Yarsagumba(Ophiocordyceps sinensis), an endemic species to the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, is one of the most valuable medicinal mushrooms in the world. In Nepal, it is distributed largely in isolated patches of al...Yarsagumba(Ophiocordyceps sinensis), an endemic species to the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, is one of the most valuable medicinal mushrooms in the world. In Nepal, it is distributed largely in isolated patches of alpine grasslands of 3,000-5,000 m elevation. Although it is reported from 27 northernmost districts of Nepal, the local distribution pattern of this species is largely unknown.Furthermore, the collection system and local management regime of this species are not well documented. We conducted a field survey at Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve(DHR) among the different stakeholders in January-June 2012 to assess collection sites, patterns and trends and to understand the management regime. We estimated that about 75 kg of Yarsagumba is collected every year from DHR and the amount has been declining since 2008. To manage the resource, locals have initiated regulating the collection by issuing permits, taxing to the collectors, and monitoring the activities of harvesters with the help of park authorities. The revenue generated at local level from the permits has been used for community developmental activities.展开更多
Wetland means the surface of the earth that is permanently or seasonally or partially covered with water. Wetlands are most productive areas for biodiversity and local livelihood support. Nepal ratified Ramsar convent...Wetland means the surface of the earth that is permanently or seasonally or partially covered with water. Wetlands are most productive areas for biodiversity and local livelihood support. Nepal ratified Ramsar convention in 1987 and started to include the wetland in Ramsar site and till now nine wetland sites are included in Ramsar site. There are still lacking systematic research and conservation approach for these wetlands;therefore, our study attempted to assess the status of wetlands in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal;and explored threats and conservation challenges. We prepared list of streams and lakes and collected detail information regarding area, district, block, elevation and cultural as well as ecological importance of lakes. We recorded total 11 lakes with total 304477 m2 areas. The Sundaha lake is largest lake of the reserve having significant religious importance. We also recorded 7 streams in the reserve. Wetlands of the reserve were facing problem of sedimentation, pollution, and change in climate has also effects on these wetland ecosystem and their importance.展开更多
Reliable and sufficient information regarding status, distribution and habitat preference of red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is lacking in Nepal. The research activities on red panda in the mid-western Nepal are v...Reliable and sufficient information regarding status, distribution and habitat preference of red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is lacking in Nepal. The research activities on red panda in the mid-western Nepal are very limited, so the status of red panda in the region is quite unknown. The study conducted during May, 2013 in three Village Development Committees (VDCs) namely Godhemahadev, Malikathata and Tamti of Jumla district was an important step for providing vital information including distribution and habitat preference of this species. The study included the reconnaissance, key informants survey, interviews and consultation for the most potential area identification, opportunistic survey comprising the direct observation and indirect sign count method for the presence and distribution, habitat assessment consisting vegetation sampling and ocular estimation. The study revealed the presence of red panda in three forests namely Bahirepatan, Imilchadamar and Tyakot of Godhemahadev, Tamti and Malikathata VDCs respectively. The species was found distributed between 2880 and 3244 m with an average dropping encounter rate of 1.04 per hour of searching effort and 12 pellets per dropping. Red panda mostly preferred the habitat in the elevation range of 2900 - 3000 m with southwest facing steep slopes (36? - 45?), associated with water sources at the distance of ≤100 m. Trees such as Acer spp., Betula utilis and Quercus semecarpifolia, shrub species of Elaeagnus parvifolia, Drepanostachyum spp. and Jasminum humile, and the herbs like Polygonatum cirrhifolium, Fragaria nubicola and Galium asperifolium were found to be the most preferred species by red panda. The red panda preferred the habitat with dense crown coverage (>20% - 100%) and 31% - 50% ground cover. Fallen logs (39%) were the most preferred substrate used for defecation.展开更多
