Flora of community managed forests of Palpa district, western Nepal

Floristic diversity is studied based on gender in two different management committee community forests (Barangdi-Kohal jointly managed community forest and Bansa-Gopal women managed community forest) of Palpa district, west Nepal. Square plot of 10m×10m size quadrat were laid for covering all forest areas and maintained minimum 40m distance between two quadrats. Altogether 68 plots (34 in each forest) were sampled. Both community forests had nearly same altitudinal range, aspect and slope but differed in different environmental variables and members of management committees. All the species present in quadrate and as well as outside the quadrate were recorded for analysis. There were 213 species of flowering plant belonging to 67 families and 182 genera. Barangdi-Kohal JM community forest had high species richness i.e. 176 species belonging to 64 families and 150 genera as compared to Bansa-Gopal WM community forest with 143 species belonging to 56 families and 129 genera. According to different life forms and family and genus wise jointly managed forest has high species richness than in women managed forest. Both community forest are banned for fodder, fuel wood and timber collection without permission of management comities. There is restriction of grazing in JM forest, whereas no restriction of grazing in WM forest.

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Can clearcuts increase bird species richness in managed forests?

Journal of Forest Science ◽

10.17221/787-jfs ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 54 (No. 4) ◽

pp. 189-193

Author(s):

M. Żmihorski

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Bird Species ◽

Bird Communities ◽

Cumulative Number ◽

Managed Forests ◽

Managed Forest ◽

Bird Species Richness ◽

Forest Interior ◽

Transect Counts ◽

The Difference

Clearcuts are one of the results of forest management. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of clearcuts on bird communities in a managed forest in Western Poland. I applied the method of point transect counts. 20 points were located near clearcuts (less than 100 m from the nearest clearcut) and 25 points in the forest interior. In total, 36 bird species were recorded. On average, I found 9.20 bird species at points located near clearcuts and 6.72 species at points situated in the forest interior, and the difference was significant. The cumulative number of bird species for a given number of sampling points in the vicinity of clearcuts was higher than in the forest interior. The obtained results indicate that in managed, even-aged forests the generation of clearcuts can lead to an increase in local bird species richness.

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Community Managed Forest Groups and Preferences for REDD+ Contract Attributes: A Choice Experiment Survey of Communities in Nepal

Journal of Forest and Livelihood ◽

10.3126/jfl.v13i1.15362 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

pp. 9-19

Author(s):

Sahan T.M. Dissanayake ◽

Prakash Jha ◽

Bhim Adhikari ◽

Rajesh Bista ◽

Randall Bluffstone ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Rural Communities ◽

Choice Experiment ◽

Forest Degradation ◽

Institutional Structure ◽

Institutional Arrangements ◽

Managed Forests ◽

Managed Forest ◽

Community Forests ◽

Contract Attributes

A significant portion of the world’s forests that are eligible for Reducing Emission from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) payments are community managed forests. At the same time, there is a little knowledge in the existing literature about the preferences of households in the communities with community managed forests for REDD+ contracts.We use a choice experiment survey of rural communities in Nepal to understand the respondent’s preferences towards the institutional structure of REDD+ contracts. We split our sample across the communities with community managed forests groups and those without to see how the prior involvement in community managed forest groups’ impact preferences. Results show that respondents care about how the payments are divided between the households and the communities, the restrictions on firewood use, the restrictions on grazing and the level of payments. Finally we use a series of demographic interactions terms to analyze how the institutional arrangements and beliefs about climate change and benefits from the REDD+ program influence respondents’ beliefs. We find that there are no significant differences in the preferences for the REDD+ contract attributes between the Community Forests (CF) and non-CF respondent groups but we find that respondent groups differ in their beliefs about REDD+ payments and the institutional arrangements.Journal of Forest and Livelihood 13(1) May, 2015, Page : 8-19

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Growth Performances and Growing Stock of Rattan in the Community Managed Forests of Nepal

Journal of Advanced Academic Research ◽

10.3126/jaar.v7i1.35469 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 70-82

Author(s):

Chhote Lal Chowdhary ◽

I.C. Dutta

Keyword(s):

