Key Informant Survey Research Articles

High Altitude Rangelands Invasion by Non-Palatable Plant Species in the Perception of Yak Herders

The biological and socio-ecological dimensions of alpine rangelands degradation by invasive species have been considered in a field survey conducted in two yaks (Bos grunniens) rearing areas i.e., Langtang National Park (LNP) and Kanchanjunga Conservation Area (KCA). Data were collected by herder’s interview using the well-prepared and pretested set of questionnaires (60), followed by a focus group discussion (FGD) and key informants survey (KIS) each five at each site by following a set of checklists. There was a common perception about the invasive species among the herders in the study sites. The Rumex nepalensis was the most invasive species reported (75% of the respondents) at altitudes up to 3000 m in the KCA, while it was additionally with Eupatorium adenophorum (60%) in the LNP, while the Lyonia and Juniperus were the common invasive species in both sites. Altogether, twelve plant species were reported as invasive and non-palatable species from various botanical groups were indifferent to the changes made by invasive species in rangelands soil characteristics but gave well insight into the declining productivity of grasslands and herbage productivity and quality. Herders established bush clearance and slash and burn agriculture in rangelands as traditional adaptation measures to control the invasive species. Mapping of risk zones of invasive and alien species in the alpine rangelands is necessary across the alpine rangelands of Nepal and a long-term monitoring framework is desirable to confirm the herder's information on invasive alpine species of Nepalese Himalayas.

People's Participation in Community Forest Management

The proposed study introduced the "People's Participation in Community Forest Management". This study was conducted on community forest of the central part of Nepal in Sindhuli district. The main objective of this study was to assess the participation of users group in forest management activities, decision making, benefit sharing mechanism and finding the factors that effect on people's participation. Primary data was collected through preliminary survey, questionnaire survey, focus group discussion and key informant survey. Secondary data was collected from concerned Division Forest Office (DFO), CFUGs operational plan, constitution of CFUGs, minutes, and documents from local government and non-government organizations. The qualitative and quantitative data was analysed using statistical packages SPSS, MS Excel. For qualitative analysis descriptive methods were used and the result was presented in different charts, tables and graphs. From the study, participation of forest users' group was high on forest product collection and distribution and low in plantation in forest management activities, decision making process satisfactory and benefit sharing mechanism was transparent and factors affecting for the participation of users' group was illiteracy and busy in farming. Therefore, this study is supportive for all who work for the improvement of users’ group participation in the community forest management.

Patient-Perceived Health System Responsiveness of the Epilepsy Management Project in Rural China during the Period of COVID-19.

Health system responsiveness (HSR) measures the experience of health-system users in terms of the non-clinical domains of the health system, which has been regarded as the three major goals of health performance evaluation. Good HSR may promote the use of health services and ultimately the health of patients. However, the HSR has not been measured as the main goal of the Epilepsy Management Project (EMP) in rural China. This study aims to evaluate the levels and distributions of the patient-perceived HSR of the EMP in rural China during the period of COVID-19 and identify its relevant factors so as to provide advice on the improvement of further strategies. Based on the key informant survey (KIS) of responsiveness from the World Health Organization proposal, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 420 epilepsy patients selected proportional randomly from seven rural areas in the Hunan province of China in 2021. Eight domains of patients-perceived HSR were assessed by face-to-face interview. The overall HSR scored at a fairly “good” level of 8.3 (8.3 out of a maximum of 10.0). During the COVID-19 period, the scores of responsiveness domains were highest at 8.66 to 8.93 in “confidentiality”, “dignity” and “choice of providers”, while lowest at 8.38 to 8.53 in “prompt attention”, “social support” and “basic amenities”. The representative responsiveness equality index (REI) was 0.732, indicating the moderately balanced distributions of responsiveness of the EMP in rural China. Female, old age, and low education were significantly related to the lower HSR scores of rural EMP (p < 0.05). The HSR of EMP in rural China was fairly good. However, measures to improve the patient-perceived HSR are still needed, especially including better service, higher social support, and more comfortable medical environments.

