International Journal of Ecosystem

The International Journal of Ecosystem (IJE) is a peer-reviewed journal publishes papers from original research in all areas of ecosystem structure and function as impacted by the changes in climate and land and water use and management practices in a given environment. In the aforementioned context the characterization of ecosystem structural components as community of plants, animals and smaller organisms that live, feed, reproduce and how they interact with each other in the same area or environment, their interdependency are essential for the improved understanding of the functioning of the structural components. The modifications in the structural components as impacted by human imposed changes and/or linked to climate changes are poorly understood and/or are not recorded after rigorous review. In aforementioned context the IJE provides a forum for discussion in the modifications in ecosystem structural components and the associated functions around the world, particularly from developing countries, aimed at the sustainable use of natural resources. Critical review articles are also welcome.

Velu Rasiah

Editor-in-Chief of International Journal of Ecosystem

Research Scientist, Senior Environmental Scientist (12 yrs) with Queensland State Government, Australia; Visiting Professor Tottori University (2 yrs), Japan; Honorary Senior Fellow, Ballarat University, Australia. Research Associate, University of Guelph, Canada

Research Areas

(1)Pollutant transport from non-point sources and environmental degradation (2) Groundwater base-flow discharge of pollutants (3) Groundwater dynamics (4) Disposal of wastes on land (5) Changes in soil quality attributes after deforestation, during croppi

Education

1970B.Sc.University of Ceylon
1983M.Sc.South Dakota State University (SDSU)
1986Ph.D.South Dakota State University (SDSU)

Experience

1998-2011Department of Environment & Resource Management. Senior Scientist, Australia
2005-2006Tottori University/ Visiting Professor, Japan
2003-2003Tottori University/ JSPS Fellow, Japan
2000-2001Tottori University/ Visiting Professor, Japan
1996-1998University of Western Australia/ Research Fellow, Australia
1994-1995Agriculture Canada/ Research Scientist, Canada.
1992-1995University of Guelph/ Scientist, Canada
1989-1992University of Guelph/ Research Associate, Canada.
1987-1992University of Guelph/ Postdoctoral Fellow, Canada.
1984-1986S.Dakota State Uni./ Research Assistant (Ph.D), USA
1981-1983S.Dakota State Uni./ Research Assistant (M.Sc), USA
1976-1981Sri Lanka Govt. Dept. Agric/ Research Officer, Ceylon
1970-1976Sri Lanka Govt. Dept. Agric/ Experimental Officer, Ceylon

Academic Achievement

Unsolicited listing by the International Biographical Centre of Cambridge, England, as one among the 2000 Outstanding Intellectual of the 21st Century.
Unsolicited listing in the 2005/2006 8th Edition of Marquis “WHOS IS WHO” in Science and Engineering for outstanding achievement in the field of Physical and Environmental Sciences research and contribution to the betterment of contemporary society.