Dry Weight ◽

Medium Size ◽

Managed Forests ◽

Community Forest ◽

Community Forests ◽

Growing Stock ◽

User Groups ◽

Forest User Groups ◽

Community Forest User Groups ◽

Forest User

Calamus tenuis Roxb, the economically potential rattan species, has been increasing in the community managed forests. Quantitative and qualitative information was collected in 2016 and 2017. The research was carried out in 20 Community Forest User Groups of Kailali and Bardiya district. Growing stock was measured using stratified random sampling in the community forests, followed by socio-economic information through semi-structured questionnaire to 526 respondentsincluding focus group discussions with executive member of community forest user groups. The study found that average growth of Calamus tenuis in the community forests was 0.85 cms per year, the maximum growth attained up to 2.5 meter per year if they get associated trees to climb on. It’ is a clumpy palm, producing 3-7 rhizomes in one year and reaches up to 25 rhizomes in 3-4 years period. There are 15 to 25percent immature culms in a clump with estimate the number of clumps per hectare in managed rattan forest are 200 to 500. Growing stock is estimated from 38,860 to 39,560 per hectare in the community forest comprising about 57 percent large size, 19 percent medium size and 24percent regeneration. The mean length was measured 5.80 meter and mean diameter 9.29 mm. Weight difference of rattan with and without leaf sheath is 25 percent, reduction in oven dry weight is 75.9 percent, and air dry weight is 32 percent. More than 20 CFUGs have produced natural rattan in the community forests of Kailali and Bardiya districts. By the number of CFUGs, Bardiya district has more than 19 CFUGs and Kailali district has one CFUG managing natural rattan. Total estimated production of rattan in both districts is over 250 metric ton. Harvesting is restricted due to limitation of provision of Initial Environment Examination (IEE). According to these conditions, CFUGs should have get approval the detail IEE. None of the CFUGS have prepared the IEE. In such a condition, CFUGs can only harvest less than five quintal (5000 kg) rattan as per approved FOP. The study concludes that despite site quality remains constant, the associated tree species to climb them are encouraging factor. Detail growing stock needs to be incorporated in the rattan management plan / forest operational plan to mainstream in the process.

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Contribution of Api-Nampa Conservation Area on the Livelihood of Poor and Disadvantaged People of Darchula District, Nepal

Himalayan Biodiversity ◽

10.3126/hebids.v5i1.36154 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 50-56

Author(s):

Bimal Shakya ◽

R.R. Pant

Keyword(s):

Physical Capital ◽

Financial Capital ◽

Community Forest ◽

Huge Amount ◽

Fuel Wood ◽

Conservation Area ◽

Demand And Supply ◽

Community Forests ◽

The People ◽

Diverse Habitat

The study was carried out in the community forests of Latinath and Khandeswori Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Api-Nampa Conservation Area, Nepal. The life style in the area is very primitive and close to nature and the area has diverse forest and ecosystem that provide diverse habitat for wildlife. The study demonstrates that, among the five capitals assessed, the condition of financial capital is the worst where as that of physical capital is the best. The condition of other three capitals (Human, Social and Natural) is satisfactory. The findings of this research conclude that the conservation area has played a significant role in livelihood upliftment of the people in the study area. It may have been too early to draw this conclusion as the conservation area was established only in 2010, however, the studied community forests have been used since last fifteen years. Fuel wood is an exclusive source of cooking fuel in both the VDCs. Demand and supply gap of fuelwood in Khandeswori VDC is comparatively higher because the huge amount of fuelwood is used for heating purpose in the winter. The insufficient supply from the community forest compels the locals to use the nearby conservation area forest to meet up with the need.

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Patterns of speciation are similar across mountainous and lowland regions for a Neotropical plant radiation (Costaceae: Costus)

10.1101/2020.05.30.125757 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Oscar M. Vargas ◽

Brittany Goldston ◽

Dena L. Grossenbacher ◽

Kathleen M. Kay

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Life Forms ◽

Geographic Isolation ◽

Climatic Niche ◽

Colonization History ◽

Tropical Mountains ◽

Topographic Features ◽

Plant Life Forms ◽

Diversity Gradient ◽

High Species Richness

AbstractHigh species richness and endemism in tropical mountains are recognized as major contributors to the latitudinal diversity gradient. The processes underlying mountain speciation, however, are largely untested. The prevalence of steep ecogeographic gradients and the geographic isolation of populations by topographic features are predicted to promote speciation in mountains. We evaluate these processes in a species-rich Neotropical genus of understory herbs that range from the lowlands to montane forests and have higher species richness in topographically complex regions. We ask whether climatic niche divergence, geographic isolation, and pollination shifts differ between mountain-influenced and lowland Amazonian sister pairs inferred from a 756-gene phylogeny. Neotropical Costus ancestors diverged in Central America during a period of mountain formation in the last 3 My with later colonization of Amazonia. Although climatic divergence, geographic isolation, and pollination shifts are prevalent in general, these factors don’t differ between mountain-influenced and Amazonian sister pairs. Despite higher climatic niche and species diversity in the mountains, speciation modes in Costus appear similar across regions. Thus, greater species richness in tropical mountains may reflect differences in colonization history, diversification rates, or the prevalence of rapidly evolving plant life forms, rather than differences in speciation mode.

