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Concepts, approaches and frameworks for assessing the impacts of climate change are evolving quickly. Due to their particular geographic location, proximity to oceans, concentration of populated regions, and infrastructure, coastal communities are particularly sensitive to the effects of climate change. The present study aims to develop a thematic map based on the CID (climatic impact-drivers) framework proposed in the assessment report-6 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to evaluate the climate change’s physical hazards in the coastal districts of India. The study points out that West Bengal and Odisha are the two states with the highest cyclone hazard index values making them most vulnerable to cyclones. At the same time, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal respectively fall in the extremely severe category of flood, heatwave and shoreline change hazards. The maritime state of Gujarat along with Diu and Daman experiences maximum severity for the sea level rise hazard. The multi-hazards index developed in the study by considering 14 threshold-based CID indices showed that the coastal state of Andhra Pradesh has the highest proneness to the physical hazards due to climate change [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defining nutrient management zones (MZs) is crucial for the implementation of site-specific management. The determination of MZs is based on several factors, including crop, soil, climate, and terrain characteristics. This study aims to delineate MZs by means of geostatistical and fuzzy clustering algorithms considering remotely sensed and laboratory data and, subsequently, to compare the zone maps in the north-eastern Himalayan region of India. For this study, 896 grid-wise representative soil samples (0–25 cm depth) were collected from the study area (1615 km2). The soils were analysed for soil reaction (pH), soil organic carbon and available macro (N, P and K) and micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu). The predicted soil maps were developed using regression kriging, where 28 digital elevation model-derived terrain attributes and two vegetation derivatives were used as environmental covariates. The coefficient of determination (R2) and root mean square error were used to evaluate the model's performance. The predicted soil parameters were accurate, and regression kriging identified the highest variability for the majority of the soil variables. Further, to define the management zones, the geographically weighted principal component analysis and possibilistic fuzzy c-means clustering method were employed, based on which the optimum clusters were identified by employing fuzzy performance index and normalized classification entropy. The management zones were constructed considering the total pixel points of 30 m spatial resolution (17, 86,985 data points). The area was divided into four distinct zones, which could be differently managed. MZ 1 covers the maximum (43.3%), followed by MZ 2 (29.4%), MZ 3 (27.0%) and MZ 4 (0.3%). The MZs map thus would not only serve as a guide for judicious location-specific nutrient management, but would also help the policymakers to bring sustainable changes in the north-eastern Himalayan region of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Field experiment was conducted to investigate the influence different tillage practices in groundnut yield after different planting method of rice on changes in soil physical properties. Experiment was conducted in a split-plot design with three planting methods of rice viz., Direct seeding of rice, transplanting of rice after puddling and in situ green manuring and transplanting of rice after puddling as main plots and three tillage treatments for groundnut ploughing i.e., Ploughing once+harrowing twice; Ploughing twice+harrowing thrice and Ploughing twice+rotavator twice as sub plots. The result showed that lower bulk density and penetration resistance, MWD and higher porosity, hydraulic conductivity and infiltration rate were influenced by tillage and planting method as well as their interaction. Among tillage methods, ploughing twice+rotavator twice registered higher pod yield of 2.17 t ha-1 which was higher than other tillage treatments. Among planting methods, in situ green manuring and transplanting of rice after puddling recorded significantly higher ground nut pod yield of 2.26 t ha-1 which was 9.49 and 19.6% higher than other planting methods treatments respectively. Ploughing twice+rotavator twice with direct seeding of rice was the superior combination than other treatment combinations with respect to pod yield and yield attributes which in turn indicated by congenial soil physical properties. It was inferred that ploughing with mould board plough followed by rotavator in direct seeding of rice planting it was method favorable for improve groundnut productivity in rice-groundnut system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preliminary report on the abundance of microplastic in the coastal waters in the depth zone 5 to 20 m in the surface waters, sediment and in selected fishes occurring off Kochi, India is presented. Spatial and temporal variation in microplastic abundance was observed with higher abundance in surface water indicating threats to pelagic ecosystem. The relative concentration of microplastic was highest during monsoon season. The major microplastics were fragments of 1-5 mm in white and blue colours. Gut content analysis of 16 species (653 individuals) comprising pelagic (8 species) and demersal (8 species) indicated occurrence (4.6%) of microplastics (fragment>filament>pellet) of size 0.27mm to 3.2 mm in Sardinella longiceps, S. gibbosa, Stolephorus indicus Rastrelliger kanagurta and Cyanoglossus macrostomus. Raman spectroscopy indicated that Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) were the polymer types of microplastics from the fish gut. • A preliminary report on the abundance of microplastic off Kochi, South eastern Arabian Sea India. • The major microplastics were fragments in white and blue colours. • Occurrence (4.6%) of microplastics in 16 species of fishes were observed. • Polyethylene (PE) and Polypropylene (PP) were the dominant polymer types of microplastics obtained from the fish gut. