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Tibetan Plateau is regarded as a weather vane or startup of global climate change (CC) which has attracted the attention of scientific community
. Climate change impacts are becoming increasingly evident within this highly vulnerable and fragile region. Temperatures are rising at rates substantially higher than the global average, and significantly more so in higher altitude areas. Research shows that the annual average temperature in the TAR rises at a rate of 0.32℃ every 10 years, higher than in any other area nationall
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This manual provides the materials needed to deliver a basic training in access and benefit sharing (ABS) of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge as provided for under the Convention on Biological Diversity
. The background, key components and procedures, and obligations, rights, and responsibilities of the different actors involved are presented in twenty sessions, supplemented by extensive resource materials and sources for further study. The manual is intended to be used for training trainers, who can then multiply the learning across the region, but can also be used to provide basic knowledge to graduate students of related disciplines. We hope that it will help raise awareness about the ABS regime among the policy makers, development workers, community organisations, and individuals involved in the ABS process
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Zhu, D.; Wu, N.; Bhattarai, N.; Oli, K. P.; Tsering, K.; Rawat, G. S.; Chen, H.; Yang, G.; He, Y.; Joshi, S.; Rana, P.; Ismail, M.
Natural wetlands constitute one of the major sources of methane emission to the atmosphere
. Data on methane emission from wetlands on southern slopes of the Himalaya (SSH) have not been reported so far. Such data are very valuable for filling the gap and generating the whole emission patterns at regional or even global scale. We selected two wetlands at different altitudinal locations in Nepal, i.e. Beeshazar Lake (286 m a.s.l.) and Dhaap Lake (2089 m a.s.l.), to monitor the daytime methane emissions in monsoon season and dry season separately. Daytime methane emission varied between monsoon and dry seasons and also across different plant communities. The daytime methane emission variations were stronger in dry season than in monsoon season. The source/sink strengths of the two selected plant communities in each wetland were significantly different, presenting the strong spatial variation of methane emission within wetland. The methane emissions recorded in monsoon season were significantly higher (7.74 ± 6.49 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 and 1.00 ± 1.23 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 in low and high altitude wetlands, respectively) than those in dry season (1.84 ± 4.57 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 and 0.27 ± 0.71 mg CH4 m−2 h−1 in low and high altitude wetlands, respectively). Methane emissions from the low altitude wetland were significantly higher than those from the high altitude wetland in both of the seasons. Plant community height, standing water depth and soil temperature correlated to the methane emission from wetlands in this region
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This publication was prepared to raise awareness about, and improve our understanding of, the customary rights of indigenous and local communities in relation to the use of biological resources and associated traditional knowledge and to enhance their capacity to negotiate at the time of bio-prospecting
. This publication can be used as a tool to help local-level authorities and community leaders during the preparation of a biocultural community protocol. Outlining clear steps and procedures, this publication provides a guide to stakeholders on the important steps to be taken while preparing a biocultural community protocol at the field level. It is anticipated that, with the documentation of a biocultural community protocol, indigenous and local communities will become aware of their customary rights over the use of biological resources and traditional knowledge.
