Browsing by Author "Kumar, Sudhanshu"

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    Perceptions of impacts and management of invasive alien plants: a case study from Mirzapur, India
    (Frontiers Media SA, 2023) Kumar, Sudhanshu; Meena, Renu; Tiwari, Amit Kumar; Singh, Rinku; Patel, Sanoj Kumar; Singh, Gopal Shankar
    Invasive alien plants (IAPs) have become a serious threat to biodiversity, agriculture and socio-economic development. Several aspects, including the ecological and economic impacts of IAPs have been explored in the recent past, however, perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) and ecosystem disservices (EDS) have not been well studied. IAPs affect the lives of local people both positively (providing ES) and negatively (providing EDS). IAPs in this region have not been studied through the aspects of ES and EDS that integrate the views and perceptions of local communities. Keeping in view this research gap, the present study was conducted in the Mirzapur district (Uttar Pradesh, India) where IAPs are widely distributed. In five sites covering a rural to urban gradient with increasing distance from forest, we randomly selected 100 respondents�20 from each of the five sites for the survey. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect respondents� perceptions on ES and EDS supplied by IAPs in their local habitats. The questionnaire was designed to obtain data on awareness and knowledge, perceptions of ES and EDS, attitudes toward management, and socio-demographic information. Results indicated that 95% of respondents were familiar with at least one of the 12 IAPs identified as being important in the region. Ipomea carnea and Stylosanthes hamata were the most and least frequently cited plants, respectively. Medical use and reduction in soil fertility were most perceived as ES and EDS, respectively. The value of Spearman�s rank correlation coefficient (Spearman�s ? = 0.487, p > 0.05) indicates a non-significant correlation between ranks of ES and EDS cited by respondents. Older and less educated people were more aware of the impacts of IAPs. Uprooting was the most commonly used management practice to control the invasion of plant species. People�s attitudes toward the management of IAPs seem to indicate that they prefer to eradicate species that have direct harmful effects on human health and biodiversity. This study provides inputs for incorporating people�s perceptions into the control and management of IAPs in the forest region. Copyright � 2023 Kumar, Meena, Tiwari, Singh, Patel and Singh.
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    Socio-ecological Challenges and Adaptation Strategies of Farmers Towards Changing Climate in Vindhyan highlands, India
    (Springer, 2023) Patel, Sanoj Kumar; Sharma, Anil; Barla, Anil; Tiwari, Amit Kumar; Singh, Rinku; Kumar, Sudhanshu; Singh, Gopal Shankar
    The Indian agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate change which adversely affects crop production and livelihood of farmers. The effect is more intensified in Vindhyan highlands, where prolong drought and high rate of poverty exist in depredation environment. In this context, present study conducted to explore farmers� perception, attitude about climate change and adaptive capabilities. We undertook an interview schedules survey through structured questionnaire in Duddhi block of Sonbhadra district. A total of 400 households were selected in which 347 (86.75%) male and 53 (13.25%) female respondents have participated. The perception of farmers on climate change is presented in SI (severity index) which varies from 36% to 68.63%. The statement �rainy season decreases� ranked first with SI (68.63%) followed by �temperature increases� SI (66.06%). This investigation identified 17 types of adaptive practices which are frequently performed in the Vindhyan highlands. Based on the WAI (Weighted Average Index) score, crop diversification (2.0), cultivation of drought-adapted crop varieties (1.99), changing plantation calendar (1.95) were the most adopted practices. Multiple regression analysis between the socio-economic status of farmers and the adaptation practices, recorded a significant positive relationship with age (P < 0.01), family size (P < 0.05), education (P < 0.01), caste categories (P < 0.05) and livestock ownership (P < 0.01) of farmer. This study will be helpful in developing drought resilience farming practices for sustaining the livelihood of farmers and inform policy making. � 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.