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monthly litter samples were collected from three major beaches in Mangaluru from 2011–2016. Fishing litter persisted at the beaches, resulting in higher abundances by number (59%) and weight (33.4%) relative to all litter in 2016. In addition to plastics, foam comprised 7.14–11.0% of total litter. Significant positive correlations were observed between the amount of plastic on the beaches and rainy days, rainfall, and river discharge. The maximum river discharge coincided with an increase in plastic items on the beach. Yearly quantities of plastic items (p < 0.01), plastic bags (p < 0.001), and plastic footwear (p < 0.05), on the beaches were significantly different indicating clean-up activities reduced the litter quantity. Changes in total beach litter revealed that Panambur Beach, a fishing boat landing centre was the least changed, and thus appropriate incentive-based management options for the resident fishermen could result in collection and elimination of litter. • Litter survey on the beaches in Mangaluru City revealed the presence of fishing and land-derived materials. • River discharge contributed to plastic items and foam on the beaches. • Ecosystem changes caused erosion of sediment, transportation and deposition of litter. • Clean-up activities reduced the litter on the beaches maintained by private organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change and associated weather aberrations are wreaking havoc on the performance of production systems worldwide. Because of their proximity to the sea and risk of exposure, coastal wetlands are regarded as one of the most climatically vulnerable production systems. As a result, interventions to improve their adaptation and resilience to climate change are critical. We attempted to investigate the multifunctional ecosystem roles and services provided by the Pokkali and Kaipad paddy-based rotational farming systems on the southwest coast of India, which are being revived through a pilot programme implemented by the Kerala Agency for Development of Aquaculture. The physical and economic dimensions of the ecosystem services/disservices are assessed, and policy options for further land revival and area expansion of such wetlands are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India's New Education Policy 2020, which is in tune with SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), has stressed the redesigning of vocational education (VE) to equip the youth for the world of work, considering the window of opportunities available till 2040. Though the competence gap is being pronounced as the foremost hurdle in the 'education-world of work' transition in every sector, its precise measurement and quantification remain elusive. In this context, we have develop an innovative methodological framework and a composite index (η) to measure the competence gap of the vocational higher secondary education system (VHSES), taking marine fisheries and seafood processing courses offered under the VHSES in Kerala, India as a case study. This study demonstrates that the educational gap, delivery gap, propensity to normalize with general education and inadequate learning ecosystem are responsible for the 'education-world of work mismatch' in VE. The findings of the present study point to specific areas of VE that need pedagogic and pragmatic reconstruction. It also shows strategic policy considerations to place the learners' aspirations, gender and vocational opportunities in a balanced manner for a better vocational teaching-learning ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The marine waters of Kerala state along the southwest coast of India are among the most productive upwelling regions in the southeastern Arabian Sea. Analyses were made to assess the impact of environmental changes on the marine fish catch using motorized and non-motorized craft operating off the coast. The catch per unit effort (CPUE) of total landings, OBGN (outboard gillnet), OBTN (outboard trawlnet), NM (non-motorized) crafts, as well as the catch of 5 major fish resources Indian mackerel, lesser sardines, Stolephorus spp. , scads, and penaeid prawns were obtained. Sea surface temperature (SST), chlorophyll, salinity, rainfall, sea level anomaly, multivariate ENSO index, dipole mode index, local temperature anomaly, degree heating month (DHM), degree cooling month (DCM) and surface currents were used as variables to investigate the relationship between environment and fishery. Principal component analysis was used to select the minimum data set and GAM (Generalized additive model) was used to detect the influence of the environment on the fisheries. The adjusted R2 value of the GAM