Plant community variables among life forms (trees, shrubs, and herbs) of native vegetation in the corridor area.
\r\n\t
",isbn:"978-1-83969-150-8",printIsbn:"978-1-83969-149-2",pdfIsbn:"978-1-83969-151-5",doi:null,price:0,priceEur:0,priceUsd:0,slug:null,numberOfPages:0,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"7409b2acd5150a93004300800918b736",bookSignature:"Prof. Karmen Pažek",publishedDate:null,coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/10548.jpg",keywords:"Lean Manufacturing, Agriculture, Production and Process, Costs Reduction, Lean Principles, Industry, Tools, Implementation, Sustainability, Modeling, Environment, Planning",numberOfDownloads:7,numberOfWosCitations:0,numberOfCrossrefCitations:0,numberOfDimensionsCitations:0,numberOfTotalCitations:0,isAvailableForWebshopOrdering:!0,dateEndFirstStepPublish:"October 20th 2020",dateEndSecondStepPublish:"November 17th 2020",dateEndThirdStepPublish:"January 16th 2021",dateEndFourthStepPublish:"April 6th 2021",dateEndFifthStepPublish:"June 5th 2021",remainingDaysToSecondStep:"2 months",secondStepPassed:!0,currentStepOfPublishingProcess:4,editedByType:null,kuFlag:!1,biosketch:"Dr. Pažek is Head of the undergraduate study program Agricultural economics and rural development and Vice-dean for education. She is the author or co-author of 61 scientific papers, 6 scientific books, and 24 book chapters.",coeditorOneBiosketch:null,coeditorTwoBiosketch:null,coeditorThreeBiosketch:null,coeditorFourBiosketch:null,coeditorFiveBiosketch:null,editors:[{id:"179642",title:"Prof.",name:"Karmen",middleName:null,surname:"Pažek",slug:"karmen-pazek",fullName:"Karmen Pažek",profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/179642/images/system/179642.jpg",biography:"Karmen Pažek achieved her Ph.D. at University of Maribor, Faculty of Agriculture in 2006. She is active as Full Professor for Farm management in the Department for Agriculture Economics and Rural Development on Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor. Her research includes development of decision support tools and systems for farm management (simulation modeling, multi-criteria decision analysis, option models, investment analysis) and economics of agricultural production. She is involved in teaching activities as thesis supervisor at postgraduate study programs and involved in national and international research projects. She is author or coauthor of 61 scientific papers (including 34 papers in journals with impact factor), 6 scientific books and 24 book chapters. Currently she is Head of the undergraduate study program Agricultural economics and rural development and Vice dean for education. \r\n\r\nAcademic activities\r\nResearch:\r\n-\tFarm management\r\n-\tDecision support, simulation, forecasting, multi criteria decision making in the area of agriculture with emphasis on field crops, farm tourism and fruit producon\r\n\r\nCurrent Research work:\r\n- Financial parameters assessment based on perfect and in-perfect information in agrifood \r\n systems \r\n- Option modeling of agrifood projects\r\n-\tEfficiency assessment in farm tourism \r\n-\tEfficiency of sugar beet production systems \r\n\r\nTeaching:\r\nUndergraduate Programmes and Courses\r\n-\tFarm management I and II\r\n-\tIntroduction to decision theory\r\n-\tOrganic fam management\r\n-\tManagement od supplementary activities\r\n-\tEconomics and management of rural tourism\r\n-\tSelected issues in agricultural entrepreneurship\r\n\r\nMaster Programmes and Courses\r\n\r\n-\tResearch methods in farm management\r\n-\tDecision theory\r\n-\tProject planning and quality management\r\n-\tOrganic fam management\r\n\r\n \r\nPhD Programme and Course\r\n\r\n-\tProject management (transferable skills)\r\n-\tSelected issues in farm management",institutionString:"University of Maribor",position:null,outsideEditionCount:0,totalCites:0,totalAuthoredChapters:"3",totalChapterViews:"0",totalEditedBooks:"0",institution:{name:"University of Maribor",institutionURL:null,country:{name:"Slovenia"}}}],coeditorOne:null,coeditorTwo:null,coeditorThree:null,coeditorFour:null,coeditorFive:null,topics:[{id:"11",title:"Engineering",slug:"engineering"}],chapters:[{id:"74769",title:"Development of Integrated Lean Six Sigma-Baldrige Framework for Manufacturing Waste Minimization: A Case of NAS Foods Plc",slug:"development-of-integrated-lean-six-sigma-baldrige-framework-for-manufacturing-waste-minimization-a-c",totalDownloads:7,totalCrossrefCites:0,authors:[null]}],productType:{id:"1",title:"Edited Volume",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"},personalPublishingAssistant:{id:"247865",firstName:"Jasna",lastName:"Bozic",middleName:null,title:"Ms.",imageUrl:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/247865/images/7225_n.jpg",email:"jasna.b@intechopen.com",biography:"As an Author Service Manager, my responsibilities include monitoring and facilitating all publishing activities for authors and editors. From chapter submission and review to approval and revision, copyediting and design, until final publication, I work closely with authors and editors to ensure a simple and easy publishing process. I maintain constant and effective communication with authors, editors and reviewers, which allows for a level of personal support that enables contributors to fully commit and concentrate on the chapters they are writing, editing, or reviewing. I assist authors in the preparation of their full chapter submissions and track important deadlines and ensure they are met. I help to coordinate internal processes such as linguistic review, and monitor the technical aspects of the process. As an ASM I am also involved in the acquisition of editors. 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Venkateswarlu",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/371.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"58592",title:"Dr.",name:"Arun",surname:"Shanker",slug:"arun-shanker",fullName:"Arun Shanker"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"878",title:"Phytochemicals",subtitle:"A Global Perspective of Their Role in Nutrition and Health",isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"ec77671f63975ef2d16192897deb6835",slug:"phytochemicals-a-global-perspective-of-their-role-in-nutrition-and-health",bookSignature:"Venketeshwer Rao",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/878.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"82663",title:"Dr.",name:"Venketeshwer",surname:"Rao",slug:"venketeshwer-rao",fullName:"Venketeshwer Rao"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"4816",title:"Face Recognition",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:"146063b5359146b7718ea86bad47c8eb",slug:"face_recognition",bookSignature:"Kresimir Delac and Mislav Grgic",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/4816.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"528",title:"Dr.",name:"Kresimir",surname:"Delac",slug:"kresimir-delac",fullName:"Kresimir Delac"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}},{type:"book",id:"3621",title:"Silver Nanoparticles",subtitle:null,isOpenForSubmission:!1,hash:null,slug:"silver-nanoparticles",bookSignature:"David Pozo Perez",coverURL:"https://cdn.intechopen.com/books/images_new/3621.jpg",editedByType:"Edited by",editors:[{id:"6667",title:"Dr.",name:"David",surname:"Pozo",slug:"david-pozo",fullName:"David Pozo"}],productType:{id:"1",chapterContentType:"chapter",authoredCaption:"Edited by"}}]},chapter:{item:{type:"chapter",id:"58470",title:"Vegetation Structure and Prioritizing Plants for Eco-Restoration of Degraded Wildlife Corridor in Dry Tropical Forest of South India",doi:"10.5772/intechopen.72706",slug:"vegetation-structure-and-prioritizing-plants-for-eco-restoration-of-degraded-wildlife-corridor-in-dr",body:'The world’s tropical forests are being fragmented and degraded with significant loss of species diversity and ecosystem services [1, 2, 3, 4]. Unplanned infrastructure development in forest landscapes, clearing of forest land for expansion of human habitation as well as farmland, and unsustainable extraction of forest resources can create growing pressures and also inflict negative impacts on wildlife habitat [5, 6, 7]. According to meta-population, meta-community and island-biogeography theories, degradation and fragmentation of natural wildlife habitats could lead to the extinction of many species across the globe due to loss of sub-population connectedness and inbreeding depression [4, 8]. Therefore, at the time of unprecedented wildlife habitat destruction, eco-restoration of degraded forest areas particularly wildlife corridors is gaining global importance and also emerging as a practical conservation strategy [9, 10, 11, 12]. Under the ‘Green India Mission’, the Indian government is planning to double afforestation efforts by 2020 [13] and also planning to buy private plantations to restore elephant corridors [14, 15].
According to the ‘Field of Dreams Hypothesis’, if a habitat is successfully restored, the species will return but we need to refine the appropriate restoration strategy. So far in the forestry sector, monoculture plantations are known to be the ideal reforestation strategy to restore degraded landscapes [16, 17, 18] but experts argue that monoculture plantations failed to recover their former biological diversity [19, 20, 21]). Therefore, to reverse the effect, the eco-restoration method would be the appropriate strategy. Habitat enrichment through assisted vegetation method can improve green cover as well as bring back the native vegetation and provide resource rich passage for animals’ movement. However, as a first step in the eco-restoration activity, the regional plant stock has to be assessed and then suitable native plant species has to be prioritized based on their socio-ecological importance and site condition [22]. In addition to this, the species which are selected for eco-restoration should be strong and hard enough to withstand and survive in the prevailing climatic conditions; mainly heavy rain and dry seasons [16]. This is because, the type of forest occurring naturally in a place is the result of the complex influence of the climatic, edaphic, topographic, and biotic factors of the locality [23].
The Edeyaralli-Doddasampige wildlife corridor (ED corridor) in Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT), Western Ghats is one such biodiversity rich forest landscape but subjected to various land-use practices leading to fragmentation and degradation of wildlife habitat and wildlife migratory routes. Therefore, action and restoration research has been planned in this degraded corridor to maintain the habitat quality and also increase the functionality of the corridor through assisted vegetation enrichment. For successful eco-restoration, first, the regional plant stock has to be identified and then suitable plant species have to be prioritized. In this study, we have addressed the following two research questions; (i) How are the plant community variables such as species richness, density, diversity and IVI (Importance Value Index) distributed among life forms in the corridor landscape?, (ii) How do we prioritize the suitable plant species/categories for eco-restoration of degraded wildlife corridor?
The study has been carried out at Edeyarahalli-Doddasampige wildlife corridor (ED corridor), which is one of the degraded but ecologically important functional corridors between Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT) and Malai Mahadeswara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary (MM Hills) (Figure 1). The dimension of the ED corridor is 0.5 km in length and 2 km in width and the geographical coordinates are 11°55′15″ to 11°56′15″N and 77°15′20″ to 77°15′45″E. The corridor landscape is largely in the dry deciduous and scrub forest type. It harbors rich floral and faunal diversity, mainly IUCN red listed mammal species such as Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris), Indian leopard (Panthera pardus) and Indian wild dog (Cuon alpinus). In addition to this, the corridor landscape is inhabited by Soligas, an indigenous tribal community and a few other non-tribal communities.
Matrix of forests, wildlife corridors, dependent villages, farmland and road network in and around the corridor landscape (marked in circles).
The corridor landscape is severely degraded due to unplanned land-use practices, past forest management activities- logging and shifting cultivation -and the problem of invasive/exotic plants species [24, 25]. Apart from that, the villagers use this corridor regularly for livestock grazing and fuel wood collection [6]. In addition to this, the state highway (SH-17A) is passing through this wildlife corridor and an average of one vehicle per minute was recorded on this road [26]. This could be an additional threat to the movement of wildlife in this corridor. Irrespective of various threats, ED corridor provides space and passage for more than 15 mammal species (large, medium and small) to move from Western Ghats to forested landscapes of Eastern Ghats [27]. Adjacent to this corridor, in 2007 approx. 25.5 acres of private land was purchased from local farmers to widen the corridor by WTI (Wildlife Trust of India) and its international partner organization International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), with financial support from US Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS). The land was then handed over to the Karnataka State Forest Department to augment the corridor. This was a pioneering move in corridor conservation in India [6].
Transect method was used to enumerate vegetation in the corridor landscape. There were 64 belt transects of 0.1 ha (10 × 100 m), 128 plots of 10 m2 and 512 plots of 1 m2 were established to enumerate trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants respectively in the study area (Figure 2). Each sampling transect was marked with red ribbons, and the GPS coordinates were recorded at the center of each transect for future study purpose. The sampling was carried out in the month of October, which is the peak wet season in the study area. This is because during the wet season the chances of finding herbaceous species as well as seedlings of woody species in the study area are higher.
Survey design for vegetation study in the corridor landscape of BRT Tiger Reserve. The sampling was carried out in the blocks which fall within the circles. One 2 × 2 km sampling block consists of four vegetation plots, eight shrub plots and 32 herb plots.
In 10 × 100 m transects all stems >5 cm DBH (diameter at breast height - at 130 cm) were enumerated. The DBH of the individual stems were measured for all the species found in the transects using calibrated DBH tape. The height was measured through visual approximation method [28, 29]. In 10 × 10 m plots all the shrubs and saplings of woody plant species whose DBH fell between 1 and 5 cm were counted and named. Finally, in the 1 × 1 m plots all the herbaceous plants and seedlings of woody plant species (whose stem size was <1 cm) were recorded. For most of the species, botanical names and family names were identified and recorded in the field itself. For unidentified plant species, the specimen samples were collected for herbarium preparation and identification was done in the laboratory by using ‘Flora of the Presidency of Madras’ [30]. For grass species the per cent cover per unit area was calculated through visual estimation rather than counting individual species. The percentage of invasive species Lantana camara cover per plot was also recorded through visual estimation at the time of study period. Visual estimation is fast, requires no specialized equipment, and can be adapted to plants of various growth forms [28, 29]. In addition to this, the number of cut stems and cowpats was recorded in the transects to assess the intensity of fuel wood collection and cattle grazing respectively in the study area.
Plant community variables such as species richness, Shannon’s diversity H′ and evenness J was calculated for the corridor landscape. Simple linear regression models were developed to test the influence of Lantana camara, fuelwood collection and cattle grazing on native plant diversity. In addition to this, species Importance Value Index (IVI) was calculated to identify the dominant species of the study area for both tree and non-tree classes.
For trees the IVI was calculated by using the formula; IVI of sp. i = relative density of sp. i + relative frequency of sp. i + relative dominance of sp. i. However, since data on relative dominance which is derived from basal area is not possible for non-trees, the IVI for undergrowth (non-trees) was calculated using the formula modified as IVI of sp. i = relative density of sp. i + relative frequency of sp. i.
Local community considerations were also considered in addition to scientific data in prioritizing suitable native plant species for eco-restoration. This is because people from the landscape, especially Soliga tribals, possess sophisticated knowledge about biodiversity and traditional forest resource management practices [25, 31, 32]. Therefore, a participatory approach was employed to prioritize native plant species. Three Focus Group Discussions (FGD) were conducted in three corridor landscape dependent villages. In addition, a couple of informal interviews were also conducted. Questions were asked regarding corridors, wildlife, eco-restoration and presence of suitable plant species in the landscape.
Species richness and Shannon’s diversity H′ is relatively higher in tree class compared to shrub and herbaceous class. The evenness J is more or less similar between shrub and herbaceous class but relatively higher than tree class (Table 1). The corridor landscape had 92 tree species (belonging to 39 families), 75 shrub species (belonging to 41 families) and 185 species (belonging to 65 families). About 73.9% stems belong to different shrub species and 26.1% are saplings of woody species. In terms of total herbaceous stems enumerated in the study area, around 77.8% are herbaceous plants and 22.2% are woody seedlings.
