Social aspects

While the issue of invasive alien species (IAS) has important biological components, the human dimensions deserve much greater attention. Humans, with all their diversity of quirks, strengths, and weaknesses, are at the heart of the problem of IAS and, paradoxically, also at the heart of the solution.

The effects of household characteristics on crop diversity are examined using household-level data based on a stratified random sample of 180 households from two districts in Zimbabwe, Uzumba-Maramba-Pfungwe and Tsholotsho.

The future of much of the biosphere will depend on managing large areas using an integrated approach that recognizes human populations have a keen interest in ensuring the continuing productivity of the ecosystems within which they live. Such an approach will have to meet local needs, maintain or restore ecosystem integrity and conserve biodiversity.

The Siwalik (Churiya) range is a fragile land system formed from sediments during the raising of the greater and lesser Himalaya. The area is considered one of the world's most important sources of the later tertiary fossils of mammals and provides a basis for much of our current knowledge about the evolution of fauna, especially primates and reptiles. The Siwaliks, ranging east to west, occupy an estimated 13; of Nepal's total land area.

Urban centres in Nepal will continue to grow as the trend to migrate to urban centres from neighbouring rural areas in search for better economic opportunities continues. This trend will have a significant impact on the existing infrastructure facilities and services of the urban centres. Haphazard growth and inadequate services have not only degraded the environmental quality of the urban centres but have made some urban areas uninhabitable.

This source book contains 15 chapters on diverse topics, ranging from components of the natural environment to efforts in environmental management. While it is primarily intended for students and teachers in the Faculty of Education and Tribhuvan University-affiliated campuses, it will also be useful to researchers and general readers interested in the state of the global environment as well as the environment in Nepal.