Investigating emergency rescue readiness on Indian national highways: A case study of Jaipur-Jodhpur Highways (India) using a geospatial approach.

Background: Highways represent the most significant capital asset that any country's public sector holds. A system of national highways with easy access to ambulance and trauma centers is termed emergency rescue ready and helps reduce the mortality due to road accidents. Given the rich impetus for road infrastructure development by the government of India, there is a need to consider emergency rescue readiness on highways.

An improved framework for mapping and assessment of dynamics in cropping pattern and crop calendar from NDVI time series across a heterogeneous agro-climatic region.

The absence of spatial and temporal cropping information in semi-arid regions poses a significant challenge in assessing the dynamics of agricultural systems at river basin scales. Satellite remote sensing provides qualitative and quantitative information to derive vegetation dynamics over extensive areas of inherent complexities due to limitations in the availability of field data and the diverse nature of agricultural cropping practices. Utilizing phenological information derived from MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) time series data from 2003-2004 to 2021-2022, this study derives major crop types, and cropping calendar (sowing, maturity, and harvest dates) for each season and year at 250-m resolution.

Predicting the habitat suitability and species richness of plants of Great Himalayan National Park under different climate change scenarios.

This study elucidates the distribution of plants in Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), India, in current and different future climate change scenarios. The distribution of plants and habitat suitability in GHNP due to climate change was analyzed by MaxEnt, species distribution model (SDM) algorithm. In this study, species presence records were retrieved through field survey and published literature.

Pan India fluoride hazard assessment in groundwater.

Fluoride (F¯) contamination in groundwater in India has gained global attention due to human health hazards. India's hydrogeological heterogeneity, spatio-temporal variability of F¯, and health hazards due to geogenic and geo-environmental control pose unique challenges. Addressing these with only a single region-specific study is not possible.

A grid-wise approach for accurate computation of Standardized Runoff Index (SRI).

The Standardized Runoff Index (SRI) is a major indicator for evaluating hydrological drought conditions, accomplished by comparing the current runoff data with retrospective runoff conditions of an area for the same period. This hydrological drought indicator facilitates the characterisation of runoff variations across diverse regions. This study introduces a refined methodology for accurate computation of SRI by employing a grid-wise approach.

Physical features of Adam's Bridge interpreted from ICESat-2 based high-resolution digital bathymetric elevation model.

Adam's Bridge is a submerged ridge connecting India and Sri Lanka, generally regarded as a chain of shoals extending for ~ 29 km from Dhanushkodi on the Indian side to Talaimannar Island of Sri Lanka. A high-resolution digital bathymetric elevation model generated using the seafloor returned photons of ICESat-2 was used to understand the intricate details of Adam's Bridge structure. Photons emanating from ICESat-2's green laser have the potential to detect the seafloor up to a depth of ~ 40 m; taking a cue from this potentiality, in our research, we have accrued ~ 0.

A High-Resolution Digital Bathymetric Elevation Model Derived from ICESat-2 for Adam's Bridge.

This data descriptor elaborates the details of a high-resolution digital bathymetric elevation model generated for the region, namely, Adam's Bridge, which encompasses a chain of shoals between Rameswaram Island, off the southeastern coast of Tamil Nadu, India, and Mannar Island, off the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka. The proposed dataset has taken advantage of the photon penetrability in the shallow waters by the green laser of ICESat-2 LiDAR to derive the seabed topography. Seafloor depths from ~0.

Performance evaluation of different empirical models for reference evapotranspiration estimation over Udhagamandalm, The Nilgiris, India.

Evapotranspiration (ET) is an important component of the hydrological cycle and reliable estimates of ET are essential for assessing crop water requirements and irrigation management. Direct measurement of evapotranspiration is both costly and involves complex and intricate procedures. Hence, empirical models are commonly utilized to estimate ET using accessible meteorological data.

Spatiotemporal atmospheric in-situ carbon dioxide data over the Indian sites-data perspective.