Community variable | Tree (mean ± se) Per 0.1 ha | Shrub (mean ± se) Per 10 m2 | Herb (mean ± se) Per m2 | Grass cover (mean ± se) percent/m2 |
---|---|---|---|---|
(n = 64) | (n = 128) | (n = 512) | (n = 512) | |
Species richness | 12.48 ± 0.53 | 6.13 ± 0.28 | 8.52 ± 0.14 | – |
Shannon’s H′ | 2.06 ± 0.05 | 1.39 ± 0.05 | 1.72 ± 0.02 | – |
Evenness J | 0.69 ± 0.01 | 0.78 ± 0.0 | 0.74 ± 0.006 | – |
Density | 42.76 ± 3.36 | 21.15 ± 1.32 | 37.89 ± 1.05 | 44.90 ± 1.35 |
Plant community variables among life forms (trees, shrubs, and herbs) of native vegetation in the corridor area.
The study area is endowed with rich plant resources. Out of 92 tree species, 10 species turned out to be important Non-timber forest products (NTFP) resource plants. They represented 2.5% of the total stems enumerated in the area. Among the NTFP category, fruits of Phyllanthus indofischeri ranked high. Nine tree species provided fuelwood (per. Interviews with local people) – and represented 13.5% of the total stems enumerated. Thirteen species were identified as important food resource for elephants (as mentioned in Refs. [33, 34, 35]), which represent 18% of total stems recorded from the study area (Table 2).
Sl. no. | Scientific name | Family | Importance |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Acacia chundra | Mimosaceae | Fuelwood tree |
2 | Anogeissus latifolia | Combretaceae | Fuelwood tree |
3 | Canthium travancoricum | Rubiaceae | Fuelwood tree |
4 | Chloroxylon swietenia | Rutaceae | Fuelwood tree |
5 | Erythroxylon monogynum | Erythroxylaceae | Fuelwood tree |
6 | Grewia asiatica | Tiliaceae | Fuelwood tree |
7 | Ixora arborea | Rubiaceae | Fuelwood tree |
8 | Randia dumetorum | Rubiaceae | Fuelwood tree |
9 | Ziziphus xylopyrus | Rhamnaceae | Fuelwood tree |
1 | Acacia sinuata | Mimosaceae | NTFP plant (fruit) |
2 | Azadirachta india | Meliaceae | NTFP plant (fruit) |
3 | Bombax ceiba | Bombacaceae | NTFP (undeveloped fruit) |
4 | Decalepis hamiltonii | Asclepiadaceae | NTFP plant (root) |
5 | Phoenix loureirii | Arecaceae | NTFP plant (leaves) |
6 | Phyllanthus indofischeri | Euphorbiaceae | NTFP plant (fruit) |
7 | Syzygium cumini | Myrtaceae | NTFP plant (fruit) |
8 | Tamarindus indica | Fabaceae | NTFP plant (fruit) |
9 | Terminalia bellerica | Combretaceae | NTFP plant (fruit) |
10 | Terminalia chebula | Combretaceae | NTFP plant (fruit) |
1 | Acacia chundra | Fabaceae | Elephant food plant |
2 | Acacia leucophlea | Mimosaceae | Elephant food plant |
3 | Acacia sinuata | Mimosaceae | Elephant food plant |
4 | Albizia amara | Fabaceae | Elephant food plant |
5 | Atylosia lineata | Fabaceae | Elephant food plant |
6 | Bambusa arundinacea | Poaceae | Elephant food plant |
7 | Capparis seperaria | Capparaceae | Elephant food plant |
8 | Commiphora caudata | Burseraceae | Elephant food plant |
9 | Dendrocalamas strictus | Poaceae | Elephant food plant |
10 | Grewia tilifolia | Malvaceae | Elephant food plant |
11 | Hardwickia binata | Fabaceae | Elephant food plant |
12 | Tectona grandis | Verbenaceae | Elephant food plant |
13 | Ziziphus xylopyrus | Rhamnaceae | Elephant food plant |
List of fuelwood, NTFP, and elephant food plant species in the corridor area.
The study site was evaluated for importance value index of each species. For tree species, the top ten most common species found in the sampled area were Anogeissus latifolia, Chloroxylon swietenia, Erythroxylon monogynum, Dalbergia lanceolaria, Strychnos potatorum, Naringi crenulata, Acacia chundra, Diospyros montana, Canthium travencoricum and Ixora arborea (Table 3). Among 92 species, these 10 species contribute 52% of the total IVI (Appendix A).
Dominant tree species | IVI value |
---|---|
Chloroxylon swietenia | 32.89 |
Anogeissus latifolia | 30.72 |
Erythroxylon monogynum | 28.76 |
Acacia chundra | 11.88 |
Dalbergia lanceolaria | 11.48 |
Strychnos potatorum | 10.56 |
Naringi crenulata | 08.57 |
Diospyros montana | 08.34 |
Ixora arborea | 07.74 |
Canthium travancoricum | 07.70 |
Importance Value Index (IVI) for top ten tree species in the corridor landscape of BRT Tiger Reserve.
For non-tree forms such as shrubs/saplings, the top ten and most common species found in the corridor landscape were Lantana camara, Pterolobium hexapetalum, Dodonaea viscosa, Randia dumetorum, Chloroxylon swietenia, Erythroxylon monogynum, Zizyphus oenoplia, Fluggea leucopyrus, Eupatorium odoratum, Dolichandrone falcata and Pavetta indica (Table 4). Among 75 species, these 10 species contribute 70% of the total IVI, of which Lantana camara alone contributes 32% (Appendix B).
Non-tree forms | Dominant species | IVI value |
---|---|---|
Saplings/shrubs | Lantana camara | 64.60 |
Pterolobium hexapetalum | 13.20 | |
Dodonia viscosa | 11.92 | |
Randia dumetorum | 09.68 | |
Chloroxylon swietenia | 09.54 | |
Erythroxylon monogynum | 07.63 | |
Ziziphus oenoplia | 07.52 | |
Fluggea leucopyrus | 05.88 | |
Eupatorium odoratum | 05.65 | |
Dolichandrone falcata | 05.47 | |
Seedlings/herbs | Leucas martinicensis | 16.81 |
Oxalis corniculata | 12.40 | |
Eupatorium odoratum | 11.00 | |
Lantana camara | 10.96 | |
Evolvulus alsinoides | 05.68 | |
Atylosia lineata | 04.59 | |
Randia dumetorum | 04.57 | |
Justicia simplex | 04.10 | |
Crotalaria calycina | 03.98 | |
Ziziphus oenoplia | 03.10 |
Importance Value Index (IVI) for top ten non-tree species in the corridor landscape of BRT Tiger Reserve.
For the seedlings/herbaceous plant group, the top ten most important species found in the corridor landscape were Leucas martinicensis, Oxalis corniculata, Eupatorium odoratum, Lantana camara, Evolvulus alsinoides, Atylosia lineata, Randia dumetorum, Justicia simplex, Crotalaria calycina and Ziziphus oenoplia (Table 4). Among 185 species, these 10 species contribute 38% of the total IVI (Appendix C).
The problematic invasive weeds of the landscape, such as Lantana camara and Eupatoruim odoratum are contributing significantly toward total IVI in both shrubs and herbs categories. Lantana camara contributes 32.30% and 5.47% for total IVI of shrubs and herbs respectively, whereas Eupatoruim odoratum contributes 2.82% and 5.89% for total IVI of shrubs and herbs respectively. This indicates the extent of invasion of weeds in the landscape.
The data was analyzed for relationships between one of the community variables such as vegetation diversity - of trees, shrubs and herbs - (as a response variable) with three habitat covariates such as fuelwood collection, livestock grazing intensity and invasive species – Lantana camara density (as predictor variables). The (four) models were developed to test the relationship between Diversity (H′) of- (i) trees vs. fuelwood collection, (ii) shrubs vs. Lantana camara density, (iii) herbs vs. Lantana camara density and (iv) herbs vs. grazing intensity of livestock.
Even though no statistically significant linear dependence of the mean of y on x was detected (the p-values are >0.05 for all relationships except for Shannon’s diversity vs. Lantana camara density in shrubs) the slope (regression coefficients) shows a negative trend (Figure 3). The negative (marked in minus symbol) slope coefficient value for (i) trees vs. fuelwood collection is −0.007, (ii) shrubs vs. Lantana camara density is −0.006, (iii) herbs vs. Lantana camara density is −0.001 and (iv) herbs vs. grazing intensity of livestock −0.005. This indicates that fuelwood collection, cattle grazing and the density of invasive species like Lantana camara affects the species diversity (H′) of life forms (trees, shrubs and herbaceous species) in the corridor landscape.
Relationships between species diversity (H′) and three habitat characteristics (fuelwood collection, livestock grazing and Lantana camara density). Cut stems/plot implies fuelwood collection in the landscape.
Species richness is often treated not only as a measure of biodiversity [36] but also quality of the ecosystem and recovery of forest from disturbances such as logging [37, 38, 39]. The corridor is in the dry deciduous and scrub forest harboring 92 tree species in the sampled area, representing approximately 12% of plant species of the entire BRT forest enumerated [40]. The study site had around 10 NTFP species that provide partial household income for people in the corridor landscape; 12% for Soligas and 7% for non-Soligas [27]. The fruit of Indian Gooseberry tree is not only serves as a livelihood source for local people but also as an important dietary component for wild animals during the lean season [41, 42, 43]. As a result around 17% of amla sapling stems are re-sprouts in the study area. As in Ref. [44], fire and grazing in BRT could be the drivers of the high proportion of re-sprout as part of the demography.
The study result shows that vegetation diversity decreased with increase in fuelwood collection (in tree class), livestock grazing and invasive species (in non-tree class). Subsequently it will severely affect not only the plant community structure and regeneration [45, 46] but also habitat quality of the landscape [24], genetic structure of NTFPs at population level [47] and increment of woody vegetation [48]. Lantana camara is affecting native vegetation mainly of herbaceous class and shrub species, and is responsible for significant reduction in species richness and diversity [49]. As in Ref. [50] the study result from BRT forest showed that Lantana camara is the major driver impacting the demographic pattern of species such as P. emblica and P. indofischeri. This could be due to poor survival of light demanding seedlings of native tropical dry forest species under the conditions of high Lantana camara abundance and shade [51]. If the present scenario continues for a long period of time, it will gradually reduce forest regeneration rates and thus lead to impaired sustainability of the corridors [49, 52, 53].
Globally, conceptual models for restoration of biodiversity have highlighted the importance of regional plant source pool and framework species in restoration [54, 55, 56]. Regional plant species are more important for eco-restoration, because the type of forest occurring naturally in a place is the result of climatic, edaphic, topographic, and biotic factors of the locality [22, 23].
Out of 92 tree species, 10 species contribute 52% of the total IVI of the corridor landscape. Among the 10 species Anogeissus latifolia, Canthium travancoricum, Erythroxylon monogynum and Ixora arborea are the top five species which have been exploited for fuelwood. People prefer these trees as firewood due to their calorific value, ease of carrying as headload, and frequency of availability. Though species such as Cassia spectabilis and Eucalyptus sp. could form good fuelwood and timber trees respectively they are not collected by people as they are planted by the Forest Department. Some of the other tree species with high IVI in this landscape are not preferred either as fuelwood species or as domestic timber requirements due to multiple reasons. For instance, Chloroxylon swietenia, Acacia chundra, and Strychnos potatorum are tree species with thick/rough bark and are uncomfortable to carry as headload. Similarly Diospyros montana is not harvested for fuelwood because of the belief that doing so could splinter the family by inciting fights between family members. Similarly, people believe that Terminalia bellerica is one of the sacred trees in the landscape and belongs to the god Shani Devaru, (a local deity regarded as an incarnation of Shiva). Hence, we have shortlisted Anogeissus latifolia as a dominant and firewood tree species, and Terminalia crenulata, Dalbergia lanceolaria and Albizia odoratissima as timber tree species for vegetation enrichment. Since Phyllanthus indofischeri and Terminalia bellerica are major NTFP species that serve as a source of livelihood for local people [41] and also form part of the dietary requirement for ungulates during the lean season, people generally do not cut these trees for fuelwood. So, we have shortlisted these two species also for vegetation enrichment. Since honey is a major NTFP in this landscape, people suggested the planting of one nectar yielding tree species for honey bees in the landscape such as Pterocarpus marsupium. In addition to these, Acacia chundra, Hardwickia binata and Bambusa arundinacea were identified and shortlisted as important plant sources of elephant’s food in the landscape [33, 34, 35].
Ten suitable native plant species were identified for vegetation enrichment based on their Important Value Index, ecological importance and recommendation by the community. Our research prioritized similar plant species for restoration such as Anogeissus latifolia (dominant tree and source of firewood), Terminalia crenulata, Dalbergia lanceolaria and Albizia odoratissima (timber trees), Phyllanthus indofischeri and Terminalia bellirica (NTFP trees), Pterocarpus marsupium (nectar source for honey bees), Acacia chundra, Hardwickia binata and Bambusa arundinacea (elephant food plants).
The plant species such as Bambusa aurindinacea, Tectona grandis, Gmelina arborea and Dalbergia sissoo in the corridor landscape may have the capability to propagate through clonal methods. Clonally propagated species (CPS) have the capacity to tolerate adverse conditions and give significantly better growth rates, and better disease resistance with most desirable timber traits [57]. In addition to this, clonal propagation trait not only could persist and maintain species richness but also retain genetic diversity of the species in the forests even after experiencing disturbance in the form of forest fire, grazing, and harvesting pressure from fuelwood collection [58, 59]. Since clonal propagation of dry tropical forest trees influence the tree species composition and demography, we suggested planting CPS, including bamboo along the forest boundary and teak in the farmland of the study area.
Most of the forest landscapes in BRT have been subjected to different kinds of forest management practices such as shifting cultivation, logging, monoculture plantation, etc., both by the indigenous community and the State Forest Department in the past. This makes it more complex when it comes to understanding the structure, composition and successional status of native species [24, 25]. However, in eco-restoration, in order to improve the performance of target species, the “nursing” procedure seems to be promising, and shows enhanced plant survival and growth [18]. Therefore, in the same landscape, two native species, Pterolobium hexapetalum and Dodonaea viscosa were identified. These could play the role of nursing plants as they cover the native shrub and sapling communities extensively in more open forested areas. Being a prickly straggler, Pterolobium hexapetalum is not grazed by cattle and other ungulates. Likewise, Dodonaea viscosa, a bushy plant, is a pioneer species that is not eaten by cattle or other ungulates. Based on our field observations, we believe that these two native plants P. hexapetalum and D. viscosa could play the role of nursing by protecting seedlings from grazing and browsing, and influence the regeneration of tree seedlings and saplings.