Effect of Patent Expiry on the Performance of Innovator Multinational Pharmaceutical Companies in a Low Middle Income Country

Patent expiry or loss of exclusivity exposes innovator pharmaceutical companies to changes in the market dynamics brought about by increased production of generics by rival companies after patent expiration. This current study focused on the effect of generic products manufacturing and competitive market pressures, price changes, and changes in sales volumes and profitability of innovator multinational pharmaceutical companies after patent expiry. The methodology of this study involved a descriptive survey design and utilized both qualitative and quantitative techniques for data collection, analysis, and presentation. Primary data were collected using the key informants' in-depth interviews and survey questionnaires. The top management, including regional managers, general managers, and directors of each of the eight companies participating in this study, were interviewed to gather the qualitative data. Thirty-six respondents comprising of Product Development Managers and Business Supervising Managers responded to a survey questionnaire through purposive sampling. Findings depicted a significant effect of patent expiry on the generic production and subsequent decline in the performance of multinational innovator companies in the pharmaceutical industry. This study recommends that multinational innovator companies operating in low-income countries, such as Kenya, develop strategic policies to tap into the market by leveraging generic production through collaborative manufacturing with generic companies to share revenues.

Women’s Land Ownership and Gender Equality in Nepal

The study is an endeavor to contribute to the impact developing social circumstances regarding land ownership among women and its relation to gender equality. The purpose of this research debunks the factors effecting women land ownership and their impact on socio-economic equality. A survey was done among 100 women of a remote village, in southern Lalitpur regarding land ownership, with relation to variables such as level of education of women, ethnicity, age, presence of legal documents, knowledge of government policies, and family structure. Factors such as occupation of women, role in household decision making, and involvement in social and political spheres were also studied in relation to their land ownership. The survey was done with purposive and proportional stratified sampling among ethnic communities of Brahmin/Chhetri and Janajati. A questionnaire survey, key informant survey, focus group discussion and in-depth case study were done. Twenty-one percent of the females interviewed had land on their own and this data also had a variation with ethnic communities. It was found that women with land feel confident in the social and economic sphere of society. Brahmin community was found to be more aware of the government policies encouraging female land ownership than the Janajati community. This study aims to add knowledge on the conversation in gender equality and its relation to land and property ownership.

Probing Small and Medium Enterprise’ (SMEs) Uptake on Ecommerce in Camarines Sur, Philippines

A study was conducted to identify the extent of use of ecommerce in the product promotion of SMEs, determine the factors affecting the ecommerce uptake of SMEs and recommend strategies to enhance product promotion through ecommerce in Camarines Sur, Philippines. Ninety-six SMEs were respondents in this study from the 5 districts in Camarines Sur, Philippines. Survey-questionnaire was prepared, key informant surveys and focused group discussion were conducted to gather first-hand data from respondents. Frequency, percentages and t-test were used to analyze the data. Results of the study showed that all respondents have access to the internet but only 4 have websites for the promotion of their products. About half have no definite plans of establishing their websites. However, 67 of the SMEs are already doing online business through social networking sites. T-test result showed that there is no significant difference in terms of ecommerce adoption between men and women with p(.43) &gt; .05. Barriers in the uptake of ecommerce were identified such as lack of benefits accruing from the use of ecommerce, inadequate financial resources, lack of skill and technical capabilities and fear of losing their privacy. Recommendations include provisions of training and skills development to motivate entrepreneurs, presence of enabling policies and infrastructure that will enable widespread use of internet for SMEs and proactive awareness campaign to improve the flow of information to small firms on the benefits of electronic commerce. All these are necessary to enable our SMEs to shift to the ‘new’ economic era and platform.

Differentiating tourist scam cases: Towards a taxonomy of deceptive schemes

Contradictions and complexities in the study of tourist scams can potentially be overcome by developing a more organised taxonomic account of these essentially deceptive activities. Using a key-informant survey of 78 strategically selected stakeholders and a multidimensional scaling analysis, we discovered four dominant features to classify tourist scams, including deception types, interpersonal trust, victim culpability and prevalence. A 16-category taxonomy was thereby proposed, articulating typical examples and victimisation features. The taxonomy assists in interpreting variable outcomes from diverse studies and places, and offers fresh insights for those seeking to manage and avoid such deceptions.

