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Climate
change is posing threat not only to the human society but also
to the various types of ecosystems and its associated flora and
fauna. Hence, the Foundation has proposed and is carrying out a
Project on Climate Change
sanctioned by the Government of Gujarat, Forests and Environment
Department; GEER Foundation is carrying out ten different
research activities on different issues of Climate Change. These
researches can be broadly grouped into two: Group-A: Ecosystems
and Carbon Sequestration (Basic/Fundamental Research) and
Group-B: Emissions and Global Warming (Applied Research). They
are briefly described as under:
Group-A:
Carbon Sequestration and Carbon Storage (Basic/Fundamental
Research)
1. Assessment of Carbon Storage
Potential of Forest Areas of Gujarat.
The objective of the study is to
estimate the total biomass present and carbon stored in the
forest areas of Gujarat (18,927 sq km). The biomass, and further
the carbon stored in the Forest areas, would be calculated on a
per unit area basis with respect t o the following three strata:
four forest sub-groups (further classified into 29 Forest
Sub-types), three density classes: VD, MD and Open (Scrub forest
is included where present) and six girth classes of trees.
Stratified random sampling by quadrate method is carried out for
the estimation of biomass in the Forest area. A total of 812
quadrates of the size 20*20 sq mt have been laid in the six
territorial Forest Circles of the State to collect the sample of
trees and soil. Four sub-quadrates of 30*30 sq cm for herbs and
one sub-quadrate of 2*2 sq. mt. for shrub are also laid to
collect samples of herbs and shrubs. The samples are collected
by uprooting the respective trees/ herbs/ shrubs. Assessment of
biomass and carbon is done for all four carbon pools: AGB, BGB,
soil and forest floor.
2. Assessment
of Carbon Storage Potential of Coral Reefs of Gujarat.
The objective of the study is to
estimate the total carbon stored in the coral reefs of Gujarat.
It also aims to determine the age and accretion rate of C oral reefs of Gujarat. To estimate this, 10 prominent coastal and
island sites have been identified for sample collection of dead
coral reefs. Form every identified location, two core samples
of dead coral reef will be taken of dimension 100 cm (depth) *
7.5 cm (diameter). The dead coral samples will then be cleaned
at the Laboratory and their morphological description will be
prepared. Thereafter, four discs at an interval of 25 cm will be
taken out from every core and sent for laboratory analysis for
carbon and age estimation. The values will be statistically
extrapolated on the total area under coral reefs in Gujarat to
estimate the total carbon stored under them.
3. Assessment of Carbon Storage
Potential of Mangroves of Gujarat.
The objective of the study is to
estimate the total carbon sequestered by the mangroves forests
of Gujarat (including that found in soil). This has been done by
estimating the total mangrove trees of the 9-species of
mangroves prominently found in Gujarat and 5 girth classes. One
tree under each of these categories is uprooted to collect the
samples. Biomass has been estimated for different parts of the
mangrove trees (foliage, roots and trunk) by laboratory analysis
of total 28 sample trees. Soil carbon has also been estimated
for the different types of mangrove forests and regions. The
study is complete and the report is being published.
4. Assessment
of Carbon Storage Potential of Tree Cover (o/s forest area)
of Gujarat.
The objective of this study is to
estimate the total carbon stored in the trees present outside
forest areas of Gujarat. A list of total number of species wise
trees present in Gujarat outside forest is used to enumerate the
total number of trees belonging to selected prominent species.
They are further stratified into 5 different girth classes. A
total of 207 trees are harvested, of 46 different species, as
per the methodology, for laboratory analysis of carbon content
in their different parts. This will be extrapolated for the
total number of trees under each species and girth class. This
project will yield the total carbon sequestered by every
individual tree species (and its respective girth class) present
in forests outside Gujarat. This can prove as a benchmark for
all future and further assessments.
5. Bio-physical Mapping
and Photo/Video Documentation of Coral Reefs of Gulf of
Kachchh
and developing a Coral Reef Atlas.
The objective of the study is to
do bio-physical mapping of entire coral reefs of Gujarat,
prepare photographic plates and atlas of the flora and fauna of
corals reefs in the Gulf of Kachchh and to prepare a scientific
documentary on coral reefs of Gujarat.
6. Potential Area Mapping of Mud flats and
Mangrove Habitats of Gujarat.
The objective of the study is to
carry out mapping of coastal mudflats from Valsad to Bhavnagar,
To recommend appropriate plantation model and plant species for
each mudflat and to prioritize each potential area based on its
vulnerability.
7. A study on Nal and Thol
lakes to determine Water-level Trend, its causes and likely
impacts on their biodiversity.