In a human-dominated forest landscape like BRT, corridors have been subjected to severe anthropogenic disturbances and poor management. Fuelwood collection and livestock grazing coupled with invasive species Lantana camara have affected the vegetation dynamics of the corridor landscape. This will indirectly affect not only the dependent animal community but also the livelihoods of local people at some point in the same landscape. Our study has provided base line information on composition and size of the regional plant species pool, and also selected 10 native plant species for vegetation enrichment as part of eco-restoration in the corridor. Active and large scale Lantana camara removal coupled with enrichment planting activity needs to be initiated in and around the corridors to improve the habitat quality of the corridor landscape. Exploring the possibilities of using native shrub plants such as Pterolobium hexapetalum and Dodonaea viscosa as nursing plants to promote the survival rate of saplings of tree species could be one of the strategies. Convergence in the form of collaboration with local community, local institutions, local stakeholders, civil society, government and non-government research organizations is essential for improved protection and sustainable management of these important corridors. Such collaboration may help to increase the likelihood of persistence of animal populations by providing functional connectivity between the fragments. In fact the local community showed interest in establishing decentralized nurseries in the landscape to raise the selected plant species on incentive basis in collaboration with the Forest Department and the Village Panchayat. At a time of unprecedent habitat destruction, this could promote not only local participation and co-management of the wildlife corridor in a human-dominated forest landscape but also contribute toward ‘UN-REDD Programme Strategic Framework’ which is aiming to enhance carbon stocks in degraded forests [60].
We acknowledge financial support received from USAID India (AID-386 A-14-00011) and research permission from the Karnataka State Forest Department to carry out field work.
Sl. no. | Botanical name | Family | Relative density | Relative frequency | Relative basal area | IVI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chloroxylon swietenia | Rutaceae | 17.21 | 6.13 | 9.55 | 32.89 |
2 | Anogeissus latifolia | Combretaceae | 13.08 | 5.63 | 12.01 | 30.72 |
3 | Erythroxylon monogynum | Erythroxylaceae | 14.58 | 6.26 | 7.93 | 28.76 |
4 | Acacia chundra | Mimosaceae | 4.86 | 4.38 | 2.65 | 11.89 |
5 | Dalbergia lanceolaria | Fabaceae | 2.74 | 3.63 | 5.11 | 11.48 |
6 | Strychnos potatorum | Strychnaceae | 4.02 | 3.38 | 3.17 | 10.57 |
7 | Naringi crenulata | Rutaceae | 3.22 | 3.13 | 2.23 | 8.57 |
8 | Diospyros montana | Ebenaceae | 2.45 | 4.13 | 1.77 | 8.35 |
9 | Ixora arborea | Rubiaceae | 2.67 | 3.75 | 1.32 | 7.74 |
10 | Canthium travancoricum | Rubiaceae | 2.92 | 3.00 | 1.78 | 7.70 |
11 | Randia dumetorum | Rubiaceae | 2.52 | 3.25 | 0.91 | 6.69 |
12 | Dalbergia latifolia | Fabaceae | 0.47 | 0.75 | 5.25 | 6.47 |
13 | Atlantia monophylla | Rutaceae | 2.67 | 2.63 | 0.92 | 6.21 |
14 | Acacia leucophlea | Mimosaceae | 0.62 | 0.63 | 4.35 | 5.60 |
15 | Lantana camara | Verbenaceae | 0.66 | 2.25 | 2.39 | 5.30 |
16 | Diospyros melanoxylon | Ebenaceae | 1.57 | 2.63 | 0.50 | 4.70 |
17 | Ziziphus oenoplia | Rhamnaceae | 1.94 | 2.38 | 0.38 | 4.70 |
18 | Prosopis cineraria | Fabaceae | 0.44 | 1.00 | 2.64 | 4.08 |
19 | Albizia amara | Fabaceae | 0.69 | 1.50 | 1.84 | 4.04 |
20 | Stereospermum personatum | Bignoniaceae | 0.55 | 1.50 | 1.42 | 3.47 |
21 | Cassine glauca | Celastraceae | 1.06 | 1.63 | 0.71 | 3.39 |
22 | Cassia fistula | Caesalpinaceae | 0.91 | 2.13 | 0.31 | 3.36 |
23 | Premna tometosa | Verbenaceae | 0.69 | 1.63 | 0.97 | 3.30 |
24 | Phyllanthus indofischeri | Euphorbiaceae | 0.69 | 1.63 | 0.95 | 3.28 |
25 | Bambusa arundinacea | Poaceae | 1.24 | 0.63 | 1.33 | 3.20 |
26 | Grewia tiliifolia | Tiliaceae | 0.99 | 1.75 | 0.39 | 3.12 |
27 | Ferronia elephantum | Rutaceae | 0.44 | 1.25 | 1.24 | 2.93 |
28 | Bauhinia purpurea | Fabaceae | 0.15 | 0.25 | 2.51 | 2.91 |
29 | Albizia odoratissima | Fabaceae | 0.15 | 0.50 | 2.21 | 2.86 |
30 | Vitex altissima | Verbenaceae | 0.55 | 1.38 | 0.88 | 2.80 |
31 | Diospyros sp. | Ebenaceae | 0.11 | 0.25 | 2.20 | 2.56 |
32 | Morinda tinctoria | Rubiaceae | 0.62 | 1.13 | 0.78 | 2.53 |
33 | Canthium parviflorum | Rubiaceae | 0.80 | 1.50 | 0.21 | 2.51 |
34 | Maytenus emarginata | Celastraceae | 0.80 | 1.38 | 0.29 | 2.47 |
35 | Ziziphus xylopyrus | Rhamnaceae | 0.84 | 1.25 | 0.36 | 2.45 |
36 | Dolichandrone falcata | Bignoniaceae | 1.06 | 0.88 | 0.15 | 2.08 |
37 | Gmelina arborea | Verbenaceae | 0.15 | 0.50 | 1.13 | 1.78 |
38 | Aglaia odoratissima | Meliaceae | 0.37 | 0.88 | 0.45 | 1.69 |
39 | Dodonaea viscosa | Sapindaceae | 0.69 | 0.88 | 0.10 | 1.67 |
40 | Commiphora caudata | Burseraceae | 0.26 | 0.63 | 0.77 | 1.65 |
41 | Hardwickia binata | Caesalpinaceae | 0.29 | 1.00 | 0.24 | 1.54 |
42 | Pterocarpus marsupium | Fabaceae | 0.18 | 0.63 | 0.70 | 1.51 |
43 | Schleichera oleosa | Sapindaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 1.30 | 1.47 |
44 | Unid2 | Unid | 0.07 | 0.25 | 1.12 | 1.45 |
45 | Garuga pinnata | Meliaceae | 0.11 | 0.25 | 1.06 | 1.42 |
46 | Terminalia paniculata | Combretaceae | 0.33 | 0.63 | 0.42 | 1.37 |
47 | Celtis tetrandra | Ulmaceae | 0.11 | 0.25 | 0.99 | 1.35 |
48 | Haldina cordifolia | Rubiaceae | 0.11 | 0.38 | 0.81 | 1.30 |
49 | Acacia sinuata | Mimosaceae | 0.77 | 0.38 | 0.12 | 1.26 |
50 | Flacourtia montana | Flacourtiaceae | 0.22 | 0.25 | 0.63 | 1.10 |
51 | Terminalia bellirica | Combretaceae | 0.07 | 0.25 | 0.71 | 1.03 |
52 | Ficus sp. | Moraceae | 0.22 | 0.25 | 0.55 | 1.02 |
53 | Terminalia chebula | Combretaceae | 0.26 | 0.63 | 0.10 | 0.99 |
54 | Gmelina asiatica | Verbenaceae | 0.29 | 0.63 | 0.06 | 0.97 |
55 | Boswellia serrata | Burseraceae | 0.29 | 0.38 | 0.27 | 0.94 |
56 | Pterolobium hexapetalum | Caesalpinaceae | 0.26 | 0.63 | 0.05 | 0.93 |
57 | Caralluma umbellata | Asclepiadaceae | 0.37 | 0.38 | 0.18 | 0.92 |
58 | Azadirachta india | Meliaceae | 0.22 | 0.50 | 0.13 | 0.85 |
59 | Capparis seperaria | Capparaceae | 0.18 | 0.50 | 0.15 | 0.84 |
60 | Acacia nilotica | Fabaceae | 0.18 | 0.13 | 0.53 | 0.84 |
61 | Ziziphus jujuba | Rhamnaceae | 0.18 | 0.25 | 0.36 | 0.79 |
62 | Cadaba fruticosa | Capparaceae | 0.11 | 0.38 | 0.28 | 0.76 |
63 | Santalum album | Santalaceae | 0.22 | 0.50 | 0.03 | 0.75 |
64 | Spondias pinnata | Anacardiaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.59 | 0.75 |
65 | Holarrhena antidycenterica | Apocynaceae | 0.15 | 0.50 | 0.06 | 0.71 |
66 | Butea monosperma | Fabaceae | 0.11 | 0.38 | 0.21 | 0.70 |
67 | Pongamia pinnata | Fabaceae | 0.11 | 0.25 | 0.31 | 0.67 |
68 | Acacia sp. | Mimosaceae | 0.07 | 0.25 | 0.34 | 0.66 |
69 | Dendrocalamas sp. | Poaceae | 0.26 | 0.38 | 0.03 | 0.66 |
70 | Flacourtia indica | Flacourtiaceae | 0.22 | 0.38 | 0.03 | 0.63 |
71 | Gardenia gammifera | Rubiaceae | 0.11 | 0.38 | 0.12 | 0.60 |
72 | Anacardium occidentale | Anacardiaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.42 | 0.58 |
73 | Strychnos sp. | Strychnaceae | 0.26 | 0.25 | 0.07 | 0.58 |
74 | Cleistanthus sp. | Phyllanthaceae | 0.11 | 0.38 | 0.08 | 0.57 |
75 | Wrightia tinctoria | Apocynaceae | 0.11 | 0.38 | 0.07 | 0.55 |
76 | Bridelia retusa | Euphorbiaceae | 0.11 | 0.38 | 0.06 | 0.55 |
77 | Terminalia crenulata | Combretaceae | 0.07 | 0.13 | 0.22 | 0.41 |
78 | Memecylon umbellatum | Melastomataceae | 0.15 | 0.25 | 0.01 | 0.41 |
79 | Bombax cieba | Bombacaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.19 | 0.35 |
80 | Tamarindus indiaca | Fabaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.18 | 0.34 |
81 | Carissa carandas | Apocynaceae | 0.07 | 0.25 | 0.02 | 0.34 |
82 | Celastrus paniculata | Celastraceae | 0.07 | 0.25 | 0.01 | 0.33 |
83 | Unid3 | Unid | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.03 | 0.20 |
84 | Erythrina variegata | Fabaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.03 | 0.19 |
85 | Unid1 | Unid | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.01 | 0.18 |
86 | Mallotus philippensis | Euphorbiaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.01 | 0.18 |
87 | Lagerstromia parviflora | Lythraceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.01 | 0.17 |
88 | Grewia asiatica | Tiliaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.01 | 0.17 |
89 | Pyrenacantha volubilus | Icacinaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.01 | 0.17 |
90 | Chionanthus malabaricus | Olacaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.00 | 0.17 |
91 | Cocculus sp. | Menispermaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.00 | 0.17 |
92 | Syzygium cuminii | Myrtaceae | 0.04 | 0.13 | 0.00 | 0.16 |
100 | 100 | 100 | 300 |
Sl. no. | Botanical name | Family | Relative density | Relative frequency | IVI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Lantana camara | Verbenaceae | 51.60 | 13.00 | 64.60 |
2 | Pterolobium hexapetalum | Caesalpinaceae | 5.87 | 7.33 | 13.20 |
3 | Dodonia viscosa | Sapindaceae | 6.58 | 5.33 | 11.92 |
4 | Randia dumetorum | Rubiaceae | 3.90 | 5.78 | 9.68 |
5 | Chloroxylon swietenia | Rutaceae | 3.09 | 6.44 | 9.54 |
6 | Erythroxylon monogynum | Erythroxylaceae | 2.07 | 5.56 | 7.63 |
7 | Ziziphus oenoplia | Rhamnaceae | 2.18 | 5.33 | 7.52 |
8 | Fluggea leucopyrus | Phyllanthaceae | 1.77 | 4.11 | 5.88 |
9 | Eupatorium odoratum | Asteraceae | 4.20 | 1.44 | 5.65 |
10 | Dolichandrone falcata | Bignoniaceae | 2.36 | 3.11 | 5.47 |
11 | Pavetta indica | Rubiaceae | 2.33 | 2.78 | 5.10 |
12 | Toddalia asiatica | Rutaceae | 1.36 | 3.00 | 4.36 |
13 | Atlantia monophylla | Rutaceae | 1.29 | 2.33 | 3.62 |
14 | Acacia sinuata | Mimosaceae | 1.32 | 2.22 | 3.55 |
15 | Naringi crenulata | Rutaceae | 1.32 | 2.11 | 3.43 |
16 | Diospyros montana | Ebenaceae | 0.59 | 2.67 | 3.26 |
17 | Canthium travancoricum | Rubiaceae | 0.73 | 2.00 | 2.73 |
18 | Anogeissus latifolia | Combretaceae | 0.70 | 1.56 | 2.25 |
19 | Bambusa arundinacea | Poaceae | 0.45 | 1.33 | 1.78 |
20 | Ixora arborea | Rubiaceae | 0.45 | 1.22 | 1.67 |
21 | Flacourtia montana | Flacourtiaceae | 0.50 | 1.11 | 1.61 |
22 | Acacia chundra | Mimosaceae | 0.36 | 1.22 | 1.58 |
23 | Strychnos potatorum | Strychnaceae | 0.39 | 1.11 | 1.50 |
24 | Cassia fistula | Caesalpinaceae | 0.25 | 1.22 | 1.47 |
25 | Albizia amara | Fabaceae | 0.27 | 1.11 | 1.38 |
26 | Grewia tiliifolia | Tiliaceae | 0.23 | 1.00 | 1.23 |
27 | Santalum album | Santalaceae | 0.21 | 0.89 | 1.10 |
28 | Capparis seperaria | Capparaceae | 0.25 | 0.78 | 1.03 |
29 | Wrightia tinctoria | Apocynaceae | 0.20 | 0.78 | 0.97 |
30 | Grewia asiatica | Tiliaceae | 0.25 | 0.67 | 0.92 |
31 | Canthium parviflorum | Rubiaceae | 0.23 | 0.67 | 0.90 |
32 | Diospyros melanoxylon | Ebenaceae | 0.16 | 0.67 | 0.83 |
33 | Jasminum roxberghianum | Oleaceae | 0.23 | 0.44 | 0.68 |
34 | Cipadessa baccifera | Meliaceae | 0.20 | 0.44 | 0.64 |
35 | Maytenus emarginata | Celastraceae | 0.13 | 0.44 | 0.57 |
36 | Dalbergia lanceolaria | Fabaceae | 0.09 | 0.44 | 0.53 |
37 | Argyreia cuneata | Convolvulaceae | 0.07 | 0.44 | 0.52 |
38 | Memecylon umbellatum | Melastomataceae | 0.14 | 0.33 | 0.48 |
39 | Flacourtia indica | Flacourtiaceae | 0.13 | 0.33 | 0.46 |
40 | Ferronia elephantum | Rutaceae | 0.07 | 0.33 | 0.40 |
41 | Acacia leucophlea | Mimosaceae | 0.05 | 0.33 | 0.39 |
42 | Carissa carandas | Apocynaceae | 0.05 | 0.33 | 0.39 |
43 | Diospyros sp. | Ebenaceae | 0.05 | 0.33 | 0.39 |
44 | Premna tometosa | Verbenaceae | 0.05 | 0.33 | 0.39 |
45 | Stereospermum personatum | Bignoniaceae | 0.05 | 0.33 | 0.39 |
46 | Solanum torvum | Solanaceae | 0.09 | 0.22 | 0.31 |
47 | Azadirachta india | Meliaceae | 0.05 | 0.22 | 0.28 |
48 | Caralluma umbellata | Asclepiadaceae | 0.05 | 0.22 | 0.28 |
49 | Cassine glauca | Celastraceae | 0.05 | 0.22 | 0.28 |
50 | Maesa indica | Myrsinaceae | 0.05 | 0.22 | 0.28 |
51 | Prosopis cineraria | Fabaceae | 0.05 | 0.22 | 0.28 |
52 | Albizia odoratissima | Fabaceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
53 | Celastrus paniculata | Celastraceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
54 | Cycas sp. | Cycadaceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
55 | Gardenia gammifera | Rubiaceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
56 | Holarrhena antidycenterica | Apocynaceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
57 | Jasminum sp. | Oleaceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
58 | Opuntia elatior | Cactaceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
59 | Phyllanthus emblica | Euphorbiaceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
60 | Senna auriculata | Fabaceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
61 | Tectona grandis | Verbenaceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
62 | Vitex altissima | Verbenaceae | 0.04 | 0.22 | 0.26 |
63 | Barleria sp. | Acanthaceae | 0.14 | 0.11 | 0.25 |
64 | Phoenix loureirii | Arecaceae | 0.11 | 0.11 | 0.22 |
65 | Aglaia odoratissima | Meliaceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
66 | Cocculus sp. | Menispermaceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
67 | Decalepis hamiltonii | Apocynaceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
68 | Dendrocalamas sp. | Poaceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
69 | Givotia rottlerformis | Euphorbiaceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
