Perceptions of nature's contributions to people across an elevational gradient in eastern Nepal

Abstract Equitable measures for nature conservation require an in‐depth understanding of human‐nature relations. Using qualitative and quantitative data from semi‐structured household surveys, we investigated people's perception of nature's contribution to their perceived well‐being along...

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Main Authors: Biraj Adhikari, Noëlle Valérie Schenk, Nakul Chettri, Markus Fischer, Graham W. Prescott, Davnah Urbach
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-06-01
Series:People and Nature
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.70052
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author Biraj Adhikari
Noëlle Valérie Schenk
Nakul Chettri
Markus Fischer
Graham W. Prescott
Davnah Urbach
author_facet Biraj Adhikari
Noëlle Valérie Schenk
Nakul Chettri
Markus Fischer
Graham W. Prescott
Davnah Urbach
author_sort Biraj Adhikari
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Equitable measures for nature conservation require an in‐depth understanding of human‐nature relations. Using qualitative and quantitative data from semi‐structured household surveys, we investigated people's perception of nature's contribution to their perceived well‐being along an elevational gradient in eastern Nepal. We used linear and ordinal regressions to identify the factors influencing these perceptions and qualitative analyses to identify nature's contributions to people (NCP) likely contributing to this well‐being. We found nuanced and context‐specific relationships between people and nature in Nepal, emphasising how geographic location, formal education, socio‐economic factors and gender shape perceptions of how nature contributes to well‐being. Participants provided examples of a variety of material, non‐material and regulating NCP that are crucial for multiple aspects of their well‐being, underscoring the need for integrated conservation approaches that extend beyond prioritising habitat maintenance to also encompass enhancing material and non‐material NCP. While conservation interventions may be informed by global conceptual frameworks and policy agreements such as the IPBES Conceptual Framework, the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Agenda, they must be rooted in the collective perspectives and experiences of the local context in which conservation actually happens. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
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spelling doaj-art-bc034aefc78c47fda45ed17ec4b9e5e52025-08-20T02:02:26ZengWileyPeople and Nature2575-83142025-06-01761396141210.1002/pan3.70052Perceptions of nature's contributions to people across an elevational gradient in eastern NepalBiraj Adhikari0Noëlle Valérie Schenk1Nakul Chettri2Markus Fischer3Graham W. Prescott4Davnah Urbach5Practical Action Nepal Kathmandu NepalInstitute of Plant Sciences University of Bern Bern SwitzerlandInternational Centre for Integrated Mountain Development Kathmandu NepalInstitute of Plant Sciences University of Bern Bern SwitzerlandInstitute of Plant Sciences University of Bern Bern SwitzerlandInstitute of Plant Sciences University of Bern Bern SwitzerlandAbstract Equitable measures for nature conservation require an in‐depth understanding of human‐nature relations. Using qualitative and quantitative data from semi‐structured household surveys, we investigated people's perception of nature's contribution to their perceived well‐being along an elevational gradient in eastern Nepal. We used linear and ordinal regressions to identify the factors influencing these perceptions and qualitative analyses to identify nature's contributions to people (NCP) likely contributing to this well‐being. We found nuanced and context‐specific relationships between people and nature in Nepal, emphasising how geographic location, formal education, socio‐economic factors and gender shape perceptions of how nature contributes to well‐being. Participants provided examples of a variety of material, non‐material and regulating NCP that are crucial for multiple aspects of their well‐being, underscoring the need for integrated conservation approaches that extend beyond prioritising habitat maintenance to also encompass enhancing material and non‐material NCP. While conservation interventions may be informed by global conceptual frameworks and policy agreements such as the IPBES Conceptual Framework, the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Sustainable Development Agenda, they must be rooted in the collective perspectives and experiences of the local context in which conservation actually happens. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.70052biodiversityconservationecosystem serviceshuman well‐beingmountainsnature's contributions to people
spellingShingle Biraj Adhikari
Noëlle Valérie Schenk
Nakul Chettri
Markus Fischer
Graham W. Prescott
Davnah Urbach
Perceptions of nature's contributions to people across an elevational gradient in eastern Nepal
People and Nature
biodiversity
conservation
ecosystem services
human well‐being
mountains
nature's contributions to people
title Perceptions of nature's contributions to people across an elevational gradient in eastern Nepal
title_full Perceptions of nature's contributions to people across an elevational gradient in eastern Nepal
title_fullStr Perceptions of nature's contributions to people across an elevational gradient in eastern Nepal
title_full_unstemmed Perceptions of nature's contributions to people across an elevational gradient in eastern Nepal
title_short Perceptions of nature's contributions to people across an elevational gradient in eastern Nepal
title_sort perceptions of nature s contributions to people across an elevational gradient in eastern nepal
topic biodiversity
conservation
ecosystem services
human well‐being
mountains
nature's contributions to people
url https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.70052
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AT markusfischer perceptionsofnaturescontributionstopeopleacrossanelevationalgradientineasternnepal
AT grahamwprescott perceptionsofnaturescontributionstopeopleacrossanelevationalgradientineasternnepal
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