Litterfall, Decomposition and Nutrient Release in Sacred Forests of Western Odisha, India.

Abstract

Background Recognizing that litterfall and decomposition are key ecosystem functions for ecosystem stability in a terrestrial ecosystem, litterfall and decomposition in four sacred forests were studied from western part of Odisha. The present study focuses on the detailed aspects of litter dynamics, decomposition and consequent release of nutrients to the forest floor. The results obtained in this study will be beneficial in understanding the ecosystem functioning associated with nutrient cycling, which helps in determining possible management strategies for optimization of ecosystem functioning and productivity of these sacred forests. Results Litterfall and standing litter showed a seasonal pattern with most of the litter accumulated during the dry seasons and lowest in the rainy season. However, no significant difference was observed between the litterfall patterns of the sacred forests. The annual turnover rate (KL) was found to be in the range of 3.59/yr to 4.22/yr in studied sacred forests. The litter decomposition study was performed by litter bag technique and almost 95% of mass loss was observed within a period of 6 months. Such fast decomposition leads to faster rate of nutrient release across the sites. The studied elements can be set in the following order as regards to their return to the topsoil during decomposition in the order of K (Potassium) > N (Nitrogen) > P (Phosphorus). The approximate amount of nutrient released to the forest soil is quantified in the range of 184.76 to 33.61kg/ha of NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) in different sacred forests.Conclusion Such nutrient release and dynamics in sacred forests, may contribute an effective nutrient flow to the topsoil as well as to the surrounding agricultural landscapes boosting agricultural productivity and sustainability. This signifies the role of sacred forests in rendering an important ecological service in terms of nutrient cycling.

Disaster response, confined space medicine and safety systems against railway accidents: 2023 Odisha railway accident from India

“…Initial reports suggested the following potential sequence of events: collision between an immobile freight train parked at the loop line of the Bahanaga Bazar railway station and a moving passenger train inadvertently entering the same loop line, leading to the derailment of the passenger train compartments. The derailed compartments hit the tail end of the third train, which was another passenger train running on a parallel main line simultaneously, causing the derailment of the third train [5]. The responsible authority, the Commissioner of Railway Safety, in its comprehensive enquiry report, found lapses in the signalling mechanism and oversight as the reasons for the accident [6].…”