%0 Journal Article
%T Diversity, Uses, and Threats in the Ghodaghodi Lake Complex, a Ramsar Site in Western Lowland Nepal
%A Pramod Lamsal
%A Krishna Prasad Pant
%A Lalit Kumar
%A Kishor Atreya
%J ISRN Biodiversity
%D 2014
%R 10.1155/2014/680102
%X This study documents aquatic and terrestrial/riparian biodiversity in an anthropogenically disturbed Ramsar site, the Ghodaghodi Lake complex, in the Western Nepal surveyed during the summer season (March-April) of 2007. The study site comprises three major interconnected lakes: Ghodaghodi (138 ha), Nakharodi (70 ha), and Bainshwa (10 ha). Five transect lines for aquatic macrophytes and three transect lines and 37 sampling plots were laid to sample terrestrial/riparian plants, birds, and animals. Five sample plots were established for fish and aquatic bird. A total of 45 species of aquatic macrophytes, 54 species of terrestrial/riparian vegetation, 19 fish species, 41 bird species, 17 mammals (endangered and vulnerable), and 5 reptiles (critically endangered, vulnerable, and near threatened) were recorded at the lake complex. Local people have used most of the aquatic and terrestrial plants for different purposes while many of the potential medicinal plant species were still untapped. Persistent anthropogenic threats, like excessive harvesting and poaching, habitat destruction¡ªpopulation pressure, forest fragmentation, siltation, fertilizer and pesticide seepage, water pollution, overgrazing, and unmanaged irrigation system found over the lake complex, endangered the existing biodiversity. The suggested remedial measures are further exploration of medicinal potential, prioritization of in situ biodiversity conservation strategies, and implementation of awareness program at local level against anthropogenic threats. 1. Introduction Wetlands are defined as lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water [1] and as in such state, supports considerable amount of biological diversity of the earth. The values of wetlands are receiving global attention due to their high contribution to human kind. But it is also a most delicate and threatened habitat as compared to other types because of the close interaction with us. Wetlands occupy approximately 5% (743,756£¿ha) of the total area of Nepal including high altitude glacial lakes, hot springs, ponds, oxbow lakes, river flood plains, swamps, and marshes and are critical habitats for many plant and animal species. MFSC [2] mentioned that the biogeographic location of Nepal and its complex mountain systems have given rise to a proportionately high level of biodiversity relative to its total area (i.e., 147,181£¿sq.£¿km). Dugan [3] reported that wetlands occupy only about 4 to 6% of the Earth¡¯s surface but
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.biodiversity/2014/680102/