was 0.68, taking the CPUE of the total landings as the response variable. For the case of the selected fish resources, the adjusted R2 value of the GAM was 0.73 for penaeid prawns, followed by Stolephorus spp. (0.44), scads (0.33), lesser sardines (0.31), and Indian mackerel (0.25). Considering the CPUE as the response variable for the GAM also returned high adjusted R2 values for fishing method (OBGN = 0.59, OBTN = 0.53 and NM = 0.31). SST, chlorophyll, rainfall, salinity, yearly DCM and surface currents all had significant influences on the marine fisheries along the Kerala coast. Lower SST, high salinity and rainfall promote the fisheries of both small pelagics and large pelagic groups like scads. Along with the negative relationship between SST and fishery, the present analyses also indicate a positive relationship with yearly DCM, which clearly indicates that the warming of coastal waters has a negative impact on fisheries along the Kerala coast. From these results, we find that ocean currents can play a crucial role in fish recruitment in the coastal waters of Kerala. Primary production, the key factor for marine fishery production, was found to be controlled by environmental factors like SST and currents. These results point to the vulnerability of the small-scale fisheries sector of the tropical upwelling zone to increasing SST and climate change. • Environmental parameters significantly influence the marine fishery catch of Kerala. • The sea surface temperature, salinity, rainfall and yearly DCM have positive effect on fishery catch. • The fishery catch has also influenced by current velocity and direction. • Higher lesser sardine catch noticed in the week El-Nino period and scad landings decreased in the positive IOD period. • SST, surface currents and yearly DCM effect phytoplankton production in the coastal waters of Kerala. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic pollution and the impacts they generate on the marine ecosystem and its biota is a major global concern of recent decades. The present study was conducted to evaluate the spatio-temporal distribution of microplastics in the surface waters, sediments, and their subsequent ingestion by the commercially important fishes of Alappuzha Mud banks, a transient ecosystem formed in the littoral zones of the southwest coast of India exclusively during the Indian summer monsoon. Sampling conducted over three periods, Pre-mud bank (Pre-MB), Mud bank (MB), and Post mud bank (Post-MB) extending over three depths (2 m, 5 m and 18 m), along the semi-circular patch of mudbanks revealed marked spatio-temporal variability in microplastic distribution. In both surface water and sediments, microplastic concentration was comparatively high during MB than in Pre-MB and Post-MB periods. Spatially, during MB, the microplastic concentration was high at 5 m where the dampening of waves occurred concomitant to the thick fluid mud formation. In contrast, during Post-MB, with the subsequent dissipation of MB's and less wave dampening, the microplastics aggregated at 5 m were transported to both inshore (2 m) and offshore (18 m), thus raising their concentration at these depths. Likewise, the microplastic ingestion was more in fishes caught during MB (41%) than Post-MB (30%) and Pre-MB (29%) periods indicating increased uptake corresponding to the higher incidences in their ambient environment. Microplastic ingestion was more among pelagic planktivores, S. gibbosa (38%), A. chacunda (20%) and R. kanagurta (13%) compared to the demersal fishes. White coloured fragments of size 1–5 mm of polypropylene were the dominant microplastic in the surface waters, sediment and fishes analysed. The present study indicates the critical role of wind speed, rainfall, wave patterns, and the fluid muddy environment in regulating the microplastics distribution in a transient ecosystem formed along the southwest coast of India. • Microplastic distribution in Mudbank showed conspicuous spatio-temporal variability. • Microplastics were high in water, sediment and fishes during Mudbank period. • Microplastics aggregated at 5 m depth due to wave dampening elicited by mud banks. • White coloured polypropylene fragments of size 1–5 mm were the most abundant one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health of an ecosystem is very much important as we depend on its goods and services for our existence. Because of this, we need to continuously monitor its health for human benefit and for identifying areas for improvement of our natural systems. The present study tries to assess the condition of a coastal ecosystem within the Vembanad Lake, Kerala, India, using key water quality parameters at micro-level. Principal component analysis identified the minimum required water quality dataset for further analysis and was scored using linear scoring functions. The weighted additive method was used to integrate the individual scores to arrive at a final score representing the ecosystem health. Spline interpolation was applied to develop the ecosystem health map of the study area. Using this method, 35.8% area of the aquatic ecosystem studied was characterized as good, 32.2% as moderate, 26.2% as fair and 5.8% as poor. The assessment results can help the policymakers/managers to make appropriate decisions for the better management of the coastal ecosystems studied. Moreover, this methodology can be replicated for the assessment of coastal regions with similar ecosystem characteristics., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)