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20124
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Subject: Forestry × Author: KAU × End date: 2012 × Start date: 2012 × Type: Thesis × Thesis Type: M.Sc ×
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Wood quality evaluation of tree species raised in research trials of the Kerala forest department at various localities
    (Department of wood Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2012) Sindhumathi, .C.R.; KAU; Anoop, E.V
    A study entitled “Wood quality evaluation of tree species raised in research trials of the Kerala Forest Department at various localities” was conducted in the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2010-2012. The objective of the study was to evaluate the wood quality of Pterocarpus dalbergioides Roxb., Swietinia macrophylla King. and Pericopsis mooniana (Thwaites) Thwaites, raised in research trials of the Kerala forest department at three localities, viz., Mananthavady research range at Wayanad, Olavakkode research range at Palakkad and Nilambur north research range at Nilambur districts, Kerala. Increment core samples and wooden blocks were collected at breast height from trees, selected at random for each species. These samples were subject to intensive investigations to explore the radial variation in anatomical properties as well as variation between species. The study revealed that most of the anatomical properties varied significantly within species and between species. Tree species were also felled to assess the strength characteristics as well as to study the various physical properties. Specific gravity was higher in P. mooniana, the other two species showing similar values. Heartwood – sapwood ratio showed significantly higher value in S. macrophylla, whereas the other two species were at par. Tangential shrinkage showed higher value compared to radial shrinkage in all the three species. Results revealed that P. mooniana exhibited better strength properties which was almost similar or even better than teak as reported by Sekhar (1988). P. dalbergioides showed lower values for strength properties when compared to natural grown P. dalbergioides (Limaye, 1933). Even though P. mooniana showed higher strength properties compared to the two species, overall results revealed that all the three species has good potential for being used as various solid wood purposes. Regression analysis revealed that P. mooniana and P. dalbergioides showed linear relationship between specific gravity and anatomical properties. The present results on wood quality can be used as a baseline data for future tree improvement aspects of these species with reference to wood quality and bring out their potential utility for future afforestation programmes and various end uses.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Re-analysing the concept of ecologically fragile lands (EFLs) with particular reference to Wayanad district, Kerala
    (Department of Forest Management and Utilisation, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2012) Jiss K, Varkey; KAU; Vidyasagaran, K
    Concept mapping technique was employed to investigate how the stakeholders in Wayanad district conceived The Kerala Forest (Vesting and Management of Ecologically Fragile Lands) Act, 2003. Referencing a research framework informed by multiple views of the stakeholders, evaluation of 120 respondents was carried out by organizing into four equal groups. These groups consisted of (A) officials from forest, agriculture and revenue departments (B) ecologists, environmentalists and legal professionals (C) policy makers and local political leaders and (D) farmers and agricultural labourers in Wayanad. A set of 45 statements/ideas were generated by the respondents to describe their understanding on ecologically fragile lands (EFLs). Sensible sorting and individual statement rating were used to find out conceptual similarities and/or differences and to realize feasibility solutions. The outcome configured five clusters from the point map namely ecological dimensions, situational dimensions, socio-economic dimensions, framework dimensions and better EFL dimensions. The stress and fit measures and the bridging values substantiated the sensibility of multidimensional scaling (MDS) and subsequent clustering process. Cluster rating map confirmed highest average rating to ecological dimensions and lowest to the situational dimensions. Pattern matches and go-zones investigated divergence among stakeholders in terms of importance/feasibility rating. Large divergence was observed in two cases where importance rating done by farmers/agricultural labourers and feasibility rating offered by government officials or by the group consisting of environmentalists/legal professionals. Consensus was found with 28 statements/ideas when sourced out in the course of six possible junctures of go-zones. The output statements/re-oriented criteria and indicators envisaged EFLs as vital in sustaining ecological and climatic values of the landscape. Emphasis was made for adequate compensation to eligible farmers in ensuring fair justice in order to relieve the shared instabilities concerning implementation of the EFL Act, 2003. The findings laid down certain policy implications/recommendations on EFLs, useful in future course of actions.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Destructive and non-destructive evaluation of wood properties in selected timbers of Kerala
