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The agricultural landscapes of Nepal have high potential for bird conservation: An analysis of research, threats and policy gaps
| First Author: |
Katuwal, Hem Bahadur |
| Abstract: |
Agricultural lands, due to high intensification, have been identified as a significant threat to bird species in Europe and North America. However, research remains relatively scarce in South Asia, including Nepal, where agricultural lands are less intensified. We examine the status of birds in Nepal's agricultural landscapes and their role in providing crucial habitats, with the aim of informing conservation management plans and policies at local and national levels, and their importance in facilitating bird migration across the Central Asian Flyway (CAF). We documented 638 bird species, representing approximately 71 % of Nepal's total bird species, within agricultural landscapes, with 27 % of these species breeding in these areas. Notably, 3 % of these birds are globally threatened, while 14 % are nationally threatened. Around 37 % of CAF species use Nepal's agricultural lands during migration, highlighting the critical role of these landscapes as stopover, wintering, or breeding habitats along the CAF. Invertivores (or insectivore) were the most prevalent, followed by vertivores (or carnivore) and omnivores. Despite their ecological significance, research on Nepal's agricultural lands has been limited, with only 70 studies conducted from 1988 to 2024, primarily focusing on large waterbirds and neglecting overall bird diversity and the effects of agricultural practices. People have limited knowledge of bird species, while bird trapping and hunting are widespread yet understudied and overlooked. Existing agricultural policies and species conservation plans largely overlook the importance of agricultural landscapes for bird conservation and fail to directly promote bird-friendly farming practices. Our study shows that agricultural lands of Nepal have significant potential for conserving resident birds and facilitating CAF species migration but remain largely understudied, emphasizing the need for sustained research, monitoring, and policy reforms. |
| Contact the author: |
Quan, RC |
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| Impact Factor: |
4.9 |
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| PubYear: |
2025 |
| Volume: |
308 |
| Publication Name: |
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION |
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