Childhood Blindness and Visual Impairment in a Local Government Area in North-Central Nigeria: A Key Informant Survey.

To use the Key Informant survey to estimate the magnitude and to identify the major causes of blindness and severe visual impairment in children of Nassarawa Eggon Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Twenty-eight trained Key Informants traced and referred children believed to be blind or visually impaired. Biodata record, history and eye examination were based on the operational definitions in the WHO/PBL coding instruction manual for childhood blindness. Data were entered and analyzed in the WHO/PBL Childhood Blindness Software (CBS) V 1.2.75 by an ophthalmologist and a statistician. The Key Informants identified 51 children of which 50 (98%) were examined. Eight (16%) of the children examined were blind, another 8 (16%) had severe visual impairment, 16 (32%) were visually impaired, 7 (14%) had monocular blindness and 11 (22%) were normal. The estimated crude prevalence of childhood blindness was 0.01% and of moderate-severe visual impairment was 0.03%. The major causes of blindness and severe visual impairment were cataract, corneal opacity, and refractive errors. Ninety-four percent of the causes of blindness and moderate-severe visual impairment in children were avoidable. It was estimated that some 415 children in Nasarawa state are blind or have moderate to severe visual impairment. The estimated magnitude of blindness and visual impairment in Nassarawa Eggon LGA is 8 and 24 children respectively with a crude blindness prevalence of 0.01% (1 per 10,000). Cataract was the commonest cause of childhood blindness and severe visual impairment in Nassarawa Eggon local government area with 93.8% of the causes of blindness and visual impairment being avoidable.

Identifying and prioritising climate change adaptation actions for greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) conservation in Nepal.

Climate change has started impacting species, ecosystems, genetic diversity within species, and ecological interactions and is thus a serious threat to conserving biodiversity globally. In the absence of adequate adaptation measures, biodiversity may continue to decline, and many species will possibly become extinct. Given that global temperature continues to increase, climate change adaptation has emerged as an overarching framework for conservation planning. We identified both ongoing and probable climate change adaptation actions for greater one-horned rhinoceros conservation in Nepal through a combination of literature review, key informant surveys (n = 53), focus group discussions (n = 37) and expert consultation (n = 9), and prioritised the identified adaptation actions through stakeholder consultation (n = 17). The majority of key informants (>80%) reported that climate change has been impacting rhinoceros, and more than 65% of them believe that rhinoceros habitat suitability in Nepal has been shifting westwards. Despite these perceived risks, climate change impacts have not been incorporated well into formal conservation planning for rhinoceros. Out of 20 identified adaptation actions under nine adaptation strategies, identifying and protecting climate refugia, restoring the existing habitats through wetland and grassland management, creating artificial highlands in floodplains to provide rhinoceros with refuge during severe floods, and translocating them to other suitable habitats received higher priority. These adaptation actions may contribute to reducing the vulnerability of rhinoceros to the likely impacts of climate change. This study is the first of its kind in Nepal and is expected to provide a guideline to align ongoing conservation measures into climate change adaptation planning for rhinoceros. Further, we emphasise the need to integrating likely climate change impacts while planning for rhinoceros conservation and initiating experimental research and monitoring programs to better inform adaptation planning in the future.

