Search

The Kashmir Himalayas, a region of immense ecological importance, have experienced profound degradation due to land use changes, raising concerns about sustainability. This degradation has significant global implications, including carbon loss, soil quality deterioration, habitat destruction, and loss of biodiversity. This study investigates various key land uses, including economically vital cash crops such as apples and saffron, the socially significant staple food crop rice, as well as forest and pasture systems. The findings reveal that forests and pastures maintain significantly better physical, chemical, microbial, and enzymes activities, and exhibit greater soil nutrient reserves and soil organic carbon (SOC) pools. Specifically, forest soils contain 20.21%, 28.22%, and 34.49% higher total organic carbon (TOC) stocks compared to apple, saffron, and paddy-oilseed soils, respectively. A soil quality index (SQI) was computed using principal component analysis (PCA) based on over 30 soil indicators, including soil nutrients, carbon pools, and various physical, chemical, and biological properties. The SQI ranking is as follows: forest (1) > pasture (0.87) > apple (0.80) > saffron (0.67) > paddyoilseed (0.53). This ranking suggests that the conversion of natural ecosystems to cultivation negatively impacts soil nutrient reserves, microbiome diversity, SOC stocks, and overall soil quality. The land use changes in the Kashmir Himalayas result from a complex interplay of natural forces, demographic shifts, and economic pressures. This research provides valuable insights into comparative soil quality under economically and socially relevant crops based on diverse soil properties. The findings can guide land use planning in Kashmir Himalayas and similar regions beyond geographical boundaries, aiming to preserve the ecologically fragile environment, ensure food security, bolster the economy, and promote long-term sustainability in the face of a changing climate. The significance of this study lies in its relevance to similar regions grappling with land use changes, making its findings pertinent to the global scientific community and holding promise for the development of sustainable practices and policies worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Community associated MRSA infection appears to be on the rise and has been described in several well-defined populations. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the epidemiology of CA-MRSA in the healthy community of Kashmir. METHODS: Nasal swabs, wrist swabs and ocular specimens were collected randomly from the healthy subjects. The samples were processed on selective media and identification of the S.aureus was performed by using biochemical tests and by the amplification of nucA gene. Methicillin-resistance was confirmed by 30µg Cefoxitin disk diffusion method and by amplification of mecA gene. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis was used for the typing of CA-MRSA. RESULTS: Of 1000 healthy subjects that were screened in the present study, 100 (males 33, females 67) were positive for S.aureus. The highest prevalence of S.aureus (30%) was observed in the age group 50-59 years while the lowest 1% was reported in the age group 80-89 years. Of the 100 S. aureus colonization, 9 were MRSA and 91 were MSSA as determined by Cefoxitin 30µg disk diffusion test and PCR. DNA was extracted from all 9 CA-MRSA isolates and was used for amplification of mecA and nucA genes. A product size of 533bp was amplified for mecA gene and 275bp for nucA. PCR was performed for the amplification of PVL gene in all 100 isolates and only two were identified as PVL positive. The pulsed field gel electrophoresis results of CA-MRSA isolates were striking and expressed a similar banding pattern among all the isolates from the Kashmiri community. CONCLUSION: We found that the prevalence of CA-MRSA in the healthy population of Kashmir valley is quite high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]