III. MA TERIALS AND METHODS 111.1. Study location The study location is covered by the tribal belt of the high ranges of the Western Ghats in Thiruvananthapuram district between north latitude 8O17'50"and 8"53'42" and east longitudes 76"40'24" and 70°17'00", the Southern most administrative unit of the state with Thiruvananthapuram as the capital. The district is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west and the Districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, namely Kanyakumari in the South and Tirunelveli in the east and north by Kollam district (Fig.2). While Thiruvananthapuram district has three physiographic zones namely the highlands, midlands and low lands (Sreedhara Menon, 1962), it is only the high land and mid land region is relevant in the present study. This mountainous zone consists of hills, which form the southern most part of the Western Ghats. The main Ghats stretch along the eastern border with elevations varying between 1000 and 1869 m. The top and higher slopes of the Ghats are very steep and rocky and in many places inaccessible. Such places are usually barren. The lower slopes of the Ghats on the other hand are covered with dense vegetation. The climate of the district varies with the topography, but in general the typical tropical humid climate with the two monsoons (north west and north east) exists all over. Temperature and other meteorological conditions are fairly uniform throughout the district except on the Ghats.
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III. MA TERIALS AND METHODS
111.1. Study location
The study location is covered by the tribal belt of the high ranges of
the Western Ghats in Thiruvananthapuram district between north latitude
8O17'50"and 8"53'42" and east longitudes 76"40'24" and 70°17'00", the
Southern most administrative unit of the state with Thiruvananthapuram as
the capital. The district is bounded by the Arabian Sea in the west and the
Districts of the state of Tamil Nadu, namely Kanyakumari in the South and
Tirunelveli in the east and north by Kollam district (Fig.2).
While Thiruvananthapuram district has three physiographic zones
namely the highlands, midlands and low lands (Sreedhara Menon, 1962), it is
only the high land and mid land region is relevant in the present study. This
mountainous zone consists of hills, which form the southern most part of the
Western Ghats. The main Ghats stretch along the eastern border with
elevations varying between 1000 and 1869 m. The top and higher slopes of
the Ghats are very steep and rocky and in many places inaccessible. Such
places are usually barren. The lower slopes of the Ghats on the other hand
are covered with dense vegetation.
The climate of the district varies with the topography, but in general
the typical tropical humid climate with the two monsoons (north west and
north east) exists all over. Temperature and other meteorological conditions
are fairly uniform throughout the district except on the Ghats.
III.l.l. Field survey and collection
A field survey on beekeeping in the district was conducted in order to
identify the zones of the district where the beekeepers depend on for keeping
bees. The potential sites were identified and sample collection was made
from the different apiaries of the district. The tribal settlements of the district
were surveyed for the dependency of the tribes for honey as a Non- wood
forest product. A case study was conducted in selected settlements.
Household level interview was conducted by a questionnaire prepared as per
the format in Annexure 1.
The sample collection at different forest areas was done with
assistance from selected members of the tribal community. Information on
the materials analysed is given in Table 1.
111.2. Methodology
111.2.1. Preparation of acetolysis mixture
9ml of acetic anhydride was mixed with l m l of concentrated Sulphuric
acid, which was added as drops to the acetic anhydride.
111.2.2. Preparation of glycerine jelly
Glycerine Jelly was used as the mounting medium for acetolysed
pollen grains from honey, pollen load and anthers of individual flowers.
Reagents
Gelatin 59
Water 30ml
Glycerine 3511-11
Phenol Crystals 39
Tablel. Materials analysed for nectar and pollen sources