Species diversity and regeneration of old-growth seasonally dry Shorea robusta forests following gap formation

Diversity and regeneration of woody species were investigated in two ecological niches viz. gap and intact vegetation in old-growth seasonally dry Shorea robusta (Gaertn. f.) forests in Nepal. We also related varieties of diversity measures and regeneration attributes to gap characteristics. Stem density of tree and shrub components is higher in the gap than in the intact vegetation. Seedling densities of S. robusta and Terminalia alata (B. Heyne ex Roth.) are higher in the gap than in the intact vegetation, while contrary result is observed for T. bellirica (Gaertn. ex Roxb.) and Syzigium cumini (L. Skeels) in term of seedling density. The complement of Simpson index, Evenness index, and species-individual ratio in the seedling layer are lower in the gap than the intact vegetation. Gap size can explain species richness and species establishment rate. Gaps created by multiple tree falls in different years have higher seedling density of S. robusta than gaps created by single and/or multiple tree falls in the same year. In conclusion, gaps maintain species diversity by increasing seedling density, and favor regeneration of Sal forests. In addition to gap size, other gap attributes also affect species diversity and regeneration. Foundation Project: The study was supported by Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).     

尼泊尔中部山区Melamchi流域农户类型及其土地利用方式

农户生计策略变化为土地利用变化提供了新的研究视角。基于问卷调查、半结构访谈、数理统计等方法,对尼泊尔中部山区Melamchi流域4个典型村进行了系统调查,分析了不同类型农户的生计策略及土地利用特征。结果表明:农为主和非农为主型农户生计策略组合较优,生计多样性指数相对较高,生计风险相对较小。不同类型农户在耕作面积、土地利用结构、劳动力投入、土地增产性投入等方面均表现出不同特征。不同类型农户对改善生计的认识及策略不同,其对土地的作用及影响也有所差异。非农生计活动不仅降低了生计脆弱性和生计风险,同时也降低了农户对土地的依赖程度和垦殖率,促进了土地所有权改变和土地再分配,提高了农业生产率,但也增加了土地质量退化和环境污染的风险。针对尼泊尔山区资源环境特点及影响农户生计改善的不利因素,从农户和区域层次分别提出农户生计优化及土地可持续利用的建议。     

Trade and conservation of Himalayan medicinal plants: Nardostachys grandiflora DC. and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) Hong

There is a large annual international trade in the rhizomes of the alpine Himalayan perennials Nardostachys grandiflora DC. and Neopicrorhiza scrophulariiflora (Pennell) Hong, both species in a monotypic genus. This paper estimates the range of the annual trade levels and discusses the conservation implications. Data was collected through a nation-wide survey in Nepal using standardised open-ended interviews with 223 harvesters, 149 local traders, 90 central wholesalers, 53 regional wholesalers, and 16 processing industries. Data collection allowed cross-checking of findings by comparing an annual supply estimate and an annual consumption estimate. Regarding methodology, it is concluded that using agents’ own-reported values results in reliable volume and value estimates; however, validity should be treated with caution, as there is evidence of systematic bias in price reporting and underestimation of quantities. Trade data is thus evaluated to constitute conservative estimates, with local trader derived data being more valid than wholesaler derived data. Annual trade levels from Nepal are estimated at 100-500 tonnes of N. grandiflora rhizomes and 175-770 tonnes of N. scrophulariiflora rhizomes. In the case year of 1997/1998, the respective global amounts were estimated at 350-400 and 650-1000 tonnes (of which a maximum of 50-300 tonnes are from Picrorhiza kurrooa whose rhizomes are mixed with P. scrophulariiflora and traded under the name kutki) with a total CIF value of USD 2.7-3.6 million. Nepal is the main supplier (82 ± 5% of N. grandiflora and 66 ± 12 of kutki) followed by India (13 ± 5 and 19 ± 12) and Bhutan (5 ± 4 and 14 ± 8). The importance of applying a regional approach to conservation of the species is emphasised, as is the need for improved official trade monitoring by governments.     