Flood Assessment and Identification of Emergency Evacuation Routes in Seti River Basin, Nepal

Sudden floods frequently occur in the Himalayas under changing climates. Rapid glacial melt has resulted in the formation of glacial lakes and associated hazards. This research aimed to (1) identify flood-prone houses, (2) determine pedestrian emergency evacuation routes, and (3) analyze their relationships to socioeconomic status in the Seti River Basin. Detailed hazard maps were created using field survey results from unmanned aerial vehicle photogrammetry and the Hydrologic Engineering Center River Analysis System. Questionnaire, focus-group, and key-informant surveys helped identify the socioeconomic situation. Inundation maps revealed that most residents are exposed to future flooding hazards without proper evacuation routes. Highly impoverished and immigrant households were at the highest risk in terms of income inequality and migration rate (p &lt; 0.001) and were located on the riverside. The locations of 455 laborers’ houses were significantly correlated with inundation hazards (p &lt; 0.001). Governmental and associated agencies must develop adequate plans to relocate low-income households. Group discussions revealed the need for stronger adaptive capacity-building strategies for future risk management. Pokhara requires better systematic and scientific land-use planning strategies to address this issue efficiently. A similar approach that combines flood modeling, proper evacuation route access, and socioeconomic survey is suggested for this river basin.

FARMERS' PERCEPTION TOWARDS CROP AND LIVESTOCK INSURANCE IN BIRENDRANAGAR MUNICIPALITY OF SURKHET DISTRICT: A CASE STUDY ON PRESENT STATUS, CONSTRAINTS AND POTENTIALS FOR FUTURE

A simple case study was conducted concerning farmers’ perception towards agriculture and livestock insurance in Birendranagar municipality of Surkhet valley. The foremost intention of this research survey was to appraise the current scenario of crop and livestock insurance with constraints and future prospects regarding minimization of agriculture risk and losses among farmers of study area. Prior to the household survey, a key informant survey was conducted with personnel of the Birendranagar municipality office. A total of 100 farmers were selected by random sampling technique and scheduled interviews were carried out during Nov-Dec 2021. The study included 63 non-insurers and 37 insurers as respondents. The average income of insurer farmers was found to be higher than the non-insurer farmers. Majority (78%) of insurance adopters were livestock insurers. More than half (51.72%) of livestock insurers perceived the damage from accident and death of animals as a major risk. Majority of the crop insurers (75%) perceived damage from adverse climatic conditions as a major risk. Income stability was perceived as the most important benefit gained from joining insurance with Relative Importance Index (RII) 0.784. Insurers were found to be most satisfied with the policy of risk coverage with Relative Satisfaction Index (RSI) 0.681. The study divulged lack of information about benefits of insurance and awareness related to insurance services as the major factor behind not joining insurance by more than two-third of respondents (70.49%). Majority of insurers (62.17%) asserted delaying in claim payment as the major drawback of insurance service providers. Improving access of farmers’ on agriculture credit, effective publicity of insurance schemes and awareness generation programs regarding risk management strategies can play a crucial role to minimize risks related to crop and livestock production in near future.

Assessment of Factors Affecting Willingness To Pay/Accept: A Study From Begnas Watershed, Nepal

This study prioritized five major ecosystem services from the watershed which included clean and silt less water, conservation and biodiversity, fresh environment, tourism, and beautiful landscape. Among these ecosystem services, the fresh environment was ranked first based on respondent’s importance. We conducted multiple focus group discussions, key informant surveys, a household survey, and performed statistical analysis to derive results. About 120 respondents were surveyed, out of which 60 were from upstream and 60 were from the downstream community. The majority of the respondents agreed to participate in the PES mechanism for the conservation of watersheds. The present study has estimated average WTP NRs 114.51/ropani/year/HH and WTA of NRs118.18/ropani/year/HH for conservation of watershed. The probit model was adopted to identify the factors affecting people to pay or accept for ecosystem services. Respondent’s socio-economic characteristics such as gender (female), household income, higher education level, and people involved in agriculture and tourism had a positive impact on willingness to pay in downstream community, while the variables occupation (agriculture and tourism) and property size only had a positive relationship with a willingness to accept in upstream community. Our findings showed the feasibility to initiate and implement the PES mechanism in this watershed and the result of this study could also be used to design a long-term wetland management plan in the future to preserve the wetland. Moreover, time and again studies on the monetary values for ecosystem services are also recommended to assess the varying behavior of the people with time and development.

