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Protected areas (PAs) are extensively used as one of the most important strategies for biodiversity conservation
. They can contribute to maintaining or recovering biophysical structures, processes and functions of the ecosystems within the PA and even around it. However, the management of most PAs is facing a growing set of challenges due to climate change, unsustainable use of resources, and other socio-economic perturbations, especially in the surrounding landscape of the PAs. Therefore, it is crucial that the PA´s management know and understand the nonlinear relationships and feedback loops affecting the socioecological system (SES) in which the PA is embedded. This research selected Parsa National Park (PNP) in Nepal as a case study to analyse its SES, using the ecosystem approach. PNP, whose status has recently been changed from a wildlife reserve to a national park, is one of the 20 protected areas in Nepal and is located in the intersection of the Tarai and Siwalik physiographic zones. It has a very important socioecological role in facilitating the connectedness of different ecosystems – it enables the mobility of wild animals across these two zones – as well as in providing many ecosystem services such as the provision of nontimber products, carbon sequestration, control of erosion rates, buffering and attenuation of mass flows, micro and regional climate regulation, and water flow maintenance, among others. The purpose of the study was to develop a systemic analysis which includes visualizing and describing the SES in order to identify the key elements, patterns, trends and complex relationships in the system and, based on that, to understand how the emergent properties of the system can arise and influence its sustainability. The method “adaptive MAnagement of vulnerability and RISk at COnservation sites” (MARISCO) framed the methodology that was applied. It included a systematic literature review of secondary sources, semi-structured interviews, and a validation workshop with the stakeholders. This study confirms that PNP is clearly embedded in an SES which goes beyond the administrative boundaries of the PA. The interdependence and complexity of the relationships identified within the SES and with the surroundings suggest that cross-scale and multilevel perspectives need to be included in the PA´s management paradigm. The study has also identified that the main ecological dynamics that have been affected are those related to the hydrological system and the connectedness of the landscape. Even though climate change is altering precipitation and temperature patterns, the main drivers affecting the system dynamics are mainly attributable to human activities. This creates a set of challenges for transforming the development pathways in Nepal towards a more sustainable model. The results show the need to promote adaptive governance in order to frame the implementation of an adaptive management programme in PNP; this includes adopting a participatory approach whereby the ecological knowledge of the local population is taken into account, and also by promoting a culture of shared learning. The present study lays the groundwork for future research to improve the understanding of the dynamics of the SES of PNP, to incorporate the ecosystem approach into PNP´s management, and even to scale it up to the entire landscape. Taken together, these findings have significant implications for the understanding of how the SES of a PA influences its sustainability in the short, medium and long terms
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Efficient and sustainable value chains of forest products are important for sustainable forest management, improved rural livelihoods, and poverty alleviation
. However, in most tropical developing countries, these value chains are not well developed and governed effectively to ensure the equitable distribution of income and benefits from the trade in timber; thus, they provide less incentive for sustainable forest management. Inefficiencies and inequitable distribution of benefits in the timber value chains can contribute to forest degradation. Timber value chains that are well developed and sustainable are thus important for the objectives of market-based climate governance mechanisms such as REDD+, and as such, REDD+ initiatives can provide pathways and direct interventions for developing equitable and sustainable timber value chains. This, however, requires a clear understanding of the functioning and distribution of benefits in the value chain. Thus, this study assesses the teak timber value chain in Myanmar with the aim of identifying the bottlenecks that require interventions for REDD+ compatibility
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This study is the first of its kind that looks at the impact of endocrine-disrupting compounds on the waterbodies of Chitwan National Park
. It serves as a baseline on chemicals that severely impact aquatic biodiversity and clearly such monitoring needs to be done on a more regular basis
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Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is a global initiative developed as part of the Paris Agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
. REDD+ aims to contribute to mitigating climate change by compensating developing countries for the cost of reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the forest sector. REDD+ National Strategies or Action Plans (NS/APs) can reduce GHG emissions by lowering the rate of deforestation and forest degradation (D&FD) and/or removing GHG from the atmosphere through ‘forest enhancement’ activities (the ‘+’ of REDD+)1, for example, by establishing plantations (reforestation and afforestation) and restoring degraded forest landscapes
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Richards, M.; Bhattarai, N.; Karky, B.; Hicks, C.; Ravilious, C.; Timalsina, N.; Phan, G.; Swan, S.; Vickers, B.; Windhorst, K.; Roy, R.
This manual has been prepared for facilitators working with planners and multiple stakeholders in the development of sub-national plans for Reduced Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+)
. It is based on idea that subnational REDD+ planning is essential for operationalising a REDD+ National Strategy. The manual is based on pilot Sub-national REDD+ Action Plan (SRAP) experiences in Vietnam and Nepal over the period 2014-2016. It is written in a prescriptive style, but the methodology is generic and can be adapted to the country context and requirements
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Murthy, M. S. R.; Gilani, H.; Karky, B. S.; Sharma, E.; Sandker, M.; Koju, U. A.; Sandker, M.; Koju, U. A.; Khanal, S.; Poudel, M.
Background The reliable monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) of carbon emissions and removals from the forest sector is an important part of the efforts on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+)
. Forest-dependent local communities are engaged to contribute to MRV through community-based monitoring systems. The efficiency of such monitoring systems could be improved through the rational integration of the studies at permanent plots with the geospatial technologies. This article presents a case study of integrating community-based measurements at permanent plots at the foothills of central Nepal and biomass maps that were developed using GeoEye-1 and IKONS satellite images. Results The use of very-high-resolution satellite-based tree cover parameters, including crown projected area (CPA), crown density and crown size classes improves salience, reliability and legitimacy of the community-based survey of 0.04% intensity at the lower cost than increasing intensity of the community-based survey to 0.14% level (2.5 USD/ha vs. 7.5 USD/ha). Conclusion The proposed REDD+ MRV complementary system is the first of its kind and demonstrates the enhancement of information content, accuracy of reporting and reduction in cost. It also allows assessment of the efficacy of community-based forest management and extension to national scale.
