Occurrence of bats in protected areas of Nepal: An update on species richness and distribution records

Bat surveys in 20 Protected Areas (PAs) of Nepal are sporadic and/or had targeted purposively a few localities, therefore, bat diversity from the PAs is yet to be explored. Bat species richness in PAs from two reviews until 2011 are inconsistent. In total, seven surveys have been undertaken in six PAs since 2011. Hence, an update and revision on chiropteran account from the PAs of Nepal is warranted. We reviewed available literatures and museum collection records, and further collated and plotted bat occurrence coordinates into the country and mapped them. In total, 44 of 53 bat species in Nepal have been recorded from 12 PAs. Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) reports highest species richness (22) followed by Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and Buffer Zone (SNNP & BZ) (15), Makalu Barun National Park and Buffer Zone (MBNP & BZ) (14) and Chitwan National Park and Buffer Zone (CNP & BZ) (13). In contrast, survey localities are more in CNP & BZ (12), ACA and SNNP & BZ (equally 11) and MBNP & BZ (10). Species richness increased proportionately with higher survey efforts and including more habitat types in respective PAs. Three species: Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Rh. pearsonii and Rh. sinicus are recorded from six out of 12 PAs. Pipistrellus javanicus (12), Hipposideros armiger (10), Cynopterus sphinx (9) and Rh. sinicus (9) are recorded from maximum number of surveyed localities in the PAs. All the PAs have limited occurrence records. Therefore, intensive surveys are recommended for understanding actual chiropteran diversity to the PAs of Nepal.

Soil Respiration Variations in Temperate Rhododendron (Rhododendronarboreum) Forest of Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) in Nepal

Background: Photosynthetic carbon released into the atmosphere in the form of carbon dioxide (CO2) which represented by soil respiration (SR), is considered the largest carbon (C) efflux of terrestrial ecosystem. Understanding the dynamics of SR is critical to coping with prevailing climate change from regional to global scale. Temperate forests are considered as most fragile hence need to recognize their vulnerability owing to continuous climatic changes and anthropogenic activities. Predicting the response of SR is essential, owing to the varying environmental factors that are most dominantly effective to become common determinants of forest carbon variability. This study aimed to assess SR by using closed chamber method in the natural Rhododendron arboretum forest in Annapurna Conservation Area (ACA) which is recognized as the world’s largest forest type located in a temperate region of Nepal. This research additionally aimed to evaluate the consequences of multiple ecological parameters mainly climatic and biotic factors on SR variations in consecutive two years measurement period in October 2016 and 2017.Results: Overall, SR in the forest well corresponded with the soil temperature (ST) variables. Within a short-range (2-3°C) of ST difference the variation in SR was recognized as highly significant (p<0.05) exponential curve (y=1.049e0.529x, 2016 and y = 26.34e0.284x, 2017). However, the effect of soil water content (SWC) on SR was scattered and clear effects of photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) were also not detected. Contrary to ST and SWC, seasonal trend of SR was compatible with the PPFD and litter input. The temporal, diurnal, and inter-annual variations of SR, ST, SWC and litter fall were accountable.Conclusions: Temperate forest could store the maximum amount of soil C with limited C emission through SR and become a larger sink of atmospheric CO2. SR is very sensitive to environmental changes and interactively affected by multiple ecological factors, even though it is often difficult to separate their interactions. This founding research is adequate measure in temperate Rhododendron forest; further study seeks understanding on how C emission responds to the regional climate warming, through changing precipitation and landuse, and integrates these feedbacks into global climate models and carbon budget.

Annotated checklist of Collembola of Nepal

This is the first annotated checklist of Collembola species of Nepal. It includes 167 collembolan species belonging to 78 genera and 17 families including 45 endemic species. Majority of the Nepalese collembolan species were reported from major trekking routes viz. Mount Everest, Annapurna Conservation Area and Langtang area with very few other locations. The highest record of collembola in Nepal is about 5800 m asl. Southern Terai and Siwalik range remain unexplored.