Dynamics of Land Surface Temperature in Response to Land Use Land Cover Change in Phewa watershed, Kaski, Nepal

Geospatial tools play an important role in monitoring Land Use Land Cover Change (LULCC) and Land Surface Temperature (LST). This study assessed the extent of LULCC during 1990, 2007 and 2020 using temporal satellite imageries, and estimates LST during the study periods in relation to LULCC and explores various adaptation practices adopted in response to LST change in Phewa watershed. Landsat imageries were used for LULC classification and LST estimation. Purposive household survey (N=150), key informant survey (N=4), focus group discussion (N=4) and direct field observations were carried out to explore various adaptation practices. LULC maps was generated by using supervised classification followed by post classification change detection technique for LULCC analysis. Agricultural land and urban areas were found to have increased by 6.6% and 0.32% respectively while forest area, barren land and water bodies were found to have decreased by 1.88%, 4.41% and 0.63%, respectively, between 1990 and 2007. Forest area, urban areas and barren land had increased by 5.54%, 1.32% and 1.48%, respectively, while agricultural land and water bodies were observed to have decreased by 8.2% and 0.13%, respectively, between 2007 and 2020. The mean LST were 22.59° C, 22.81° C and 24.56° C in March-April and 14.65° C, 14.97° C and 15.27° C in January-December, respectively. Urban areas and water bodies exhibit highest and lowest mean values of LST, respectively, during study periods. LULCC due to urban growth and infrastructural developments had contributed to increase in LST. The highest rank to adaptation practices were for changes in cropping patterns and species, followed by agroforestry, use of improved seeds, shift to other income generation activities, use of more fertilizers, irrigation practices and growing vegetables in poly house which were statistically significant. This study provides scientific insights for policy makers and urban planners in improving urban planning and management.

Sustainability of the Aging Network's COVID-19 Responses: Isolated Impact or Transformative Change?

The COVID-19 pandemic mobilized individuals, organizations, and communities. Area Agencies and Aging (AAAs) and Title VI Native American Programs, core organizations of the network of community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve older adults and their families, pivoted their service delivery methods to provide life-sustaining services. Their long-standing expertise in community needs assessment, pre-existing cross-sectoral partnerships, and an infusion of emergency federal funding, enabled this rapid response. Recently concluded studies using key-informant interviews and national surveys of AAAs and Title VI programs highlight these service adaptations, from expansion of home-delivered meal programs to new partnerships in telehealth. These organizations also reported expansion of services offered and people served, and the emergence or strengthening of partnerships with other CBOs, businesses, and governmental organizations such as public health entities. For example, 78% of the respondents to the recent survey of AAAs reported that they have a role in vaccination outreach, scheduling support, or delivery. The papers in this symposium will use these new studies to describe the nature, origins, and potential sustainability of new and expanded services and partnerships. The Collective Impact Model for community change (introduced in the Stanford Social Innovation Review) will provide a framework for the discussion. Built on the importance of cross-sector coordination, the five pillars of success for collective rather than isolated impact are: a common agenda, mutually reinforcing activities, continuous communication, shared measurement, and a backbone organization. Each of these five pillars is relevant to the heightened community response during the pandemic, and to the likelihood of sustainability.

Ecological and ethnobotanical values of weeds found in the spring rice fields in Chitwan, Nepal

