Raorchestes chalazodes is an arboreal frog that was presumed extinct and is currently listed as critically endangered. The frog is found in a narrow region of the southern Western Ghats restricted to elevations 1200 m above sea level. K. S. Seshadri and David Bickford in their article ‘Faithful fathers and crooked cannibals: the adaptive significance of parental care in the bush frog Raorchestes chalazodes, Western Ghats, India’ discuss about R. chalazodes and the parental care given by adult males. The discovery of a novel reproductive mode in the white-spotted bush frog (R. chalazodes) from the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot of peninsular India has been an exciting revelation.
K.S. Seshadri speaks about the adaptive significance of parental care in bush frog (R. chalazodes) found in Western Ghats, India. He spoke about his work and the difficulties he encountered while doing field research. Seshadri said “This work was undertaken in the remote forests of the Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve near Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu. The reason was that the bush frogs are found there. It was challenging because the place is remote, it takes about a half a day’s journey to reach a good hospital, there is only one place to eat, and there are no means of transport. The frogs being active at night, we had to start looking for them in the evenings. On numerous instances, we have walked into leopards and elephants and even snakes. Working in the bamboo habitat is risky and if you slip you can fall into a stream or hurt yourself by falling on bamboo stalks, which are sharp as spears when cut or broken”.
Seshadri added that finding the frogs was very difficult. The frogs sit inside bamboo internodes and the scientists had to use an endoscope to look inside and record behaviour. “All this was quite a task at night with rains and wildlife all around us,” he said.
This story is from the March 2020 edition of TerraGreen.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 2020 edition of TerraGreen.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Enhancing Green Cover in HP
Not too long ago, a vast stretch of approximately ten acres of forest land in Parohi and Sangirthi of Bandladhar in the Bilaspur zone of Himachal Pradesh remained barren. The terrain was rocky, with minimal soil depth, making the idea of growing trees there seem implausible. However, today, this unproductive land is transforming into a verdant landscape, with 11,000 saplings of various tree species taking root. Sarita Brara informs that this transformation is attributed to the state government's Mukhya Mantri Van Vistaar Yojana (MMVVY), which aims to enhance green cover across thousands of hectares of barren forest land throughout the state. The MMVVY was officially introduced in 2023.
AI Writing, Illustration Emits Much Less Carbon than Humans
With the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) comes discussion of the technology's environmental impact. A new study has found that for the tasks of writing and illustrating, AI emits hundreds of times less carbon than humans performing the same tasks. That does not mean, however, that AI can or should replace human writers and illustrators, the study's authors argue.
Celebrating 'Solar Sisterhood' Power
On International Women's Day (March 8), Ashden highlighted the women who made renewable energy happen especially among the world's poorer communities where energy access posed significant challenges. The theme for this year's International Women's Day was 'Inspire Inclusion.
Redefining Development in Tune with Nature
A worldwide congress of individuals synonymous with practising ancient traditional values in the eastern part of Assam, in northeast India, has emerged as a major platform for converging diverse cultures, emphasizing the preservation of ancient traditions, ecological sustainability, and collaborative governance. Through this article, Nava Thakuria informs us that the 8th Triennial International Conference and Gathering of World Elders of Ancient Traditions also adopted the 'Dibrugarh Declaration, which unequivocally states that ancient wisdom profoundly views human beings as an integral part of the natural ecosystem, rather than as masters.
Surprising Role of Manganese In Soil Carbon Sequestration
A recent study reveals an unexpected link between manganese-a naturally occurring mineral-and increased carbon emissions from high-latitude boreal forests. The study uncovers how manganese increases carbon emissions from boreal forest soil, over time, challenging conventional understanding of the role of manganese in the carbon cycle.
India's Quest towards a Green Future With Green Initiatives and Climate Action
The interim budget of India for 2024-25 has placed significant emphasis on the green economy and investments aimed at combating climate change. These announcements are poised to reinforce India's prior endeavours in this direction. In this article, Sameeksha delves into concepts such as the green economy and climate action, highlighting that through its various initiatives, India has made significant progress towards the target of net zero emissions without compromising its economic development in less than a decade. These steps are expected to have a long-lasting impact, and the rapid growth of the country, coupled with green initiatives, will pave the way for a new era of prosperity.
Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme
Dr Krishna Kumari, Forestry Faculty, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay College of Horticulture and Forestry, Dr Rajender Prasad Central Agricultural University, Bihar along with Supriya Rai, a third-year student pursuing BSc in Forestry at the same university, engage in a discussion regarding the objectives and benefits of the IFWCS.
Decreasing Emissions with Sustainable Practices
In this article, Sanjay Gupta highlights the significant role of the construction sector in global greenhouse gas emissions. The construction industry accounts for 19 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions. These emissions mainly result from energy consumption, material production, transportation, and the construction process itself. Nevertheless, there is optimism for the future, as technological advancements and increasing environmental awareness are driving the transition towards a more sustainable construction industry. Through the incorporation of innovative solutions, this sector has the potential to exert a strong influence on environmental consciousness. For the journey ahead, industry players should come together and unite in taking a collective responsibility against climate change to shape a world that is environmentally pure for generations to come.
Seeds of Contamination
Microplastic pollution in terrestrial environments poses a significant threat to ecosystems and human health.
Green Budgeting - A Pioneering Initiative in Puducherry
Governments worldwide are recognizing the imperative to balance economic development with ecological responsibility. Article by Balaji details the pertinence of green budget. The text has been authenticated by the case study of the Government of Puducherry whereby the UT has made noteworthy efforts in the upward allocation of green funds to strengthen climate resilience.