Membership

Member, Soil Science Society of America

Publications: Journals

[1]  Rasiah, V. JD. Armour 2012. Transport of contaminants from groundwater to streams- comparison of travel velocity estimates (In second review- J. Environmental Management)
[2]  Rasiah, V, J. D. Armour, P. N. Nelson. 2012. Nitrate in shallow fluctuating groundwater under sugarcane: Lateral export and the implications for surface water ecosystems (Accepted: Agric. Ecosys. & Environ)
[3]  Rasiah, V, J. D. Armour, P. N. Nelson. 2011. Identifying the major variables controlling the transport of water and analytes from an alluvial aquifer to streams. J. Environmental Hydrology, 19, Paper 10.
[4]  Wakelin SA, Nelson PN, Armour JD, Rasiah V, and Colloff MJ. 2011. Bacterial community structure and denitrifier (nir-gene) abundance in soil water and groundwater beneath agricultural land in tropical north Queensland, Australia. Soil Research. 49: 65-76.
[5]  Rasiah, V., P.W. Moody, J.D. armour. 2011. Soluble phosphate in fluctuating groundwater under cropping in the north-eastern wet tropics of Australia. Soil Research. 49: 329-342.
[6]  Rasiah, V, J. D. Armour, A. L. Cogle, and S. K. Florentine. 2010. Nitrate import-export dynamics in groundwater interacting with surface-water in a wet-tropical environment. Australian Journal of Soil Research. 48 (4): 361-370.
[7]  Rasiah, V, J. D. Armour, P. W. Moody, A. B. Pattison, S. Lindsay, and S. Florentine. 2009. Characterising and improving the deteriorating trends in soil physical quality under banana. Australian Journal of Soil Research. 47:575-584.
[8]  Ould Ahmed, B. A., T. Yamamoto, V. Rasiah, and M., Inoue. 2008. Sensitivities of stress indicators for available soil water and its salinity for sorghum leaf water potential under drip irrigation. Com. Soil. Sci. Plant. Anal 39:46-64.
[9]  Pattison, A. B., P. W. Moody, K. A. Badcock, L. J. Smith, J. A. Armour, V. Rasiah, J. A. Cobon, L. M. Gulino, R. Mayer. 2008. Development of key soil health indicators for the Australian banana industry. J. Applied Soil Ecology 40:155-164.
[10]  Andry, H., T. Yamamoto, V. Rasiah, and M., Inoue. 2008. Influence of sedum plant on sediment yield from and acid soil under simulated rainfall. Am. Soc. Agri. & Biol. Engrs. 51(3): 1- 9.
[11]  Ould Ahmed, B. A., T. Yamamoto, V. Rasiah, M., Inoue, and H. Anyoji. 2007. The impact of saline water irrigation management options in a dune sand on available soil water and its salinity. J. Agricultural Water Management. 88: 63-72.
[12]  Rasiah, V., J. D. Armour and A. L. Cogle. 2007. Statistical characterisation of the impact of system variables on the temporal dynamics of groundwater in highly weathered regoliths. . J. Hydrological Processes. 2: 2435-2446.
[13]  Andry Henintsoa, T. Yamamoto, V. Rasiah, M., and M. Fukuda . 2007. Improving the resistance of an acid soil to water erosion using artificial zeolite and hydrated lime amendments. Trans. J S I R D E. 247:53-64.
[14]  Rasiah, V., J. D. Armour, and N. Menzies. 2005. Chloride as a signature indicator of hydrologic and soil textural stratigraphies in variable charge deep profiles. J. Hydrological Processes. 19: 2007-2022.
[15]  Rasiah, V., J. D. Armour, A. L. Cogle. (2005). Assessment of variables controlling nitrate dynamics in groundwater: Is it a threat to aquatic ecosystems. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 51: 60-69). 16) Don M. J., N.W. Menzies, and V. Rasiah .2004. Chemical characterisation of deep profile Ferrosols under sugarcane in wet tropical northern Queensland. Aust. J. Soil Res. 42:69-77.
[16]  Rasiah, V, S. K. Florentine, B. L. Williams, Westbrooke, M. E. 2004. The impact of deforestation and pasture abandonment on soil properties in the wet tropics of Australia. Georderma.120: 35-45.
[17]  Sanij, H. D., T. Yamamoto, and V. Rasiah .2004. Impact of biological clogging agents on filter and emitter discharge characteristics of microirrigation systems. J. Irrigation and Drainage.53: 363-373.
[18]  Sanij, H. D., T. Yamamoto, and V. Rasiah .2004. Assessment evaporation estimation models for use in semi-arid environment. J. Agric. Water Management.64:94-106.
