Perceived Changes in Ecosystem Services in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region, Nepal

Ecosystem services (ES) are increasingly recognized as a means to facilitate adaption to environmental change. However, the provisions of ES are likely to be impacted by changes in climate and/or changes in land use. In developing countries, where people are typically dependent on these services for...

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Main Authors: Adhikari, S., Baral, H., Chitale, V.S., Nitschke, C.R.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: MDPI 2019
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/111834
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author Adhikari, S.
Baral, H.
Chitale, V.S.
Nitschke, C.R.
author_browse Adhikari, S.
Baral, H.
Chitale, V.S.
Nitschke, C.R.
author_facet Adhikari, S.
Baral, H.
Chitale, V.S.
Nitschke, C.R.
author_sort Adhikari, S.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Ecosystem services (ES) are increasingly recognized as a means to facilitate adaption to environmental change. However, the provisions of ES are likely to be impacted by changes in climate and/or changes in land use. In developing countries, where people are typically dependent on these services for their livelihoods, these impacts are of concern; however, very little is known about the changes in provisioning of ES over time. In this study, we assess the perceived changes on ES in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region of western Nepal. The study area accommodates three distinct ecoregions, ranging from lowland to upland ecosystems and communities. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect information on how ES may have changed in the landscape over time. This approach was supported by transect walks, field observations, and secondary sources of information, such as climatic and remote sensing data. Perceived changes on ES in the study region include reduced availability of water, reduced food production, degradation of forest ecosystems, and changes in species compositions. These changes are thought to have impacted other ES, and, in turn, local livelihoods. Management actions that can help local communities foster ES are recommended.
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spelling CGSpace1118342025-02-19T13:42:56Z Perceived Changes in Ecosystem Services in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region, Nepal Adhikari, S. Baral, H. Chitale, V.S. Nitschke, C.R. climate change ecosystem services livelihoods land use change Ecosystem services (ES) are increasingly recognized as a means to facilitate adaption to environmental change. However, the provisions of ES are likely to be impacted by changes in climate and/or changes in land use. In developing countries, where people are typically dependent on these services for their livelihoods, these impacts are of concern; however, very little is known about the changes in provisioning of ES over time. In this study, we assess the perceived changes on ES in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region of western Nepal. The study area accommodates three distinct ecoregions, ranging from lowland to upland ecosystems and communities. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were used to collect information on how ES may have changed in the landscape over time. This approach was supported by transect walks, field observations, and secondary sources of information, such as climatic and remote sensing data. Perceived changes on ES in the study region include reduced availability of water, reduced food production, degradation of forest ecosystems, and changes in species compositions. These changes are thought to have impacted other ES, and, in turn, local livelihoods. Management actions that can help local communities foster ES are recommended. 2019-01-14 2021-03-08T08:14:35Z 2021-03-08T08:14:35Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/111834 en Open Access MDPI Adhikari, S., Baral, H., Chitale, V.S., Nitschke, C.R. 2019. Perceived Changes in Ecosystem Services in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region, Nepal. Resources, 8 (1): 4. https://doi.org/10.3390/resources8010004
spellingShingle climate change
ecosystem services
livelihoods
land use change
Adhikari, S.
Baral, H.
Chitale, V.S.
Nitschke, C.R.
Perceived Changes in Ecosystem Services in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region, Nepal
title Perceived Changes in Ecosystem Services in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region, Nepal
title_full Perceived Changes in Ecosystem Services in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region, Nepal
title_fullStr Perceived Changes in Ecosystem Services in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region, Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Perceived Changes in Ecosystem Services in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region, Nepal
title_short Perceived Changes in Ecosystem Services in the Panchase Mountain Ecological Region, Nepal
title_sort perceived changes in ecosystem services in the panchase mountain ecological region nepal
topic climate change
ecosystem services
livelihoods
land use change
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/111834
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