    (Department of Wood Science, College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2012) Dhanya, P; KAU; Anoop, E V
    A study entitled “Destructive and non-destructive evaluation of selected timbers of Kerala” was conducted in the College of Forestry, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellanikkara, Thrissur during the period 2010-2012. The objective of the study was to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of wood in timber species such as: teak (Tectona grandis L.f.), mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King), anjily (Artocarpus hirsutus Lamk.), jack (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk.), acacia (Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth.), rubber (Hevea braziliensis (H.B.K.) M. A.) and pyinkado (Xylia dolabriformis Benth.) using destructive and non-destructive methods. The study also aimed at evaluating the suitability of non-destructive techniques (NDT) and semi-destructive techniques (SDT) as predictors of timber properties under field conditions. Pilodyn 6J ((FUJI TECK, Tokyo, Japan) and treesonic microsecond timer (Fakkopp, Hungary) were the two non destructive equipments used in this study. In the present study, logs of the above species were collected from forest depots and retail outlets in Thrissur. Penetration depth of each species was found out using pilodyn and dynamic modulus of elasticity (MOE) was found out using the treesonic timer. Discs were taken for analysing specific gravity and the logs were subjected to various mechanical tests. Significant variation in specific gravity, mechanical properties, stress wave velocity and penetration depth were noticed between species. Significant negative correlation (1 per cent level) was noticed between specific gravity and pilodyn penetration depth in each of the species. Also, penetration depth was negatively related to modulus of rupture, dynamic MOE, modulus of rupture (MOR), radial hardness and fibre stress at limit of proportionality. Significant positive correlation was noticed between dynamic modulus of elasticity and all the parameters obtained from static bending tests especially static modulus of elasticity and modulus of rupture. It was also noticed that dynamic MOE showed significant correlation (5 per cent level) with radial and tangential hardness. Significant positive correlation was found between stress wave velocity and all the parameters obtained from static bending test, and tensile strength at maximum load. When regression was done between pilodyn penetration depth and specific gravity in each of the species, it was noticed that a linear relationship existed between them. A linear relationship was found to exist between dynamic MOE and static MOE among the species. It can be concluded from the study that both pilodyn and treesonic timer can be used as predictors of timber properties under field conditions.
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    ThesisItemOpen Access
    Status survey, distribution and habitat preferences of small carnivores in Parambikulam tiger reserve, Kerala
    (Department of wild life sciences,College of Forestry, Vellanikkara, 2012) Sreehari, R; KAU; Nameer P O
    A study was done at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve (PKTR) to understand the diversity, status, distribution and habitat preferences of the small carnivores at PKTR. The methodology used included the camera trapping, with 1,349camera-trap nights, day transects (242km) and night transects (344km), looking for direct as well as indirect evidences. The camera trap studies show that the 90% of the small carnivores captured in the camera traps belonged to three species of viverrids such as the Small Indian Civet (31.7%), Common Palm Civet (30%) and Brown Palm Civet (28.3%). The other small carnivores accounted for only 10% which includes, Stripe-necked Mongoose (3.3%), Smooth-coated Otter (1.7%), Nilgiri Marten (1.7%), Ruddy Mongoose (1.7%) and Leopard Cat (1.7%). The 242km of day transects also resulted in 15 sightings of five different species of small carnivores. They are Indian Grey Mongoose, Stripe-necked Mongoose, Brown Mongoose, Smooth-coated Otter and Common Palm Civet. The night spot-light survey transect of 344km on vehicle resulted in 36 sightings of recorded five species of small carnivores including Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Common Palm Civet, Brown Palm Civet and Small Indian Civet with an encounter rate of 1.06 animals/hr. A total of 88 incidence of indirect evidences of small carnivores were recorded from 242km transect walk. Abundance of small carnivores (scats/kilometer), with the civets (0.24) having the maximum abundance followed by mongoose (0.05), otters (0.04) and small cats (0.02) at the PKTR. Of the total 11 species of small carnivores recorded from PKTR, the sightings of Brown Mongoose, Ruddy Mongoose, Nilgiri Marten and Brown Palm Civet were the first record of this species from PKTR. Moreover, the Brown Mongoose and Ruddy Mongoose the present sightings were the second sighting records from Kerala, the earlier sightings being from Peerumedu and Chinnar WLS respectively.