Habitat Suitability and Conflict Zone Mapping for the Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) across Nepal

Rapidly changing environmental conditions (bioclimatic, anthropogenic, topographic, and vegetation-related variables) are likely to alter the spatial distribution of flora and fauna. To understand the influence of environmental variables on the Blue bull’s distribution and to identify potential conflict zones, the habitat suitability analysis of the Blue bull was performed using ensemble modeling. We modelled the distribution of the Blue bull using an extensive database on the current distribution of the Blue bull and selected 15 ecologically significant environmental variables. We used ten species distribution modeling algorithms available in the BIOMOD2 R package. Among the ten algorithms, the Random Forest, Maxent, and Generalized linear model had the highest mean true skill statistics scores, ensuring better model performance, and were considered for further analysis. We found that 22,462.57 km2 (15.26%) of Nepal is suitable for the Blue bull. Slope, precipitation seasonality, and distance to the road are the environmental variables contributing the most to the distribution of Blue bull. Of the total predicted suitable habitats, 86% lies outside protected areas and 55% overlaps with agricultural land. Thus, we recommend that the future conservation initiatives including appropriate conflict mitigation measures should be prioritized equally in both protected areas and outside protected areas to ensure the species’ survival in the region

Panoramic Radiographic Assessment of Status of Impacted Mandibular Third Molars: A Tertiary Care Centre Based Study in Eastern Nepal

ABSTRACTBackground: Mandibular third molar (M3M) is the most posterior of the three molars present in each quadrant. Racial variation, genetic inheritance etc can affect the jaw size, size of tooth and ultimately the eruption state of M3M. So, studies of impacted M3Ms have been carried out in various populations. But data relating to these are not evident from most of the parts of Nepal. Hence, this study was done to assess the status of impacted M3Ms in a tertiary care center in eastern Nepal. Materials &amp; Methods: Total of 220 patients’ M3Ms (i.e 440 sites of M3Ms) were assessed with Panoramic Radiographs, in Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology. The impaction status was divided as class of impaction (I, II, III), level of eruption (A, B, C) and angulation (mesioangular, vertical, distoangular and horizontal). Data were entered in Microsoft excel sheet and analyzed using SPSS software version 11.5. Results: Class II impaction state wasmost commonly present in this population group, in 345 sites (85.18%) while none of the patients had class III impaction. Level A eruption was most prevalent, 315 sites (77.78%). The least prevalent was level C eruption, 14 sites (3.46%). Majority 18 sites (46.67%) had vertical inclination while only 32 sites (7.9%) had horizontal inclination. Conclusion: The most prevalent impaction state of M3M in this populationgroup is Class II, Level A with vertical angulation. Keywords: impacted teeth; mandible; panoramic radiography; third molar. </p

Temperature and soils predict the distribution of plant species along the Himalayan elevational gradient

Tropical montane systems are characterized by a high plant species diversity and complex environmental gradients. Climate warming may force species to track suitable climatic conditions and shift their distribution upward, which may be particularly problematic for species with narrow elevational ranges. To better understand the fate of montane plant species in the face of climate change, we evaluated a) which environmental factors best predict the distribution of 277 plant species along the Himalayan elevational gradient in Nepal, and b) whether species elevational ranges increase with increasing elevation. To this end, we developed ecological niche models using MaxEnt by combining species survey and presence data with 19 environmental predictors. Key environmental factors that best predicted the distribution of Himalayan plant species were mean annual temperature (for 54.5% of the species) followed by soil clay content (10.2%) and slope (9.4%). Although temperature is the best predictor, it is associated with many other covariates that may explain species distribution, such as irradiance and potential evapotranspiration. Species at both ends of the Himalayan elevational gradient had narrower elevational ranges than species in the middle. Our results suggest that with further global warming, most Himalayan plant species have to migrate upward, which is especially critical for upland species with narrow distribution ranges

Functional traits shape tree species distribution in the Himalayas

Plant functional traits determine plant performance and have therefore the potential to shape and predict species distributions along environmental gradients. This study analyses how traits affect tree species distribution along an elevational gradient in the Himalayas, Nepal. We addressed three questions: (a) what plant strategies can be distinguished among tree species? (b) how are plant traits and strategies associated with elevation? and (c) what plant traits are the best predictors of species positions along elevational gradient? We quantified for 31 tree species a set of 39 plant traits related to resource uptake, use and conservation. We analysed how traits cluster into separate functions using a cluster analysis, and how traits and clusters associate into distinct plant strategies using a principal component analysis. The cluster analysis showed five clusters of traits, reflecting (a) efficiency in vertical expansion, (b) efficiency in horizontal expansion, (c) efficiency in metabolism, (d) physical defence and (e) tree functional groups (conifers vs. broadleaf species). The first PCA axis reflects trade-offs in traits and clusters linked to elevation: highland species had trait values that increase safety against freezing induced cavitation, high solar radiation and strong wind, and that increase resource conservation. In contrast, lowland species had trait values that increase efficiency of resource acquisition, metabolism and expansion. Additionally, a bivariate analysis showed that the first PCA axis is more strongly related to elevation than the individual traits, indicating that the combination of traits is more important than the individual traits. An all subsets regression analysis showed that a small set of traits best explain species distribution: highland species had smaller size (low basal area), safer hydraulics (low conduit diameter) and lower leaf and branch display efficiency (low leaf area per xylem area, specific branch length) that increase persistence under harsh conditions. Remarkably, leaf traits were poor predictors of species' elevational positions. Synthesis. Multiple trade-offs in plant size, hydraulics and light competitiveness shape species distribution along the elevational gradient. Along this extreme environmental gradient, stem and branch traits that integrate multiple plant organs and functions are better predictors of species' elevational distributions than leaf traits

