bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The changing strategic landscape of the South China Sea
Authors: Jha Binod Kumar , Singh Rupak Kumar 
Published: February 2024

The South China Sea dispute has adversely affected the regions involved in the dispute but, at the same time, other countries involved in trade with them have also been affected. It is one of the most important trade routes and it is important to end the dispute over the South China Sea so that trade and economic activities of all countries are not disrupted. Furthermore, the US is playing a very important role in resolving this dispute, as it has extensive security commitments in East Asia and is allied with many countries bordering the South China Sea such as the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam. Therefore, any dispute between them will have a direct impact on America.
Abstract in Hindi Language:
दक्षिण चीन सागर विवाद ने विवाद में शामिल क्षेत्रों पर प्रतिकूल प्रभाव डाला है लेकिन, उनके साथ-साथ उनके साथ व्यापार में शामिल अन्य देश भी प्रभावित हुए हैं। यह सबसे महत्वपूर्ण व्यापार मार्गों में से एक है और दक्षिण चीन सागर पर विवाद को समाप्त करना महत्वपूर्ण है ताकि सभी देशों की व्यापार और आर्थिक गतिविधियां बाधित न हों। इसके अलावा, अमेरिका इस विवाद को सुलझाने में बहुत महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभा रहा है, क्योंकि पूर्वी एशिया में इसकी व्यापक सुरक्षा प्रतिबद्धताएँ हैं और यह फिलीपींस, सिंगापुर और वियतनाम जैसे दक्षिण चीन सागर की सीमा से लगे कई देशों के साथ संबद्ध है। इसलिए उनके बीच किसी भी विवाद का सीधा असर अमेरिका पर पड़ेगा।
Keywords: भारत, दक्षिण चीन सागर, व्यापार, मलक्का।
Dung Beetle Functional Diversity and Ecosystem Services (Resource Relocation) in Different Land Use Types in the Upper Walawe Basin Area
Authors: Perera P.R.M.  , Kudavidanage E.P.  , Udayakumara E.P.N.  , Wijesekara H.  , Lekamge D.  
Published: February 2024

Conversion of forest habitat to different land uses will change the environmental quality of the altered land. Since the relationship between anthropogenic disturbance and animal diversity and ecosystem services emerged, much scientific research has been conducted on this aspect. The present study focuses on comparing dung beetles, a known biological indicator, on examining five diverse environs (large forests, forest patches, Pinus plantations (Pinus caribaea), home gardens, and tea plantations) Coprophagous beetles of the subfamily Scarabaeinae (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae). This study examined whether dung beetles' diversity, species richness, functional groups, and ecosystem services (dung removal) vary with the habitat types. We also assumed that the intensity of anthropogenic activities varies in these habitats. The experiment was conducted for 48 hours each in five habitat types with three selected replicates per each habitat type. The Shannon-Weiner Diversity Index shows that the highest dung beetle diversity is recorded in large forest areas (2.1719). The highest species abundance (186) and richness (22) were recorded in the large forest. The lowest species abundance was recorded in tea plantations (109). The lowest species richness was recorded in pinus plantations (10). Moreover, functional group diversity is high in habitats with fewer human activities. The dominant species in large forests is Onthophagus favrei (dominancy index-2.9%). In forest patches and pinus plantations, Onthophagus amphinasus (19%) and Paracopris signatus (36.30%) appeared consecutively. In home gardens and tea plantations, the most dominant species is Onthophagus unifasiatus (26.50% and 28.40%). Habitats with anthropogenic activities have less species richness and a high dominancy index. Furthermore, dung beetle resource relocation efficiency was skewed toward forest areas. The highest dung removal percentage was recorded in forest areas (large forest-9.58% and forest patches-7.33%). The dung removal in the anthropogenic activities related to land uses was decreased as a home garden (7.17%), Pinus plantation (6.58%), and tea plantation (5.42%). Moreover, large dung beetles (body mass≥0.5 g) were only recorded in large forests and forest patches. Low diversity in tea plantations could be attributed to pesticide and fertilizer usage, as beetles are highly sensitive to these chemicals. Pinus plantations showed low rates of dung removal because resource availability in those habitats is less due to the fewer mammals. These findings indicate that replacing forests and forest areas with simplified human residential areas and agricultural systems can result in shifts towards less specialized dung beetle communities with altered proportions to other animal groups.
Keywords: Scarabaeinae, Dung removal, Species richness, Species abundance, Dominance index
Spatial Distribution of Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) in Selected Wetlands of Colombo Ramsar Wetland City using Camera Traps
Authors: Mahaulpatha W.A.D.  , Bandara A.M.P.W  , Sigera P.S.T.  
Published: February 2024

