soil minerals by weathering 1-100 4)Accumulation of nutrients by

plants from soil minerals 1-100

3)Improvement of soil available water capacity 1-100

5) Accumulation of nitrogen by biological fixation and from atmosphere inputs

1-1000 4)Release of mineral nutrients from soil minerals 1-20

6) Immigration of soil flora and fauna supported by accumulating organic matter

10-10000

5) Leaching of mobile materials from surface to lower layers

1-20

7) Change in soil structure and organic matter turnover due to plant, soil micro-organize and animal activities

100-10000 6) Formation of distinctive horizons in the soil profile

1-20

8) Improvement in soil water holding capacity due to change in soil structure

10-1000

9) Reduction in toxicities due to accumulation of organic matter

goats and cattle in the area. population is required. 6. Fire is frequent

(Cause

anthropogenic)

Fire not only destroys litter and humus but it induces desiccation also.

• Plant fire hardy species • Prepare fire lines

• Public awareness required 7. Water table going

down

Catchment is under degradation. Runoff is high. Excessive tube- welling may also be responsible

Intensive SMC works are needed. Catchment forest and grass cover need protection. Farmer should advice for less water demanding crops 8. Stage horning is seen commonly in Mango trees since last 10 years

Rainfall is not normal. Water table is going down. Water regime is decreasing. Aridity increasing. Desiccation increasing. .

Plant mango tree in deep soil zone or in low-lying areas only. Grow mango near water streams or near water channels.

9. Melanocenchrus jacquemontii is present in extensive area. Patches of Aristida grass are seen here and there (In central India)

Area is highly degraded, trampled, over grazed, eroded and without humus. In such conditions, pioneer grasses only can grow.

At present higher grasses and trees cannot be grown. Extensive SMC works required. Sowing of N2-fixing forbs is also needed.

Grazing and fire protection needed.

10. Lantana weed is common in the area

It is an allelopathic weed, which don’t allow native seed to germinate. It takes heavy toll from grasses.

Patches should be cleared at interval by uprooting the weed and such patches should be used for planting/sowing.

or

Planting should be done in Lantana less spots

11. Rocks have multiple fissures

Vertical movement of rain water is easy in such rocks hence they have good water regime

Planting of lithophytes and chasmophytes would give better results.

12. Area is low-laying with poor

drainage

During rainy season water stagnation may take place in such area and oxygen availability becomes poor. Such anaerobic condition is not good for respiration of roots of many species.

Such areas are good for planting of Acacia nilotica, Phoenix sylvestries. Roots of these plants can withstand scarcity of oxygen and do not die. Butea monosperma can also be tried. If water stagnation is prolonged, we can think of “mound planting technique” instead of pit planting. 13. Anogeissus

pendula edaphic climax is present in area.

Climax stage is last success ional stage of vegetation in a particular area with presence of a local set of biophysical factors. We can’t bring a post climax stage in ordinary conditions. In such condition, planting of any non-associated species below canopy of climax species would give poor or zero

No need of planting. Support climax species.

commonly present in the area

sowing in the area. When this babbler is replaced by Jungle Babbler it should be taken as indicator of dense forest.

16. Ficus epiphytes are common

It indicates high availability of Ficus trees and rich avian fauna.

Ficus spp. are considering umbrella species. Many food chains pair through these species hence to sustain wild animals, protection of existing natural Ficus trees is necessary. We can think of planting of more Ficus tree also. 17. Few years back,

honey bees were common in the area, now absent

Surface water and flower plants are necessary things for honeybee to survive. Total destruction of flowering plant is not possible in any area. But total disappearance of surface water is possible in any area especially during lean period.

Area demand SMC activities to revive surface water sources.

18. Cassia tora is very common every where

It is an indicator of over grazing. It indicates that area is under heavy grazing pressure

If we want to regenerate the area, grazing regulation is necessary. Once area is regenerated, grazing beyond carrying capacity should not be allowed.

19. Hawks, snakes, cats are

commonly seen in the area

These are top predators and indicators of existence of normal food chains in the area

General protection of habitat would be sufficient input.

20. Rats increasing Snakes and other rat predators are decreasing

Monitoring of population is needed. After detecting population trends of predators, strategy for their protection should materialized in the field

Chart : Process and tools facilitated by the training program to work on ecological aspects

Reconstruction of past succession stage of the site

Base line survey Mapping of Biophysical factors

Ecological time line Distribution and stratification of species

Goal/ Perspective on ecological aspects of the area

Species selection, Area Mapping Intervention Plan Site treatment plan and map

Long Term Biophysical Treatment plan (Plot wise) Mapping land use pattern

Assessment of carrying capacity

Annual plan

Manual GIS

(Soil map, relief map, treatment map, stream map, species map)

SMC Plan Revegetation plan Protection mechanisms Time budgeting

Seed biology chart Phenology chart Layout of the activity

Implementation

Physical and ecological Monitoring

Survival counting Mapping of succession changes

Performance chart Site visit report, ecological tools, Case studies, Scientific papers

Results and learning

T

O

O

L

S

Plant biology and related animal behavior. Ecosystem perspective Management of eco-restoration process Nursery Management SMC and SWC

FES IntErnal SourcEBook

Ecological

REstoRation