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Crop productivity is directly dependent on soil fertility
. High organic carbon content in soil is vital as it leads to improved soil quality, increased productivity, and stable soil aggregates. In addition, with the signing of the climate agreement, there is growing interest in carbon sequestration in landscapes. This paper looks at how soil organic carbon (SOC) can be increased so that it contributes not only to the reduction of atmospheric CO2, but also translates to the increased food production, thereby enhancing food security. This synergy between climate change mitigation and enhancing food security is even more relevant for mountain landscapes of the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region where there remains huge potential to increase CO2 sequestration and simultaneously address food security in the chronic food deficit villages. Soil samples were collected from seven transects each in Bajhang and Mustang and from four land use types in each transect. Samples of soils were taken from two depths in each plot: 0–15 cm and 15–30 cm below the soil surface to compare the top soil and subsoil dynamics of the soil nutrients. The lab analysis was performed to assess the soil texture, soil acidity in “power of hydrogen” (pH), and macro-nutrients reflecting soil fertility. Secondary data was used to analyze the level of food deficit in the villages. The pH value of soil from Bajhang ranged from 5.3 to 9.1. The pH value of soil ranged from 5.7 to 8.8 in Mustang. SOC contents of sampled soils from Bajhang ranged from 0.20% to 7.69% with a mean amount of 2.47% ± 0.17%. SOC contents of sampled soils from Mustang ranged from 0.51% to 8.56% with a mean amount of 2.60% ± 0.25%. By land use type, forest land had the highest carbon (C) content of 53.61 t·ha−1 in Bajhang, whereas in Mustang, agricultural land had the highest C content of 52.02 tons·ha−1. Based on these data, we can say that there is potential for increasing SOC through improved soil health and crop production holistic soil management should be practiced for higher productivity, and incorporating livestock for farmyard manure would fertilize cultivated soils, which increases soil productivity. Increasing productivity would aid in enhancing the access and availability of food in these mountain village
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We examine the role of subnational institutions in carbon sequestration and assess whether community forest user groups can meet both existing forest needs and international carbon demand
. By conducting a qualitative evaluation of a pilot program in Nepal that made carbon payments to forest user groups, we examine if community forestry institutions can be effective, efficient, and equitable in implementing Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD)+. Our evaluation relies on focus group discussions, meetings, and community and program documents of forestry user groups that participated in the REDD+ pilot and matched groups that did not. Compared to control groups, REDD+ user groups appear to be more effective in carbon sequestration, perhaps because of increased prevention of forest fires and grazing, nursery establishment, and other forest management. REDD+ user groups report a larger number of forest conservation, forest utilization, and community development activities relative to control groups. Participating communities bear transaction costs of US$4.5/hectare and implementation costs of US$2.5/hectare on average (or NPR 50,000 (US$600) per year). The mean REDD+ rent per ton of additional carbon sequestered was US$1.3. Targeting of benefits improves partly because some marginalized groups, particularly women, participate more in the planning and management. In terms of equity, microcredit and capacity development activities were skewed to the poorest households, whereas alternate fuel and carbon monitoring were more advantageous to middle or high income households. Overall, our analyses suggest that REDD+ activities can be successfully executed, if communities receive technical and capacity building support for institutional strengthening, in addition to carbon payments
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This study illustrates how a private sector- Plantec Coffee Estate (P) Ltd was able to successfully bring a positive change in restoring degraded landscape through private investment
. Before establishment of agroforestry (1994), the land use was dominated by cultivated (73.2%), barren land (17.1%) and shrub/bushes (6.3%). Now 81.2% of area is covered by forest, out of which 52% has closed canopy. The total carbon stock of an area was found to be 6795 tons (equivalent to 24,939 tCO2), which cost would be USD 124,693 at the rate of 5 USD per tCO2. This finding also highlighted the fact that agroforestry in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region is a suitable biological mitigation intervention that contributes to NDC targets and REDD+ objectives
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Banikoi, H.; Thapa, S.; Bhattarai, N.; Kandel, R. C.; Chaudhary, S.; Chaudhary, S.; Timalsina, N.; Windhorst, K.; Karky, B. S.; Adhikari, M. D.; Pokheral, C. P.
Finding solutions to human-wildlife conflict (HWC) is one of the complex challenges conservationists and local communities have to contend with for an enduring period
. Biodiversity is crucial for enriching the forests including the existing flora and fauna species residing in the forest, which is a key element of the GIZ/ICIMOD REDD+ Himalaya Initiative. The Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) has been selected by the Government of Nepal for developing the REDD+ programme. This area harbours numerous wildlife corridors, and with the enhancement of habitats through REDD+ conservation activities, the wildlife population will increase. This will further exacerbate existing human-wildlife conflict. Therefore, to ensure and address such challenges, REDD+ mechanisms need to incorporate human-wildlife mitigation measures. The study employed various methods including mapping of the fences, observation, focus group discussions, and key informant and official interviews with conservationists in the CNP and NTNC-BCC to collect data. A total of 57 fences were visited and mapped in 54 community forests which are made up of buffer zone community forests and community forests under the district forest office
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