The first wetland capital city in the world, Colombo Ramsar Wetland City (CRWC), provides a diverse array of habitat types intermixed with one another to the faunal and floral communities. In this research, the spatial distribution of Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) was studied in Baddagana Wetland Park (BWP), Diyasaru Wetland Park (DWP) and Heen Ela Marsh (HEM) located within the CRWC, from June 2021 to January 2022. Annona (Annona glabra) woodland, mixed woodland, herb dominated high vegetation and herb dominated low vegetation habitat types were selected and camera trap stations were established providing equal trapping effort for each habitat type. Camera trap locations were selected to ensure a sufficient coverage of each wetland. Trap locations were changed every 30 days, and cameras were set to function during both day and night for 24 hours a day. A total number of 2,831 camera trap records belonging to 6 species were identified as meso-mammals. Spatial distribution was determined by the habitat preference of P. viverrinus and Relative Abundance Index (RAI) was used for the analysis of preference in each habitat type. It was evident that P. viverrinus mostly preferred Annona woodlands in both BWP (RAI, 14.4) and DWP (RAI, 12.7). However, the most preferred habitat type in HEM (RAI, 9.1) was mixed woodlands. Herb dominated high vegetation was the least preferred habitat type of P. viverrinus in BWP (RAI, 6.7) while herb dominated low vegetation was the least preferred habitat type in both DWP (RAI, 4.7) and HEM (RAI, 3.6). Mixed woodlands were almost equally preferred by P. viverrinus in all study sites and the preference of herb dominated low vegetation and herb dominated high vegetation was relatively low in all the study sites compared to other habitat types. This study suggests that the preference of P. viverrinus varied among different habitat types and one of the major reasons for Annona woodlands being the most preferred habitat type is that they are directly accessible to water. This increases their prey availability within the Annona woodlands, compared to the other habitat types. Thus, it is greatly important to conserve the wetland habitat types associated with water, in order to protect and conserve the P. viverrinus in Colombo wetlands
Keywords: Colombo Ramsar Wetland City, Meso-mammals, Camera trapping, Biodiversity, Carnivores
Habitat Preference of Lesser Whistling Ducks (Dendrocygna javanica) in Selected Wetlands within Colombo Ramsar Wetland City
Authors: Mahaulpatha W.A.D.  , Sigera P.S.T.  , Bandara A.M.P.W.  
Published: February 2024

Lesser Whistling Ducks (LWD) (Dendrocygna javanica) mostly occur in flocks and inhabit lakes, ponds and marshes within freshwater wetlands. They feed mainly on plants taken from water (seed, shoots, tuber and leaves), vertebrates (fishes) and invertebrates (mollusks and worms). In this study, habitat preference of LWD in five selected wetlands in Colombo Ramsar Wetland City (CRWC); Beddagana Wetland Park (BWP), Diyasaru Park (DP), Heen Ela Marsh (HEM), Thalangama Marsh (TM) and Kimbulawala Wetland (KW) was studied from May 2021 to April 2022 as wetlands in urban areas act as the last resort for many resident and migratory bird species and play a major role in the assemblage and conservation of water birds. Habitats present in the selected wetlands were categorized as open water body, floating vegetation, trees, grassland, paddy field, shrubs, bare land. Percentage cover of each habitat type at each sampling site were estimated using quadrat method. LWD were surveyed using line transects of 100m in length, laid in each selected study site to cover representative habitats and observations were made up to 30m towards either side of each transect. Sampling was done in three time slots of the day, morning, mid-day and evening. Floating vegetation, open water body and grassland were the preferred habitat types of D. javanica in BWP, DP, HEM and TM. LWD were not recorded in KW. Floating vegetation (54.97%) was the most preferred habitat by LWD in each study site followed by open water body (24.70%) and grassland (15.82%) habitat types. Eicchornia crassipes (Common water hyacinth) and Salvinia molesta (Giant salvinia) were their most preferred floating vegetation type. Higher abundance of LWD was recorded in TM (83.22%) followed by DP (9.17%), BWP (4.16%) and HEM (3.45%). TM which had higher abundance of LWD had higher floating vegetation coverage (28%) and was rich with E. crassipes and S. molesta. Present study revealed that, LWD mostly used E. crassipes and S. molesta as their main foraging and resting sites. Management of invasive alien species have been undertaken in Colombo wetlands and as E. crassipes and S. molesta are alien species they are currently being removed. Therefore, outright removal of E. crassipes and S. molesta may not be suitable and a monitored removal program that will conserve this habitat type should be implemented in order to conserve the habitats preferred by LWD in CRWC.
Keywords: Lesser whistling ducks, Wetlands, Habitat preference
Examination of Neediness of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures in Conservation of Threatened Migrant Birds and Breeding Residents in Sri Lanka
Authors: Samarasinghe S.S.T.  
Published: February 2024

