01275nas a2200097   4500000000100000008004100001260001200042100002000054245007300074520103000147       2015                            d  c02/20151 aRavinder Bhalla00aEstimating impact of wattle removal on discharge volume and sediment3 aIn recognition of the ill effects of invasive alien species (IAS), the forest department of Tamil Nadu has embarked on an aggressive wattle (Acacia mearnsii) removal campaign in the Nilgiris. However, being mindful of the possible ill-effects of large scale removal of tree cover on hydrology and erosion, it was suggested that we measure the impact of wattle removal on erosion and both the volume and duration of discharge before and after the wattle clearing. This was a unique opportunity for research as rarely are projects, able to afford or carry out large scale vegetation removal in an experiment.
In May, 2014, a suitable catchment where wattle removal was to take place was identified with the help of forest department staff. A weir (v-notch) was installed at this location along with a stilling well for automatic water level measurements. Regular sampling of water quality from the site was commenced. This poster presents some of the preliminary outputs from the analysis of the data collected from this site.