Improving productivity of Bauhinia purpurea for tree planting farmers in Nepal

Shortage of fodder is a major constraint to livestock production in Nepal. The genetic variation in canopy biomass production of Bauhinia purpurea L, a very important fodder species in Nepal, was estimated in a Breeding Seed Orchard in order to examine the potential of simple, low input breeding. Substantial genetic variation could be observed suggesting that low input breeding based on simple phenotypic selection can provide biomass gain in the order of 2–5% per year. Very high correlation was observed between stem diameter (cross section area) and total biomass, making farmer based selection relevant. Jointly, these results suggest that low input domestication is a promising option for improving fodder production in Nepal and thereby help to improve rural livelihood and development. A multiple population approach is recommended.     

Influence of socio-economic and cultural factors in rice varietal diversity management on-farm in Nepal

A questionnaire survey of 408 households explored the role of socio-economic and cultural factors in rice (Oryza sativa L.) varietal diversity management on-farm in two contrasting eco-sites in Nepal. Multiple regression outputs suggest that number of parcels of land, livestock number, number of rice ecosystems, agro-ecology (altitude), and use of chemical fertilizer have a significant positive influence on landrace diversity on-farm, while membership in farmers’ groups linked to extension services has significant but negative influence on landrace diversity. Factors with significant positive influence on diversity of modern varieties on-farm were number of parcels of land and of rice ecosystems, access to irrigation, membership in farmers’ groups, and use of insecticide. Within communities, resource-endowed households maintain significantly higher varietal diversity on-farm than resource-poor households and play a significant role in conserving landraces that are vulnerable to genetic erosion and those with socio-cultural and market-preferred traits. Resource-poor households also contribute to local diversity conservation but at lower richness and area coverage levels than resource-endowed households. Households where a female had assumed the role of head of household due to death or migrant work of her husband had less diversity due to lower labor availability. Landraces with socio-cultural and market-preferred traits are few in number but have potential to be conserved on-farm.

Forest Structure Under Different Management Regimes in the Western Lowlands of Nepal

ABSTRACT

For landscape level conservation and rural sustenance, forests outside of protected areas are becoming increasingly important. Since most outside forests in the lowlands of Nepal are under government control and utilized as open access resources, their feasibility to achieve these objectives is questionable. We compared forests inside (with three decades of strict protection) and outside of protected areas (under government control and proposed as community forests) to assess the ecological sustainability of outside forests and to provide baseline data on structure of outside forests so that effectiveness of community forestry (after implementation) can be evaluated in the future. Our results indicate that outside forests were in a degraded condition with low tree, sapling and seedling densities and lower species diversity. Trees in lower dbh (diameter at breast height) classes were absent in these forests. Although the canopy layer was not significantly different, the ordination of plots and species showed that species composition of understory and the ground layer were different than protected forests. The present condition of outside forests is not only ecologically unsustainable but also cannot fulfill the demands for forest products of local people. The inefficiency of government to monitor against exploitation has been responsible for present conditions. We recommend that community forestry programs, which are successful in improving conditions of degraded forests in the mountains of Nepal, should be widely implemented in lowland areas (Terai) and proposed community forests should be handed over to local communities as soon as it is practicable.     

尼泊尔社区林业发展历史和现状探析

尼泊尔社区森林管理属于世界领先水平。文中介绍尼泊尔社区林业的起源和发展经历的4个阶段; 阐述尼泊尔社区林业的运行体系, 重点是林业部门、森林使用者联合会、森林使用者小组的角色; 分析尼泊尔社区林业在提高森林质量和产出、帮助社区群众增收、促进REDD+机制和PSE机制发展、提高妇女等弱势群体参与性等方面取得的成效; 探讨森林使用小组在内部治理、利益分配和运行成本等方面存在的问题以及面临的挑战; 总结尼泊尔社区林业的特点, 并提出对于林业发展模式选择的启示。