In the current study, atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO) data covering multiple locations in the Indian subcontinent are reported. This data was collected using a dedicated ground-based in-situ network established as part of the Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (CAP-IGBP) of the Climate and Atmospheric Processes of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Data are collected over Ponmudi, Ooty, Sriharikota, Gadanki, Shadnagar, Nagpur, and Dehradun during 2014-2015, 2017-2020, 2012, 2011-2015, 2014-2017, 2017 and 2008-2011, respectively.

LiDAR-based reference aboveground biomass maps for tropical forests of South Asia and Central Africa.

Accurate mapping and monitoring of tropical forests aboveground biomass (AGB) is crucial to design effective carbon emission reduction strategies and improving our understanding of Earth's carbon cycle. However, existing large-scale maps of tropical forest AGB generated through combinations of Earth Observation (EO) and forest inventory data show markedly divergent estimates, even after accounting for reported uncertainties. To address this, a network of high-quality reference data is needed to calibrate and validate mapping algorithms.

Neighbouring effect of land use changes and fire emissions on atmospheric CO and CH over suburban region of India (Shadnagar).

The present study investigated the effects of land use/land cover (LU/LC) changes on atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO) and methane (CH) concentrations over the sub-urban region of India (Shadnagar) using continuous decadal CO and CHin-situ data measured by the greenhouse gas analyser (GGA). Data was collected from 2013 to 2022 at a 1 Hz frequency. Analysis of the current study indicates that during pre-monsoon, the seasonal maximum of CO was 409.

Global spatial distribution of Prosopis juliflora - one of the world's worst 100 invasive alien species under changing climate using multiple machine learning models.

Climate change is one of the factors contributing to the spread of invasive alien species. As a result, it is critical to investigate potential invasion dynamics on a global scale in the face of climate change. We used updated occurrence data, bioclimatic variables, and Köppen-Geiger climatic zones to better understand the climatic niche dynamics of Prosopis juliflora L.

Determining hotspots of gaseous criteria air pollutants in Delhi airshed and its association with stubble burning.

Transboundary pollutant transport is considered as one of the primary factors causing the seasonal air quality deterioration in Delhi, India's capital. The highest standard deviations exceeding days in winter for NO (7.14-9.

Water column properties associated with massive algal bloom of green Noctiluca scintillans in the Arabian Sea.

An algal bloom of Noctiluca scintillans (NS) was monitored for 20 days in the Arabian Sea during February 2017. The stations under the influence of NS had low temperature and high salinity compared to outside indicating influence of convective mixing. The microscopic cell count of NS reached a value of 52,600 cells l.

Climate change-derived environmental and physical factors influencing the socioeconomic development in the Himalayan region.

Spatio-temporal fluctuation of climatic variables with the terrain characteristics and their inter-relationship is a priority for predicting flash-flood-induced landslide hazards over the fragile Himalayas. The present study addressed this anxiety by assimilating satellite data products and auxiliary datasets in the Bhagirathi River basin of the Indian Himalayas. Snow Covered Area (SCA) is a critical indicator of the ecosystem that influenced the flash flood along different terrain features such as Altitude, Hill-Gradient, and Aspect.

Spatial characterization of forest ecosystem services and human-induced complexities in Himalayan biodiversity hotspot area.

The forest ecosystem of Indian Himalayan Region offers various ecosystem services (ESs) that are crucial for the sustenance of human beings. However, the rapid expansion of human activities (HA) poses a significant threat to the provision of the forest ecosystem services (FES). For simple and definitive assessments of FES and HA, the use of indicators has become an indispensable approach.

Multi-annual variability of pCO(aq) and air-water CO flux in the mangrove-dominated Dhamra Estuary draining into the Bay of Bengal (India).

