ISSN NO: 45456
ISSUED ON: 2014

The Conservation of clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa (Griffith, 1821) in Bhutan

Ugyen Penjor

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An Annotated Checklist of Bird species Recorded from 1st October 2015 – 30th September 2016 Using Social Media

Tshering Tobgay

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Carbon Storage Potential of Temperate Mixed Coniferous Trees in Community Forests of Bumthang

Anirban Sengupta

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The Conservation of clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa (Griffith, 1821) in Bhutan

Classified as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Endangered Species Commission (IUCN 2006, Srivastav and Nigam 2009), the clouded leopard Neofelis nebulosa is one of the world’s most enigmatic wild cats (Austin et al., 2007) and faces many conservation challenges (Nowell and Jackson 1996). Compared to other species of the Panthera lineage, the clouded leopard has attracted little scientific and conservation attention (Wilting et al., 2007). The cat’s secretive arboreal behavior and forest habitat (Nowell and Jackson 1996) has eluded study, thus very little is known about its conservation and status in the wild (Gordon et al., 2007;

Povey et al., 2009; Wilting et al., 2007). Most information about the clouded leopard in south Asia comes from anecdotal sources (Grassman et al., 2005; Rabinowitz et al., 1987; Selous and Banks 1935), descriptive accounts (Selous and Banks 1935), sighting reports (Davies 1990; Mohamed et al., 2009) and captive individuals (Nowell and Jackson 1996). Similarly, their taxonomy and phylogenetic status remain obscure (Wilting et al., 2007).

Bhutan has the mammalian composition of two faunal regions, the Palearctic and the IndoMalayan ranging from sub-tropical to temperatealpine forest ecosystems (Sangay and Vernes 2008). Bhutan has been recognized as part of a biologically diverse conservation priority network (Tempa et al., 2013), yet few efforts have been made to document the country’s biodiversity in a scientific manner, let alone study the clouded leopard. Astoundingly, 11 felid species are found in Bhutan (Wangchuk et al., 2004), which represents the richness of predator faunal diversity.

Bhutanese efforts have detected common and large mammals, but missed rare and elusive felids like the clouded leopard. A camera trap study in Royal Manas National Park revealed the diversity of the felid species and provided insights as well as opportunities to further study of these species (Tempa et al., 2013). Specific natural history information vital for conservation of wild felids include habitat requirements, spatial-use patterns, social organization, reproduction, mortality, activity, and food habits (Lekagul and McNeeley 1977; Nowell and Jackson 1996). This information can form specific criteria for effective management and to begin population viability analyses of these poorly known carnivores (Austin et al., 2007; Grassman et al., 2005).

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An Annotated Checklist of Bird species Recorded from 1st October 2015 – 30th September 2016 Using Social Media

The ‘Birds of Bhutan’ (BoB) is a citizen-science Facebook forum that was created in October 2015. It is a platform for exchanging information related to bird species in Bhutan. The Forum had more than 3000 members as of 30th September, 2016. Members comprised of birders from Bhutan and birding visitors from around the globe. The members voluntarily contribute bird information to the forum along with photographic evidence. This first annual report is synthesized based on the posts made by the members of this online group. The Forum was created with an objective to build and expand the knowledge base on the birds of Bhutan through documentation of bird diversity by observation, photography, and sharing of information. The ultimate aim of the Forum is to promote awareness, educate people on birds, monitor, and contribute to bird conservation. The Forum also contributes to the creation of knowledge over the years about the birds’ migration patterns, breeding habitats, and population trends. Every post made on the Forum was reviewed by experts and documented. The Forum documented 351 species of birds between 2015 and 2016 out of which a few are threatened bird species in Bhutan.

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Carbon Storage Potential of Temperate Mixed Coniferous Trees in Community Forests of Bumthang

Forest ecosystems capture and store a large amount of carbon over long stretches of time. International financial incentive such as UN REDD+ to mitigate climate change needs adequate records on the net carbon stocks available in the forests. To estimate the potential carbon stocks in the temperate mixed coniferous forests of Bhutan, a study was conducted in Siptangzur and Shambayung Community Forests (CF), the oldest CFs in Bumthang Dzongkhag. The total aboveground biomass of trees was estimated using an allometric equation based on trunk diameter developed by the Department of Forest and Park Services (DoFPS). Biomass estimate was converted to forest carbon stock. The study was conducted in the forests dominated by blue pine and spruce. 60% of the trees had diameters of less than 20cm, suggesting a highpotential of increasing biomass over time. The above ground biomass for Siptangzur and Shambayung CFs based on sample area was 67.74 t ha-1 and 205.28 t ha-1 respectively.

The total carbon stock at Siptangzur and Shambayung was 4619.49 ton and 6650.29 ton respectively. The results show high carbon stocks and the future increase of biomass available for carbon sequestration.

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