ISSN NO: ISSUE2023
ISSUED ON: 2023

Bamboo Diversity Assessment and its Relationship with Soil Properties in Sarpang, Bhutan

Jambay and Pinkey Dahal

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Climate Resilient Livelihoods in Dagana Dzongkhag: An Action Research on Promotion of Change Resilient Livelihood Options

Tshewang Dorji

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Diversity and Distribution Pattern of Tree Rotting Fungi in Hardwood Forests in Lengkhar, Tashi Yangtse

Jambay and Karma Tshewang

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Effect of Soil Nutrients on Tree Diversity in Different Habitats of Bjagchog Gewog under Chukha Dzongkhag, Bhutan

Jambay and Sangay Choden

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Exploring Freshwater Fish Biodiversity in Bhutan through Species Distribution Models: A Case Study on Snowtrout

Sonam Wangmo1, 2* Karma Wangchuk1, 3 Marlis R. Douglas1, Singye Tshering 3 Michael E. Douglas1

 
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Freshwater Plant Diversity in Punakha District, Bhutan

Tenzin Dema and Jambay

 
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Bamboo Diversity Assessment and its Relationship with Soil Properties in Sarpang, Bhutan

The bamboo diversity study was conducted in three gewogs of Sarpang Dzongkhag. Diversity was studied, both in the forests and in the villages, using nets covering the gewogs. A total of 15 bamboo species from four genera were recorded. Bambusa was the most dominant genus in the study area. Species diversity, uniformity, and richness showed medium diversity (H = 2.239), high uniformity (J = .827), and high richness (D = 2.682) in the study area. Biodiversity and uniformity across land use types showed forest areas with the highest diversity (H = 2.91) and uniformity (J = .96), followed by agricultural land (H = 2.65; J = .88) and built-up area (H=2.20; J=0.86). Soil analysis showed that bamboo can grow in soils with organic carbon ranging from 0% ( zero is not possible..)to 4.98%, with a mean of 1.87%. Similarly, soil moisture also ranged from 0.20 to 24.07% with a mean of 7.17% and organic matter from 0 ( ..not possible..?)to 2.90% with a mean organic matter of 1.28%. Soil pH ranged from 4.10 to 5.10 with a mean pH of 4.68, indicating that bamboo requires slightly acidic soil to grow. The Kruskal-Walli’s test found that there was a significant difference (p

<0.05) in bamboo diversity and soil properties across different land use types. Woodland had the highest culm count. Spearman’s correlation showed a low to moderate correlation between bamboo diversity and different soil properties. Conic correlation analysis showed a correlation of bamboo species with soil properties that varied from species to species. The suitable habitat of bamboo covers about 40.92% of the total area. This study provides baseline data for future research and management purposes of bamboo in the country

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Climate Resilient Livelihoods in Dagana Dzongkhag: An Action Research on Promotion of Change Resilient Livelihood Options

Climate change impacts on rural farming system and adaptation practices have not been formally studied and thus the adaptive capacity of rural community remained poorly understood in Bhutan. The action research on climate change and adaptation was carried out in four gewogs: Goshi, Kana, Geserling, and Khebisa of Dagana Dzongkhag with the objective to help build adaptive capacity and resilience of the communities through capacity building and awareness trainings. This study assessed changes in adaptive capacity and resilience of the farming communities after adaptation interventions by comparing baseline and end line survey data. A total of 210 respondents were randomly selected from the households surveyed during the baseline study conducted in the four gewogs in 2014. Household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, field observations, gewog level and household level indicators were used for the final evaluation. The study found that the interventions had improved communities’ farming practices and adaptive capacity, thereby scaling up resilience. Five indicators at the gewog level: planning; rule of law; water management; biodiversity; and environment improved, although not significantly, in almost all four gewogs. Similarly, household indicators such as energy and livestock (t (210) = – 4.429, p =.000) and health and sanitation (t (210) = – 5.005, p =.000) showed significant improvement after the interventions.1The rate of improvement over household indicators differed significantly (p = .004) between the four gewogs. Post intervention saw increased households availing credit opportunities and engaging in off-farm activities all geared towards climate resilient livelihoods practices.

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Diversity and Distribution Pattern of Tree Rotting Fungi in Hardwood Forests in Lengkhar, Tashi Yangtse

The tree rotting fungi, scientifically referred to as xylophagus, are considered as the primary decomposer of trees in the forests as they produce enzymatic chemicals that degenerate the structural integrity and vital components of the trees. They grows on both standing and felled log woods. Studies and research in this field in Bhutan is limited. This study focused on polypores which grows on living, standing trees to provide a baseline dataset and guide to the diversity of the tree rotting fungi and their distribution through determining abundance and important value (IV) in Lengkhar and vicinity forest. For this, systematic line transects were established, and data were collected from plots laid systematically along these transects. The study documented 59 species, which was highly diverse (H=3.24). Among all, Trametes versiclor was the most abundant species (IVI=58.08), followed by Mycena spp. (IVI=32.32). The study recommends that related agencies consider mitigation measures to prevent the spread of these tree rotting fungi in the forests.

