Research Papers
A new scenario framework for climate change research: background, process, and future directions.
Ebi Kristie L, , Hallegatte Stephane , Kram Tom , Arnell Nigel W, Carter Timothy R , Edmonds Jae , Kriegler Elmar, Mathur Ritu , O?Neill Brian C , Riahi Keywan , Winkler Harald , Van Vuuren Detlef P , Zwickel Timm
| 2014
This paper describes the scenario matrix architecture that underlies a framework for developing new scenarios for climate change research. The matrix architecture facilitates addressing key questions related to current climate research and policy-making: identifying the effectiveness of different adaptation and mitigation strategies (in terms of their costs, risks and other consequences) and the possible trade-offs and synergies.
A Gateway to Sustainable Development through Knowledge Exchange: a TERI Case Study
Deepa N; Ganguly Shantanu
| 2014
Thy dynamic knowledge society demands that knowledge and informtion resources develop services to anticipate and serve the need of socity. There is a growing need for developing and disseminating knowledge resources pertaining to specific subject areas to enable easy access by focused user communities.
A framework for mapping tree species combining hyperspectral and LiDAR data: Role of selected classifiers and sensor across three spatialscales
Ghosh Aniruddha,Fabian Ewald Fassnacht, Joshi P K, Barbara Koch
| 2014
Knowledge of tree species distribution is important worldwide for sustainable forest management and resource evaluation. The accuracy and information content of species maps produced using remote sensing images vary with scale, sensor (optical, microwave, LiDAR), classification algorithm, verification design and natural conditions like tree age, forest structure and density. Imaging spectroscopy reduces the inaccuracies making use of the detailed spectral response. However, the scale effect still has a strong influence and cannot be neglected.
A comparison of selected classification algorithms for mapping bamboo patches in lower Gangetic plains using very high resolution WorldView 2 imagery
Ghosh Aniruddha, Joshi P K
| 2014
Bamboo is used by different communities in India to develop indigenous products, maintain livelihood and sustain life. Indian National Bamboo Mission focuses on evaluation, monitoring and development of bamboo as an important plant resource. Knowledge of spatial distribution of bamboo therefore becomes necessary in this context. The present study attempts to map bamboo patches using very high resolution (VHR) WorldView 2 (WV 2) imagery in parts of South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, India using both pixel and object-based approaches.
A comparison of different regression models for downscaling Landsat and MODIS land surface temperature images over heterogeneous landscape
Dhakate P, Mayee P, Negi Madan Singh, Singh Anandita
| 2014
The present study reports a natural variation in microRNA172 (MIR172) family members isolated from six species of genus Brassica. The analysis of nucleotide polymorphism across 44 Brassica MIR172 homologs revealed a higher conservation in the predicted precursors relative to flanking regions. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in miRNA and miRNA*. The 21-nt miRNA sequence was conserved in all MIR172 members except MIR172a. However, the miRNA* sequence was conserved only in MIR172a compared to A. thaliana.
Nuclear energy and risk assessment by Indian courts: analysis of judicial intervention in the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project
Ram Mohan M P, Shandilya Akshay
| 2014
Judicial intervention on nuclear energy safety discourse in India is very recent. The debate on the Civil Nuclear Liability for Damage Act 2010 in the Parliament and the 2011 Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan provoked public apprehension about nuclear safety in India. The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP) in South India became the flash point. The localized agitation against the project consequently gained momentum and was taken up aggressively by civil society groups citing safety compromise on various technical parameters.
Wildfires, Ecosystem Services, and Biodiversity in Tropical Dry Forest in India
Schmerbeck Joachim, Fiener Peter
| 2015
This review is intended to contribute to the understanding of the interlinkage between wildfire in India’s tropical dry forest (TDF) and selected ecosystem services (ES), namely forest provisioning and water regulating services, as well as biodiversity. TDF covers approximately 146,000 km2 (4.4 %) of India, whereas according to the MODIS fire product about 2200 km2 (1.4 %) burns per year. As studies on wildfire effects upon ESs and biodiversity in Indian TDFs are rare we partly transferred findings from other (dry) forest areas to the environmental situation in India.
Village-level solar power in Africa: Accelerating access to electricity services through a socio-technical design in Kenya
Ulsruda KenyaKirsten, Winther Tanja, Palit Debajit, Rohracherd Harald
| 2015
Village-level solar power supply represents a promising potential for access to electricity services.Increased knowledge is needed for the development of solutions that work for the users and are viable inthe long run. This article analyzes a solar power model developed and tested through action research incollaboration between a community in Kenya and a team of social scientists and technical experts. Theanalysis includes the reasons for its socio-technical design, and the actual functioning of the model.
Trust and cooperation among urban poor for transition to cleaner and modern cooking fuel
Nayak Bibhu P, Werthmann Christine , Aggarwal Veena
| 2015
A significant percentage of households in India still use firewood, kerosene and other biomass as cooking fuel. A survey on household energy consumption patterns in Hyderabad revealed that monthly expenditure of urban poor on firewood or kerosene is as much as the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder. However, poorer households do not switch to LPG due to the high initial investments for an LPG connection.
Study of nanotoxicity: Current need
Mishra Rohit Kumar, Dey Pannalal
| 2015
Nanotechnology has potential to improve almost all aspect of human life. With the advent of nanotechnology a number of engineered nanoparticles have made their importance in our day to day life. But history has taught us that the development of every new technology is accompanied by risks. Hence it is highly required to study all possible risk factors associated with any technology. This article is a glimpse of the toxic effects of nanoparticles and emphasizes on detailed effects on nanoparticles on human health and environment.