Nepal is rich in bird diversity and recorded 871 bird species. Our study aimed to update bird diversity of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR) of Nepal which is an Important Birds Area (IBA) out of 27 IBAs of Nepal. One h...Nepal is rich in bird diversity and recorded 871 bird species. Our study aimed to update bird diversity of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR) of Nepal which is an Important Birds Area (IBA) out of 27 IBAs of Nepal. One hundred forty nine species of birds were recorded in DHR;out of them Catreus wallichii was globally threatened bird which has faced different anthropogenic problem. Twelve species of birds were included in CITIES Appendices and 3 species were nationally threatened. Most of the species of order Passeriformis were recorded. Only one species of order Upupiformes i.e. Upupa epops was recorded during the study.展开更多
Background:Knowledge about the niche overlap among wild species and domestic cattle is helpful to conserve and manage wildlife.We assessed the habitat niche breadth and overlap of sympatrically living spotted deer(Axi...Background:Knowledge about the niche overlap among wild species and domestic cattle is helpful to conserve and manage wildlife.We assessed the habitat niche breadth and overlap of sympatrically living spotted deer(Axis axis)and domestic cattle with swamp deer(Cervus duvaucelii)in Shuklaphanta National Park,Nepal during the dry season to explore the possibility of interspecific competition by studying the habitat use by these species.The assumption was made that the presence of pellets is proof of habitat used by species.Methods:Grids of 2 km×2 km have four subgrids,each with four sample plots,making a total of 16 plots(20 m×20 m)in each grid.The size of each sub-grid was 200 m×200 m and they were placed randomly inside the grid but at least 1 km apart from one another.The data was collected in a 96 plots in total.Levin’s niche breadth and Morisita’s overlap index were calculated to determine the niche breadth and the habitat overlap,respectively.Results:The Levin’s measure of niche breadth suggested that spotted deer had the highest acclimatization with an index value of 0.94,followed by domestic cattle at 0.50,and swamp deer at 0.33 in our study area.Thus,our findings supported the evidence that spotted deer are habitat generalists,whereas swamp deer are habitat specialists.The swamp deer had lower niche breadth and more overlap with domestic cattle.Conclusion:Our study showed the least niche breadth of swamp deer in comparison to spotted deer and domestic cattle.The domestic cattle had the highest and least niche overlap with spotted deer and swamp deer,respectively,in terms of habitat use.Our study suggests that domestic cattle grazing should be stopped,and grassland management should be carried out for the benefit of ungulates.Similar studies should be conducted,including different seasons and places,prior to appropriate habitat management.In addition,further studies are needed to quantify the extent of interspecific competition by incorporating more species.展开更多
基金the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve Office and Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Nepal for the financial and logistic support to conduct this study
文摘Yarsagumba(Ophiocordyceps sinensis), an endemic species to the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau, is one of the most valuable medicinal mushrooms in the world. In Nepal, it is distributed largely in isolated patches of alpine grasslands of 3,000-5,000 m elevation. Although it is reported from 27 northernmost districts of Nepal, the local distribution pattern of this species is largely unknown.Furthermore, the collection system and local management regime of this species are not well documented. We conducted a field survey at Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve(DHR) among the different stakeholders in January-June 2012 to assess collection sites, patterns and trends and to understand the management regime. We estimated that about 75 kg of Yarsagumba is collected every year from DHR and the amount has been declining since 2008. To manage the resource, locals have initiated regulating the collection by issuing permits, taxing to the collectors, and monitoring the activities of harvesters with the help of park authorities. The revenue generated at local level from the permits has been used for community developmental activities.
文摘Wetland means the surface of the earth that is permanently or seasonally or partially covered with water. Wetlands are most productive areas for biodiversity and local livelihood support. Nepal ratified Ramsar convention in 1987 and started to include the wetland in Ramsar site and till now nine wetland sites are included in Ramsar site. There are still lacking systematic research and conservation approach for these wetlands;therefore, our study attempted to assess the status of wetlands in the Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Nepal;and explored threats and conservation challenges. We prepared list of streams and lakes and collected detail information regarding area, district, block, elevation and cultural as well as ecological importance of lakes. We recorded total 11 lakes with total 304477 m2 areas. The Sundaha lake is largest lake of the reserve having significant religious importance. We also recorded 7 streams in the reserve. Wetlands of the reserve were facing problem of sedimentation, pollution, and change in climate has also effects on these wetland ecosystem and their importance.
