Avifaunal Diversity of Barandabhar Corridor Forest, Chitwan, Nepal

The main aim of the study was to analyze the avifaunal diversity of Chitwan, Nepal. The avifaunal diversity at six transects of Barandabhar Corridor Forest in Chitwan district was carried out during two visits (autumn and spring) in 2020-2021. The line transect method was used to cover most of the study area. In total, 125 species of birds representing 18 orders and 59 families were recorded. The highest number of bird species i.e. (56) 44.8% were represented by order Passeriformes along with 34 families. The highest number of species was found in family Picidae (9) 7.2% followed by Cuculidae (8) 6.4% and least number (1) 0.8% in other 31 families. The seasonal status of species was Autumn (84) and Spring (116). The relative abundance of species was Very Common (60), Common (40), Uncommon (16), and Rare (9). According to the National Red List of Nepal’s Birds, 110 species were in the Least Concern category, eight species were in the Near Threatened category, six species were in the Vulnerable category and one species was in the Critically Endangered category. It was noted that major threats to the birds were illegal fishing, noise pollution, firewood collection, illegal cattle grazing, and invasive alien plant species. One Globally Threatened Bird Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus was also noted.

Beyond pre-Columbian burning: the impact of firewood collection on forest fuel loads

Government agencies in the United States adopted a prescribed burning policy based in part on paleo-environmental evidence of pre-Columbian Native American burning regimes. However, biomass collection by Native Americans in the pre-Columbian era left little direct or indirect evidence of its magnitude or influence on fire regimes. In many developing countries, local peoples harvest biomass for shelter, tool production, cooking, and heating, and often manage forests communally. The objective was to use modern proxy biomass collection estimates analogous to pre-Columbian era practices in the western US to estimate the potential impacts of regionwide firewood collection on fuel loads in the Sierra Nevada range of California. A minimum of 59% of the forested area of the Sierra Nevada range could have been completely stripped of 100 hr (2.54-7.62 cm diameter) surface fuel accumulation each year in the pre-Columbian era, but upper estimates suggest Native American fuelwood requirements may have exceeded the amount of 100 hr surface fuels accumulated over the entire range each year. The collection and removal of the fuels from the surface fuel loads may have contributed to reduced fire severities over that era. Dead wood collection in Nepal and India was found to reduce the threat of forest fires. Including the effects of cultural practices on fuel loads may improve reconstructions of past fuel and fire regimes, and may benefit modern management strategies.

Owners’ Knowledge and Approaches to Colic in Working Equids in Honduras

In Honduras, many families are reliant on working equids in their daily life. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge about, and approaches to colic used by owners of working equids in Choluteca, Honduras using a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured, verbal questionnaires were conducted with ninety-three owners from eleven different communities in the Choluteca region on equid horse owners’ knowledge of colic and treatments. Additional context was gained through observations and verbal questionnaires with three veterinary practitioners and eight agricultural pharmacy (agrovet) store owners. Working equids were commonly used for firewood collection 31% (40/126), transportation 24% (30/126), and carrying crops 13% (17/126). Thirty-eight percent of owners (35/92) said they did not know what colic was, 27% (24/89) could not name any clinical signs, and 46% (42/92) could not name any causes. Most owners with previous experience of colic had treated it themselves 79% (53/67), typically using herbal remedies. Colic was a major concern for owners of working equids who had prior experience or knowledge of the condition. Knowledge and understanding of colic varied, and access to evidence-based treatments was very limited. The findings will be used to inform the development of educational resources on colic in working equids.

Effects of drivers and their variations on the number of stems and aboveground carbon removals in miombo woodlands of mainland Tanzania

Background Removals caused by both natural and anthropogenic drivers such as logging and fire in miombo woodlands causes substantial carbon emissions. Here we present drivers and their effects on the variations on the number of stems and aboveground carbon (AGC) removals based on an analysis of Tanzania’s national forest inventory (NFI) data extracted from the National Forest Resources Assessment and Monitoring (NAFORMA) database using allometric models that utilize stump diameter as the sole predictor. Results Drivers of AGC removals in miombo woodlands of mainland Tanzania in order of importance were timber, fire, shifting cultivation, charcoal, natural death, firewood collection, poles, grazing by wildlife animals, carvings, grazing by domestic animals, and mining. The average number of stems and AGC removals by driver ranged from 0.006 to 16.587 stems ha−1 year−1 and 0.0–1.273 tCha−1 year−1 respectively. Furthermore, charcoal, shifting cultivation and fuelwood caused higher tree removals as opposed to timber, natural death and fire that accounted for higher AGC removals. Conclusions Drivers caused substantial effects on the number of stems and carbon removals. Increased mitigation efforts in addressing removals by timber, fires, shifting cultivation, charcoal and natural death would be effective in mitigating degradation in miombo woodlands of Tanzania. Additionally, site-specific studies need to be conducted to bring information that would be used for managing woodlands at local levels. This kind of study need to be conducted in other vegetation types like montane and Mangrove forest at national scale in Tanzania.

