Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 18.2
Bioindicators of the monsoon in India: fl owering and foliage of tree species
Expected meteorological
event
Botanical name
Vernacular name
Condition
Aegle marmelos
Corr.
Bel
Good foliage
Subnormal monsoon
Azadirachta indica.
A. Juss
Neem
Heavy fl ush
Drought
Dendrocalamus strictus.
Nees
Bans
Good foliage
Drought
Eragrostis cynosuroides
.
Beauv
Darbha ghas
Good foliage
Good monsoon
Ficus religiosa
Linn
Pipal
Good foliage
Adequate rains
Limonia acidissima
L.
Kothi
Good growth
Stormy rains
Madhuca latifolia
Macb.
Mahua
Good foliage
Good monsoon
Prosopis cineraria
(L) Druce.
Khejru
Heavy foliage
Drought
Zizyphus mauritiana
Lam.
Ber
Heavy fl ush
or fruits
Average monsoon
Adapted from Kotwal et al. (
2008
), which is based on data from Kanani et al. (
1995
)
produced, there will be more rain next season. Early sprouting of Mihango trees
also indicates an early onset of rains (Kangalawe et al.
2011
). A study of six dis-
tricts
1
in Ghana reveals a host of indigenous hazard bioindicators (AAP Ghana
2012
). In the Pawlungu community in Ghana's Talensi-Nabdam district, a frog's
croacking is believed to indicate rain within 24 h. In the same community, the fl ow-
ering of the Baobab tree indicates that rains will come within 3-4 days. If the tree
does not fl ower, there will be low rainfall (AAP Ghana
2012
).
While traditional knowledge can offer a wealth of potential bioindicators, there
are signifi cant challenges to application. Traditional knowledge is rapidly being lost
(Jha and Jha
2011
). The selected indicators themselves vary from village to village
(UNEP
2010
). Even if communities recognize warning signs for hazards, they may
not be able to respond. In Bangladesh, poor road networks, long distances between
homes and cyclone shelters, low capacity of cyclone shelters, and fear of burglary
all limit responses even if indicators are observed (Paul and Routray
2013
).
Nevertheless, given the potential benefi ts of bioindicators, efforts should be
made to further catalogue indigenous knowledge and evaluate whether or not bioin-
dicators can be integrated into forecasting (Kangalawe et al.
2011
). To do so, the
scientifi c basis of traditional knowledge needs to be explored and the possible indi-
cators further triangulated.
This touches on deeper debates related to politics of knowledge, relations of
power, and ethics, which are beyond the scope of this chapter. While modern devel-
opment has relied extensively on Western science, over the past quarter century
there has been increasing focus on the “rediscovery” of indigenous knowledge
(Briggs
2005
; Dove
2006
). Some argue that it is not possible to combine scientifi c
and indigenous knowledge, because they are based on different epistemologies and
1
Districts examined include Sissala East, Talensi-Nabdam, West Mamprusi, Aowin Suamana,
Fateakwa, and Keta.
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