The objective of this study is to
understand the correlation, if any, between long-term changes in
the extent of aquatic habitats [i.e., Open Water habitat and
Emergent Aquatic/Marshy Vegetation habitat] as also terrestrial
habitats [i.e., Shore-land and Islets] of Nal & Thol and species
richness and abundance of wetland biota, especially water birds.
Group-B: Emissions and
Global Warming (Applied Research)
8. Study of Greenhouse
Gas Emissions of Gujarat.
The objective of this study is to
estimate GHG emissions of Gujarat for selected years i.e. 1994,
2000 and 2007 & 2009 from all the contributing sectors (Energy,
Industry, Agriculture, LULUCF and Waste). With this Gujarat will
become the first state in the country to have its own emissions
inventory for the above mentioned years. The years have been
strategically chosen so that the anthropogenic emissions for the
state of Gujarat can be compared with the national emission
estimates done by the NATCOM as part of its communication with
the UNFCCC. Also choosing such time frame of fifteen years will
be able to give a trend analysis of these emissions. It also
aims to estimate the Emission Intensity of various
sectors/sub-sectors included in the study based on respective
sector’s contribution to the SDP. An attempt will also be made
to account future emissions trends (for the year 2020) based on
proposed investments/growth in each sector.
9. Effect of Climate Change on
Major Ecosystems of Gujarat.
The objective of this study is to
predict the likely changes in various aspects (e.g., vegetation,
entomofauna, ichthyofauna, herpetofauna, avifauna, planktons
etc.) of major ecosystems of Gujarat under the effect of
selected scenarios (e.g. change in atmospheric temperature by
selected degrees, increase/decrease in rainfall,
increase/decrease in humidity etc.) of climate change. The
scenarios and predictions are based on secondary information
(literature) only. A case study approach has been adopted in
which Ratanmahal Protected Area represents dry deciduous forest,
Banni and Velavadar grasslands represent grassland ecosystem,
Wild Ass Sanctuary covering Little Rann of Kachchh represent
saline desert-cum-seasonal wetland ecosystem and Chhari Dhandh
Conservation Reserve represents an inland wetland ecosystem. The
study is based on intensive review of literature not only to
collect baseline information about each of the selected
ecosystems, but also to make logical predictions for each of the
selected ecosystems of Gujarat. To make logical predictions for
a selected ecosystem of Gujarat, climate change studies carried
out in India and abroad on similar type of ecosystem have been
used as models.
10. Impact of Global Warming on
Disaster Patterns in Gujarat.
The study will attempt a temporal
and spatial analysis of the natural disasters in the state,
correlating them with the weather and long-term climatic
patterns both spatially and temporally. The disaster patterns
will also be correlated with the socio-economic profile of the
state, to identify the vulnerable sectors. Comprehensive
analysis of each relevant climatic and disaster variables will
be done, its implications on the disaster patterns and the
correlation between the various variables will be analyzed using
statistical and cartographic techniques. The study will be done
on the basis of the seven agro-climatic regions separately.
Climate Change Workshops
GEER Foundation
has also taken a lead in capacity building of the society in
understanding the Climate Change phenomenon, its causes, impacts
and mitigation and adaptation; and also in sensitizing them
towards responsible action. Hence, one of
the components of the Climate Change Project being implemented
by GEER Foundation is to design and conduct Workshops and
Orientation Programme for knowledge enhancement, skill
development and capacity building of the following three
sectors- Industry, Academic Institutions and Key Government
Departments dealing so that they can positively contribute
in taking timely actions/devising action plan towards reducing
vulnerability to Climate Change. The Foundation is carrying out
these Workshops in collaboration with the
CEPT University Ahmedabad.
There are a total of 18 training
workshops to be conducted under this project, six each, for the
three sections of society in Gujarat.
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Two of the six
trainings will be held with the heads of the concerned
government departments, agencies, organizations or institutions.
These will be in an interactive workshop mode, mainly based on
panel discussions.
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Four will be
conducted with the middle level professionals or officers in
these departments, agencies or institutions. Lectures and
discussions will be used as training mechanisms.
Climate Change Public Awareness
Drive
As part of its Environment
Education mandate, the Foundation is also carrying out following
three Awareness programs on Climate Change:
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Radio Programme
titled “Dharti-nu-Jatan” under the
Climate Change Project has been started from 9th
Match, 2010 to bring out issues related to Climate Change
for the general masses through radio talks with experts in the
field (in Gujarati language). A total of 104 episodes have
already been broadcasted through Prasar Bharti (Akashvani
Ahmedabad-Vadodara, Rajkot and Bhuj) during 2010-2012.
Overwhelming responses were received through phone calls
and post cards from rural masses.
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Developing an Energy
Park and a Climate Change Orientation Center within the premises
of Indroda Nature Park for the visitors of the Park, the
visiting NGC students, researchers, officers and scientists.
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