Caspian Journal of Environmental Sciences
Volume:7 Issue: 1, Winter 2009

Empirical models are important tools for relating field-measured biophysical variables to remotely sensed data. Regression analysis has been a popular empirical method of linking these two types of data to estimate variables such as biomass، percent vegetation canopy cover، and bare soil. This study was conducted in a semi-arid rangeland ecosystem of Qazvin province، Iran. This paper presents the development of a regression model for predicting rangeland biophysical variables using the original image data of Landsat TM nonthermal bands. The biophysical variables of interest within the rangeland ecosystem were percent vegetation canopy cover، bare soil extent، and stone and gravel which their correlations were analyzed in relation to Landsat TM original data. The results of applying stepwise multiple regression showed that there is a significant correlation between Landsat TM band 2 reflectance values and biophysical variables. The developed models were applied to Landsat TM band 2 and relevant maps were generated. We concluded that such problems as an inexact location of field samples on the image، small size of samples، vegetation heterogeneity may significantly affect the modeling of real rangeland Landsat TM data relationships.

Present transplant study was carried out across Lucknow, the capital of Utter Pardesh using two medicinally important plants viz., ?Catharanthus roseus L.? and ?Ocimum sanctum L.? to assess whether certain ecophysiological responses (change in total flavonoids and total phenolics) in these two plants may serve as the biomarkers of auto exhaust pollution. Samples were taken from five different sites which differed from each other in terms of the number and type of vehicles plying over and were loaded with different concentrations of air pollutants (such as, SO2, NO2, SPM, RSPM). During the study, it was observed that the concentration of the different air pollutants across the sites correlated with the number and type of vehicles. Total flavonoids and total phenolics in both plants increased by increasing pollution loads across the sites, hence, this validates their role as biomarkers of auto exhaust pollution.

Researchers of CSIRO Land and Water in Griffith in Australia have found a way to repeatedly reuse drainage water to grow crops. In the process the system will concentrate the salt in the water to a manageable level which can then be used or stored in an environmentally friendly manner. The process, known as sequential biological concentration, is based on a novel system for Land, based treatment of secondary treatment of effluent re-use. This research is regional suitability assessment of SBC for Murrumbidgee Irrigation area (MIA) an multiplication SBC suitability Index was developed by reclassifying and assigning suitability factors to groundwater depth, groundwater quality and soil texture data in a raster environment. In this study depth of watertable, groundwater salinity and hydraulic conductivity of soil for the MIA, are achieved by the combination of fieldwork subsequently followed by the Two-dimensional flow and using MODFLOW/MT3D model software. The groundwater depth and groundwater quality were regrouped by the groundwater depth suitability and groundwater quality suitability factors. To determine the regional SBC suitability we used SBC suitability Index. The results of Regional suitability assessment of SBC are presented. Preliminary GIS assessment in MIA shows that thousands of hectares of agriculture land can be benefit SBC technique of managing and exporting salts.

Genetic diversity among plants sprouted from seven year old clones of mulberry (Morus indica var. S36) was studied using molecular markers such as ISSR and RAPD. The clones showed significant variability in sex expression and the sprouting behavior. These changes were appeared after seven years of rigorous pruning and training (pruned once in every 3-4months). Genetic diversity analysis revealed significant DNA polymorphism differences among these clones. Through multiple regression analysis، four DNA markers associated with specific traits were identified. Cloning، sequencing and bioinformatics analyses suggested probable involvement of transposable elements along with enzymes and transcriptional regulating factors. The results of this preliminary report call for detailed analyses at biochemical، physiological and molecular levels coupled with inheritance pattern of these markers and their corresponding phenotypic traits. The markers identified for sprouting and sex expression are of much use in early identification of hybrids with the respective traits.

The effect of poultry waste application on physicochemical and biological properties of sandy clay loam soil was investigated on a 7m X 7m plot of land. Plot was divided into four portions and 7.5kg each of broiler، cockerel and layers waste was applied to plot A، B، and C in slurry form while plot D was used as control(no application) for eight weeks with two weeks interval. After the fourth application، samples were taken from the plot for laboratory analysis. The results showed that all the wastes have effect on the soil properties with the cockerel waste having the highest effect on the electrical conductivity of the soil. It was between 121.0 and126.1mS. Cockerel waste has the highest BOD5، porosity and organic matter content of the soil which were 52.00mg/l،0.67 and 27.50mg/l، respectively. What can be deduced from this is that while application of poultry wastes improves soil properties، it also increases soil salinity and cockerel waste is recommended because it has ability to increase the porosity and organic matter content of soil

In developing countries، it is common to site (or locate) industries without environmental impact assessment. In this study the impacts of two food processing industries on land use and land capability، noise and vibration، environmentally sensitive areas and visual quality as environmental elements were investigated. The research method adopted was the investigative survey research approach (ISRA) which included the collection of baseline and screening data. Noise level was determined using the decibel scale. The impacts of the industries on land use and land capability، noise and vibration، environmentally sensitive areas and visual quality included: displacement of agricultural production، quarrying activity and fishermen; loss of forestry and pasture lands; cracks on buildings near or adjacent to the industries due to vibrations from heavy machines; noise pollution from processing machines leading to hearing loss/impairment; reduced shell-fish yield; increased commercial and social activities; and distortion of visual content and coherence. The need for environmental impact auditing and the importance of impact auditing as a project management tool were highlighted. It was concluded that the food processing industries do have positive and negative impacts on the environment and recommendations towards alleviating negative impacts were made.