Background: The reliance of human beings on plants for different purposes such as medicine, fodder, fuel, and shelter is fading away, primarily, due to increasing dominance of market economy globally in the recent decades. Ethnobotanical study, especially that of weeds, is playing a crucial role in establishing the relationship between weeds and people, thereby documenting important uses of such weeds. Chitwan, located in the central part of Terai, is considered the grain basket of Nepal. The district is relatively advanced in agriculture, with higher agricultural productivity than that in most of the country. Spring rice cultivation is prevalent in the area. Weed infestation is one of the severe problems adversely affecting rice cultivation. These weeds have different ethnobotanical values for indigenous ethnic groups as well as residents. Methods: Ecological survey was carried out in four distinct sites: the rice fields of the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, Gitanagar, Champanagar, and Ujjalnagar of Chitwan, Nepal. Weeds were collected from three randomly placed one-square-meter quadrats in each rice field. The ethnobotanical uses of the weeds were explored via key informant surveys with traditional healers from Tharu and Darai ethnic groups and the Brahmin caste in Mangalpur, Gitanagar, Champanagar, and Ujjalnagar. Results: Weed flora of 53 species belonging to 43 genera and 22 families were reported in the spring rice fields. Cyperaceae (twelve species), Compositae (five species), Fabaceae (four species), Linderniaceae (four species), Plantaginaceae (four species), Poaceae (four species), and Amaranthaceae (three species) were the families with the largest representation, accounting for approximately 68% of all weeds. The most common weeds were Spirodela polyrrhiza (L.) Schleid., Cyperus difformis L., Azolla Lam., Lindernia procumbens (Krock.) Philcox, Mecardonia procumbens (Mill.) Small, and Fimbristylis quinquangularis (Vahl) Kunth. These weeds also possess different ethnobotanical values, the most common being medicinal and fodder values. Conclusions: This study reveals the significance of weeds as medicine along with their medicinal values. People still rely on such plants as a primary healing resource. In addition, weeds can be used as fodder for livestock and have other important uses in local daily life. Hence, there is a dire need to spread awareness regarding ethnobotanical uses of weeds found in spring rice fields in Chitwan. This can possibly contribute to the sustainable uses of weeds, rather than grossly eliminating them from the field, which poses a threat to their extinction. Keywords: Fodder, Important Value Index, Medicine, Summed Dominance Ratio, Tharu

Use of environmental scans in health services delivery research: a scoping review

ObjectiveTo examine the extent and nature of evidence on the use of the environmental scan (ES) in the health services delivery literature.DesignScoping review.MethodsThis scoping review followed the five-stage scoping review...

Factors influencing mass drug administration adherence and community drug distributor opportunity costs in Liberia: a mixed-methods approach

BackgroundPreventive chemotherapy delivered via mass drug administration (MDA) is essential for the control of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), including lymphatic filariasis (LF), schistosomiasis and onchocerciasis. Successful MDA relies heavily on community drug distributor (CDD) volunteers as the interface between households and the health system. This study sought to document and analyse demand-side (households) and supply-side (health system) factors that affect MDA delivery in Liberia.MethodsWorking in two purposively selected counties, we conducted a household MDA access and adherence survey; a CDD survey to obtain information on direct and opportunity costs associated with MDA work; an observational survey of CDDs; and key informant surveys (KIS) with community-level health workers. Data from the CDD survey and Liberian minimum wage rates were used to calculate the opportunity cost of CDD participation per MDA round. The observational data were used to calculate the time spent on individual household-level tasks and CDD time costs per house visited. KIS data on the organisation and management of the MDA in the communities, and researcher reflections of open-ended survey responses were thematically analysed to identify key demand- and supply-side challenges.ResultsMore respondents were aware of MDA than NTD in both counties. In Bong, 39% (103/261) of respondents reported taking the MDA tablet in the last round, with “not being informed” as the most important reason for non-adherence. In Maryland, 56% (147/263) reported taking MDA with “being absent” at the time of distribution being important for non-adherence. The mean cost per CDD of participating in the MDA round was −$11.90 (median $5.04, range −$169.62 to $30.00), and the mean time per household visited was 17.14 min which equates to a mean opportunity cost of $0.03 to $0.05 per household visited. Thematic analysis identified challenges, including shortages of and delays in medicine availability; CDD frustration over costs; reporting challenges; and household concerns about drug side effects.ConclusionsImproved adherence to MDA and subsequent elimination of NTDs in Liberia would be supported by an improved medicine supply chain, financial compensation for CDDs, improved training, healthcare workforce strengthening, greater community involvement, capacity building, and community awareness.Graphical

Evaluating soil erosion and factors determining farmers’ adoption and management of physical soil and water conservation measures in Bachire watershed, southwest Ethiopia

