Guidance on identifying climate resilient tree species for plantation in different ecological zones of Nepal
The USAID-funded Hariyo Ban Program is a five-year program that started in August 2011. Hariyo Ban’s overall goal is to reduce adverse impacts of climate change and threats to biodiversity in Nepal. The Hariyo Ban program is working in two landscapes: Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) and Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape (CHAL). Climate vulnerable communities and natural resource management groups from the two landscapes, particularly poor and excluded groups including women, Dalits and highly marginalized Janajatis, will benefit from the program activities. In addition, selected ministries, departments, district offices, civil society organizations, academic institutions, and private sector organizations will contribute to and benefit from the implementation of the program.
One of the main objectives of the program is to build the structures, capacity and operations necessary for effective sustainable landscape management, with a focus on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation and increase forest carbon sequestration through conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhance of forest carbon through plantation (REDD+). The program also works to reduce threats to biodiversity, and helps vulnerable ecological and human communities to adapt to climate change.
In order to enhance forest carbon stock and restore biological corridors, the Hariyo Ban Program has been supporting Government Line Agencies and local communities to establish plantationson forest and private lands in both the Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) and Chitwan-Annapurna Landscapes (CHAL). However, as climate change advances, growing conditions will progressively change, and eventually there will be major shifts in forest types in Nepal (e.g. Thapa et al. 2013). Generally species will tend to disappear from parts of their range where conditions become impossible for them to survive, and may move into new areas where conditions become favorable. Range projections for many individual species including trees can be viewed, for example, in the Wallace Initiative models ( In Nepal, a major expected trend is for species to move up altitudinal gradients as temperatures rise, so species are less likely to persist at lower ends of their ranges. More locally, areas that are cooler and damper (such as north-facing slopes and river valleys) may be refugia where species can persist for longer. Persistence of tree species will be much more complicated than this in practice, and is likely to be affected by other issues such as intactness of forest cover, effects of climate change on pollinators and seed dispersers, timing of flowering and fruiting, tolerance to drought and/or flood, trends in frequency, timing and intensity of fires, and other stresses (including non-climate stresses and additional stress as a result of people coping with the effects of climate change). Gill et al. (2013) offer a general guide to tree species vulnerability and adaptation options.
Choice of appropriate climate-resilient native tree species for specific sites in the context of climate change is very important for the survival of plantationsin thelongterm, and hence for carbon sequestration; it is also important to help maintain or restore ecological connectivity and to facilitate climate adaptation of biodiversity (including forests and tree species) and local communities.
In order to identify the most appropriate climate resilient tree species for plantingin the major physiographic zones of Nepal, documentation of the existing tree species planted there, evaluation of their silvicultural characteristics, and assessment of their likely resilience to climate changeis needed, as well as consideration of possible new native species for plantation in the light of climate change. While there are many uncertainties associated with this work, this assignment will make a first attempt to provideguidance in how to select tree species, and advise about likely trends in selected individual tree species for plantation in changing climatic conditions. It will also provide broad advice on approaches that should provide a greater likelihood of plantation success. The assignment will be undertaken by a consultant working in close consultation with Hariyo Ban staff.
2. Objectives
The overall goalof this assignment is to contribute to enhancing the forest carbon stock in Nepal and conservation of biodiversity through promoting planting of climate resilient native tree species on forest and private land. The specific objectives are:
- Analyze characteristics of major tree species currently planted in different ecological zones of Nepal to assess their vulnerability or resilience to climate change, and identify other potential native species for planting that are likely to be climate resilient
- Produce guidanceand recommendations on selection of the most appropriate tree species for plantingon forest and private land in different ecological zones of Nepal,taking into account projected species shiftsin changing climatic conditions
- Make recommendations for silviculturalpractices in light of climate change, with particular reference to REDD+ and biodiversity conservation.
3. Supervision and Coordination
The overall assessment will be supervised by Coordinator- Sustainable Landscapes, Hariyo Ban Program, WWF, in close consultation with Climate Change Adaptation Coordinator and other members of the core Hariyo Ban team; and with consortium partners.
4. Methodology
Overall, this assignment will be conducted with a methodology (discussed with HBP team) using information and tools such as the Wallace Initiative, Gill et al. (2013) and other available resources. Specifically it will include the following steps:
- Background research:
- Undertake a literature and internet review of likely impacts of climate change on:forest carbon; tree species and plantations including resilience and vulnerability factors; and adaptation responses by the forestry sector around the world.