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Guiding conservation efforts in the Hantam–Tanqua–Roggeveld (South Africa) using diversity parameters

Koedoe ◽

10.4102/koedoe.v53i1.1018 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Helga Van der Merwe ◽

Margaretha W. Van Rooyen

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Floristic Diversity ◽

Succulent Karoo ◽

Winter Rainfall ◽

Lack Of Information ◽

Low Diversity ◽

High Species Richness ◽

Effective Conservation ◽

Biodiversity Information ◽

High Diversity

The Hantam–Tanqua–Roggeveld subregion falls within the Succulent Karoo and Fynbos Biomes, which are both recognised as global biodiversity hotspots that should be conserved. The objective of this study was to gather baseline biodiversity information that can be used to guide conservation efforts. A total of 40 Whittaker plots were surveyed in the subregion and the various diversity parameters calculated from the data were compared across the subregion and to available data for the Succulent Karoo and Fynbos Biomes. Species richness per 1000 m2 ranged from nine to 100 species across the subregion. Species richness for all plot sizes < 1000 m2 was significantly lower for the Tanqua Karoo than for both the Winter Rainfall Karoo and Mountain Renosterveld. The latter two areas did not differ significantly from each other with regard to species richness. Species richness was significantly higher only at the 1000 m2 scale in the Mountain Renosterveld compared to the Winter Rainfall Karoo. Evenness and Shannon and Simpson indices did not differ significantly between the Mountain Renosterveld and Winter Rainfall Karoo; however, these values were significantly higher than for the Tanqua Karoo. A principal coordinate analysis of species richness data at seven plot sizes produced three distinct clusters. One cluster represented the Tanqua Karoo, with low species richness, evenness, and Shannon and Simpson indices. Another cluster represented mostly Mountain Renosterveld vegetation, which was characterised by a high species richness, evenness, and Shannon and Simpson indices. The third cluster was formed by the remaining Mountain Renosterveld plots as well as the Winter Rainfall Karoo plots.The high species richness values found in the various vegetation units can add valuable information to the conservation planning arena by providing information on biodiversity parameters and their spatial distribution. This information can assist with conservation efforts in the Hantam, Tanqua and Roggeveld areas.Conservation implications: Conservation and development of the Hantam–Tanqua– Roggeveld subregion is hampered by a lack of information on floristic diversity. The results of the current study indicated areas of low diversity and contrasting areas of high diversity. These data can be used to guide effective conservation and management of the floristic diversity.

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What is REDD+ Additionality in Community Managed Forest for Nepal?

Journal of Forest and Livelihood ◽

10.3126/jfl.v11i2.8620 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 37-45 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bhaskar Singh Karky ◽

Rachita Vaidya ◽

Seema Karki ◽

Bikul Tulachan

Keyword(s):

Financial Incentives ◽

Net Present Value ◽

Forest Degradation ◽

Community Forest Management ◽

Managed Forests ◽

Community Forest ◽

Managed Forest ◽

Community Based ◽

Current Economic Situation ◽

Imminent Threat

Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is a policy currently under consideration by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). This study carries out a Nepal-specific research to understand REDD+ policy’s potential role in carbon sequestration, by identifying the economic and preferential rationales that drive deforestation and degradation in community managed forests. The study explores four different land use options, making use of both community based survey and field data used to generate net present value (NPV). Both techniques give consistent results that, in the current economic situation, farmers prefer using land for livelihood purposes rather than solely for community forest management. This has a very strong implication for policymakers. First, the results imply that conversion and degradation are inevitable, thus placing community forest in imminent threat and making this risk reduction additionality in REDD+ terms. Furthermore, it shows that, to combat the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, policies such as REDD+ need to provide enough financial incentives that will incur the opportunity costs and direct farmers towards the efficient use of community managed forest. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jfl.v11i2.8620 Journal of Forestry and Livelihood Vol.11(2) 2013 37-45