Data for: Functional traits shape tree species distribution in the Himalayas

This data is the result of research entitled "Functional traits shape tree species distribution in the Himalayas". The research was carried out along a species-rich steep elevational gradient along the southern slopes of the Himalayas in central Nepal. To understand how traits shape the distribution of plant species along the elevational gradient, we selected 31 common tree species that partitioned the elevational gradient. To adequately describe species’ trait values and account for elevational trait variation, we sampled for each species 6 trees; three trees from the lower limits of their elevational distribution ranges and three trees from the upper limits. To assure that the traits are fully expressed, we sampled healthy-looking trees with sun-exposed crowns (crown illumination index ≥2.5, Clark and Clark, 1992). To reduce ontogenetic variation, we sampled adult trees with a stem diameter at breast height (DBH) between 10 and 30 cm. We selected 39 traits that are important for resource acquisition, use and conservation and play a key role in defence, metabolism, or adaptation to harsh environmental conditions (e.g. freezing, drought, and low nutrients availability). Traits were measured following standardized protocols (Pérez-Harguindeguy et al., 2013; Scholz et al., 2013; Zhang et al., 2016). We analysed how traits cluster into separate functions using a cluster analysis, and how traits and clusters associate into distinct plant strategies using a Principal Component Analysis. We found that multiple trade-offs in plant size, hydraulics, and light competitiveness shape species distribution along the elevational gradient. Along this extreme environmental gradient, stem and branch traits that integrate multiple plant organs and functions are better predictors of species’ elevational distributions than leaf traits

Effects of Forest Management Approach on Carbon Stock and Plant Diversity: A Case Study from Karnali Province, Nepal

The mitigation of global warming and conservation of biodiversity are two significant environmental challenges today. Estimating and comparing forest carbon stock and plant diversity under different management approaches provide insight into the choice of management approaches for carbon and plant diversity management. We investigated the variation in carbon stock and diversity of plant species in two forest managements under different approaches: the Kakrebihar protection forest (PF) and Sano Surkhet community forest (CF) in Karnali Province, Surkhet, Nepal. In total, 63 sample plots (30 plots in PF and 33 plots in CF) were laid out systematically across the forests. Dendrometric measurements were carried out for trees, poles, and saplings, and representative leaf litter and herb samples were collected. Soil samples were taken at 10 cm, 20 cm, and 30 cm depths using a soil auger. The existing tree volume equations of tree species of interest were used to estimate tree volume, and species-specific wood density and conversion factors were used to obtain total biomass and carbon content. Soil samples were analyzed using the Walkley-Black method to determine soil organic carbon. PF had higher carbon stock, plant species richness, and abundance at the landscape level than CF; however, the scenario differed at the plot level. At the plot level, PF had significantly higher total carbon stock and biomass carbon stock than CF. However, PF and CF were statistically indistinguishable in term of soil carbon stock. At the plot level, PF and CF were statistically indistinguishable regarding richness, Simpson diversity, and Shannon diversity, but PF had significantly higher plant abundance than CF. In conclusion, the value of PF for carbon stock and plant diversity surpassed those of CF. This study suggests that PF might be a better strategy to enhance carbon stock in forests and maintain habitat for various plant species

Application of innovation platforms to catalyse adoption of conservation agriculture practices in South Asia

Conservation agriculture-based sustainable intensification (CASI) is a package of practices that could improve the sustainability of smallholder farm productivity and profitability. However, existing extension systems are unable to facilitate widespread adoption to have the impact necessary to meet food security and livelihood requirements. This paper examines the utility of ‘Innovation Platforms’ (IPs) as a tool to catalyse adoption of CASI for smallholder farmers in South Asia and generate opportunities for rural micro-entrepreneurship in areas with high rates of poverty, small farm sizes and complex labour markets. We established 37 village-level and five District-level IPs across the Eastern Gangetic Plains of Nepal, Bangladesh, and India. IPs allowed widespread uptake of CASI with benefits to smallholder farmers, input and output suppliers, and enabled extension systems to be more efficient. There was variability across locations with different modes of IPs established, building on existing farmer or community youth groups, and enabling micro-entrepreneur business opportunities. IPs were effective in developing trust in communities, among stakeholders, empowering rural youth and women through direct engagement. Ensuring strong ownership was key. Further work is needed to provide opportunities for high-level policy support to assist IPs to have a wider impact in supporting large-scale adoption of CASI

Health system gaps in cardiovascular disease prevention and management in Nepal

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of deaths and disability in Nepal. Health systems can improve CVD health outcomes even in resource-limited settings by directing efforts to meet critical system gaps. This study aimed to identify Nepal's health systems gaps to prevent and manage CVDs. METHODS: We formed a task force composed of the government and non-government representatives and assessed health system performance across six building blocks: governance, service delivery, human resources, medical products, information system, and financing in terms of equity, access, coverage, efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability. We reviewed 125 national health policies, plans, strategies, guidelines, reports and websites and conducted 52 key informant interviews. We grouped notes from desk review and transcripts' codes into equity, access, coverage, efficiency, quality, safety and sustainability of the health system. RESULTS: National health insurance covers less than 10% of the population; and more than 50% of the health spending is out of pocket. The efficiency of CVDs prevention and management programs in Nepal is affected by the shortage of human resources, weak monitoring and supervision, and inadequate engagement of stakeholders. There are policies and strategies in place to ensure quality of care, however their implementation and supervision is weak. The total budget on health has been increasing over the past five years. However, the funding on CVDs is negligible. CONCLUSION: Governments at the federal, provincial and local levels should prioritize CVDs care and partner with non-government organizations to improve preventive and curative CVDs services.</p