TÁC ĐỘNG CỦA VIỆC THU HỒI ĐẤT ĐỂ XÂY DỰNG NHÀ MÁY ĐIỆN MẶT TRỜI ĐẾN CHĂN THẢ GIA SÚC CỦA CỘNG ĐỒNG ĐỊA PHƯƠNG Ở XÃ CHƯ GU, HUYỆN KRÔNG PA, TỈNH GIA LAI

Nghiên cứu tác động của việc thu hồi đất để xây dựng nhà máy điện mặt trời đến chăn thả gia súc của cộng đồng đã được tiến hành tại xã Chư Gu, huyện Krông Pa, tỉnh Gia Lai năm 2018. Phương pháp nghiên cứu đánh giá nông thôn có sự tham gia đã được sử dụng tại 4 thôn, buôn bị ảnh hưởng bởi nhà máy. Kết quả nghiên cứu cho thấy bò, dê là tài sản quí, được sử dụng trong các nghi lễ quan trọng của người dân tộc Jrai. Việc chuyển nhượng 7,2 ha đất để xây dựng nhà máy điện mặt trời đã tác động trực tiếp đến chăn thả gia súc, giảm lượng thức ăn tính theo vật chất khô 49,26 tấn/năm, làm giảm tiếp cận đến khu vực chăn thả phía sau, tăng lượng thức ăn thêm tại chuồng (rơm: 1,2 lần, cỏ trồng: 1,36 lần, cỏ cắt: 1,26 lần) so với năm 2017. Dự án đã làm mâu thuẫn liên quan đến chăn thả bò gia tăng, người dân không còn kết hợp được việc chăn thả và lấy củi, tai nạn đuối nước xảy ra nhiều hơn vào mùa mưa và tai nạn giao thông có xu thế gia tăng trên Quốc lộ 25. Khi nhà máy điện đi vào hoạt động, số lượng gia súc của 4 thôn, buôn giảm đáng kể, trong đó bò giảm 9,32% và dê giảm tới 42,13% so với đàn gia súc năm 2016. ABSTRACT The research on the impact of land acquisition to build Solar Power Station on community grazing lands was conducted in Chu Gu Commune, Krong Pa District, Gia Lai Province in 2018. The survey was carried out by using the participatory rural appraisal in 4 hamlets under the project area. The result indicated that cattle, goats are valuable assets, used in important festivals of the Jrai people. The land acquisition of 7.2 ha to build the Solar Power Station has a direct impact on grazing capacity, including reducing feed input of 49.26 tones dry matter/year, reducing access to the hill behind, increasing the number of feed supplements at the barn (rice straw: 1.2 times, elephant grass: 1.36 times, natural grass cut: 1.26 times) compared to 2017. The project also increased conflicts related to grazing that local people can no longer combine with grazing and firewood collection, drowning accident happened more and more in the rainy season and traffic accidents tended to increase on Highway 25. When the project operated, the number of animals in 4 hamlets decreased remarkably, of which cattle decreased by 9.32% and goats decreased by 42.13% compared to 2016.

Economy-wide effects of reducing the time spent for water fetching and firewood collection in Ethiopia

Background Water fetching and firewood collection are among home activities that are part of the daily routine of many households in rural Ethiopia. Households travel long distances and spend large amounts of time every day for collecting water and firewood. Fetching water and firewood reduce labor available for market related activities such as agriculture that affects production and productivity of these sectors negatively. Better access to water facility and energy efficient technology (such as improved stoves) is expected to release labor for market related activities that can have economy-wide impacts. The objective of this study is to investigate the economy-wide effects of access to water facility and improved stoves. Methods The study uses the updated 2004/05 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) of Ethiopia. The SAM is modified to account for a detailed representation of water fetching, firewood collection and leisure activities and commodities. This study applies a single country Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to the updated SAM of Ethiopia. The simulation scenario is a 50% increase in the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) of both water fetching and firewood collection activities due to better access to water infrastructure and cooking improved stoves. Results The findings of the study show that better access to drinking water supply and improved stoves reduces labor time spent for water fetching and firewood collection. The released labor from water fetching and firewood collection partly reallocated to leisure consumption and partly to market related activities. Those freed labors that are reallocated to marketed sectors including agricultural and non-agricultural activities leads to increase employment and enhance domestic production. Better access to drinking water and improved stoves also enhances household welfare. Households that allocate a relatively large proportion of labor to water fetching and firewood collection gain relatively more welfare. Macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, total domestic production, absorption, and imports are also positively affected due to improved access to water and energy efficient technology. Conclusions It is helpful to recognize the economic significance of labor released from water fetching and firewood collection in any developing economy with a limited supply of water facility and access to energy technology.

