Abstract
Tropical montane and temperate forests of South Asia, specifically India and Sri Lanka, were studied for symptoms of pollution by postgraduate students from the respective countries. The study focused on multiple abiotic parameters to document deposition of pollutants on forests, centralizing on a particular pollution-sensitive species called lichens as the biotic component. Remotely sensed pollution data was extracted to estimate ground air pollution values, pH of bark, soil chemistry and lichen tissue nitrogen content which was collected over the identified sample sites in both countries. All tests together gave baselines for the forests’ state of health. Independent tests on soil pH, conductivity, nitrate and others in both countries did not express any trend. Bark pH measured in Sri Lanka was higher in value than reported literature indicative of deviation from normal. Total nitrogen accumulation in lichen thallus from India was highest in most anthropogenically disturbed sites and least in lichens collected from interiors of the forest. In Sri Lanka, the lichen species, especially the pollution-sensitive ones, were highest in number and expressed growth forms farthest from the city, consequently having the lowest ambient pollution. These studies were compiled together as research findings conducted by postgraduate students through the funding from UNU—ProSPER.net—under the overarching support of SANH.
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Preeti, K. et al. (2023). Impacts of Pollution on Tropical Montane and Temperate Forests of South Asia: Preliminary Studies by Postgraduate Students in India and Sri Lanka. In: Dhyani, S., Adhikari, D., Dasgupta, R., Kadaverugu, R. (eds) Ecosystem and Species Habitat Modeling for Conservation and Restoration. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-0131-9_19
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