[19]  Rasiah, V., J. D. Armour, N. Menzies, D. H. Heiner, and M. J. Don. 2004. Impact of Pre-existing Sulphate on Imported Chloride and Nitrate Accumulation in Variable Charge Soil Profiles. Geoderma, 123:205-218.
[20]  Rasiah, V., J. D. Armour, T. Yamamoto, D. H. Heiner, and S. Mahendrarajah. 2003. Nitrate dynamics in groundwater and the potential for transport to off-site water bodies. J. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution. 147:183-202.
[21]  Rasiah, V., J. D. Armour, N. Menzies, D. H. Heiner, M. Don, and S. Mahendrarajah. 2003. Nitrate retention under sugarcane in wet tropical Queensland deep soil profiles. Aust. J. Soil Res. 41 (7-8)1145-1161.
[22]  Rasiah, V., and T. Yamamoto. 2002. Mulching, evaporation, and salinity interrelation- a review. Rural & Environ. Engi. J. 42(2): 35-43.
[23]  Rasiah, V., and T. Yamamoto. 2002. Maximum potentially dispersible and stabilizable clay under cropping in soils with inherent textural differences. J. Jap. Soc. Soil Physics. 89:3-13.
[24]  Rasiah, V., and J. D. Armour. 2001. Nitrate accumulation under cropping in the ferrosols of Far North Queensland wet tropics. Aust. J. Soil Res. 39(2): 329-
[25]  Rasiah, V. 2001. Pedotransfer functions to predict spatially variable potential water-unstable fractions: Com. Soil Sci. & Plant Anal. 32(5-6):697-710.
[26]  Rasiah, V., Imai, M., Yamamoto, T., and Inoue. M. 2001. Evaporation losses from dune sand: Influence of column and gravel mulch size. J. Arid Land Studies. 11(3):177-186.
[27]  Rasiah, V. and B. D. Kay 1999. Temporal dynamics of microbial biomass- and mineral-N in legume-amended soils from a spatially variable landscape. Geoderma. 99:239-256.
[28]  Rasiah, V. 1999. Temporal dynamics of soil nitrate-N after termination of forages in corn-forage rotation. Biol. & Fertility of Soil. 29:201-206.
[29]  Rasiah, V. 1999. Nitrogen immobilisation/remineralization in legume amended soils as influenced by texture and compaction. Com. Soil Sci. & Plant Anal. 30: 829-841.
[30]  Rasiah, V. and L. A. G. Aylmore. 1998. Sensitivity of selected water retention functions to compaction and inherent soil properties. Aust. J. Soil Res.36: 317-326.
[31]  Rasiah, V. and L. A. G. Aylmore. 1998. Estimating microscale spatial distribution of conductivity and pore continuity using computed tomography. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 62:1197-1202.
[32]  Biederbeck, V. O., C. A. Campbell, V. Rasiah, R. P. Zentner, and Guang Wen. 198. Soil quality attributes as influenced by annual legumes used as green manure. Soil Biol. & Biochem. 30:1177-1185.
[33]  Rasiah, V. and L. A. G. Aylmore. 1998. Computed tomography data on soil structural and hydraulic parameters assessed for spatial continuity by semivariance geostatistics. Aust. J. Soil Res. 36:485-494.
[34]  Rasiah, V. and L. A. G. Aylmore. 1998. Characterizing the changes in soil porosity by computed tomography and fractal dimension. Soil Sci. 163:203-211.
[35]  Rasiah, V. and B. D. Kay. 1998. Legume-N mineralization: Effects of aeration and size distribution of water filled pores. Soil Biol. & Biochem. 30(1):89-96.
[36]  Rasiah, V. 1998. Assessing tillage- and cropping-induced changes in relative conductivity. Aust. J. Soil Research 36:799-807.
[37]  Rasiah, V., V. O. Biederbeck, D. Curtin, and R. P. Zentner. 1997. Parameterizing the temporal changes in soil aggregation in a sludge amended soil. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 61:579-585.
[38]  Steppuhn, H., V. Rasiah, K. Wall, and Y. W. Jame.1996. Response functions for grain yield from spring-sown wheats grown in saline rooting media. Can. J. Agric. Engi. 38:249-256.
[39]  Rasiah, V., and B. D. Kay. 1995. Runoff and soil loss as influenced by selected stability parameters and cropping and tillage practices. Geoderma, 68:321-329.
[40]  Rasiah, V., and B. D. Kay. 1995. Characterizing rate of wetting: Impact on structural destabilization. Soil Sci. 160(3):176-182.
[41]  Rasiah, V. and V. O. Biederbeck. 1995. Fractal dimension of soil aggregates: Influence of bulk density, fitting procedure and oily waste sludge incorporation. Soil Sci.160(4):250-255.
[42]  Rasiah, V. 1995. Fractal dimension of surface-connected macropore count-size distributions. Soil Sci. 159(2):105-108.