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Forest ecosystem services and biodiversity in contrasting Himalayan forest management systems

Environmental Conservation ◽

10.1017/s0376892913000258 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 73-83 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

INGER E. MÅREN ◽

KHEM R. BHATTARAI ◽

RAM P. CHAUDHARY

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Ecosystem Services ◽

Service Delivery ◽

Ecosystem Service ◽

Agricultural Land ◽

Woody Species ◽

Walking Distance ◽

Managed Forests ◽

Community Forests ◽

Forest Condition

SUMMARYIn developing countries, the landscape surrounding agricultural land is important for maintaining biodiversity and providing ecosystem services. Forests provide a full suite of goods and services to subsistence farmers in the Himalayan agro-ecological system. The effects of biomass outtake on woody species richness and composition were analysed in forests under communal and government management. Interviews on forest use and perception of forest condition and ecosystem service delivery were conducted in farmer households bordering the forests. Significantly more woody species were found in the community managed forests. Species richness was negatively correlated with walking distance from the nearest village and increasing levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Community forests were generally less degraded than government managed forests, giving support to common pool resource management. Woody vegetation represented a crucial source of fuelwood, timber, fodder, and edible, aromatic and medicinal plants. Using a multidisciplinary framework to analyse ecosystem integrity and ecosystem service delivery enabled a finer understanding of these complex agro-ecological systems, giving support to evidence-based management and conservation planning for the future.

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Diversity and Population Status of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPS) in Community Forests of Dovan, Palpa, Nepal

Journal of Natural History Museum ◽

10.3126/jnhm.v24i1.2233 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 ◽

pp. 21-46

Author(s):

Munesh R. Gubhaju ◽

Suresh K. Ghimire

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Plant Species ◽

Human Disturbance ◽

Vascular Plant ◽

Alpha Diversity ◽

Forest Products ◽

Physical Factors ◽

Gamma Diversity ◽

Community Forest ◽

Community Forests

Patterns of diversity and distribution of non-timber forest product species (NTFPs) were studied in three community forests of Dovan VDC, Palpa. Richness of total plant species and NTFP species was compared in different community forests in relation to forest size, altitude, human disturbance and other physical factors. A total of 143 vascular plant species have been documented from the study area among which 114 species were identified as potentially useful species (NTFPs). The gamma diversity of all species as well as NTFP species was high in large-sized community forest and low in smaller-sized community forest indicating area-based increase in habitat heterogeneity in maintaining overall landscape level species diversity. But species richness (alpha diversity) showed pattern related more with the level of human disturbance associated with the management practices. Key words: Species richness; Alpha diversity; Beta diversity; Gamma diversity; Altitude; Disturbance. Journal of Natural History MuseumVol. 24, 2009Page: 21-46

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Impact of Disturbances on Species Diversity and Regeneration of Nepalese Sal (Shorea robusta) Forests Managed under Different Management Regimes

Earth ◽

10.3390/earth2040049 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 826-844

Author(s):

Uttam Chapagain ◽

Binod P. Chapagain ◽

Sunil Nepal ◽

Michael Manthey

Keyword(s):

Species Richness ◽

Protected Area ◽

Buffer Zone ◽

Community Forest ◽

Managed Forest ◽

Shorea Robusta ◽

Management Regime ◽

Disturbance Factor ◽

Management Regimes ◽

The Impact

Sal (Shorea robusta) forests, a dominant forest type in Nepal, experience different disturbance intensities depending on management regimes. This study compares the impact of disturbance on Nepalese Sal forests, which are managed on three major management regimes: protected area, state-managed forest, and buffer zone community forest. Using a systematic sampling approach, we sampled 20 plots, each covering 500 square meters, and nested plots within each main plot to measure pole and regeneration for each management regime. We recorded forest characteristics including tree species, counts, diameter, height, crown cover, and disturbance indicators. We compared forest attributes such as diversity indices, species richness, and stand structure by management regime using analysis of variance and regression analysis. The forest management regimes were classified into three disturbance levels based on disturbance factor bundles, and the buffer zone community forest was found to have the highest disturbance while the protected forest had the lowest disturbance. Species richness, diversity, evenness, abundance, density and basal area were higher, but regeneration was lower in protected area and state-managed forest compared to the buffer zone community forests. This suggests positive impacts of moderate disturbance on regeneration. The management plan should prioritize the minimization of excessive disturbance to balance forest conservation and provide forest resources to local users.

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