Through litter decomposition enormous amounts of carbon is emitted to the atmosphere. Numerous large-scale decomposition experiments have been conducted focusing on this fundamental soil process in order to understand the controls on the terrestrial carbon transfer to the atmosphere. However, previous studies were mostly based on site-specific litter and methodologies, adding major uncertainty to syntheses, comparisons and meta-analyses across different experiments and sites. In the TeaComposition initiative, the potential litter decomposition is investigated by using standardized substrates (Rooibos and Green tea) for comparison of litter mass loss at 336 sites (ranging from -9 to +26 °C MAT and from 60 to 3113 mm MAP) across different ecosystems. In this study we tested the effect of climate (temperature and moisture), litter type and land-use on early stage decomposition (3 months) across nine biomes. We show that litter quality was the predominant controlling factor in early stage litter decomposition, which explained about 65% of the variability in litter decomposition at a global scale. The effect of climate, on the other hand, was not litter specific and explained <0.5% of the variation for Green tea and 5% for Rooibos tea, and was of significance only under unfavorable decomposition conditions (i.e. xeric versus mesic environments). When the data were aggregated at the biome scale, climate played a significant role on decomposition of both litter types (explaining 64% of the variation for Green tea and 72% for Rooibos tea). No significant effect of land-use on early stage litter decomposition was noted within the temperate biome. Our results indicate that multiple drivers are affecting early stage litter mass loss with litter quality being dominant. In order to be able to quantify the relative importance of the different drivers over time, long-term studies combined with experimental trials are needed.
With growing digitization, the challenge for marketers is to understand how consumers consuming Over-The-Top (OTT) content adopt and consume messages in this format effectively. Superimposing the theoretical framework of Uses and Gratification meant for television to internet platform, this paper in a novel approach tries to understand the consumption patterns and adoptability factors of OTT among consumers. The qualitative methodology adopted for this research, brought out four themes enabling the success of this platform: Convenience, mobility, content and subscription strategies. These strategic parameters will ensure higher engagement levels of the consumers for the OTT content.
Rural communities in developing countries extract provisioning ecosystem services from the natural environment to meet their subsistence needs, generate cash income and create employment opportunities. Caterpillar fungus Ophiocordyceps sinensis, known as yartsagunbu in Tibet and in the literature on this subject, is a medicinal resource extracted by the mountain communities of the Himalaya. Studies of the contribution of the fungus to local livelihoods in the Indian Himalaya are scarce. We investigated trade and harvest and analysed the contribution of caterpillar fungus to household economies in 32 villages in Dhauliganga Valley, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, in the Western Himalaya. Caterpillar fungus harvesting has become an integral part of local livelihoods in the study area, and on average contributes c. 74% of household cash income. The majority of harvesters perceived that harvesting had become more difficult during 2010–2015 as a result of competition and a decline in abundance of the species. The mean annual per capita harvest declined by 54 pieces during 2011–2015. Increasing harvesting and trade, coupled with the dependency of local communities on the fungus, may result in greater extraction of the resource for short-term economic benefits, and could eventually lead to depletion and ecological damage. Harvesting of the fungus has already created environmental, legal and social challenges, although it has become a lucrative livelihood opportunity. The ongoing decline of the fungus threatens local livelihoods. Good governance and livelihood security should be integrated with biodiversity conservation when devising government policies and plans for sustainable management of the caterpillar fungus.
The local folk of Himalaya have natural coexistence with the forests and depend on these bounty natural resources for their livelihood. The present study was carried out on semi-nomadic pastoralist for the study of forest use patterns. The main source of livelihood was found to be homogeneous (pastoralism) within each settlement. The study records 26 tree species preferred for fuelwood consumption. Overall average fuelwood consumption was 20.09 ± 0.7 kg day -1 family -1 . The average per capita fuelwood consumption was 2.77 kg day -1 . Average fuelwood consumption by very large families is significantly higher than small families. The principal component analysis explain lopping, extraction and anthropogenic activities for biomass extraction as a major factor of disturbance in forests. We also examined the present forest wood consumption rate and its implications in terms of potential deforestation and emission of greenhouse gases. The findings in the paper could form the basis for designing appropriate technologies and management policies in the region.
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