- Review existing research in Nepal on this subject (e.g. Hariyo Ban supported dendrology study in Department of Forest Research and Survey (DFRS); projected trends in forest types by Thapa et al.)
- Collectthe following list, considering tree species’ likely performance in light of projected changes in climatic conditions in their current ranges: a) lists of tree species planted in different ecological zones of Nepal (information from MoFSC; Departments (i) Forests, (ii) Soil Conservation and Watershed Management, (iii) National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, (iv) FRS, and (v) Plant Resources) and review their morphological, physiological and characteristics and silvicultural practices. b) List of potential species based on literature review.
- Consultation:
- With local communities in selected Hariyo Ban sites for most preferred tree species for plantingin (i) forests; and (ii) private land from the list prepared under 1.
- With Government line agencies (DFO, DSCO, and DLSO) for seedling production and plantation of different species, their technical and financial aspects, including post plantation survival trends of these species over the past few decades.
- With development NGOs involved in tree plantingto see if they or their community partners have detected species shift trends.
- National workshop:
- Workshop with key national stakeholders to present results, undertake outreach, and obtain feedback (workshop will be organized by WWF in consultation with the consultant)
- Prepare report with guidance on:
- how to select tree species for planting for different purposes (e.g. carbon sequestration, agroforestry, biodiversity conservation) in light of climate change
- likely trends in the ranges of selectedindividual tree species in changing climatic conditions, and their suitability for planting in different ecological zones of Nepalbased on their silvicultural characteristics, technical feasibility for seedling production, current post-plantation survival rates,community preference, and likely climate resilience
- potential sites for plantation in light of climate change, and
- contributions of plantations to climate adaptation.
Throughout the assignment the Consultant will maintain regular communication with WWF Hariyo Ban Program and relevant government agencies so that they can provide inputs to the study, help deal promptly with any issues that arise, and help ensure that the output of the assignment is in accordance with this TOR.
Hariyo Ban and its core partners will provide inputs to the assessment including: provision of available information; technical advice; assistance in setting up some of the meetings/workshops; participation in consultative meetings; and feedback on deliverables.
5. Expected Output:
a. A national stakeholder workshop to undertake outreach on findings of the study and receive further inputs
b. A consolidated report with recommendations onplantation practices in light of climate change, and appropriate tree species for planting in different ecological zones of Nepal.
6. Duration and Time Frame
The assessment will take maximum of 7 weeks (35 working days). A detailed timeframe and scope for the study will be worked out with the Consultant once the Consultant has been selected.
7. Deliverables
Deliverables written by the Consultant will be in English and will be provided electronically using Microsoft Office software. Final reports will also be provided in 4 sets of hard copies. The Consultant will provide the following deliverables:
Deliverables / Due date- Inception report with outline of planned activities, consultations and timeline, and how the Consultant will liaise with the WWF Hariyo Ban Program; this will be presented to members of the Hariyo Ban core team
- Draft report with guidance on general plantation practices in light of climate change, and recommendations on appropriate tree species for planting in different ecological zones of Nepal
- National consultation workshop to present results and gain feedback
- Final draft report with guidance and recommendations
- Electronic copies of all materialsproduced during the assignment, and list of all materials accessed on the internet
8. Proposal Submission Details
Proposals, along with application letter, need to be submitted (by post or hand-delivered) in a sealed envelope clearly mentioning the project applied for at the following address:
Sustainable Landscape Coordinator
WWF Nepal- Hariyo Ban program
PO Box: 7660
Baluwatar, Kathmandu, Nepal
The deadline for submission of proposals is 5 PM, February 17, 2014.
Duty station
The Consultant should be based in Kathmandu for review, but will travel to districts and regions for consultations.
Qualifications and experience
Masters or higher degree in forestry, silviculture or natural resource management
NRM or forest management expert with experience in climate change and agro forestry
References:
Gill D., Magin G. and Bertram E. 2013. Trees and Climate Change: A guide to the factors that influence species vulnerability and summary of adaptation options. Fauna and Flora International, Cambridge, UK.
THAPA G.J., E. WIKRAMANAYAKE and J. FORREST. 2013. Climate-change Impacts on the Biodiversity of the Terai Arc Landscape and the Chitwan-Annapurna Landscape. WWF/Hariyo Ban Program, Kathmandu.