Habitat selection of Himalayan Musk Deer Moschus leucogaster (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Moschidae) with respect to biophysical attributes in Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal

Himalayan or White-bellied Musk Deer Moschus leucogaster, an IUCN indexed endangered species, is distributed in isolated pockets in the Himalaya. The deer population is decreasing owing to several pressures that include habitat loss and fragmentation, and poaching. It is essential to identify preferred habitat characteristics to support appropriate management strategies for conserving this endangered species. This study was carried out in the Nysheang basin of Annapurna Conservation Area of Nepal to identify habitats preferred by the musk deer. Habitat field parameters were collected using transect surveys. To analyze vegetation use and availability, nested quadrate plots size 20 m2 were established. Ivlev’s electivity index (IV) (-1 to +1) was employed to determine habitat preference, and one-way ANOVA (F) and chi-square tests (χ2) were used to examine different habitat parameters. Similarly, the importance value index (IVI) of the vegetation was calculated. Our results showed that the Himalayan Musk Deer strongly preferred habitats at 3601–3800 m altitude (IV= 0.3, F= 4.58, P <0.05), with 21–30º slope (IV= 0.2, F= 4.14, P <0.05), 26–50 % crown cover (IV= 0.25, F= 4.45, P <0.05), 26–50 % ground cover (IV= 0.15, F= 4.13, P <0.05), and mixed forest (IV= 0.29, χ2= 28.82, df= 3, p <0.001). Among the trees, Abies spectabilis (IVI= 74.87, IV= 0.035) and Rhododendron arboretum (IVI= 55.41, IV= 0.02) were the most preferred, while Rhododendron lepidotum, Cassiope fastigiata (IV= 0.35) and Berberis aristata (IV= 0.25) were the most preferred shrubs, and Primula denticulata (IV= 0.87) and Primula rotundifolia (IV= 0.31) were the most preferred herbs. These preferred habitat conditions should be maintained and conserved to sustain a viable population of deer in the study area. Further studies will be required to assess the effects of climate change on habitat suitability.

Knowledge And Interpretation Of Sustainable Tourism In The Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal: A Comparison Of Key Stakeholder Groups And Implications for Sustainable Tourism Management

The concept of sustainable tourism (ST) has emerged as an alternative to mass tourism and it is increasingly applied to protected areas given the dual challenges of protecting the natural resource base while also meeting the demands of tourism. For its success, however, tourism stakeholders should have access to ST information and a shared understanding of the concept’s meaning. This study examines the knowledge and interpretation of the ST concept and the important channels and sources of ST information of four key stakeholder groups in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 55 participants in three sites located along the most popular trekking routes with economies heavily reliant on tourism. Qualitative analysis revealed important differences in knowledge and interpretations of ST among stakeholders and identified how these differences are shaped by available channels of ST information. The implications on ST development and management are explored and discussed.

Knowledge And Interpretation Of Sustainable Tourism In The Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal: A Comparison Of Key Stakeholder Groups And Implications for Sustainable Tourism Management

The concept of sustainable tourism (ST) has emerged as an alternative to mass tourism and it is increasingly applied to protected areas given the dual challenges of protecting the natural resource base while also meeting the demands of tourism. For its success, however, tourism stakeholders should have access to ST information and a shared understanding of the concept’s meaning. This study examines the knowledge and interpretation of the ST concept and the important channels and sources of ST information of four key stakeholder groups in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 55 participants in three sites located along the most popular trekking routes with economies heavily reliant on tourism. Qualitative analysis revealed important differences in knowledge and interpretations of ST among stakeholders and identified how these differences are shaped by available channels of ST information. The implications on ST development and management are explored and discussed.

Human-Wolf (Canis lupus) Conflict in Upper Mustang of Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal

Human-wolf conflict has been one of the major issues in the Himalayan region of Nepal. It has obstructed the sustainable management initiatives in Annapurna Conservation Area. The aim of this study is to assess the status of human-wolf conflict, conservation threats to wolf and people’s perception towards this endangered carnivore. Questionnaire survey was conducted in different wards of three rural municipalities (RM) of the Upper Mustang. Similarly, key informants were interviewed followed by several discussions with stakeholders. The results indicate “wolf’s preference for domestic livestock” as the most probable cause of depredation with IRR value 0.91. The number of victims was found highest in Lomanthang RM (ward number 2) where 90% of respondents reported to be victims. However, in terms of the loss in monetary value, Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda RM (ward number 4) ranked highest with the loss of NRs. 55,880 (≈$479.1)/HH/year and Barhagaun Muktichhetra (ward number 3) is the least affected. Similarly, by number, mountain goat casualties (172) were highest in last 5 years, but the maximum economic loss was due to the horse depredation (NRs. 68,00,000 or $57,347.20) among sampled households. The results indicate that the negative perception of local people is the major threat to wolf. Active participation of local people in conservation and awareness program can play a vital role to reduce and mitigate the human-wolf conflict at community level.