Sri Lanka offers habitats to 522 avifauna species at present, including 278 migrant species. Many migrant species are waterbirds and 75% of migrants depend on Sri Lankan w Sri Lanka is a party to the Convention on Biological Diversity and has legal obligations to conserve biodiversity. Except for the migratory avifauna, the bird species in schedule IV of the Flora and Fauna Protection Ordinance receive legal protection outside PAs. Sri Lanka is also a party to the Convention of Migratory Species (CMS) which holds states responsible for the protection of migrant species, however, according to the National Report–2019, No arrangements and agreements affecting migratory species changed recently, and no waterbirds are included in Appendix I. Against this backdrop, the objective of the study was to examine the appropriate and effective conservation approach. Gangewadiya area in the Lower Kala Oya Basin in Puttalam is one of the four richest waterbird regions in Sri Lanka having ideal habitat for migratory waterbirds, was selected as the study area to examine the neediness for other area-based conservation measures. The study was limited to the threatened, migratory avifauna species, and desk review, conceptual modeling, and Pressure-State-Response methods were chosen to identify and analyze threats and responses. The Biodiversity Baseline Survey Report, 2017; reported 39 Migratory Birds (M) and 142 Breeding Residents (BR) including 03 Critically Endangered (CR), 01 Endangered (EN), and 02 Vulnerable (VU) species in the study area. Sterna Nilotic Gmelin, 1,789, Sterna albifrons Pallas, 1,764, and Merops philippinus Linnaeus, 1,766 are BR & M, CR species, not found in Appendix II of CMS. Falco tinnunculus is an Uncertain M, EN found in schedule IV of FFPO, while mentioned in Appendix II of CMS. Charadrius dubius and Charadrius alexandrines are BR & M, VU is identified as the Appendix II taxa for which Sri Lanka is a Range State that demands international cooperation for conservation. These threatened, migratory/breeding residents range not managed as PAs and are adversely impacted due to conversion of land uses, changes in salinity, hydrology, water pollution, and expansion of prawn and salt production. This poses threat to species already nationally threatened, and species called for international obligation for conservation; since disturbances in strategic points along the flyways, breeding, and wintering grounds can badly affect them. Therefore, Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures are required to minimize the key threat to ranges of migratory birds and breeding residents of Sri Lanka.
Keywords: Threatened migratory waterbirds, Obligation for conservation, Range, Protected areas, Other effective area-based conservation measures
The Diet and Prey Preference of the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) in a Human-Intervened Montane Landscape
Authors: Janashantha N.P.A.S.  , Perera P.K.P.  , Karawita H.R.  , Algewattha H.R.  
Published: February 2024

