Ferns are a major component of biodiversity and indicators of healthy ecosystems in Nepal. Despite their prominence, knowledge of Nepalese ferns is very poor - there is no comprehensive documentation of the 534 known species, and few people can identify them. Consequently only three tree ferns have legal protection and ferns rarely feature in conservation initiatives. Dr Rajbhandary will complete the fern inventory for Central Nepal, provide conservation assessments and develop a photographic field guide to aid identification. This will raise awareness and build in-country capacity for fern research and conservation, and enable environmentalists to include ferns in their studies.
Darwin Initiative Round 32 is now open for applications! A new round of funding to support ambitious projects delivering impact for biodiversity and communities.
From scaling successful approaches to strengthening locally led conservation, explore key lessons shared by projects working on the front line of biodiversity action.