[43]  Rasiah, V. 1995. Comparison of pedotransfer functions to predict N-mineralization parameters of one- and two-pool models. Commun. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 26(11&12):1873-1884.
[44]  Rasiah, V. and B. D. Kay. 1995. Linear and nonlinear estimates of fractal dimension for soil aggregate fragmentation. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 59: 83-87.
[45]  Rasiah, V., and B. D. Kay. 1994. Quantifying the rates of change in clay stabilization subsequent to the introduction of forages. Soil Sci.157(5):318-327.
[46]  Rasiah, V., and B. D. Kay. 1994. Characterizing the changes in aggregate stability subsequent to the introduction of forages. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.58:935-942.
[47]  Perfect, E., B. D. Kay, and V. Rasiah. 1994. Unbiased estimation of fractal dimension of soil aggregate size distributions. Soil & Tillage Res. 31:187-198.
[48]  Kay, B. D., A. R. Dexter, V. Rasiah, C. D. Grant. 1994. Weather, cropping practices and sampling depth effects on tensile strength and aggregate stability. Soil & Tillage Res. 32 (2-3):135-148.
[49]  Rasiah, V. 1994. Equations to predict measures of structural stability at minimum strength. Soil Sci. 158(3):170-173.
[50]  Rasiah, V., B. D. Kay, E. Perfect. 1993. New mass-based model for the estimation of fractal dimension of soil aggregates. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 57:891-895.
[51]  Rasiah, V., and R. P. Voroney. 1993. Assessment of selected surfactants for enhancing C mineralization of oily waste. J. Water Air and Soil Pollution. 71:347-355.
[52]  Perfect, E., B. D. Kay, and V. Rasiah. 1993. A multifractal model for dry aggregate fragmentation. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 57:896-900.
[53]  Rasiah, V., R. P. Voroney, and R. G. Kachanoski. 1992. Biodegradation of an oily waste as influenced by N forms and sources. J. Water Air and Soil Pollution. 65:143-151.
[54]  Rasiah, V., R. P. Voroney, and R. G. Kachanoski. 1992. Bioavailability of stabilized oily waste organics in ultrasonified soil aggregates. J. Water Air and Soil Pollution. 63:179-186.
[55]  Rasiah, V., B. D. Kay, and T. Martin. 1992. Variation of structural stability with water content: Influence of selected soil properties. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 56:1604-1609.
[56]  Rasiah, V., B. D. Kay, and E. Perfect. 1992. Evaluation of selected factors influencing aggregate fragmentation using fractal theory. Can. J. Soil Sci.72:97-106.
[57]  Rasiah, V., G. C. Carlson, and R. A. Kohl.1992. Assessment of two parameter estimation techniques for the estimation of soil hydraulic characteristics. Soil Tech. 5(2):143-149.
[58]  Rasiah, V., G.C. Carlson, and R.A. Kohl. 1992. Assessment of functions and parameter estimation methods in root water uptake simulation. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J.56:1267-127.
[59]  Perfect, E., V. Rasiah, and B. D. Kay. 1992. Fractal dimension of soil aggregate-size distributions calculated by numbers and mass. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 56:1407-140.
[60]  Rasiah, V., and R. A. Kohl.1991. Water use by soybean in two soils with and without irrigation. Soil Tech. 4(2):159-165.
[61]  Rasiah, V., R. P. Voroney, and R. G. Kachanoski. 1991. Effect of N amendment on C mineralization of an oily waste. J. Water Air and Soil Pollution. 59:249-259.
[62]  Dickson, E. L., V. Rasiah, and P. H. Groenevelt. 1991. Comparison of four prewetting techniques in wet aggregate stability determination. Can. J. Soil Sci. 71:67-72.
[63]  Rasiah, V., G. C. Carlson, and R. A. Kohl. 1990. Variabilities in the estimates of hydraulic parameters in Richards flow equation. Soil Tech. 3: 145-152.
[64]  Rasiah, V., R. P. Voroney, P. H. Groenevelt, and R. G. Kachanoski. 1990. Modifications in soil water retention and conductivity by an oily waste. Soil Tech.3(4):367-372.
[65]  Dickson, E., P. H. Groenevelt, V. Rasiah. 1990. Evaluation of two selected industrial wastes for disposal on cropland. Soil Tech.3: 167-172.
[66]  Rasiah, V., and R. A. Kohl. 1989. Soybean root water uptake in two soils. J. Agric. Water Management. 15:387 393.
[67]  Groenevelt. P. H., H. P.van Straaten, V. Rasiah, and J. Simpson. 1989. Modification in evaporation parameters by rock mulching. Soil Tech. 2: 279 285.

