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Abstract-Soil quality management helps to maintain biological productivity; air and water quality; and human habitation and health. As improper land management can deteriorate soil function, the evaluation of soil quality for different land use is necessary. To evaluate soil quality for different land use types in the Panchase area, soil quality index was computed on the basis of the soil management assessment framework. Protected forest has the highest soil quality index (0.95) followed by community forest (0.91), pasture (0.88), khet (0.81), and bari (0.79). Available phosphorus and soil organic carbon play major roles in making significant differences in the SQI among the different land use types. Less anthropogenic impact and vegetation in forest land result in better soil quality, whereas attempts to increase productivity in cultivated land degrade the soil quality. The proper application of fertilizer and giving priority to organic farming is recommended to improve soil quality.

Phewa Lake in Nepal is a lake of international importance providing crucial ecological and economic services. However, increased urbanization, population growth and anthropogenic activities have resulted in degradation of the lake. Thus, understanding the lake hydro-geochemistry is crucial for identifying sources of elements. Preceding studies have mostly covered limnological and physico-chemical assessments which are not sufficient to explain the lake catchment characteristics. This study has assessed the major ions in relation to their hydro-geochemical processes in the catchment. To evaluate monsoonal impact, the rainwater was also analyzed. The major ions were determined by using standard methods. The results revealed significant seasonal variations in temperature, pH, TDS, EC, and most of the major ions. There was domination of the total anions (Tz-) over the total cations (Tz +) indicating possible ionic contribution through decomposition of organic compounds. The domination of Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ and HCO3elucidates influence of carbonate weathering. The high (>1) equivalent ratio for (Ca 2+ +Mg 2+)/(Na + +K +), and (Ca 2+ +Mg 2+)/(Tz +) ratio ≈1 also suggest abundance of (Ca 2+ +Mg 2+) and prevalence of carbonate weathering. The low (<0.5) (Na + +K +)/Tz + ratio suggests lesser contribution of cations via alumino-silicate weathering. The positive correlation between Ca 2+ and Mg 2+ , and SO4 2and Ca 2+ indicate their common sources. Although the major ions were within the acceptable limits for irrigation, fish farming and recreation purposes, the increased trophic status of the lake suggests possibility of other processes making the limiting nutrients available for algal and macrophytes growth. Further studies incorporating sediment-water interaction is anticipated for the better management of the lake.

This paper identified ecosystem services of Panchase Protected Forest (PPF) in the mid-hills of western Nepal using the Economics of Ecosystem and Biodiversity (TEEB) framework. Transect walk, focus group discussion, key informants interview and expert’s consultation were used. This study revealed that PPF offered wide range of ecosystem services including provisioning, regulating habitat, and cultural and amenity services. Provisioning services offered by PPF included food (35 species), raw materials (22 species), energy (17 species), medicines (40 species), ornamental resources (3 species) and water resources. The forest was also a source of water for irrigation and domestic consumption. The regulating services offered by PPF included water flow regulation, erosion prevention, water purification, soil fertility maintenance, air quality regulation and climate regulation. PPF provided habitat for 589 species of flowering plants, 24 species of mammals and 262 species of birds maintaining life cycles and genetic diversity. By maintaining landscape integrity and heritages, PPF provided opportunities for recreation and tourism. A total of 3,600 tourists and 25,340 pilgrims visit PPF every year. The beneficiary of ecosystem services from PPF ranged from local level to sub-national, national and global levels.

Wetlands are the dynamic ecosystems with high yielding capacity which are considered very prolific from view point of biodiversity. With prime functioning of water supply, wetlands are well known for supplementary functions of providing ecosystem services viz., groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration, preventing water logging and flooding etc. Total ten wetlands sites of Nepal are included in Ramsar List till 2019, Koshi Tappu being the first listed wetland and Lake Clusters of Pokhara Valley being the latest included wetland which covers 60,561 hectares area of the total area of the country. Ramsar sites in Nepal are distributed throughout the country and are classified as high altitude wetlands, mid hill wetlands and terai wetlands. The Ramsar Site hosts endemic species of floral species some of which are endangered. It too serves as excellent habitat as water hole and corridor for numerous digits of threatened and endangered faunal diversity. Besides this, they serve as excellent habitats for migratory birds as well. Being such integral portions of biosphere, wetlands are under constant threats like eutrophication, siltation, invasion of alien species, pollution, agricultural runoff etc. This review article is based upon desk review different published and unpublished literatures from national level and provides detail information on updated wetlands of international importance of Nepal, along with present scenario, biodiversity value and threats that the wetlands are facing and is expected to help in shaping future course actions for wise use and sustainable management of wetlands in Nepal.