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Rapidly accelerating climate change in the Himalaya is projected to have major implications for montane species, ecosystems, and mountain farming and pastoral systems
. A geospatial modeling approach based on a global environmental stratification is used to explore potential impacts of projected climate change on the spatial distribution of bioclimatic strata and ecoregions within the transboundary Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL) of China, India and Nepal. Twenty-eight strata, comprising seven bioclimatic zones, were aggregated to develop an ecoregional classification of 12 ecoregions (generally defined by their potential dominant vegetation type), based upon vegetation and landcover characteristics. Projected climate change impacts were modeled by reconstructing the stratification based upon an ensemble of 19 Earth System Models (CIMP5) across four Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) emission scenarios (i.e. 63 impact simulations), and identifying the change in spatial distribution of bioclimatic zones and ecoregions. Large and substantial shifts in bioclimatic conditions can be expected throughout the KSL area by the year 2050, within all bioclimatic zones and ecoregions. Over 76 % of the total area may shift to a different stratum, 55 % to a different bioclimatic zone, and 36.6 % to a different ecoregion. Potential impacts include upward shift in mean elevation of bioclimatic zones (357 m) and ecoregions (371 m), decreases in area of the highest elevation zones and ecoregions, large expansion of the lower tropical and sub-tropical zones and ecoregions, and the disappearance of several strata representing unique bioclimatic conditions within the KSL, with potentially high levels of biotic perturbance by 2050, and a high likelihood of major consequences for biodiversity, ecosystems, ecosystem services, conservation efforts and sustainable development policies in the region
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Earthquakes cause serious environmental problems for restoration and reconstruction of the area
. Previous studies evaluated the consequences of soil loss and runoff from earthquakes. Some studies estimated soil loss and runoff amount precisely, but empirical studies on in situ and high geomorphic variability are lacking. This study was carried out in Xiaoyudong Township of Pengzhou County, China, in a typical subtropical, moist climate zone, with the vegetation of a subtropical, evergreen forest where the most destructive earthquake, named the Wenchuan earthquake occurred in May 12, 2008. This severe earthquake was followed by more than 30,000 aftershocks causing devastating landslides, soil erosion, runoff, and vegetation loss, which make the fault zone in the Longmen Mountains of Sichuan Province a perfect study area. The broad objective of this study was to estimate the sediment amount generated by the Wenchuan earthquake. The results show that (1) more runoff and soil loss occurred in landslides than at forested sites after the earthquake; (2) runoff and soil loss have positive linear correlations with rainfall amount and slope gradient, but there is a negative exponential correlation between vegetation cover and runoff, as well as soil loss; and (3) classification grades of soil erosion intensity reveals that total soil loss of very severe grade was 14.3% at the landslides sites. Moreover, 4.72 × 106 t (4.65 × 106 tn) of soil was still strikingly lost from landslides two years after the earthquake
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This chapter presents the KSLCI as a case study for adapting and applying ecosystem management approaches that recognise the vital role of communities and traditional customary arrangements
. It also describes and explores the unique cultural context and opportunities for conservation in the KSL and the Hindu Kush-Himalayan area more generally. After situating the reader in the KSL itself, the chapter will: (i) explore the inter-linkages between spiritual, cultural, and environmental values of the landscape; (ii) illustrate a range of customary systems of resource governance and managed in the different KSL areas; (iii) provide an analysis of relationships between customary and statutory systems of natural resource management and governance; and (iv) highlight enabling and inhibiting factors that affect the local realisation of rights and responsibilities. The chapter draws on the extensive and in-depth research and information assembled in a series of KSL baseline surveys and feasibility assessment reports, including traditional knowledge surveys completed in each of the three participating countries and summarised in the KSLCI Feasibility Assessment Repor
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This publication documents a study that uses a quantitative spatial analytic approach to environmentally stratify the KSL based on the Global Environmental Stratification approach
. The results are intended for use as a baseline for climate change research, for comparative studies, and to model the projected impacts of climate change on the landscape.
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An assessment was undertaken of the governance and related management effectiveness of four protected areas of the Kanchenjunga landscape shared by Bhutan, India and Nepal, using a simple site level tracking tool
. The study was further supported by focus group discussion, a survey of key informants and site visits. The management assessment revealed that protected areas are consistently weak in inputs such as number of staff, equipment, financial provision and infrastructure. The results indicate that management improvements are needed. Khangchendzonga biosphere reserve and Singhalila National Park in India scored 41.98 per cent and 32.44 per cent respectively. Slightly higher, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area of Nepal and Toorsa Strict Nature Reserve of Bhutan scored 67.59 per cent and 58.02 per cent respectively. Weak institutional capacity, depredation by wildlife, livestock grazing and illegal harvesting of resources were identified as threats. Limited participation of local people in decision making and protected area management were seen as major challenges. The findings support the recommendation that efforts should be made to move from a protectionist approach to a community-based conservation approach for conservation and sustainable use of biological resources in the landscape
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