Publications: Conferences/Workshops/Symposiums

[1]  Rasiah V, J Armour, P Nelson, Ninghu Su (2010). Nitrate in Groundwater- Do we have to care about? International conference in ‘Challenges in Environmental Science and Engineering.” Cairns, Australia. September27-October 1st/ 1010.
[2]  Rasiah, V. 2010. The Impact of Forest Clearing on Global Warming. The ASIA-EUROPE MEETING. Towards Understanding the impact of global climate change on biodiversity and tropical rainforest. University Brunei Darussalam, Brunei, January 4-12th, 2010. pp28.
[3]  Rasiah, V., and Anyoji, H. 2006. Nitrate in groundwater under cropping and its environmental association. In: Annual Meeting of Arid Land Research, Tottori University, December 6, 2006. pp.97-98.
[4]  Rasiah V., Webb. I., Cogle, A.L., and Anyoji, H. 2006. Chloride Distribution Dynamics in a Dryland Regolith as Signature Indicator of Potential Salinity Risk. In: International Conference in Dryland Development, Beijing, China, February 25-28, 2006, pp.215-227.
[5]   Ould Ahmed, B. A, T. Yamamoto, V. Rasiah and H. Anyoji. 2006. Sensitivity of stress indicators for sorghum under saline water drip irrigation, In: Japan Society for Irrigation, Drainage, and Reclamation.
[6]  Rasiah, V., J. D. Armour, A. L. Cogle.2004. An overview of nitrate in groundwater in the GBR catchments: A case study in the Johnstone catchment. In: Catchment to Reef: Water Quality Issues in the Great Barrier Reef Region. (Ed. David Hynes and Britta Schaffelke) pp.58.
[7]  Rasiah, V., J. D. Armour, and N. Menzies. 2002. Environmental association of nitrate-N retention in deep soil profiles in Queensland wet tropics. CRC-Sugar N-best management practices in Queensland. Townsville, March 7-8.
[8]   Rasiah, V. 2002. Solute dynamics in soil/water- A case study from Queensland wet tropics. Soil Refresher Course. Cairns, April 22-23.
[9]  Florentine, S. K., Westbrook, M. and V. Rasiah. 2002. A lesson after 10 years of restoration in a 30 year old abandoned pastureland in the edge of tropical Rainforest, NE Queensland. pp61, In Landsberg J. (ed). Second joint conference of the Australian and New Zealand Ecology Conference. JCU, Dec.1st -6th./2002, Cairns, Australia.
[10]  Imai, M., Rasiah, V.,Yamamoto, T., and Inoue, M.2001. Evaporation from mulched dune sand columns as influenced by column and gravel mulch size. Annual Meeting, Jap. Soc. Irrig. Drain. And Recl. Eng. 24th-28th Juy/2001. Morioka, Japan.
[11]  Rasiah, V. 2000. Sustainable soil management practices for cropping. Joint Research Meeting, Arid Land Research Center, Tottori University, Tottori, Japan. November 6-2000.
[12]  Rasiah, V. and L. A. G. Aylmore. 1998. Estimating microscale spatial distribution of conductivity using computed tomography. ASA annual meeting, Oct. 19 th to 23d, , Baltimore, Maryland.