Indian pangolin (Manis crassicaudata) is a solitary, elusive, and predominantly nocturnal mammal highly adapted to an insectivorous diet. It has become endangered due to hunting for bush meat and scales, illegal trafficking and poaching. Rescue and captive breeding programs for Indian pangolins have limited success due to the lack of understanding of the species‘ dietary preferences and foraging ecology. The stomach contents and prey preference of Indian pangolin have been less studied owing to the difficulty of acquiring suitable specimens. Such scientific information is unavailable, especially in Sri Lanka. In this study, we analyzed the stomach content of three (03) Indian pangolin specimens collected from human-intervened montane landscapes in the Kandy District, thus allowing a deeper understanding of the Indian pangolin‘s foraging ecology in a specific habitat. Stomach content analysis revealed that a greater proportion of the pangolin diet consists of grit which was 96.13% of the average dry mass (DM%). Plant matter (pieces of twigs, leaf particles, stems and barks) was least present, which was 0.26% of the average dry mass percentage. The plant matter is likely to be ingested while praying on arboreal insect nests, insects living under barks, and decaying logs. Insect matter consisted of ants, termites, their body parts, and wings which were 1.84% of the average dry mass and insect eggs accounted for 2.83%. A total of 13 ant species belonging to 05 subfamilies and 02 termite species of the same subfamily were identified in the stomach contents. Insect species representing terranean, subterranean, semi-arboreal and arboreal habitats were found in the stomach content. Approximately 13.97% of the insect matter belonged to the species in the terranean foraging layer, while sub-terranean, semi-arboreal and arboreal species accounted for 19.53%, 64.58% and 1.59% respectively. Accordingly, it appears that Indian pangolin in the studied montane landscape predominantly feed on semi-arboreal insects. The study further provides detailed insights into the prey preference and foraging ecology of the Indian pangolin in the montane landscape.
Keywords: Indian pangolin, Stomach content, Foraging ecology, Prey preference
Management of Free-floating Aquatic Weeds by Making Compost and Testing its Efficacy against Root-knot Nematode on Tomato
Authors: Pakeerathan K.  , Samaraweera I.D.D.J.  , Aruchchunan N.  , Mikunthan G.  
Published: February 2024

Aquatic weeds are one of the prime pollution causing agents in fresh water bodies of Sri Lanka. In Sri Lanka, free-floating aquatic weeds such as Salvinia molesta, Eichhornia crassipes, Azolla spp and Pistia stratiotes are proliferating quickly and invading rapidly to new water bodies where threatening biodiversity by impeding light penetration and altering BOD and COD of the waterbody. This research was aimed to manage the aquatic weeds by composting and testing its efficacy on root-knot nematodes. Aquatic weeds were collected, mixed with fresh cow dung in 1:1 ratio and allowed for decomposition for 21 days. The recommended dose of prepared different compost was applied to tomato along with garden compost as control. The experiment was conducted in Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with four replicates. The data on nutritional qualities of the compost, plant growth parameters, and gall index were recorded. The data were subjected to ANOVA using SAS 9.1 and Tukey's HSD multiple comparison test was used to determine the best treatment combination at P<0.05. Total Nitrogen (N) content of composts were ranging from 1.42% to 5.6%. The highest significant N value of 5.6% was recorded in the Azolla spp based compost whereas the lowest N value of 1.42% was recorded in control. The highest total Phosphorus (P) content of 3.47% was observed in P. stratiotes based plant sample, whereas the lowest P value of 1.32% was recorded in the E. crassipes based compost. The total Potassium (K) content of this plant sample ranging from 1.3% to 24.4%. The highest K value of 24.4% was recorded in P. stratiotes based compost. The lowest K content of 1.3% was observed in control. Significantly higher shoot height (37.57 cm, 36.53), root length (18.75 cm and 17.5 cm), lower gall index (3.5,1.0), lower goal length (1.5 mm and 1.2 mm) and lower goal diameter (0.95 mm and 0.8 mm) were recorded in the application of S. molesta and Azolla spp based compost, respectively (P<0.05). Considering superiority of N, P and K level, and nematode suppressing efficacy, S. molesta and Azolla spp. based composts are superior than other composts. Therefore, findings conclude that the compost made from aquatic weeds are good source of plant nutrition, and can be substitute to chemical nematicieds to manage the nematodes in organic agriculture. Extensive field studies are needed for recommendation
Keywords: Aquatic weeds, Azolla spp., Compost, Root-knot Nematode
Ammonia Capturing Capacity of Biochar and Kaolinite
Authors: Perera A.J.S.L  , Atapattu N.S.B.M.  
Published: February 2024