70 | Hardwickia binata | Caesalpinaceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
71 | Jasminum angustifolium | Oleaceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
72 | Lagerstromia parviflora | Lythraceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
73 | Pyrenacantha volubilus | Icacinaceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
74 | Ximenia americana | Olacaceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
75 | Ziziphus xylopyrus | Rhamnaceae | 0.02 | 0.11 | 0.13 |
100 | 100 | 200 |
Sl. no. | Botanical name | Family | Relative density | Relative frequency | IVI |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Leucas martinicensis | Lamiaceae | 12.75 | 4.06 | 16.81 |
2 | Oxalis corniculata | Oxalidaceae | 8.41 | 3.99 | 12.40 |
3 | Eupatorium odoratum | Asteraceae | 6.96 | 4.03 | 11.00 |
4 | Lantana camara | Verbenaceae | 5.32 | 5.64 | 10.96 |
5 | Evolvulus alsinoides | Convolvulaceae | 3.15 | 2.52 | 5.68 |
6 | Atylosia sp. | Fabaceae | 2.05 | 2.54 | 4.59 |
7 | Randia dumetorum | Rubiaceae | 1.79 | 2.77 | 4.57 |
8 | Justicia simplex | Acanthaceae | 2.33 | 1.76 | 4.10 |
9 | Crotalaria calycina | Fabaceae | 2.14 | 1.83 | 3.98 |
10 | Ziziphus oenoplia | Rhamnaceae | 1.40 | 2.36 | 3.76 |
11 | Sida acuta | Malvaceae | 2.33 | 1.33 | 3.66 |
12 | Ipomoea sp. | Convolvulaceae | 1.46 | 2.06 | 3.52 |
13 | Phyllanthus amarus | Euphorbiaceae | 1.29 | 2.22 | 3.51 |
14 | Atylosia lineata | Fabaceae | 2.43 | 1.05 | 3.48 |
15 | Urena lobata | Malvaceae | 1.46 | 1.67 | 3.14 |
16 | Anogeissus latifolia | Combretaceae | 0.84 | 2.18 | 3.02 |
17 | Desmodiastrum racemosum | Fabaceae | 1.30 | 1.54 | 2.84 |
18 | Jasmium angustifolium | Oleaceae | 1.17 | 1.49 | 2.66 |
19 | Barleria prionitis | Acanthaceae | 1.39 | 1.24 | 2.63 |
20 | Fluggea leucopyrus | Phyllanthaceae | 0.75 | 1.83 | 2.59 |
21 | Pterolobium hexapetalum | Caesalpinaceae | 0.81 | 1.72 | 2.53 |
22 | Cynotis arachnoidea | Commelinaceae | 1.15 | 1.31 | 2.46 |
23 | Triumfetta rhomboidea | Tiliaceae | 1.27 | 1.08 | 2.35 |
24 | Achyranthes aspera | Verbenaceae | 1.23 | 1.08 | 2.30 |
25 | Curculigo orchioides | Hypoxidaceae | 0.76 | 1.49 | 2.25 |
26 | Grewia asiatica | Tiliaceae | 0.74 | 1.44 | 2.18 |
27 | Jasminum roxberghianum | Oleaceae | 0.93 | 1.17 | 2.10 |
28 | Acacia chundra | Mimosaceae | 0.61 | 1.47 | 2.08 |
29 | Rhynchosia viscosa | Fabaceae | 1.15 | 0.92 | 2.07 |
30 | Euphorbia hirta | Euphorbiaceae | 1.02 | 0.96 | 1.98 |
31 | Ocimum americanum | Lamiaceae | 0.96 | 0.96 | 1.93 |
32 | Hemedesmus indicus | Apocynaceae | 0.80 | 1.10 | 1.90 |
33 | Gymnema sylvestre | Asclepiadaceae | 0.97 | 0.87 | 1.84 |
34 | Leucas aspera | Lamiaceae | 1.21 | 0.60 | 1.80 |
35 | Dolichandrone falcata | Bignoniaceae | 0.69 | 1.08 | 1.77 |
36 | Dodonia viscosa | Sapindaceae | 0.56 | 1.19 | 1.75 |
37 | Anaphalis subdecurrense | Asteraceae | 0.58 | 1.10 | 1.68 |
38 | Scilla sp. | Asparagaceae | 0.60 | 1.08 | 1.68 |
39 | Galactia tenuiflora | Fabaceae | 0.86 | 0.80 | 1.66 |
40 | Chloroxylon swietenia | Rutaceae | 0.57 | 1.01 | 1.58 |
41 | Senna auriculata | Fabaceae | 0.79 | 0.71 | 1.50 |
42 | Abutilon sp. | Malvaceae | 0.74 | 0.76 | 1.49 |
43 | Diospyros montana | Ebenaceae | 0.43 | 1.03 | 1.46 |
44 | Indigofera sp. | Fabaceae | 0.99 | 0.46 | 1.45 |
45 | Acacia sinuata | Mimosaceae | 0.61 | 0.83 | 1.43 |
46 | Senna occidenatlis | Fabaceae | 0.75 | 0.66 | 1.41 |
47 | Orthosiphon rubicundus | Lamiaceae | 0.59 | 0.78 | 1.37 |
48 | Toddalia asiatica | Rutaceae | 0.41 | 0.94 | 1.35 |
49 | Ixora arborea | Rubiaceae | 0.41 | 0.94 | 1.35 |
50 | Crepis sp. | Asteraceae | 0.94 | 0.25 | 1.19 |
51 | Barleria buxifolia | Acanthaceae | 0.37 | 0.73 | 1.10 |
52 | Stachytarpheta india | Verbenaceae | 0.60 | 0.50 | 1.10 |
53 | Asparagas gonocladus | Asparagaceae | 0.27 | 0.78 | 1.05 |
54 | Stenosiphonium russelianium | Acanthaceae | 0.51 | 0.53 | 1.03 |
55 | Bidens sp. | Asteraceae | 0.43 | 0.60 | 1.03 |
56 | Cissampelos pareira | Menispermaceae | 0.34 | 0.66 | 1.00 |
57 | Ageratum conyzoides | Asteraceae | 0.71 | 0.25 | 0.96 |
58 | Cynotis sp. | Commelinaceae | 0.57 | 0.39 | 0.96 |
59 | Erythroxylon monogynum | Erythroxylaceae | 0.24 | 0.66 | 0.90 |
60 | Prosopis cineraria | Fabaceae | 0.31 | 0.55 | 0.86 |
61 | Pavetta indica | Rubiaceae | 0.25 | 0.60 | 0.84 |
62 | Andrographis serpyllifolia | Acanthaceae | 0.35 | 0.46 | 0.80 |
63 | Atlantia monophylla | Rutaceae | 0.29 | 0.50 | 0.79 |
64 | Dalbergia lanceolaria | Fabaceae | 0.27 | 0.50 | 0.78 |
65 | Hyptis suaveolens | Lamiaceae | 0.51 | 0.25 | 0.76 |
66 | Mimosa pudica | Mimosaceae | 0.41 | 0.34 | 0.76 |
67 | Sida rhombifolia | Malvaceae | 0.31 | 0.41 | 0.72 |
68 | Dalbergia latifolia | Fabaceae | 0.24 | 0.48 | 0.72 |
69 | Maytenus emarginata | Celastraceae | 0.26 | 0.46 | 0.72 |
70 | Senna sp. | Fabaceae | 0.39 | 0.25 | 0.64 |
71 | Pteridium sp. | Dennstaedtiaceae | 0.56 | 0.07 | 0.63 |
72 | Albizia amara | Fabaceae | 0.16 | 0.46 | 0.62 |
73 | Bidens barbidens | Asteraceae | 0.27 | 0.30 | 0.57 |
74 | Indigofera tinctoria | Fabaceae | 0.19 | 0.37 | 0.56 |
75 | Parthenium hysterophorus | Asteraceae | 0.22 | 0.30 | 0.52 |
76 | Canthium parviflorum | Rubiaceae | 0.15 | 0.34 | 0.50 |
77 | Artemisia pallens | Asteraceae | 0.26 | 0.23 | 0.49 |
78 | Albizia odoratissima | Fabaceae | 0.15 | 0.30 | 0.45 |
79 | Croton sp. | Euphorbiaceae | 0.10 | 0.34 | 0.44 |
80 | Leucas sp. | Lamiaceae | 0.23 | 0.21 | 0.44 |
81 | Cipadessa baccifera | Meliaceae | 0.18 | 0.25 | 0.43 |
82 | Eradale gida* | Fabaceae | 0.24 | 0.18 | 0.43 |
83 | Mimosa sp. | Mimosaceae | 0.20 | 0.23 | 0.43 |
84 | Naringi crenulata | Rutaceae | 0.10 | 0.32 | 0.42 |
85 | Strobilanthes callosa | Acanthaceae | 0.27 | 0.11 | 0.39 |
86 | Malva sp. | Malvaceae | 0.20 | 0.18 | 0.38 |
87 | Phyllanthus indofischeri | Euphorbiaceae | 0.12 | 0.25 | 0.38 |
88 | Solanum torvum | Solanaceae | 0.14 | 0.21 | 0.35 |
89 | Theriophonum sp. | Araceae | 0.15 | 0.18 | 0.33 |
90 | Cocculus sp. | Menispermaceae | 0.10 | 0.23 | 0.33 |
91 | Azima tetracantha | Salvadoraceae | 0.07 | 0.23 | 0.30 |
92 | Strychnos potatorum | Strychnaceae | 0.09 | 0.21 | 0.30 |
93 | Ocimum sp. | Lamiaceae | 0.25 | 0.05 | 0.30 |
94 | Stylosanthus sp. | Fabaceae | 0.11 | 0.18 | 0.29 |
95 | Pogostemon sp. | Lamiaceae | 0.08 | 0.21 | 0.29 |
96 | Abutilon hirtum | Malvaceae | 0.15 | 0.14 | 0.29 |
97 | Strychnos sp. | Strychnaceae | 0.06 | 0.23 | 0.29 |
98 | Cynanchum tunicatum | Asclepiadaceae | 0.08 | 0.21 | 0.28 |
99 | Jasminum sp. | Oleaceae | 0.13 | 0.14 | 0.27 |
100 | Pyrenacantha volubilus | Icacinaceae | 0.12 | 0.14 | 0.26 |
101 | Crotalaria sp. | Fabaceae | 0.11 | 0.14 | 0.25 |
102 | Ziziphus xylopyrus | Rhamnaceae | 0.06 | 0.18 | 0.25 |
103 | Santalum album | Santalaceae | 0.09 | 0.14 | 0.23 |
104 | Flacourtia montana | Flacourtiaceae | 0.07 | 0.16 | 0.23 |
105 | Lantana indica | Verbenaceae | 0.06 | 0.16 | 0.22 |
106 | Diospyros melanoxylon | Ebenaceae | 0.06 | 0.16 | 0.22 |
107 | Sida sp. | Malvaceae | 0.09 | 0.11 | 0.20 |
108 | Ferronia yesphantum | Rutaceae | 0.06 | 0.14 | 0.19 |
109 | Dioscorea oppositifolia | Dioscoreaceae | 0.05 | 0.14 | 0.19 |
110 | Sansevieria trifasciata | Asparagaceae | 0.07 | 0.11 | 0.19 |
111 | Ceropegia sp. | Apocynaceae | 0.06 | 0.11 | 0.17 |
112 | Thotti* | Unidentified | 0.08 | 0.09 | 0.17 |
113 | Helicteres isora | Malvaceae | 0.04 | 0.11 | 0.15 |
114 | Pterocarpus marsupium | Fabaceae | 0.04 | 0.11 | 0.15 |
115 | Plectranthus amboinicus | Lamiaceae | 0.10 | 0.05 | 0.15 |
116 | Barleria sp. | Acanthaceae | 0.06 | 0.09 | 0.15 |
117 | Hardwickia binata | Fabaceae | 0.03 | 0.11 | 0.15 |
118 | Maesa indica | Myrsinaceae | 0.05 | 0.09 | 0.14 |
119 | Asaparagus racemosus | Asparagaceae | 0.03 | 0.11 | 0.14 |
120 | Mallotus philippensis | Euphorbiaceae | 0.03 | 0.11 | 0.14 |
121 | Stereospermum personatum | Bignoniaceae | 0.03 | 0.11 | 0.14 |
122 | Rauvolfia serpentina | Apocynaceae | 0.09 | 0.05 | 0.14 |
123 | Bambusa arundinacea | Poaceae | 0.05 | 0.09 | 0.14 |
124 | Ocimum tenuiflorum | Lamiaceae | 0.05 | 0.09 | 0.14 |
125 | Schleichera oleosa | Sapindaceae | 0.04 | 0.09 | 0.13 |
126 | Nela bhuthale* | Unidentified | 0.08 | 0.05 | 0.13 |
127 | Cryptolepis buchnani | Asclepiadaceae | 0.04 | 0.09 | 0.13 |
128 | Memecylon umbellatum | Melastomataceae | 0.03 | 0.09 | 0.12 |
129 | Nicandra physalodes | Solanaceae | 0.05 | 0.07 | 0.12 |
130 | Padavara baale* | Unidentified | 0.03 | 0.09 | 0.12 |
131 | Cassia fistula | Caesalpinaceae | 0.02 | 0.09 | 0.11 |
132 | Wrightia tinctoria | Apocynaceae | 0.02 | 0.09 | 0.11 |
133 | Celastrus paniculata | Celastraceae | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.10 |
134 | Canthium travancoricum | Rubiaceae | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.09 |
135 | Diospyros sp. | Ebenaceae | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.09 |
136 | Argyreia cuneata | Convolvulaceae | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.08 |
137 | Breynia retusa | Euphorbiaceae | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.08 |
138 | Dioscorea sp. | Dioscoreaceae | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.08 |
139 | Flacourtia indica | Flacourtiaceae | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.08 |
140 | Gardenia gammifera | Rubiaceae | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.08 |
141 | Actiniopteris radiata | Pteridaceae | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.07 |
142 | Tephrosia sp. | Fabaceae | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.07 |
143 | Vitex altissima | Verbenaceae | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.07 |
144 | Caralluma umbellata | Asclepiadaceae | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.07 |
145 | Cleistanthus sp. | Phyllanthaceae | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
146 | Coccinia grandis | Cucurbitaceae | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
147 | Elaeagnus conferta | Elaeagnaceae | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
148 | Holarrhena antidycenterica | Apocynaceae | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
149 | Phyllanthus virgatus | Euphorbiaceae | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
150 | Acacia sp. | Mimosaceae | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
151 | Argyreia cymosa | Convolvulaceae | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
152 | Azadirachta india | Meliaceae | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
153 | Millettia racemosa | Fabaceae | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
154 | Odavara* | Unidentified | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
155 | Terminalia bellirica | Combretaceae | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
156 | Terminalia crenulata | Combretaceae | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.06 |
157 | Nada kappali* | Unidentified | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.05 |
158 | Carissa carandas | apocynaceae | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.04 |
159 | Celtis tetrandra | Ulmaceae | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.04 |
160 | Gmelina arborea | Verbenaceae | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.04 |
161 | Acanthus sp. | Acanthaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
162 | Arda chandra* | Unidentified | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
163 | Eucalyptus globulus | Myrtaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
164 | Physalis minima | Solanaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
165 | Ximenia americana | Olacaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
166 | Antu huruligida* | Unidentified | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
167 | Antu pulle* | Unidentified | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
168 | Bombax cieba | Bombacaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
169 | Canthium sp. | Rubiaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
170 | Casearia tomentosa | Salicaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
171 | Cassine glauca | Celastraceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
172 | Dendrocalamas sp. | Poaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
173 | Gloriosa superba | Colchicaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
174 | Hambu bhuthale* | Unidentified | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
175 | Hittina kudi* | Unidentified | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
176 | Huriyana hambu* | Unidentified | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
177 | Lamium sp. | Lamiaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
178 | Maathadakana hambu* | Unidentified | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
179 | Morinda tinctoria | Rubiaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
180 | Nela gorava* | Unidentified | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
181 | Premna tometosa | Verbenaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
182 | Sanna javana* | Lamiaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
183 | Syzygium cuminii | Myrtaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
184 | Tectona grandis | Verbenaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
185 | Ziziphus jujuba | Rhamnaceae | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.03 |
100 | 100 | 200 |
Note: The botanical names of the * marked plant species were unidentified, instead the Soliga vernacular names were given.
