Conserving Biodiversity and Delivering Ecosystem Services at Important Bird Areas in Nepal
Ecosystem services at IBAs in Nepal
Geographical coverage
| Geographical scale of the assessment | National |
|---|---|
| Country or countries covered | Nepal |
| Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name |
Geographical scale of the assessment
National
Country or countries covered
Nepal
Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name
Conceptual framework, methodology and scope
Assessment objectives
This study was designed to help decision-makers recognise the value of ecosystem services more fully, leading to a more sustainable future, in which the benefits from ecosystem services are better realised and more equitably distributed. Bird Conservation Nepal led the study and intend to build on the work it is presenting here, specifically by advocating for the inclusion of ecosystem values in land use policy, planning and management in Nepal, and undertaking actions that more effectively conserve biodiversity and reduce poverty at Important Bird Areas.
Mandate for the assessment
This study has helped to test a new practical ‘toolkit’ for assessing ecosystem services at the site-scale. The methods used are accessible to non-experts and deliver scientifically robust results. It is the first example of applying this approach to a network of sites important for biodiversity conservation in one country—Nepal—and analysing the results in relation to decision-making at both the local and national scales.
Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment
Other (please specify)
Toolkit for Ecosystem Services Site-based Assessments
URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted
not yet available
System(s) assessed
- Inland water
- Forest and woodland
- Cultivated/Agricultural land
- Grassland
- Mountain
Species groups assessed
birds
Ecosystem services/functions assessed
Provisioning
- Food
- Water
- Timber/fibres
- Medicinal resources
- Energy/fuel
Regulating
- Air quality
- Climate regulation
- Moderation of extreme events
- Regulation of water flows
- Regulation of water quality
- Waste treatment
- Erosion prevention
- Pest and disease control
Supporting Services/Functions
- maintenance of genetic diversity
Cultural Services
- Recreation and tourism
Scope of assessment includes
Drivers of change in systems and services
Yes
Impacts of change in services on human well-being
Yes
Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed
Yes
Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment
Yes
Timing of the assessment
Year assessment started
2010
Year assessment finished
2012
If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish
Periodicity of assessment
Unknown
Assessment outputs
Website(s)
Report(s)
Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)
Journal publications
Training materials
Other documents/outputs
Tools and processes
Tools and approaches used in the assessment
- Trade-off analysis
- Scenarios
- Social (non-monetary) valuation
Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component
Expert consultation workshop
Key stakeholder groups engaged
Local Conservation Groups, National park managers, FECOFUN, CFUGs
The number of people directly involved in the assessment process
10-100
Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge
- Scientific information only
- Resource experts (e.g. foresters etc)
- Traditional/local knowledge
Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment
Assessment reports peer reviewed
No
Data
Accessibility of data used in assessment
Available in Report
Policy impact
Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions
Launched by the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation at the CBD COP11 in Hyderabad. Jointly published by the Dept. of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. Has been discussed at meetings in relation to the revision of Nepal's NBSAP.
Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment
No
Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews
Capacity building
Capacity building needs identified during the assessment
Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity
Network and sharing experiences, Workshops, Developing/promoting and providing access to support tools, Communication and awareness raising