Economy-wide effects of reducing the time spent for water fetching and firewood collection in Ethiopia

Background: Water fetching and firewood collection are among home activities that are part of the daily routine of many households in rural Ethiopia. Households travel long distances and spend large amounts of time every day for collecting water and firewood. Fetching water and firewood reduce labor available for market related activities such as agriculture that affects production and productivity of these sectors negatively. Better access to water facility and energy efficient technology (such as improved stoves) is expected to release labor for market related activities that can have economy-wide impacts. The objective of this study is to investigate the economy-wide effects of access to water facility and improved stoves. Methods: The study uses the updated 2004/05 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) of Ethiopia. The SAM is modified to account for a detailed representation of water fetching, firewood collection and leisure activities and commodities. This study applies a single country Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to the updated SAM of Ethiopia. The simulation scenario is a 50% increase in the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) of both water fetching and firewood collection activities due to better access to water infrastructure and cooking improved stoves. Results: The findings of the study show that better access to drinking water supply and improved stoves reduces labor time spent for water fetching and firewood collection. The released labor from water fetching and firewood collection partly reallocated to leisure consumption and partly to market related activities. Those freed labors that are reallocated to marketed sectors including agricultural and non-agricultural activities leads to increase employment and enhance domestic production. Better access to drinking water and improved stoves also enhances household welfare. Households that allocate a relatively large proportion of labor to water fetching and firewood collection gain relatively more welfare. Macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, total domestic production, absorption, and imports are also positively affected due to improved access to water and energy efficient technology.Conclusions: It is helpful to recognize the economic significance of labor released from water fetching and firewood collection in any developing economy with a limited supply of water facility and access to energy technology.

Economy-wide effects of reducing the time spent for water fetching and firewood collection in Ethiopia

Background: Water fetching and firewood collection are among home activities that are part of the daily routine of many households in rural Ethiopia. Households travel long distances and spend large amounts of time every day for collecting water and firewood. Fetching water and firewood reduce labor available for market related activities such as agriculture that affects production and productivity of these sectors negatively. Better access to water facility and energy efficient technology (such as improved stoves) is expected to release labor for market related activities that can have economy-wide impacts. The objective of this study is to investigate the economy-wide effects of access to water facility and improved stoves. Methods: The study uses the updated 2004/05 Social Accounting Matrix (SAM) of Ethiopia. The SAM is modified to account for a detailed representation of water fetching, firewood collection and leisure activities and commodities. This study applies a single country Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model to the updated SAM of Ethiopia. The simulation scenario is a 50% increase in the Total Factor Productivity (TFP) of both water fetching and firewood collection activities due to better access to water infrastructure and cooking improved stoves. Results: The findings of the study show that better access to drinking water supply and improved stoves reduces labor time spent for water fetching and firewood collection. The released labor from water fetching and firewood collection partly reallocated to leisure consumption and partly to market related activities. Those freed labors that are reallocated to marketed sectors including agricultural and non-agricultural activities leads to increase employment and enhance domestic production. Better access to drinking water and improved stoves also enhances household welfare. Households that allocate a relatively large proportion of labor to water fetching and firewood collection gain relatively more welfare. Macroeconomic indicators such as GDP, total domestic production, absorption and imports are also positively affected due to improved access to water and energy efficient technology. Conclusions : It is helpful to recognize the economic significance of labor released from water fetching and firewood collection in any developing economy with a limited supply of water facility and access to energy technology.

Livelihoods and Biodiversity Conservation: A Survey of Socioeconomic Activities around Pandam Game Reserve, Plateau State - Nigeria

This research surveyed some socio-economic activities of communities around Pandam Game Reserve (PGR) central Nigeria to determine their implications for biodiversity Conservation in PGR. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and field observations. Results showed a 100% response to questionnaires administered. Eighty three percent (83%) of the respondents were males while 17% were females. Eighty percent (80%) attended at least primary school level of education while 20% had no form of formal education. Prominent among occupation of respondents was farming with 40% and the occupation of respondents with list response was hunting with 1%. Field observations showed the presence of the following human activities: logging, firewood collection, fishing, farm encroachment, cattle grazing and poaching. The implication of these socio-economic activities in PGR if left uncontrolled could result to biodiversity lost. A multi-stakeholder approach and participatory management of the reserve which will consider the socio-economic concerns of locals have been suggested as a critical component for building cooperation. These if properly exploited is believed will contribute substantially to biodiversity sustainability in PGR. Keywords: Communities, Biodiversity, Conservation, Pandam Game Reserve