Robots have long been a dream of humans as helpers. We started from the vision of a robot helper at home. While there may be a large literature and demand for robot to help all people in particular with household chores, too many of the chores are not yet possible to technically realise. Hence, we rather considered present robot technical capabilities and started to envision the role of a home robot enabling older people to feel safe and stay longer in their homes. The result of two iterations of user-centred design is the Hobbit robot. \nFigure 1\n shows the robot and lists its main components, which will be introduced in more detail later.
\nThe service robot Hobbit designed to help older adults stay longer independent at home. Its primary functionality is coping with emergency situations, grasping objects from the floor or transporting objects to avoid falls and is a good collection of entertainment and physical and cognitive fitness functions.
The rationale behind this selection of feeling safe at home is that when an older adult falls it is necessary to transfer to a care facility. Since this is the primary cause for these transitions, any measure to increase the perceived safety at home will aid to improve the situation for the users. Consequently, we introduce a mobile robotic solution that sets out to discover falls. It does so in a proactive way to avoid falls in the first place. The concept has been developed together with professional care personnel. The result is the robot Hobbit. It provides a set of functionalities to the older adults. It uses multimodal interface based on speech, gestures and touch-screen for realising easy-to-use human-robot interaction (HRI).
\nToday, there are several service robot solutions targeting the application of an extended video phone. However, these do not include an arm to actively interact with objects in the user home. The highest developed robot with similar capability as Hobbit is Care-O-bot. It has been tested in many trials in care facilities for studying user interaction, for example, for bringing water or other assistive operations in care facilities [1]. However, this robot is too large to operate at homes; it would hardly fit through doors. Many of the remaining mobile service robots, for example, Giraff, are not able to autonomously navigate and need to be operated remotely.
\nThe main novelty was to bring a service robot into user homes that can do more than a video phone on wheels that is operated by a remote user including the navigational capacity. The designed Hobbit robot provided to the user the following functions:
Maintaining the user’s self-efficacy is addressed with exercising cognitive and physical skills (social connectedness and fitness functions).
Increasing the perceived user safety is addressed by managing a safe home including functions such as emergency detection, grasping from the floor, transporting objects, patrolling to check for the user and calling the robot.
Positive affect towards the robot is addressed using entertainment functions. This also increases the user’s well-being.
A unique setting of the Hobbit study was that users were free to select any of the functions at any time.
\nIn this contribution we report the findings of the user experiences with the Hobbit robot. The trials involved 18 users in 3 different countries spanning from the north to the south of Europe: Sweden, Austria and Greece. Since the users wdid not have any given schedules or scripts, they were free to use the robot as they wanted. The idea was to set the robot free to better find out what the users would really want from the robot rather than presenting the users with a fixed script or setting as in previous studies.
\nThe chapter proceeds as follows. After a review of related service robots for elder care, we present results of a study on what the robot should be able to do in a safe home scenario (Section 3). Section 4 presents the robot and its components and Section 5 presents the results of the user study.
\nService robots for older adults are typically aligned according to their capability to address activities of daily living (ADL) or instrumental ADL (IADL). However, typical functions of ADL/IADL are dressing, food preparation, eating, cleaning and rehabilitation or direct physical exercise activities. All these functions are very difficult to realise, and there are only a few robots in research settings progressing towards one of these functions. Hence, we took another approach to realise a useful robot. Coming from the fundamental need of feeling safe at home, we introduced a series of functions to maintain safety at home and augment this with functions to entertain and motivate the user. The intention is to create a positive effect with these socialising functions.
\nStudies can be compared on where user trials have been conducted. Indeed, very few studies go beyond tests in professional care facilities, and even fewer study longer durations, for example [2] and a recent survey in [3]. In the following we highlight recent developments. Today, many service robot projects further advance one specific functionality. For example, in GrowMeUp (
The EU project EnrichMe (
An aspect that has to be kept in mind is that the generation of adult 70+ users included in the developments here differs from future older users in regard to experience with and acceptance of technology. Currently, literature discusses the so-called digital divide between people over 70 and younger users. This digital divide is shrinking (cf. [4]). This means it can be assumed that future older users will face less difficulty in using, for instance, web browsers and other computer tools than the older generation of today. In fact, Hanson argues that older adults form the fastest-growing group of web users. In other words, future users may be more critical with the interface but less afraid of using new technology.
\nOn the other side, age-related functional limitations affecting interaction with computers and other interactive devices will very likely stay the same for future generations of older users. These include cognitive changes with regard to short-term memory, concentration and also solving of new types of problems, as well as common perceptual impairments (sight and hearing), and finally reduced motor skills. Such perceptual and motor impairments are taken into account for the design of a user-friendly multimodal user interface (MMUI) that is to be evaluated in the user trials (based on experience from other projects with older users, such as KSERA).
\nThe contribution of the work presented here is a robot that acts fully autonomously in the home of the user - the Hobbit robot. As pointed out in this review, up to today robots have rather been remotely operated, or a small number of tasks in the user home have been studied in the user tests. Examples are projects such as Giraff++, SRS and Robot-Era. Some of the coordinators of these projects pointed out that these robots urgently need the capability of autonomously navigating in the user homes. And exactly, this is the capability developed within the Hobbit project, and it will be of good future use when moving towards longer-term tests at home.
\nStudies in service robotics repeatedly reported the requirements humans have to robots. The top are the well-known four Cs for cleaning toilet, bath, kitchen and windows. This need is confirmed even in our user trials. An older lady saw the robot and immediately responded with ‘I do not need this robot, it cannot clean windows’. This clearly indicates that this is a rather large gap between what users in general, not only older adults, would want from a robot and what robots are actually able to do today.
\nConscious of this gap and of what robots can actually perform today and what users would want, one of the motivations for running the Hobbit robot in the user homes was to get a better understanding of what services the robot could actually provide.
\nConsequently, we started from functions and services that a robot could provide to users. In a first study to investigate what older adults (primary users (PUs)) would need at home, we conducted a questionnaire with questions regarding the functionality, safety and operation of a home robot. The user consisted of 113 persons with an average age of 76.2 years. Overall, 69 (61.1%) of this group were female and 43 (38.1%) male. Forty-six (40.7%) of the primary users were single-living, whereas the remainder stated to live with 1 or more persons in the household; 18 people did not answer the question. The majority of interviewees lived in a flat (59.3%), 24.8% in a house, 14.2% in a nursing home. Two persons did not answer the question. Most PUs (62.8%) did not receive any home help service, healthcare service or support from relatives. Only six (5.3%) interviewees were permanently living with relatives or a care service. Asked about the frequency of using a computer, 49 persons (43.4%) stated not to use computers at all and 38 (33.6%) to use computers every day. This balanced amount of ‘computer literacy’ makes for an even sample, since many potential purchasers of Hobbits on the market cannot be expected to have experience with handling computers.
\n\n\nTables 1\n–\n3\n summarise the most important results of the frequency analyses for the questions within the group of primary users (n = 113). Sample size varies for each item, due to varying numbers of answers. Not every participant answered every question. \nTables 1\n–\n3\n depict the above average percentages of ‘agree’ answers to the questions. Most users wanted their robot to be able to search and find things, grasp objects from the floor and from a shelf and also bring objects to them (\nTable 1\n). Other important functions were reminding users of appointments or phone calls and their medication.
\nQuestion | \nValid sample | \nPercentage | \n
---|---|---|
Search and find | \n107 | \n86.9 | \n
Grasp from the floor | \n109 | \n86.2 | \n
Grasp from the shelf | \n105 | \n80.0 | \n
Fetch and bring | \n106 | \n79.2 | \n
Reminder (appointments or phone calls) | \n106 | \n78.3 | \n
Reminder (medication) | \n107 | \n77.6 | \n
Carry objects | \n104 | \n68.3 | \n
Follow | \n104 | \n66.3 | \n
Most wanted functionalities of the service robot.
The majority agreed that they felt safe, if the robot could call for help (see \nTable 2\n). About 61.8% of the valid sample agreed that they wanted their robot to be active at night; this percentage becomes even stronger when those who chose ‘I rather agree’ are also added. The accumulated frequency then reaches 81.8%. Only 8 of 112 PUs (7.1%) stated that they felt frightened by the idea of having a robot at home.
\nQuestion | \nValid sample | \nPercentage | \n
---|---|---|
Safe because of call for help | \n112 | \n85.7 | \n
Active at night | \n110 | \n61.8 | \n
Frightening | \n112 | \n7.10 | \n
Most wanted safety aspects of the service robot.
The idea of having the robot taking care of its own battery level is highly popular (96.4% of 112 answers). On the other hand, users like to stay in control. This is reflected in the high amount of ‘agree’ answers to the statement that the robot can only do what it is told by the user. This topic has to be considered carefully when designing autonomously triggered activities of the Hobbit system (e.g. reminders). Operation of the robot should be preferably speech based. Remote control is in the second place, followed by gestures and touch-screen (see \nTable 3\n).
\nQuestion | \nValid sample | \nPercentage | \n
---|---|---|
Self-charging system | \n112 | \n96.4 | \n
Interaction through speech | \n102 | \n88.2 | \n
Operation by speech | \n96 | \n85.4 | \n
Do what I ask for | \n113 | \n72.6 | \n
Operation by remote control | \n97 | \n68.0 | \n
Move everywhere | \n108 | \n65.7 | \n
Most wanted modes of operating the service robot.
The results presented herein mark a significant step forwards in evaluating robotic systems under real-life conditions [5]. For reasons of completeness, we shortly set the above presented functions in relation to state-of-the-art robots (see also [6]).
\nThe selections of functions that have been implemented on the robot have been extracted from multiple interactions with users, secondary users or relatives and professional caregivers. We conducted first home trials with an autonomous robot with the aim to find out what users want. Here, a lot more work is needed, and recently started projects will expand our understanding. Part of this work was that we conducted two iterations of user studies and collected user requirements [7]. These requirements give a clear picture of what older adults would want at present from a robot helper at home. Conclusions are drawn from workshops with older adults that created a longer list of requirements that have then been ranked in studies and questionnaires and correlated with technical feasibility given the present state of the art in service robotics. We used first user trials and lessons learned to verify the ranked requirements [8].
\nBefore reviewing the robot system concept (Section 4), we summarise the user requirements and relate them to other studies or care robots. The clear requirements formulated within the Hobbit project still hold. The main services that a home robot should provide to aid older adults target the following needs. Note that the items listed below are the convergence of functionalities that can actually be provided by the robot and the results of the questionnaires given in \nTables (1\n–\n3)\n:
Maintain the user’s efficacy level: this includes functions for keeping an active and fulfilled live and includes:
Social connectedness includes telephone and Internet access to alternative ways of communication such as a video call or to access weather, news and other information.
Physical and cognitive fitness includes physical exercises that have been considered on top of the initial description of work. This includes games and playing music or video or radio, a function that has been surprisingly welcome by users to play the favourite radio station.
Increase the perceived safety of the user:
A main aspect is already the physical presence of the robot and its care functions such as seeking the user and user interaction during the patrolling function.
Multimodal interaction capabilities and several ways to trigger an emergency call.
Pick-up of known and unknown objects from the floor which turned out to be an essential aspect. The normal scepticism towards the robot went away after seeing the robot picking up an object from the floor. A clean-up function further extends this capability.
The robot provided an additional safety check with the user, making her/him aware of hazards at home while proposing solutions or options to assist.
Calling the robot for help: the use of call buttons is an effective means to call the robot for any task at any time.
Functions for the user’s well-being: here, we summarise services that are nice to have and will actually assist to accept the platform and keep it in use. In the Hobbit idea, we had drawn out many of these functions as elements to make the user feel good and possibly even create a bonding to the robot such that it is trusted and used and the previous two aspects are reached to an even better degree. Examples of these functions are:
A first personalisation of the robot is executed in the initialisation phase. The users set initial parameters, which could be changed later. Additionally, the robot and basic guidelines for operating it are introduced.
Learning new objects and findings these objects are welcome features for the users and regarded as a great commodity.
An important functionality that extends the functionalities provided in Hobbit is the pick-up from high locations. Grasping objects from places high up that cannot easily be reached will be investigated in EU project RAMCIP, though robot costs are expected to be considerable higher. In Hobbit we regard this functionality as a future module and a possible extension of the basic robot platform.
Entertainment ranges from games over music to surprising the user. All these functions aim at increasing the user acceptance.
Reward functionality is a means to enhance the user binding with the hypothesis to improve the acceptance by the user.
In summary, the Hobbit robot provides a rich repertoire of functions, where several are novel and have been tested with users or at home for the first time.
