Simulating farm income under the current soil management regime in the mid-hills of Nepal

Abstract

Farmers in the mid-hills of Nepal follow diverse farming systems. The peri-urban area of this region, where population density is higher, faces several problems in farming. While hills suffer from erosion because they are erodible, the peri-urban areas face the problem of decline in factor productivity, particularly in intensively cultivated farmlands. The present study is concerned with simulating farm income on a regional scale based on soil management practices. Spatial explicit simulation shows that the loss of farm income due to degradation is substantially higher in hills while it is lower in valley bottoms. Strategy formulation and testing in the spatial environment indicates that Geographic Information System is an appropriate methodological tool for simulating the consequences of particular interventions. Key words: Mid hills, Nepal, spatial modeling, soil quality index, farm income DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjs.v6i8.3243 Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.6 Issue 8 2010 pp.27-34

Impact, management, and use of invasive alien plant species in Nepal’s protected area: a systematic review

“…Invasive alien plant species have been documented within this habitat, with L. camara, C. odorata, and A. houstonicneum being the most heavily invaded within the park. These IAP significantly contribute to diminishing the richness and diversity of native plant species (Bhatta et al 2020(Bhatta et al , 2021. Similarly, Suklaphanta National Park, with sixteen recorded IAP, experiences degradation due to alterations in grass species, negatively impacting grassland ecosystems (Bhatta et al 2021;Bhattarai 2012).…”

“…Invasive alien plant species are distributed as a problematic species at worldwide. They are particularly dangerous as they can displace native species, disturb ecosystem functioning, and cause harm to both biodiversity and human populations (Bhatta et al 2021; Convention on Biological Diversity [CBD] 1992; Potgieter et al 2019;Roy et al 2019;Shackleton et al 2018). Therefore, this kind of invasion is risky for the earth's biodiversity (Binggeli 1996).…”

“…Mikania micrantha as well as L. camara are the most problematic IAP found in Chitwan and Bardiya National Park respectively. About twenty-three species are noted from in and around the protected areas and among twenty-three species most prevalent species are L. camara, Ageratina adenophora, C. odorata, and Ageratum conyzoides (Bhatta et al 2021;Shrestha et al 2019a). Therefore, protected areas have highlighted the problem of IAP and its control and management policy and activities are included in their management plan to manage the ecosystem properly.…”

Spatial Distribution of Farm-Family Resources in the Mid-Hills of Nepal

“…Many resource-poor farmers in the rural hills apply traditional systems chiefly for subsistence production (Scialabba 2000). This spatial differentiation would give birth to different farming practices (Bhatta and Neupane 2010;Bhatta et al 2009), thereby producing different socioeconomic attributes in farm families (Bhatta and Doppler 2010).…”

“…The use of GIS in analyzing socioeconomic attributes along the spatial gradient has increased tremendously (Bowers and Hirschfield 1999). Several social researchers have utilized the system in developing comprehensive research outcomes, integrating socioeconomic information into the space, and sustainable policy formulation along the spatial gradient (Bhatta and Lynch 2011;Bhatta 2010;Bhatta and Neupane 2010;Bhatta et al 2009;Codjoe 2007;K.C. 2005;Brown 2003;Louis and Magpili 2002;Evans and Moran 2002;Troyer 2002;Farzaghi 2002;Schreier and Brown 2001;Forghani 2000;Joshi et al 1999;Ashby et al 1999).…”