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Conservation Prioritization of Ecologically Sensitive Regions with the Insights of Forest Dynamics at Disaggregated Levels

Ramachandra, TV and Bharath, S and Vinay, S (2022) Conservation Prioritization of Ecologically Sensitive Regions with the Insights of Forest Dynamics at Disaggregated Levels. In: International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 48 (2). ISSN 0377-015X

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.55863/ijees.2022.0117

Abstract

Ecological sensitivity or fragility refers to permanent and irreparable loss of extant life forms or significant damage to the natural processes of evolution and speciation with the alterations in the ecological integrity of a region. The comprehensive knowledge of the ecological fragility of a region is quintessential for evolving strategies of conservation. This entails understanding factors responsible for ecological sensitiveness, including landscape dynamics, to visualize future transitions to mitigate the problems of haphazard and uncontrolled development approaches. The assessment of forest dynamics for Dakshina Kannada district was carried out using temporal remote sensing data and the field data and predicted future scenarios of transformation, which helps develop appropriate management strategies. Ecological sensitive regions at decentralized levels (grids of 5’ x 5’ or 9 km x 9 km) have been identified in Dakshina Kannada district, Karnataka State, India, through a composite metric based on bio, geo, hydro, climatic, and ecological factors with the social aspects. This information was compiled through natural environment survey at representative grids and the extensive literature review for the information at the district level. The 33% (24 grids) of the area corresponds to 54 villages represents ESR 1, 20% (15 grids) of the area demarcated as ESR 2 covering 81 villages, 28% (20 grids) of the area covering 145 villages shows ESR 3, and 19 % area (14 grids) covering 100 villages as ESR 4. ESR 1 & ESR 2 indicates the high ecological sensitiveness, need to be protected, and suggested stringent conservation measures. ESR 3 represents a moderate conservation region, and only regulated development is allowed. ESR 4 represents the least diverse areas, and the developments are permitted as per the requirement of local people through strict vigilance of regulatory authorities. The region-specific (cluster approaches in the development path to enhance job opportunities and optimization of local resources use) sustainable developments can be taken up at each panchayat level, with the most negligible effects on the ecosystem.

Item Type: Journal Article
Publication: International Journal of Ecology and Environmental Sciences
Publisher: National Institutional Institute of Ecology
Additional Information: The copyright of this article belongs to the National Institutional Institute of Ecology.
Keywords: Biodiversity; Conservation; Cluster-based development; Ecological Fragility; Endemic Species.
Department/Centre: Division of Biological Sciences > Centre for Ecological Sciences
Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences > Center for Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation and Urban Planning (CiSTUP)
Division of Mechanical Sciences > Centre for Sustainable Technologies (formerly ASTRA)
Date Deposited: 14 Sep 2022 05:19
Last Modified: 14 Sep 2022 05:19
URI: https://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/76904

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