\nThe main components of the robot have already been depicted in \nFigure 1\n. The robot platform used for the home trials has differential drive kinematics developed by MetraLabs: a floor-parallel depth camera for purposes of navigation, a head mounted 120 cm above the ground to the level of the height of a sitting person, a touch-screen mounted at an angle in front of the torso or the robot and on the right side of the robot a manipulator to pick up objects. The head contains two screens to present the robot’s eyes and an RGBD camera (ASUS Xtion). This configuration is an improvement of the previous Hobbit version and implements the lessons learned in a series of previous user trials (see also for details [9]). The main dimensions have been reduced to follow user requests. The height of the Hobbit robot is now 125 cm, and it has a width of maximum 56 cm at the point where the shoulder of the arm sticks slightly out beyond the robot. Other features will be discussed in Section 5 when discussing the hull or individual features of the upper body and the head.
\nA key element of the development of the Hobbit robot set out to reduce the costs of the hardware costs to a minimum. For example, laser sensors are rather expensive and only operate in one plane. Replacing them with RGBD camera has the advantage that their cost will be lower and they provide full 3D perception. Hence, we can test the feasibility to cope with all the functionality needed at home and with lower price to reach closer to the expected costs of presenting a robot for home robotics. The hardware components sum up to 16,000 Euro. \nFigure 1\n presented the Hobbit robot with its main components. Navigation is autonomous and uses virtual laser scans from RGBD images. The robot operates using a multimodal user interface (MMUI) that comprises a graphical user interface (GUI) with touch-screen, automatic speech recognition (ASR), text to speech (TTS) and gesture recognition interface (GRI). The robot has functions for edutainment (music, radio, audiobooks, pre-installed web radio and services, games and cognitive fitness functions), reminders, video phone service, control of a manipulator, access to an ambient-assisted living (AAL) environment (e.g. call buttons) and emergency call features. The robot’s functionalities included automatic emergency detection (e.g. patrolling and detecting persons lying on the floor), handling emergencies (communication with relatives) and supportive fall prevention measures (transporting small items, picking up objects from the floor, searching for objects the robot had been taught by the user).
\nIn the following we structure the results into the aspects regarding the robot usage (usability, acceptance and affordability) and issues related to the robot hardware, software and development. Before presenting the results, we summarise the design and methods used to evaluate the user trials.
\nThe user trials have been conducted in three countries, and users tested the robot for 3 weeks each. The trials took place in Austria with seven end-users, in Greece with four end-users and in Sweden again with seven end-users. In total, the trials included 18 primary users (PUs) and 16 secondary users (SU). The trials were carried out in the user homes with the robot interacting autonomously for 3 weeks with the user. All trials took place in private homes of single-living senior adults. Each trial with one user lasted 3 weeks. In total, the robot was deployed for 372 days. Assessment by means of qualitative interviews and questionnaires took place at four stages of each trial: pre-trial, midterm, end of trial and posttrial (i.e. 1 week after the trial had ended). Results of the qualitative interviews as well as perceived safety measured by the falls efficacy scale (FES) [10] are reported. Eighteen elderly users participated in this study, and 16 (14 female) were included for statistical analysis (two participants had to be excluded because of missing data). The mean age was 80 years, ranging from 75 to 89 years. Qualitative data were organised using NVivo (QSR International). Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS by means of descriptive statistics and non-parametric methods (Friedman ranking test).
\nWe used a multi-method approach for testing the most important evaluation criteria: (1) usability; (2) acceptance, which includes the mutual care (MuC) concept [11]) and (3) affordability. This testing followed an intricate evaluation procedure with regular updates using the inputs of the reviewers of the project and the first experiences of the pilot user tests [9]. The method mix used contained interviews; questionnaires; cultural probing with the older adults before, during and after the trials; and the continuous logging of all interaction data in the Hobbit robot (see \nFigure 2\n). Qualitative, quantitative, cultural probing and logging data were preprocessed and analysed according to state-of-the-art scientific rules and procedures. Detailed results of the field trials will be reported.
\nOverview of trial procedure and evaluation materials.
As outlined above, results were gained from questionnaires; interviews; cultural probing with the participants before, during and after the trials; and continuous logging of all interaction data in the Hobbit robot. Qualitative, quantitative, cultural probing and logging data were preprocessed and analysed according to state-of-the-art scientific rules and procedures. Detailed results of the field trials will be reported. The most important results of the user trials related to the three main quality criteria were:
Usability: users agreed that Hobbit is easy to use and intuitive to handle. The option to use different input modalities was perceived as very helpful for PUs. There was, however, some lack of functionality, since not all functions worked all the time. This was acceptable for a prototype but obviously needs to be improved.
Acceptance was ambivalent among users. In general the attitude towards the robot was positive and did not change. The emotional attachment weakened over the duration of the trials, mainly due to the technical problems. This also indicates that some of the expectations of the users could not be fulfilled. A more important finding is that the reciprocity was not perceived by the primary users. This indicates that the mutual care approach needs some refinement to become effective.
Affordability: The results of the user trials indicate that the Hobbit robot is with its current price of 16,000 Euro—not yet affordable for the target users. While this is more than a magnitude cheaper than other similar robots, it is too expensive. On the other hand, a robot arm would be cheaper but is not wanted. Only a complete Hobbit robot with a pan/tilt head, a manipulators and functions for pick-up and for learning objects will all be valuable for PUs.
Using the qualitative data of the user trails, we can obtain insights on how the users like the different functions Hobbit provides. The users mostly appreciated the function to pick up objects, where picking up from the floor has rates with the highest value. Other highly welcome functions are detecting potential emergencies (adding to the feeling of perceived safety), the transport of objects, the cognitive and physical fitness functions and to be present to the user reminders. Although the pick-up function sometimes had failures and only worked without any difficulties for 18% in total of 372 days, users still saw the high potential. If this function would be available, users would want it. All in all, speed of operation of the robot system is not as good as it should be. Neither voice commands nor gestures operated to the expectations of the users. Consequently, the touch-screen has been used more often. To conclude, quantitative data shows that the perceived safety for the users, which is obtained using the Falls efficacy scale (FES) measure, did not increase along the user tests (p = 0.265).
\nFinally, the mutual care (MuC) concept, which has been proposed to foster the acceptance and improve the use of robot, has been detected to have rather little consequence. A cause for this unexpected result may be with high probability that the technical functioning of the robot is not yet high enough. Hence, there is considerable work ahead. While the trials indicate a first proof of concept, there needs to be more added reliability of all the robot operations. The good finding is that navigation is autonomous and with a service rate of over 98% was rated as sufficient by users. Hence, we provided a very good start for gaining acceptance by the users. Let us now have a closer look at the next step of technical improvements.
\nA general conclusion is that robots such as Care-O-bot or Giraff are too big to be operated at homes. Users expect to be sitting when interacting with the robot. Consequently, robot height should be about a sitting height of a person. Ideal is about 120 cm. So, Hobbit is still 5 cm too high but comes close to the ideal. Interestingly, the only robot so far at this height is Pepper of SoftBank Robotics.
\nHome robots may first be used in the homes of older adults. In these envinronments many things have been accumulated over the years, hence space is sparse. Ideally, the robot footprint does not exceed a diameter of 40 cm, which is technically difficult to reach including an arm. The shape of the robot may be rectangular; however, to simplify the robot’s navigation capabilities, our findings propose a cylindrical shape. This will make rotating behaviours simpler and allows an easier navigation through doors, which have been found to be as narrow as 60 cm, in particular in Sweden. Finally, a recommendation is to build the robot manipulator within the hull of the robot. It then will not collide with furniture or doors and walls when the robot is rotating or moving in the apartment.
\nA difficulty in many homes is not even floors and thresholds. Thresholds as high as 25 mm were encountered many times. We resolved the issue temporarily with ramps. However, it would be better to devise an efficient solution based on wheels to surpass small thresholds. Additions to the apartment are not always welcome by the users. Some examples of coping with thresholds are shown in \nFigure 3\n.
\nSeveral examples of mats and ramps to make the floor flat enough for a wheeled robot.
The battery duration of the Hobbit turned out to be sufficient. It lasted for about 8 hours of continuous robot uptime. A user will not use the robot this long. Users got tired after about 2 hours and sent the robot to go to the recharge station. Furthermore, for reasons of safety, the robot must always have a battery level of at least 30% to make sure that it can patrol the user home, locate the user and if necessary has enough power to initiate and operate through a full emergency scenario. The present implementation based on voltage was not ideal to reliably report remaining battery status. The battery status was not transparent for the user. Ideally, it should estimate the remaining run time.
\nAnother more practical issue is the docking station. It needs to be small, since there is not much space in the homes of older adults, as stated above. It may contain markers for improving robust docking behaviour, but we simply used a trapezoid shape, which turned out to be sufficient. \nFigure 4\n depicts the docking station.
\nDocking station (black) and the robot wrapped in plastic for temperature tests.
Another practical issue is a way to stop the robot at any time. While we use a hardware on/off button, a practice showed that there should also be a ‘cancel’ hardware button or switch that would allow the user to cancel immediately whatever activity the robot is doing at any given moment. The advantage of this button is also that this could be done remotely so that the user does not have to approach the robot. This will be a simple add-on and put the user in charge of the robot at any time.
\nHobbit was equipped with safety edges (see \nFigure 5\n) at the base plate and the tablet’s base plate. They are electrically interconnected with the main electronics forcing the Hobbit robot to stop when it is colliding with obstacles or humans. In this case the electro-conductive inner sides of the safety edges are pressed together, and the resulting signal leads the main electronic to stop the drive motors.
\nSafety bumper all around the base plate (left, only the front view of the robot is shown) and (right) tablet base bumper (the black rubber band below the tablet).
The main bumper (\nFigure 5\n(left)) is at the floor and also assures that the user cannot get under the robot, e.g. with the foot. However, in a few cases, shelves would protrude just above the bumper. To address this it would be helpful to design a second bumper at 20 cm height so kitchen cupboards with cabinet plinths are not in a risk to be hit. For a commercial product, a low-cost solution for the bumper needs to be determined.
\nAt present the robot has no sensors pointing backwards; only the bumper goes all way around. However, an infrared or sonar sensor such as additional sensor and further forward-looking sensor could be added. With the additional sensor at a height of 20 cm and a better localisation and mapping method, this issue could also be handled.
\nAt night users would want Hobbit to be silent and dark. As a consequence, Hobbit should not have any lights on when it is not active or sleeping in the charging station. The LEDs at the switches of Hobbit, the touch-screen on the charging station and even the eyes of Hobbit are too bright at night when the user wants to sleep. Similarly, when the user presses the Away/Sleep button, the robot should not radiate light.
\nThe outside hull to cover all the body is essential for the presentation of the robot. It is important to have a good first impression as well as high functionality. The design carried out in Hobbit turned out to be very good and provided all the features necessary, for example, the drinking bottle mounted low on the robot for emergency cases.
\nAs a start of the investigations into the Hobbit robot, several workshops had been conducted with older adults for indicating the requirements from the side of the users to the robot hull. \nFigure 6\n shows some of the example robot models created. Often modelled characteristics are soft but washable and hygienic materials, a slim body and two arms. Due to practical reasons and cost issues, only one arm has been realised. For all the functionality integrated in the top part of the hull and head, see the next section.
\nThree of the proposals for the robot design from workshop participants using simple materials to build up a robot model. Note the common characteristics of soft materials, a slim body and two arms (the model of the left robot does not have arms but the description of the user).
An issue regarding a safe robot motion is the mounting of the robot arm on the platform. Ideally, the entire arm should be within the limit of the footprint of the robot base platform. This is a challenge for the technical components: mobile arms of small size and reasonable payload do not yet exist. It also needs to be taken into account that during arm motion planning the arm motion will come out of the base footprint and hull. But it needs to be considered for avoiding self-collisions and collisions with the environment. Moving the arm and specifically the shoulder in a few centimetres is actually possible and is feasible in a final robot system concept.
\nThe design itself has been very good. A further functional improvement regards the practicability to mount and unmount the hull in cases of changes. This is of particular interest for earlier phases where this needs to be done more often but also for a product to allow good maintainability. For Hobbit we rather had the design and then considered how to best split up the hull for manufacturing as well as practical issues. In the next version, this aspect needs to be included into the design considerations already at design time.
\nOne more issue of practical use, in particular in the phase of testing the robot and when introducing the robot to first home and user trials: data of the platform should be easy to access, for example, via a service socket. This is relatively easy to achieve by adding the necessary sockets, for example, USB to copy data rapidly or attach a keyboard, to add a network if there is a WLAN error or to connect a display to the system if the XPC does not start, or it is needed to change settings in the BIOS. This socket could be included into the design considerations such that it can be easily accessed without removing the hull. This will considerably simplify and speed up the development of the platform behaviour and performance.
\nFurthermore, the hull should be included in the heating concept, for example, to use materials that provide a better cooling or the use of ventilation slots that were not foreseen in Hobbit because of the risk of liquids by transporting water. In particular during the summer trials, the robot produced too much heat, and this was felt to be negative by the users.
\nAs the last section of future improvements, we investigate more detail how the active head of the Hobbit robot worked and what could be improved. The active head in itself actually turned out to be very useful. Note that users had indicated that there should be a head to make clear where to talk to. A main function the head and upper torso of the robot serve is to give the user a feeling of active presence of Hobbit. \nFigure 7\n gives more details about the upper body and the head. The key function of the active head is to enlarge the field of view of the otherwise limited RGBD sensor. With the head it now covers different functions including the detection of obstacles and humans, the recognition of gestures, the recognition of objects and the detection and manipulation of objects for pick-up from the floor. Blue Danube Robotics (
The upper body and the head of Hobbit. Also, depicted are the main components and functionalities.
Besides increasing the field of view, the head serves several other important functions. We list the most important ones (see also [6]):
\nAttending to the user: an active head naturally presents the direction into which the robot is facing. The older adults in the user trials intuitively understood where the robot is looking. This renders the head motion very efficient: users immediately understood if the robot was busy with navigation when looking straight down or grasping/searching an object when looking around. When approaching the user, the robot would raise the head, and using human torso and face detection focuses the user. No additional means such as lights of verbal communication is necessary.
Faster search operations: the active head does not need further robot motion to look all around. Moving the entire platform is much more expensive and all measures than simply moving the head. Also, with the up and down motion, near and far views can be sampled. There is the drawback that reliable operation needs a calibration of the pan/tilt motion. However, in the near future, we will present an automatic and continuous calibration function simply from moving the head.
Detecting obstacles for reliable and safe navigation: the robot looks straight down when navigating. This allowed us to cover in more detail the ground in front of the robot. This is of particular interest when approaching a user, since hitting a foot is definitely not allowed with older adult users. It also covers the part of the blind area in front of the robot from the bottom RGBD camera for detecting walls and localisation. The touch-screen is the limit at present. But one might think of a detachable touch-screen or tablet, which further increases the operational range.
The present field of view (FOV) of typical RGBD sensors is about 58° horizontally and 43° vertically. A FOV with this limitation is presented by more or less all RGBD cameras including the Kinect. Sensors with other measurement principles such as time of flight (TOF), for example, the KinectOne, have about the same limitation. It may be interesting for sensor developers to think about this or to provide a direct integration with an active pan/tilt unit as proposed here.
\nNevertheless, the present active head serves the purpose of attending to many different tasks such as viewing the floor in search of objects for possible pick-up, detecting obstacles during navigation, checking tables for objects that the user can ask for, the detection of persons, the recognition of gestures or user activities and the search for the user to increase her perceived feeling of safety. Particularly, in the last task, finding the user, a large FOV is needed. While the human visual FOV covers about 180°, the present head set-up needs three viewing directions to cover the same range. Still, with present camera resolution and the added advantages of an active head as listed above, we see this as the best set-up for a future home robot.