文摘Reliable and sufficient information regarding status, distribution and habitat preference of red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is lacking in Nepal. The research activities on red panda in the mid-western Nepal are very limited, so the status of red panda in the region is quite unknown. The study conducted during May, 2013 in three Village Development Committees (VDCs) namely Godhemahadev, Malikathata and Tamti of Jumla district was an important step for providing vital information including distribution and habitat preference of this species. The study included the reconnaissance, key informants survey, interviews and consultation for the most potential area identification, opportunistic survey comprising the direct observation and indirect sign count method for the presence and distribution, habitat assessment consisting vegetation sampling and ocular estimation. The study revealed the presence of red panda in three forests namely Bahirepatan, Imilchadamar and Tyakot of Godhemahadev, Tamti and Malikathata VDCs respectively. The species was found distributed between 2880 and 3244 m with an average dropping encounter rate of 1.04 per hour of searching effort and 12 pellets per dropping. Red panda mostly preferred the habitat in the elevation range of 2900 - 3000 m with southwest facing steep slopes (36? - 45?), associated with water sources at the distance of ≤100 m. Trees such as Acer spp., Betula utilis and Quercus semecarpifolia, shrub species of Elaeagnus parvifolia, Drepanostachyum spp. and Jasminum humile, and the herbs like Polygonatum cirrhifolium, Fragaria nubicola and Galium asperifolium were found to be the most preferred species by red panda. The red panda preferred the habitat with dense crown coverage (>20% - 100%) and 31% - 50% ground cover. Fallen logs (39%) were the most preferred substrate used for defecation.
文摘Nepal is rich in bird diversity and recorded 871 bird species. Our study aimed to update bird diversity of Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve (DHR) of Nepal which is an Important Birds Area (IBA) out of 27 IBAs of Nepal. One hundred forty nine species of birds were recorded in DHR;out of them Catreus wallichii was globally threatened bird which has faced different anthropogenic problem. Twelve species of birds were included in CITIES Appendices and 3 species were nationally threatened. Most of the species of order Passeriformis were recorded. Only one species of order Upupiformes i.e. Upupa epops was recorded during the study.
基金supported by the Ministry of Industry,Tourism,Forest and Environment,Sudurpaschim Province,Nepal.Similarly,we would like to thank IDEA WILD for the instrument support(REGMNEPA0419)。
文摘Background:Knowledge about the niche overlap among wild species and domestic cattle is helpful to conserve and manage wildlife.We assessed the habitat niche breadth and overlap of sympatrically living spotted deer(Axis axis)and domestic cattle with swamp deer(Cervus duvaucelii)in Shuklaphanta National Park,Nepal during the dry season to explore the possibility of interspecific competition by studying the habitat use by these species.The assumption was made that the presence of pellets is proof of habitat used by species.Methods:Grids of 2 km×2 km have four subgrids,each with four sample plots,making a total of 16 plots(20 m×20 m)in each grid.The size of each sub-grid was 200 m×200 m and they were placed randomly inside the grid but at least 1 km apart from one another.The data was collected in a 96 plots in total.Levin’s niche breadth and Morisita’s overlap index were calculated to determine the niche breadth and the habitat overlap,respectively.Results:The Levin’s measure of niche breadth suggested that spotted deer had the highest acclimatization with an index value of 0.94,followed by domestic cattle at 0.50,and swamp deer at 0.33 in our study area.Thus,our findings supported the evidence that spotted deer are habitat generalists,whereas swamp deer are habitat specialists.The swamp deer had lower niche breadth and more overlap with domestic cattle.Conclusion:Our study showed the least niche breadth of swamp deer in comparison to spotted deer and domestic cattle.The domestic cattle had the highest and least niche overlap with spotted deer and swamp deer,respectively,in terms of habitat use.Our study suggests that domestic cattle grazing should be stopped,and grassland management should be carried out for the benefit of ungulates.Similar studies should be conducted,including different seasons and places,prior to appropriate habitat management.In addition,further studies are needed to quantify the extent of interspecific competition by incorporating more species.
