Shanta Budha-Magar

Harvesting of orchids for medicine and salep production is a traditional practice, and increasing market demand is spurring illegal harvest. Ethno‐ecological studies in combination with the effect of anthropogenic disturbance are lacking for orchids. We compared population density and structure, and tuber biomass of Dactylorhiza hatagirea (D. Don) Soó for three years in two sites: Manang, where harvesting of medicinal plants was locally regulated (protected), and Darchula, where harvesting was locally unregulated (unprotected). Six populations were studied along an elevation gradient by establishing 144 temporary plots (3 × 3 m2) from 3,400 to 4,600 m elevations. Mean density of D. hatagirea was significantly higher in the locally protected (1.31 ± 0.17 plants/m2) than in the unprotected (0.72 ± 0.06 plants/m2) site. The protected site showed stable population density with high reproductive fitness and tuber biomass over the three‐year period. A significant negative effect (p < ....

Panchase Protected Forest (PPF), situated at the junction of three districts Kaski, Syangja and Parbat with an elevation range of 900-2517m representing mid hills of Nepal. This study was carried out with an aim of documenting the flowering plant diversity of the Panchase Protected Forest, Kaski district, comprising three VDCs, Bhadaure Tamage, Chapakot and Pumdi Bhumdi. General survey, covering all seasons was organized (from June 2014 to May 2015) for collecting the plant species. Published literatures and herbarium specimens were also consulted for documenting the species. Identification of the collected specimens was made through consulting relevant literatures, herbarium specimens and expert consultation. A total of 613 species belonging to 393 genera and 111 families have been documented from this area. The dominant family was Orchidaceae (49 genera and 125 species) followed by Poaceae (25 spp.), Asteraceae (25 spp.) and others. Six endemic plants, Begonia flagellaris (Begoniaceae), Eria pokharensis, Gastrochilus nepalensis, Oberonia nepalensis, Odontochilus nandae and Panisea panchaseensis (Orchidaceae) were also reported. Similarly, present research revealed two taxa as new record for flora of Nepal, Dischidia bengalensis Colebr. (Apocynaceae) and Phreatia elegans Lindl. (Orchidaceae). The present findings suggest that PPF is one of the hotspot for floral diversity representing mid hills of Nepal and this pristine habitat for orchid should be developed as 'Orchid Sanctuary'.

Panisea panchaseensis Subedi (Orchidaceae), an endemic orchid of Nepal, which was previously thought to be occurred only in the type locality – " Panchase " , is now also recorded in Dolakha District of Central Nepal. A brief note on distinguishing character, distribution of the species along with photographs is given to validate the new locality report of species in Nepal.

The Kailash Sacred Landscape (KSL) is a transboundary landscape, which spreads across an area of over 31,000 km2 and includes southwestern part of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) of China, northwestern part of Nepal, and northeastern part of Uttarakhand State in India. The Nepalese part of the KSL (known as KSL Nepal) includes three districts (Baitadi, Bajhang and Darchula) of Sudurpashchim Province and Humla District of Karnali Province. The landscape comprises rich natural resources, and cultural heritage including ethnic diversity. The diverse habitat types in the landscape extending from tropical forests to alpine pastures in the monsoon-dominated slopes and dry alpine meadows and scrubs in the trans-Himalayan valleys support high plant diversity. The present work is an attempt to document all the known gymnosperm and angiosperm flora of KSL Nepal in the form of a comprehensive checklist. The entire checklist will form three volumes, of which the present book represents the first. It is primarly based on the study of herbarium specimens, investigation of the relevant floristic literature, online catalogue and databases, and direct field surveys. The first part of this volume introduces KSL Nepal, its biodiversity and vegetation pattern, trade and conservation status of plant biodiversity, and provides a brief account of the botanical explorations carried out in the landscape. The second part provides a comprehensive checklist featuring 661 accepted taxa, belonging to 231 genera in 42 families, each with information about nomenclature, vernacular name(s), growth characteristics, habitat, distribution, ethnobotanical uses and threat status. All gymnosperms recorded from KSL Nepal are included, comprising 15 species belonging to 9 genera in 4 families. Angiosperms covered in this volume represent 627 species, 8 subspecies and 11 varieties belonging to 222 genera in 38 families (Schisandraceae – Buxaceae). The checklist further features 1515 botanical synonyms of the taxa covered in this volume, and lists about 935 vernacular plant names with more than 300 names from the KSL region. It also documents ethnobotanical uses of 133 taxa.