\nThe functionality of an active gaze direction to show the user where the robot looks helps to create a bonding with the user as indicated by the trials. More work in this direction is ongoing, for example, [1, 12]. What is still missing are robots that robustly and smoothly focus onto the user in their natural environment at home. Another interesting point is that there is often a fixed approach to the user. However, at home, the exact location of chairs changes, and hence the location of the sitting user changes. This renders necessarily an adaptive approach to the older adult. In Ref. [13] a laser distance measure to the legs of a single user was used [13]. However, a more flexible and accurate method including the recognition of the user is asked for at-home robotics.
\nLet us give a few more insights to improve the head and robot operation. At present the faces are partially black and white. A completely dark face better hides the dark holes from the camera, whoever may not look appealing. Hiding the camera behind glasses disrupts camera accuracy and calibration. At present there is not perfect solution yet.
\nAnother useful option is remote accessibility using a secure Internet link. It provides developers to keep track of the robot and, if any problems are encountered, to rapidly check without the need to physically reach the robot test site. Similarly, the hull should be easily detachable. If problems with the robot hardware need to be resolved, this will prove very useful.
\nAn addition that may be necessary, depending on the environment, is ultrasonic sensors (US). In the cases we encountered, this was not necessary, but transparent surface is not visible to optical cameras such as the RGBD sensors and needs a complementary sensor modality such as US. Similarly, at present we did not have any sensors on the robot’s backside. This was resolved by not driving backwards except out of the docking station, where it was known that there is space and the user was verbally notified that this would happen. An option is to increase the range of the active head to also look backwards. Another option is to add more US.
\nFinally, let us conclude with an important finding regarding the robot’s safety. From the experiences in Hobbit and also other robot projects at home and in office settings, there are many cases where stairs lead downwards. While looking down at the floor is an option, this is a safety critical aspect, and, hence, it should have at least two if not three complementary measures to assure that the robot is driving forwards on safe ground. Floor detectors that use infrared sensors and blocking areas in the navigation software are too easy to realise options to considerably enhance the robot’s operational safety. All needs to be integrated into the navigation system, but it will prove useful. As a manufacturer of a mobile robot clearly said, it will be able to fall down but only once.
\nThis chapter presented the newly developed service robot called Hobbit. We built Hobbit with the purpose of assisting older adults and to improve their perceived feeling of safety at home. The ultimate goal is to make users stay longer in their homes by using new information technology and new solutions such as smart environments (including ambient-assisted living (AAL)). Besides fostering the feeling of safety, we also set out to improve the feeling of self-efficacy, that is, one’s own ability to complete tasks. We set out to achieve this by providing a rich set of functions to the user. We provided methods for emergency detection including the patrolling to regularly locate the user and start an interaction and the detection of emergency situations as a means to directly react if needed, and we provided proactive functions to avoid falls in the first place. These measures included to keep the floor free of clutter, to transport items so the user can walk with hands free, a set of fitness functions to stay active with cognitive and physical exercises and the option to freely set reminders, also with the idea to stay as active as possible.
\nAfter the summary of the questionnaires highlighting the functionality, safety and operation features that older adults would want, we presented the Hobbit platform and its technical components. We then presented details of the results of a longer study of the Hobbit robot in the wild—in the homes of 18 older adults. The study lasted for 3 weeks each. Another specific highlight of the study was that the robot was navigating autonomously, a difference to other present robots operating at home.
\nOf particular interest in the user trails was that the users could freely select what they wanted to do with the robot. This is a considerable change over other studies, for example, with robots such as Kampai or Care-O-bot, where the sequence of trials is scripted and repeated at a set times. An example is the reminder to drink, which in a single test run may be fun for the user; however, the repeated reminder to drink will be rejected by users. In the free setting, this is different, since users select what they would want. For example, users set the reminders all by themselves or with the help of the person.
\nIn conclusion, the mutual care (MuC) concept, which has been proposed to foster the acceptance and improve the use of robot, has been detected to have rather little consequence. A cause for this unexpected result may be with high probability that the technical functioning of the robot is not yet high enough. Hence, there is considerable work ahead. While the trials indicate a first proof of concept, there needs to be more added reliability of all the robot operations. The good finding is that navigation is autonomous and with a service rate of over 98% was rated as sufficient by users. Hence, we provided a very good start for gaining acceptance by the users. This all indicates that reliability is a prerequisite for user acceptance. It will take next steps to work both on the hardware and the software to reach a higher level of reliability not only for navigation but also the other functionalities. Of particular interest are approaches that cope with automatic calibration of sensors, actuators and the sensor-actor combination. This encompasses the mobile platform and the sensors for navigation as well as the active head and the mobile manipulator. It also includes the reliable detection of drivable floor. As many of these capabilities could be reached with adequate software, it will strongly add to the cost-effective concept provided by the Hobbit platform as presented here.
\nAnother important aspect of Hobbit is the HRI. Considering that it should be effective, our main insights are that the active head proved to be paramount to present information about the robot status and, thus, it facilitates HRI in itself. Furthermore, the active RGBD sensors of the head drastically enlarges the field of view of the otherwise restricted camera, and it serves several robot functions for navigation, search and grasping objects. Actually, the active head was found as the key element of intuitive and easy-to-use HRI: the head viewing direction directly indicates what the robot is doing. Augmented with verbal output, the robot lets the user always know what it is doing, and for the user, it is obvious when she can address the robot or not, because it is busy when looking down. Additionally, the adaptive approach to the user and the direct facing of the user create attention: the user knows that now the robot is ready to be addressed and accept the next command. In summary, it would be good to give active robot heads more attention. Remember, as depicted in \nFigure 6\n, users wanted a head. It is the obvious part of the robot to speak to. Hence, it largely facilitates HRI. To be more fluent, it should be given more research and development work. Furthermore, increasing head range to even look back may alleviate the need for sensors in the back and further increase safety aspects.
\nTo conclude, the Hobbit study in the wild shows a mixed picture. While certain functionalities such as grasping objects from the floor and searching for objects do not provide sufficient reliability, other functions such as navigation, docking, entertainment, reminders and the fitness function proved to be very useful and welcome by the users. Users saw the great potential of such a robot: the capability to pick up something from the floor and to transport and find objects is very highly evaluated. They would not want a cheaper robot with reduced functionality, e.g. without an arm. It is rather that they would want a few more functions such as searching for objects.
\nThese results clearly give advice for future research directions. The robot hardware itself needs to be drastically reduced in size, rather 40 cm in diameter than 56 cm in the diagonal. The robot height should be slightly reduced to 120 cm. A height has been nearly reached to good effect in Hobbit. The only other robot with this height is Pepper at present. Other robots are higher. The smaller robot size will also make it easier to navigate in the typically tight spaces in the homes of older adults.
\nBased on the results from the questionnaires and interviews, the reminder functions, picking up objects and bringing objects, are all highly validated by users and thus need to be considered as high-priority user requirements. Picking up objects and bringing objects need an arm and some sort of gripper. Users wanted the gripper and saw, in particular, the advantage of picking up things from the floor.
\nThere are a few other clear misses in the present Hobbit robot. One that most users would want is a speech interface. It clearly needs to be part of Hobbit’s user interface. Speech recognition and output therefore need to be state of the art, without ignoring the final objective of the project of affordability of Hobbit. The technical problem at present is distant speech recognition. While speaker into a headset or the mobile phone provides good recognition results, a microphone mounted on the robot, the large distance to the user and the noise of the robot itself are all factors to limit speech recognition drastically. While on the one hand an improvement of distant speech recognition can be expected, another option may be to equip Hobbit with a mobile phone as a natural interface to the robot. While considerations for this solution have been made, the main issue to solve is that the mobile phone could be replaced. Hobbit will need a functionality to search for it using RFID chips and sensor or other means.
\nAnother aspect that is of need for future developments is an adaptive behaviour from Hobbit. Depending on the preferences of the user (i.e. an individual user profile), the amount of autonomous, proactive behaviour of the robot needs to differ. Ways of adapting to the user profile are to be developed for every function from approaching the user, to the times and frequency when the robot should approach the user. Ideally, this is learned from the first trial interactions. Though, this will require substantially more research and improved capabilities of the robot to fully understand the user.
\nFinally, the Hobbit study with letting the robot be operated with any prescripted operations showed that older adults are indeed very interested in new technology and that a robot at home has very high potential. Although the present price tag may be too high, users clearly indicate that the full functionality is of the highest value and should be pursued in further developments.
\nThis research has received funding from the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme under grant agreements No. 288146 Hobbit and No. 610532 Squirrel and funding from the Austrian Science Fund under grant ALOOF No. I1856-N30. Thanks to Andreas Bley of MetraLabs for the picture of the robot docking station.
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\n\nOur reputation – Everything we publish goes through a two-stage peer review process. We’re proud to count Nobel laureates among our esteemed authors. We meet European Commission standards for funding, and the research we’ve published has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, among others. IntechOpen is a member of all relevant trade associations (including the STM Association and the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers) and has a selection of books indexed in Web of Science's Book Citation Index.
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\n\n"In developing countries until now, advancement in science has been very limited, because insufficient economic resources are dedicated to science and education. These limitations are more marked when the scientists are women. In order to develop science in the poorest countries and decrease the gender gap that exists in scientific fields, Open Access networks like IntechOpen are essential. Free access to scientific research could contribute to ameliorating difficult life conditions and breaking down barriers." Marquidia Pacheco, National Institute for Nuclear Research (ININ), Mexico
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She performed research in perioperative autotransfusion and obtained the degree of PhD in 1993 publishing Peri-operative autotransfusion by means of a blood cell separator.\nBlood transfusion had her special interest being the president of the Haemovigilance Chamber TRIP and performing several tasks in local and national blood bank and anticoagulant-blood transfusion guidelines committees. Currently, she is working as an associate professor and up till recently was the dean at the Albert Schweitzer Hospital Dordrecht. She performed (inter)national tasks as vice-president of the Concilium Anaesthesia and related committees. \nShe performed research in several fields, with over 100 publications in (inter)national journals and numerous papers on scientific conferences. \nShe received several awards and is a member of Honour of the Dutch Society of Anaesthesia.",institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Albert Schweitzer Hospital",country:{name:"Gabon"}}},{id:"83089",title:"Prof.",name:"Aaron",middleName:null,surname:"Ojule",slug:"aaron-ojule",fullName:"Aaron Ojule",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:{name:"University of Port Harcourt",country:{name:"Nigeria"}}},{id:"295748",title:"Mr.",name:"Abayomi",middleName:null,surname:"Modupe",slug:"abayomi-modupe",fullName:"Abayomi Modupe",position:null,profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/no_image.jpg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Landmark University",country:{name:"Nigeria"}}},{id:"94191",title:"Prof.",name:"Abbas",middleName:null,surname:"Moustafa",slug:"abbas-moustafa",fullName:"Abbas Moustafa",position:null,profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/94191/images/96_n.jpg",biography:"Prof. Moustafa got his doctoral degree in earthquake engineering and structural safety from Indian Institute of Science in 2002. He is currently an associate professor at Department of Civil Engineering, Minia University, Egypt and the chairman of Department of Civil Engineering, High Institute of Engineering and Technology, Giza, Egypt. He is also a consultant engineer and head of structural group at Hamza Associates, Giza, Egypt. Dr. Moustafa was a senior research associate at Vanderbilt University and a JSPS fellow at Kyoto and Nagasaki Universities. He has more than 40 research papers published in international journals and conferences. He acts as an editorial board member and a reviewer for several regional and international journals. His research interest includes earthquake engineering, seismic design, nonlinear dynamics, random vibration, structural reliability, structural health monitoring and uncertainty modeling.",institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Minia University",country:{name:"Egypt"}}},{id:"84562",title:"Dr.",name:"Abbyssinia",middleName:null,surname:"Mushunje",slug:"abbyssinia-mushunje",fullName:"Abbyssinia Mushunje",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:{name:"University of Fort Hare",country:{name:"South Africa"}}},{id:"202206",title:"Associate Prof.",name:"Abd Elmoniem",middleName:"Ahmed",surname:"Elzain",slug:"abd-elmoniem-elzain",fullName:"Abd Elmoniem Elzain",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Kassala University",country:{name:"Sudan"}}},{id:"98127",title:"Dr.",name:"Abdallah",middleName:null,surname:"Handoura",slug:"abdallah-handoura",fullName:"Abdallah Handoura",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:{name:"École Supérieure des Télécommunications",country:{name:"Morocco"}}},{id:"91404",title:"Prof.",name:"Abdecharif",middleName:null,surname:"Boumaza",slug:"abdecharif-boumaza",fullName:"Abdecharif Boumaza",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:{name:"Abbès Laghrour University of Khenchela",country:{name:"Algeria"}}},{id:"105795",title:"Prof.",name:"Abdel Ghani",middleName:null,surname:"Aissaoui",slug:"abdel-ghani-aissaoui",fullName:"Abdel Ghani Aissaoui",position:null,profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/105795/images/system/105795.jpeg",biography:"Abdel Ghani AISSAOUI is a Full Professor of electrical engineering at University of Bechar (ALGERIA). He was born in 1969 in Naama, Algeria. He received his BS degree in 1993, the MS degree in 1997, the PhD degree in 2007 from the Electrical Engineering Institute of Djilali Liabes University of Sidi Bel Abbes (ALGERIA). He is an active member of IRECOM (Interaction Réseaux Electriques - COnvertisseurs Machines) Laboratory and IEEE senior member. He is an editor member for many international journals (IJET, RSE, MER, IJECE, etc.), he serves as a reviewer in international journals (IJAC, ECPS, COMPEL, etc.). He serves as member in technical committee (TPC) and reviewer in international conferences (CHUSER 2011, SHUSER 2012, PECON 2012, SAI 2013, SCSE2013, SDM2014, SEB2014, PEMC2014, PEAM2014, SEB (2014, 2015), ICRERA (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,-2019), etc.). His current research interest includes power electronics, control of electrical machines, artificial intelligence and Renewable energies.",institutionString:"University of Béchar",institution:{name:"University of Béchar",country:{name:"Algeria"}}},{id:"99749",title:"Dr.",name:"Abdel Hafid",middleName:null,surname:"Essadki",slug:"abdel-hafid-essadki",fullName:"Abdel Hafid Essadki",position:null,profilePictureURL:"//cdnintech.com/web/frontend/www/assets/author.svg",biography:null,institutionString:null,institution:{name:"École Nationale Supérieure de Technologie",country:{name:"Algeria"}}},{id:"101208",title:"Prof.",name:"Abdel Karim",middleName:"Mohamad",surname:"El Hemaly",slug:"abdel-karim-el-hemaly",fullName:"Abdel Karim El Hemaly",position:null,profilePictureURL:"https://mts.intechopen.com/storage/users/101208/images/733_n.jpg",biography:"OBGYN.net Editorial Advisor Urogynecology.