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Effect of Soil Nutrients on Tree Diversity in Different Habitats of Bjagchog Gewog under Chukha Dzongkhag, Bhutan

The effect of soil nutrients on tree diversity in different habitats was assessed in Bjagchog under Chukha Dzongkhag with the aim to assess tree species diversity, determine the relationship between tree diversity and soil nutrients in different habitats, and assess people’s knowledge on the effect of soil nutrients on tree diversity in the study area. Tree species data were collected systematically from a total of 30 plots (10 plots of 20 x 20m in each habitat type) along a transect line with 100m between each plot. Representative soil data was obtained from 15 plots for nutrient analysis. A random sampling method was used to collect social data. A total of 45 tree species from 34 different genera and 25 families were recorded in the study area. The highest species number (n=20), tree diversity, uniformity, and richness were recorded from the semi-disturbed habitat (H=2.54, J=0.85 & Dmg=3.58). One-way ANOVA showed a significant difference in tree species diversity between different habitats (p=0.002). Spearman’s rho correlation test showed a significant correlation between species number and altitude. CCA biplot showed that soil-K was the most influential edaphic factor for the tree species maximum. The chi-square test found no significant association between gender, age, and annual income with the effect of tree diversity on soil nutrients (p > 0.05).

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Exploring Freshwater Fish Biodiversity in Bhutan through Species Distribution Models: A Case Study on Snowtrout

Conservation and biodiversity management are focal points for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). However, monitoring agencies in participating nations that supply data are now severely hampered by political/economic constraints, with “data-deficient” species as a result. This issue will only grow as Himalayan glaciers wane, monsoons shift/diminish, and available freshwaters decline due to climate change. Habitat for cold-water native fishes will shrink while non-natives pre-adapted to warmer, disturbed habitats sharply increase. Effects will be most apparent in countries like Bhutan, where legislation exists to actively conserve/protect biodiversity yet with freshwater fishes recognizably data-deficient, a management issue that must be quickly adjusted, given rapid climate change. Yet, what are the best strategies to accomplish this? And how might they be implemented/sustained as climate change intensifies? This study demonstrates a potential approach by deriving a Species Distribution Model (SDM) for two putative and three unidentified Bhutanese snowtrout (Cyprinidae; Schizothorax spp.), using limited occurrence/distribution data collected by National Research & Development Centre for Riverine & Lake Fisheries (NRDCR&LF, MoAF, Haa). Two influential niche parameters were identified: Seasonal precipitation and annual temperature range, both actively being revised by climate change. Surprisingly, preferred snowtrout habitat is broadly distributed across midelevations of Bhutan, supporting the presence of recognized but “unidentified” forms (i.e., datadeficient). Additional long-term monitoring is needed to compensate for these deficiencies and to manage snowtrout as climate-driven impacts alter riverine flows. Both are immediate requirements for the conservation of Bhutan’s freshwater biodiversity.

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Freshwater Plant Diversity in Punakha District, Bhutan

Freshwater plant diversity in different waterbodies of Punakha District was studied to determine and compare the diversity among different waterbodies, study the correlation of freshwater plant diversity with environmental variables, and to record and assess the ideas and knowledge of the locals about freshwater plants. Area based survey was used to record the plant species from a total of 80 plots, 100m2 area consisting of 4 plots of 5m × 5m from each water body. The area-based survey method directly compares the plant diversity of different waterbodies with different dimensionality and characteristics. Simpson’s diversity index, Pearson correlation, Canonical correspondence analysis and Chi Square analysis were used to analyze the diversity, correlation of the freshwater plant species with environmental variables and social data. A total of 72 freshwater plant species distributed among 57 genera and 37 families were recorded. The diversity index for the freshwater plant was found to be the highest in the ponds (0.951), followed by ditches (0.939), streams (0.928), and lakes (0.913). Correlation and Canonical correspondence analysis showed decreasing diversity with increase in water velocity, depth, and altitude. Chi Square statistics analysis showed the association of gender, age, and education level of the respondents with awareness on freshwater plants. Although the locals are aware of the benefits of freshwater plants, their awareness and knowledge did not include the vital ecological roles of the freshwater plants.

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