Soil degradation due to erosion, which emanates from improper land management, has been one of major challenges affecting agricultural production and food security. To control soil erosion, soil and water conservation (SWC) measures including soil and stone bunds have been developed and adopted. However, little is known on the impacts of SWC techniques in Africa. Objective of this study was to assess soil erosion and analyze effect of physical SWC measures on cropland productivity. Data were collected using focus group discussion, key informant interview and survey of 169 farm households (122 adopters and 47 non-adopters of physical SWC). Farmers were responded on soil erosion (rill and gully) and its impacts, long existed indigenous erosion mitigation measures as well as effects of introduced physical SWC techniques such as soil and stone bunds. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model were used to analyze data. Based on visible erosion features such as rills and gullies, about 92% of respondents indicated that soil erosion is a major problem on cultivated land, where 64% of the farmers abandoned part of their plot due to exhausted soil fertility and gully development. About 97% of the farmers perceived that soil erosion reduces crop production. Traditional drainage ditch, grass strip and contour furrow are common indigenous SWC measures. More than 86% of the respondents believe that the introduced physical SWC measures (e.g., bunds) reduce erosion and improve crop production. Family size, participation in technical training, access to extension service, the perceived land tenure security, slope of the plot, and perceived severity of erosion had significant (p < 0.05) and a positive association with adoption of introduced physical SWC measures, while farm size had significant (p < 0.05) negative relationship. Increasing knowledge and skill of farmers, providing technical and resource supports and implementing appropriate policy could help sustainable land management that ensure environmental quality and food security in the study area as well as in the other areas having related biophysical and socioeconomic settings.

A Portrait of the 2020 Faith Communities Today Study

This article offers an overview of the congregational landscape of the United States using the 2020 Faith Communities Today national key-informant survey. Offering representative results from 15,278 congregations in over 80 different denominations and 4 religious traditions, the article describes the characteristics of the average American congregation as well as significant variations within the results. Overall, this picture is one of diminished health and gradual decline. Following this summary picture, several key trends, including size disparities, aging memberships, generational changes, and a more diverse religious context, are discussed along with their implications for future congregational vitality. These trends further illustrate the challenges facing US faith communities presently. The article concludes with a focus on the most prominent characteristics of those faith communities within the survey that are spiritually vital and growing to highlight possible avenues of revitalization for the country's congregations. These results suggest that congregations need a combination of innovative leadership, a clear sense of mission and purpose, passionate and relevant worship, and an engaged membership willing to adapt and change to address an ever-evolving social and religious context.

Distribution and threats to Smooth-Coated Otters Lutrogale perspicillata (Mammalia: Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal

This article aims to assess the distribution, threats and perceptions regarding otters in Shuklaphanta National Park (SNP). It also provides an overview of the conservation efforts of the Nepal government within and outside the protected areas. The study was carried out through preliminary survey of the wetlands using direct sighting techniques, plus indirect evidence including fur, spraints, dead remains, pugmarks, transect survey, key informant survey (n= 15), and questionnaire survey of households (n= 70) in buffer zone. This study found that otter signs were mostly concentrated in the moist soil near the wetlands area. Otter distribution was mostly recorded in Radhapur river, Kalikhich lake, Chaudhar river, Hattinala near hattisar area of pipraiya, Bahuni river, Shikari lake, and Salgaudi lake of Shuklaphanta National Park. Fire and extraction of construction materials from wetlands were identified as severe threats through social survey and key informant survey. For the maintenance of viable population of otters these threats should be minimized through effective biodiversity conservation techniques such as awareness programs and enforcement of laws inside the park. In recent decades, the populations have declined as a consequence of hunting and the overall loss of natural habitats. Overall, our study shows that information on the status, distribution and population trends of Smooth-coated Otters is limited. Therefore, we recommend that more studies should be carried out in this region to establish status, distribution and ecology to improve our understanding of otters in the face of increasing impacts on their habitats. In addition, it is mandatory for the implementation of conservation activities such as awareness to the locals and policy makers, appropriate habitat management and initiating scientific research to ensure a minimum viable population of the species in the country.