\nAbdel Karim M. A. El-Hemaly, MRCOG, FRCS � Egypt.\n \nAbdel Karim M. A. El-Hemaly\nProfessor OB/GYN & Urogynecology\nFaculty of medicine, Al-Azhar University \nPersonal Information: \nMarried with two children\nWife: Professor Laila A. Moussa MD.\nSons: Mohamad A. M. El-Hemaly Jr. MD. Died March 25-2007\nMostafa A. M. El-Hemaly, Computer Scientist working at Microsoft Seatle, USA. \nQualifications: \n1.\tM.B.-Bch Cairo Univ. June 1963. \n2.\tDiploma Ob./Gyn. Cairo Univ. April 1966. \n3.\tDiploma Surgery Cairo Univ. Oct. 1966. \n4.\tMRCOG London Feb. 1975. \n5.\tF.R.C.S. Glasgow June 1976. \n6.\tPopulation Study Johns Hopkins 1981. \n7.\tGyn. Oncology Johns Hopkins 1983. \n8.\tAdvanced Laparoscopic Surgery, with Prof. Paulson, Alexandria, Virginia USA 1993. \nSocieties & Associations: \n1.\t Member of the Royal College of Ob./Gyn. London. \n2.\tFellow of the Royal College of Surgeons Glasgow UK. \n3.\tMember of the advisory board on urogyn. FIGO. \n4.\tMember of the New York Academy of Sciences. \n5.\tMember of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. \n6.\tFeatured in �Who is Who in the World� from the 16th edition to the 20th edition. \n7.\tFeatured in �Who is Who in Science and Engineering� in the 7th edition. \n8.\tMember of the Egyptian Fertility & Sterility Society. \n9.\tMember of the Egyptian Society of Ob./Gyn. \n10.\tMember of the Egyptian Society of Urogyn. \n\nScientific Publications & Communications:\n1- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly*, Ibrahim M. Kandil, Asim Kurjak, Ahmad G. Serour, Laila A. S. Mousa, Amr M. Zaied, Khalid Z. El Sheikha. \nImaging the Internal Urethral Sphincter and the Vagina in Normal Women and Women Suffering from Stress Urinary Incontinence and Vaginal Prolapse. Gynaecologia Et Perinatologia, Vol18, No 4; 169-286 October-December 2009.\n2- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly*, Laila A. S. Mousa Ibrahim M. Kandil, Fatma S. El Sokkary, Ahmad G. Serour, Hossam Hussein.\nFecal Incontinence, A Novel Concept: The Role of the internal Anal sphincter (IAS) in defecation and fecal incontinence. Gynaecologia Et Perinatologia, Vol19, No 2; 79-85 April -June 2010.\n3- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly*, Laila A. S. Mousa Ibrahim M. Kandil, Fatma S. El Sokkary, Ahmad G. Serour, Hossam Hussein.\nSurgical Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence, Fecal Incontinence and Vaginal Prolapse By A Novel Operation \n"Urethro-Ano-Vaginoplasty"\n Gynaecologia Et Perinatologia, Vol19, No 3; 129-188 July-September 2010.\n4- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly*, Ibrahim M. Kandil, Laila A. S. Mousa and Mohamad A.K.M.El Hemaly.\nUrethro-vaginoplasty, an innovated operation for the treatment of: Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), Detursor Overactivity (DO), Mixed Urinary Incontinence and Anterior Vaginal Wall Descent. \nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=/urogyn/articles/ urethro-vaginoplasty_01\n\n5- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly, Ibrahim M Kandil, Mohamed M. Radwan.\n Urethro-raphy a new technique for surgical management of Stress Urinary Incontinence.\nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=/urogyn/articles/\nnew-tech-urethro\n\n6- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly, Ibrahim M Kandil, Mohamad A. Rizk, Nabil Abdel Maksoud H., Mohamad M. Radwan, Khalid Z. El Shieka, Mohamad A. K. M. El Hemaly, and Ahmad T. El Saban.\nUrethro-raphy The New Operation for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, SUI, detrusor instability, DI, and mixed-type of urinary incontinence; short and long term results. \nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=urogyn/articles/\nurethroraphy-09280\n\n7-Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly, Ibrahim M Kandil, and Bahaa E. El Mohamady. Menopause, and Voiding troubles. \nhttp://www.obgyn.net/displayppt.asp?page=/English/pubs/features/presentations/El-Hemaly03/el-hemaly03-ss\n\n8-El Hemaly AKMA, Mousa L.A. Micturition and Urinary\tContinence. Int J Gynecol Obstet 1996; 42: 291-2. \n\n9-Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly.\n Urinary incontinence in gynecology, a review article.\nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=/urogyn/articles/abs-urinary_incotinence_gyn_ehemaly \n\n10-El Hemaly AKMA. Nocturnal Enuresis: Pathogenesis and Treatment. \nInt Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 1998;9: 129-31.\n \n11-El Hemaly AKMA, Mousa L.A.E. Stress Urinary Incontinence, a New Concept. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1996; 68: 129-35. \n\n12- El Hemaly AKMA, Kandil I. M. Stress Urinary Incontinence SUI facts and fiction. Is SUI a puzzle?! http://www.obgyn.net/displayppt.asp?page=/English/pubs/features/presentations/El-Hemaly/el-hemaly-ss\n\n13-Abdel Karim El Hemaly, Nabil Abdel Maksoud, Laila A. Mousa, Ibrahim M. Kandil, Asem Anwar, M.A.K El Hemaly and Bahaa E. El Mohamady. \nEvidence based Facts on the Pathogenesis and Management of SUI. http://www.obgyn.net/displayppt.asp?page=/English/pubs/features/presentations/El-Hemaly02/el-hemaly02-ss\n\n14- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly*, Ibrahim M. Kandil, Mohamad A. Rizk and Mohamad A.K.M.El Hemaly.\n Urethro-plasty, a Novel Operation based on a New Concept, for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence, S.U.I., Detrusor Instability, D.I., and Mixed-type of Urinary Incontinence.\nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=/urogyn/articles/urethro-plasty_01\n\n15-Ibrahim M. Kandil, Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly, Mohamad M. Radwan: Ultrasonic Assessment of the Internal Urethral Sphincter in Stress Urinary Incontinence. The Internet Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003. Volume 2 Number 1. \n\n\n16-Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly. Nocturnal Enureses: A Novel Concept on its pathogenesis and Treatment.\nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogynecolgy/?page=articles/nocturnal_enuresis\n\n17- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly. Nocturnal Enureses: An Update on the pathogenesis and Treatment.\nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogynecology/?page=/ENHLIDH/PUBD/FEATURES/\nPresentations/ Nocturnal_Enuresis/nocturnal_enuresis\n\n18-Maternal Mortality in Egypt, a cry for help and attention. The Second International Conference of the African Society of Organization & Gestosis, 1998, 3rd Annual International Conference of Ob/Gyn Department � Sohag Faculty of Medicine University. Feb. 11-13. Luxor, Egypt. \n19-Postmenopausal Osteprosis. The 2nd annual conference of Health Insurance Organization on Family Planning and its role in primary health care. Zagaziz, Egypt, February 26-27, 1997, Center of Complementary Services for Maternity and childhood care. \n20-Laparoscopic Assisted vaginal hysterectomy. 10th International Annual Congress Modern Trends in Reproductive Techniques 23-24 March 1995. Alexandria, Egypt. \n21-Immunological Studies in Pre-eclamptic Toxaemia. Proceedings of 10th Annual Ain Shams Medical Congress. Cairo, Egypt, March 6-10, 1987. \n22-Socio-demographic factorse affecting acceptability of the long-acting contraceptive injections in a rural Egyptian community. Journal of Biosocial Science 29:305, 1987. \n23-Plasma fibronectin levels hypertension during pregnancy. The Journal of the Egypt. Soc. of Ob./Gyn. 13:1, 17-21, Jan. 1987. \n24-Effect of smoking on pregnancy. Journal of Egypt. Soc. of Ob./Gyn. 12:3, 111-121, Sept 1986. \n25-Socio-demographic aspects of nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy. Journal of the Egypt. Soc. of Ob./Gyn. 12:3, 35-42, Sept. 1986. \n26-Effect of intrapartum oxygen inhalation on maternofetal blood gases and pH. Journal of the Egypt. Soc. of Ob./Gyn. 12:3, 57-64, Sept. 1986. \n27-The effect of severe pre-eclampsia on serum transaminases. The Egypt. J. Med. Sci. 7(2): 479-485, 1986. \n28-A study of placental immunoreceptors in pre-eclampsia. The Egypt. J. Med. Sci. 7(2): 211-216, 1986. \n29-Serum human placental lactogen (hpl) in normal, toxaemic and diabetic pregnant women, during pregnancy and its relation to the outcome of pregnancy. Journal of the Egypt. Soc. of Ob./Gyn. 12:2, 11-23, May 1986. \n30-Pregnancy specific B1 Glycoprotein and free estriol in the serum of normal, toxaemic and diabetic pregnant women during pregnancy and after delivery. Journal of the Egypt. Soc. of Ob./Gyn. 12:1, 63-70, Jan. 1986. Also was accepted and presented at Xith World Congress of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Berlin (West), September 15-20, 1985. \n31-Pregnancy and labor in women over the age of forty years. Accepted and presented at Al-Azhar International Medical Conference, Cairo 28-31 Dec. 1985. \n32-Effect of Copper T intra-uterine device on cervico-vaginal flora. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet. 23:2, 153-156, April 1985. \n33-Factors affecting the occurrence of post-Caesarean section febrile morbidity. Population Sciences, 6, 139-149, 1985. \n34-Pre-eclamptic toxaemia and its relation to H.L.A. system. Population Sciences, 6, 131-139, 1985. \n35-The menstrual pattern and occurrence of pregnancy one year after discontinuation of Depo-medroxy progesterone acetate as a postpartum contraceptive. Population Sciences, 6, 105-111, 1985. \n36-The menstrual pattern and side effects of Depo-medroxy progesterone acetate as postpartum contraceptive. Population Sciences, 6, 97-105, 1985. \n37-Actinomyces in the vaginas of women with and without intrauterine contraceptive devices. Population Sciences, 6, 77-85, 1985. \n38-Comparative efficacy of ibuprofen and etamsylate in the treatment of I.U.D. menorrhagia. Population Sciences, 6, 63-77, 1985. \n39-Changes in cervical mucus copper and zinc in women using I.U.D.�s. Population Sciences, 6, 35-41, 1985. \n40-Histochemical study of the endometrium of infertile women. Egypt. J. Histol. 8(1) 63-66, 1985. \n41-Genital flora in pre- and post-menopausal women. Egypt. J. Med. Sci. 4(2), 165-172, 1983. \n42-Evaluation of the vaginal rugae and thickness in 8 different groups. Journal of the Egypt. Soc. of Ob./Gyn. 9:2, 101-114, May 1983. \n43-The effect of menopausal status and conjugated oestrogen therapy on serum cholesterol, triglycerides and electrophoretic lipoprotein patterns. Al-Azhar Medical Journal, 12:2, 113-119, April 1983. \n44-Laparoscopic ventrosuspension: A New Technique. Int. J. Gynaecol. Obstet., 20, 129-31, 1982. \n45-The laparoscope: A useful diagnostic tool in general surgery. Al-Azhar Medical Journal, 11:4, 397-401, Oct. 1982. \n46-The value of the laparoscope in the diagnosis of polycystic ovary. Al-Azhar Medical Journal, 11:2, 153-159, April 1982. \n47-An anaesthetic approach to the management of eclampsia. Ain Shams Medical Journal, accepted for publication 1981. \n48-Laparoscopy on patients with previous lower abdominal surgery. Fertility management edited by E. Osman and M. Wahba 1981. \n49-Heart diseases with pregnancy. Population Sciences, 11, 121-130, 1981. \n50-A study of the biosocial factors affecting perinatal mortality in an Egyptian maternity hospital. Population Sciences, 6, 71-90, 1981. \n51-Pregnancy Wastage. Journal of the Egypt. Soc. of Ob./Gyn. 11:3, 57-67, Sept. 1980. \n52-Analysis of maternal deaths in Egyptian maternity hospitals. Population Sciences, 1, 59-65, 1979. \nArticles published on OBGYN.net: \n1- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly*, Ibrahim M. Kandil, Laila A. S. Mousa and Mohamad A.K.M.El Hemaly.\nUrethro-vaginoplasty, an innovated operation for the treatment of: Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI), Detursor Overactivity (DO), Mixed Urinary Incontinence and Anterior Vaginal Wall Descent. \nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=/urogyn/articles/ urethro-vaginoplasty_01\n\n2- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly, Ibrahim M Kandil, Mohamed M. Radwan.\n Urethro-raphy a new technique for surgical management of Stress Urinary Incontinence.\nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=/urogyn/articles/\nnew-tech-urethro\n\n3- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly, Ibrahim M Kandil, Mohamad A. Rizk, Nabil Abdel Maksoud H., Mohamad M. Radwan, Khalid Z. El Shieka, Mohamad A. K. M. El Hemaly, and Ahmad T. El Saban.\nUrethro-raphy The New Operation for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, SUI, detrusor instability, DI, and mixed-type of urinary incontinence; short and long term results. \nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=urogyn/articles/\nurethroraphy-09280\n\n4-Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly, Ibrahim M Kandil, and Bahaa E. El Mohamady. Menopause, and Voiding troubles. \nhttp://www.obgyn.net/displayppt.asp?page=/English/pubs/features/presentations/El-Hemaly03/el-hemaly03-ss\n\n5-El Hemaly AKMA, Mousa L.A. Micturition and Urinary\tContinence. Int J Gynecol Obstet 1996; 42: 291-2. \n\n6-Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly.\n Urinary incontinence in gynecology, a review article.\nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=/urogyn/articles/abs-urinary_incotinence_gyn_ehemaly \n\n7-El Hemaly AKMA. Nocturnal Enuresis: Pathogenesis and Treatment. \nInt Urogynecol J Pelvic Floor Dysfunct 1998;9: 129-31.\n \n8-El Hemaly AKMA, Mousa L.A.E. Stress Urinary Incontinence, a New Concept. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1996; 68: 129-35. \n\n9- El Hemaly AKMA, Kandil I. M. Stress Urinary Incontinence SUI facts and fiction. Is SUI a puzzle?! http://www.obgyn.net/displayppt.asp?page=/English/pubs/features/presentations/El-Hemaly/el-hemaly-ss\n\n10-Abdel Karim El Hemaly, Nabil Abdel Maksoud, Laila A. Mousa, Ibrahim M. Kandil, Asem Anwar, M.A.K El Hemaly and Bahaa E. El Mohamady. \nEvidence based Facts on the Pathogenesis and Management of SUI. http://www.obgyn.net/displayppt.asp?page=/English/pubs/features/presentations/El-Hemaly02/el-hemaly02-ss\n\n11- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly*, Ibrahim M. Kandil, Mohamad A. Rizk and Mohamad A.K.M.El Hemaly.\n Urethro-plasty, a Novel Operation based on a New Concept, for the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence, S.U.I., Detrusor Instability, D.I., and Mixed-type of Urinary Incontinence.\nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogyn/urogyn.asp?page=/urogyn/articles/urethro-plasty_01\n\n12-Ibrahim M. Kandil, Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly, Mohamad M. Radwan: Ultrasonic Assessment of the Internal Urethral Sphincter in Stress Urinary Incontinence. The Internet Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003. Volume 2 Number 1. \n\n13-Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly. Nocturnal Enureses: A Novel Concept on its pathogenesis and Treatment.\nhttp://www.obgyn.net/urogynecolgy/?page=articles/nocturnal_enuresis\n\n14- Abdel Karim M. El Hemaly. 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