Emission of ammonia from poultry litter has numerous negative impacts on poultry, poultry house workers and the environment. When applied as a litter amendment, acidified biochar (ABC) and Kaolinite are reported to lower the emission of ammonia. Apart from reducing ammonia formation, both amendments have a capacity to capture ammonia before being released into the environment. However, capacity of those materials to capture ammonia has not been estimated. The objective of this study was to determine the ammonia capturing capacity of ABC, kaolinite and three different mixtures of them; 75% Kaolinite and 25% ABC, 50% kaolinite and 50% ABC and 25% kaolinite, 75% ABC. Each of the five amendment mixture was tested in five separate completely randomized design experiments. Poultry litter samples were incubated in ten sealed-conical flasks; each fitted with flexible tubes through which emitting ammonia was conveyed to another sealed-flask containing either a known weight of amendment (five replicate flasks) or Styrofoam; control (five replicate flasks). The weight of the amendment or Styrofoam was adjusted to have same volume of material in flasks. A flexible tube originating from the second flask was connected to another sealed-flask containing a boric acid solution so that ammonia that has not been captured by the amendment or Styrofoam in the second flask is captured. A set of tubes originating from each of the ten boric acid flasks were fitted to a vacuum pump.N content, pH, dry matter percentage of the litter before and after the incubation and the amount of N captured by the boric acid were determined. The difference between N released and that captured by the boric acid solution was considered to be captured by the material added to the second flask. Though assumed to have no capacity to capture ammonia, in all five experiments, Styrofoam reported significantly higher ammonia capturing capacity compared to respective amendments. Ammonia capturing capacity of Styrofoam was as high as 1.24g/100g/hr while that of ABC and Kaolinite were 0.40g/100g/hr and 0.14g/100g/hr), respectively. In all five experiments, the percentages of ammonia captured (of the total released during incubation) were not significantly different between tested amendments and the Styrofoam. Percentage capture of ammonia by ABC, Kaolinite and Styrofoam were 91%, 83% and 84%, respectively. The study concludes that acidified biochar, Kaolinite and Styrofoam have capacity to capture ammonia releasing from poultry litter. Further studies are needed to understand the nature of capturing.
Keywords: Ammonia, Biochar, Kaolinite, Litter, Poultry
Influence of Biochar on Plant Uptake of Personal Care Products: Caffeine and Triclosan
Authors: Keerthanan S.  , Jayasinghe C.  , Vithanage M.  
Published: February 2024

The use of personal care products (PCPs) extends a person's longevity. Nonetheless, because of its uncontrolled burden on the environment, it is regarded as an emerging contaminant. The goal of this research is to determine the influence of cinnamon wood biochar (CWBC) on plant uptake of caffeine (CFN) and triclosan (TRI) from the soil. Ipomeoa aquatica was cultivated for 4 weeks in soil with a 2.5% CWBC amendment and spiked with 100 mg/kg CFN and 200 mg/kg TRI. Ultra- High-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) was used to quantify the CFN and TRI in the plant. The surface morphology of CWBC was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area. The gasification of biomass which increased the CWBC's surface area to 589 m2/g, due to the development of a porous structure. The CFN accumulated more in the shoot of the plant whereas TRI accumulated in the root. The addition of 2.5% CWBC significantly (p<0.05) decreased the root and shoot accumulation of CFN by 40.4% and 70.9%, whilst those for TRI by 38.9% and 19.9%, respectively. The relative bioconcentration factors (RBF) of CFN and TRI in shoot and root was calculated by the ratio of bioconcentration factor (BCF) using RBF=〖BCF(CWBC amended soil)⁄〖BCF_soil and the results suggested that the addition of 2.5% CWBC decrease the RBF below the one indicating the effectiveness of CWBC towards mitigating the plant uptake of PCPs. Overall, the present study suggested the application of biochar to soil significantly decreased the plant uptake of PCPs, thus, can reduce the potential risk caused by the unintentional consumption of contaminated vegetables.
Keywords: Personal Care Products, Soil amendment, Health risk, Plant uptake