Small estuaries often remain neglected while characterizing air-water CO flux dynamics. This study reports the seasonal, spatial, and multi-annual variability of carbon biogeochemistry, emphasizing air-water CO flux from a small tropical mangrove-dominated estuary (Dhamra Estuary) of the Bay of Bengal, based on the 9-year-long sampling survey (2013 to 2021). The sampling covered twelve pre-fixed locations of this estuary.

Interannual and seasonal variability and future forecasting of pCO(water) using the ARIMA model and CO fluxes in a tropical estuary.

The seasonal and interannual variation in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in water [pCO(water)] and air-water CO exchange in the Mahanadi estuary situated on the east coast of India was studied between March 2013 and March 2021. The principal aim of the study was to analyze the spatiotemporal variability and future trend of pCO and air-water CO fluxes along with the related carbonate chemistry parameters like water temperature, pH, salinity, nutrients, and total alkalinity, over 9 years. The seasonal CO flux over nine years was also calculated using five worldwide accepted equations.

Marine estuaries act as better sink for greenhouse gases during winter in undisturbed mangrove than degraded ones in Sundarban, India.

The estuaries provide the key pathway for travelling carbon across the land-ocean interfaces and behave as both source and sink of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in water-atmosphere systems. The sink-source characteristics of estuaries for GHGs vary spatially. The primary driving factors are adjacent ecologies (agriculture, aquaculture, etc.

Monitoring early-season agricultural drought using temporal Sentinel-1 SAR-based combined drought index.

Early-season agricultural drought is frequent over South Asian region due to delayed or deficient monsoon rainfall. These drought events often cause delay in sowing and can even result in crop failure. The present study focuses on monitoring early-season agricultural drought in a semi-arid region of India over 5-year period (2016-2020).

Effects of tidal cycle on greenhouse gases emissions from a tropical estuary.

The potential effects of tidal and diel cycles on fluxes and concentrations of carbon dioxide (pCO), methane (CH), and nitrous oxide (NO) along with associated biogeochemical processes remain poorly understood in tropical estuaries. The present study, based on six-hourly sampling for nine consecutive days at three locations along the salinity gradient in the Mahanadi estuary of India, revealed that the tidal forcing affected pCO and CH in the mixing zone with elevated concentrations during low tide with maximum concentrations up to 21,606 μatm and 285 μM, respectively. pCO increased with decrease in tidal height within low and high tide duration as well, possibly due to higher relative contribution of freshwater with high CO.

Rubber expansion and age-class mapping in the state of Tripura (India) 1990-2021 using multi-year and multi-sensor data.

The present study focuses on the spread of rubber monoculture in the state of Tripura during past three decades (1990-2021) in the northeast region of India which is known for its rich biodiversity, shifting cultivation, and extensive forest dynamics. Earth observation (EO) data of seven time periods from Landsat missions (1990, 1995, 2000, 2004, and 2009) and Sentinel-2 (2016 and 2021) were the main source for mapping and were supplemented with MODIS-EVI temporal spectral profiles, GEDI-derived vegetation heights (2019), and Google Earth high-resolution historical images for additional cues to support discrimination, mapping, and accuracy assessment. The methodology for rubber used its unique phenology from spectral-temporal profile and multi-year comparison of patches and their dynamics for age-class mapping.

Climatic and Environmental Factors Influencing COVID-19 Transmission-An African Perspective.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 was decreed by the World Health Organization as a public health emergency of worldwide concern, the epidemic has drawn attention from all around the world. The disease has since spread globally in developed and developing countries. The African continent has not been spared from the pandemic; however, the low number of cases in Africa compared to developed countries has brought about more questions than answers.

Evaluation of weather parameter-based pre-harvest yield forecast models for wheat crop: a case study in Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

Wheat is the important food grain and is cultivated in many Indian states: Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh, which contributes to major crop production in India. In this study, popular statistical approach multiple linear regression (MLR) and time series approaches Time Delay Neural Network (TDNN) and ARIMAX models were envisaged for wheat yield forecast using weather parameters for a case study area, i.e.