[13]  Rasiah, V., V. O. Biederbeck, and D. Curtin. 1995. Fate of oily waste sludge-associated solutes in a loamy sand. ASA annual meeting, Oct. 30 to Nov.3, St. Louis, Missouri.
[14]   Rasiah, V., and B. D. Kay. 1992. Rate of change in structural stability: Influence of selected inherent soil properties. Annual meeting, Can. Soc. Soil Sci. (Aug), Edmonton.
[15]  Kay, B. D., and V. Rasiah. 1992. Quantifying the rates of change in clay stabilization subsequent to introduction of forages. ASA annual meeting, Nov. 1-6, Minneapolis.
[16]   Kay, B. D., V. Rasiah, and E. Perfect. 1992. Structural aspects of soil resiliency. Intl. meeting in soil structure and resiliency, Hungary, Sept. 2-5.
[17]  Kay, B. D. and V. Rasiah .1992. Characterizing the rates of change in aggregate stability using the stability water content relation. Annual meeting Can. Soc. of Soil Sci. (Aug). Edmonton.
[18]  Rasiah, V. and B. D. Kay. 1992. Clay stabilization subsequent to introduction of forages: Influence of selected soil properties. ASA annual meeting, Nov. 1-5, Minneapolis
[19]  Rasiah, V., and B. D. Kay. 1991. Dependence of the hydrosensitivity of structural stability on basic soil properties. Annual meeting, Am. Soc. Agron (Nov). Colorado.
[20]  Kay, B. D., J. Caron, E. Perfect, and V. Rasiah. 1991. Processes responsible for the variation in soil structural stability within a growing season. Annual meeting, Can. Soc. Soil Sci. Fredericton.
[21]  Rasiah, V. and B. D. Kay. 1991. Correlating the variations in stability parameters with moisture content to selected basic soil properties. Annual meeting Can. Soc. Soil Sci. (Jul). Fredericton
[22]   Rasiah, V., R. P. Voroney, and R. G. Kachanoski. 1988. Effect of ultrasonification on stabilized nonhumic carbon pool in an oily waste treated soil.Can. Soc. Soil Sci., annual meeting, Calgary, Alberta. Aug 21 24.

Publications: Books/Book Chapters

[1]  Armour, J., Cogle, L., Rasiah, V., and Russell, J. (2004). Sustaining the Wet Tropics: A Regional Plan for Natural Resource Management, Volume 2B Condition Report: Sustainable Use. Rainforest CRC and FNQ NRM Ltd, Cairns. Australia.
[2]  Top, G. C., K. C. Wires, D. A. Angers, M. R. Carter, J. L. B. Culley, D. A. Holstrom, B. D. Kay, G. P. Lafond, D. R. Langille, R. A. McBride, G. T. Patterson, E. Perfect, V. Rasiah, A. V. Rodd, K. T. Webb. Changes in soil structure. 1995. In The Health of Our Soils. Towards sustainable agriculture in Canada. Available from CLSRR, Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Ottawa, Ont., K1A 0C6. ISBN 0-660-15947-3.
[3]  Kay, B. D., V. Rasiah, and E. Perfect. 1994. Structural aspects of soil resilience. In Soil Resilience and Sustainable Land Use (D. J. Greenland and I. Szabolcs, Eds.). Chapter 25. p.449-468. Short Rus. Press. Ltd. Great Britain.