Shinya Takeda

Plant Diversity in Paddy Fields in Relation to Agricultural Practices in Savannakhet Province, Laos

This paper reports a study of paddy vegetation in central Laos. Plants were inventoried and vegetation types classified. Relationships between vegetation and agricultural practices were identified. A total of 184 wild herbaceous species and 17 cultivated species were recorded in two villages. Of the wild species, 19 were used by local people, four were rare species, and three were major weeds. Paddy vegetation was arranged in order of water regime from shorter to longer hydroperiod by DCA. The factors contributing to high species diversity were: (1) the presence of species unique to different paddy types; (2) the presence of remnant species from original vegetation; and (3) the impact of agricultural practices. Thus, at this study site, multiple plant species coexisted in paddy fields under various agricultural practices, and some species were essential sources of food or were used in other ways to support the subsistence livelihoods of local residents.

Species composition, distribution and management of trees in rice paddy fields in central Lao, PDR

Presence of different types of trees dispersed singly or in small groups throughout the fields is a very common feature in the extensive rice paddies of Laos and Thailand. Factors such as land-settlement history, proximity to forest, and role of species in the local culture are known to influence the nature and distribution of tree species so retained. The extent of influence of these factors on tree-species composition and distribution in rice paddies was investigated in three villages in Central Laos: Dongmakngeo, a newly established village with an abundance of adjacent forest; Bak, an old village with adjacent forest; and Nakhou, an old village without any adjacent forest. At Dongmakngeo village, 23 species, mostly remnants from the original forest, were observed in paddy fields. At Bak village, few trees were found in the paddy fields because villagers had ample access to resources in the surrounding large forest. On the other hand, 119 species, 27 of which were planted, were recorded at the forest-deprived Nakhou village; the scarcity of forest resources at Nakhou was compensated for by the utilization and management of trees located among the fields, resulting in tree species changing from remnant to ruderal over time. Thus, our results demonstrate that the pattern of tree distribution and species composition in paddy landscapes is not uniform, but varies in relation to settlement history, topography, and human management. This has important implications for setting both landscape-level land-use management plans and local tree management policies for achieving sustainable tropical paddy-dominated agro-silvicultural systems.

Glucose intolerance associated with hypoxia in people living at high altitudes in the Tibetan highland

Objectives To clarify the association between glucose intolerance and high altitudes (2900–4800 m) in a hypoxic environment in Tibetan highlanders and to verify the hypothesis that high altitude dwelling increases vulnerability to diabetes mellitus (DM) accelerated by lifestyle change or ageing. Design Cross-sectional epidemiological study on Tibetan highlanders. Participants We enrolled 1258 participants aged 40–87 years. The rural population comprised farmers in Domkhar (altitude 2900–3800 m) and nomads in Haiyan (3000–3100 m), Ryuho (4400 m) and Changthang (4300–4800 m). Urban area participants were from Leh (3300 m) and Jiegu (3700 m). Main outcome measure Participants were classified into six glucose tolerance-based groups: DM, intermediate hyperglycaemia (IHG), normoglycaemia (NG), fasting DM, fasting IHG and fasting NG. Prevalence of glucose intolerance was compared in farmers, nomads and urban dwellers. Effects of dwelling at high altitude or hypoxia on glucose intolerance were analysed with the confounding factors of age, sex, obesity, lipids, haemoglobin, hypertension and lifestyle, using multiple logistic regression. Results The prevalence of DM (fasting DM)/IHG (fasting IHG) was 8.9% (6.5%)/25.1% (12.7%), respectively, in all participants. This prevalence was higher in urban dwellers (9.5% (7.1%)/28.5% (11.7%)) and in farmers (8.5% (6.1%)/28.5% (18.3%)) compared with nomads (8.2% (5.7%)/15.7% (9.7%)) (p=0.0140/0.0001). Dwelling at high altitude was significantly associated with fasting IHG+fasting DM/fasting DM (ORs for >4500 and 3500–4499 m were 3.59/4.36 and 2.07/1.76 vs <3500 m, respectively). After adjusting for lifestyle change, hypoxaemia and polycythaemia were closely associated with glucose intolerance. Conclusions Socioeconomic factors, hypoxaemia and the effects of altitudes >3500 m play a major role in the high prevalence of glucose intolerance in highlanders. Tibetan highlanders may be vulnerable to glucose intolerance, with polycythaemia as a sign of poor hypoxic adaptation, accelerated by lifestyle change and ageing.

Wild Edible Herbs in Paddy Fields and Their Sale in a Mixture in Houaphan Province, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

Wild Edible Herbs in Paddy Fields and Their Sale in a Mixture in Houaphan Province, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Multiple wild edible herbs coexist in paddy fields under the agricultural practices used for growing rice. Paddy field vegetation was surveyed and the rural population’s perceptions and use of wild edible herbs were investigated in the northern Lao People’s Democratic Republic. A total of 115 wild herbaceous species were observed in the paddy fields of two villages; 52 species grew in fields, 95 on levees, and 63 on banks. Of these, 25 species were locally used, and 22 were sold as a mixture at the Xamneua market, with species composition varying by availability and season. The total number of edible greens increased during the summer season when available vegetables were scarce. Marsilea quadrifolia L. (Marsileaceae), the most abundant in the field and in the market, as well as Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Apiaceae), Eryngium foetidum L. (Apiaceae), Spilanthes oleracea L. (Asteraceae), and Monochoria hastata (L.) Solms (Pontederiaceae) were the most popular wild herbs sold. Wild edible herbs are called “phak”, which is also used to indicate cultivated vegetables, and clearly distinguishes them from the inedible herbs referred to as “nya.” Two methods are employed to gather wild edible herbs: some plants are uprooted as a way of thinning individuals, and other plants have only their young leaves picked so that they can be harvested repeatedly. Gathering and selling wild edible herbs was mainly conducted by women and children for whom it was a source of cash income. Thus, the relationships that exist between people and the wild plants they maintain as part of their farming activities can be considered an indicator of paddy field agrodiversity.ラオス北部フアパン県における水田の食用野草とその販売における組み合わせ. 水田稲作は多様な野草を育み、その多くは食用とされてきた。ラオス北部において、水田の草本植生と住民による野草利用の調査を行った。二カ村の調査で合計115種の野草が記録され、そのうち52種が田面、95種が畦畔、63種が水路土手に生育していた。食用とされる25種のうち、22種はサムヌア市街の市場で販売されていた。市場では複数種の野草が混ぜて販売され、野菜の少ない乾季には混ぜられる野草の種類が多かった。最も多く販売される野草は、Marsilea quadrifolia L. (Marsileaceae)、Centella asiatica (L.) Urb. (Apiaceae)、Eryngium foetidum L. (Apiaceae)、Spilanthes oleracea L. (Asteraceae)、Monochoria hastata (L.) Solms (Pontederiaceae)であった。食用となる野草は、栽培野菜を指す総称「パック」で呼ばれ、食用とならない野草「ニャー」と明確に区別されていた。食用野草の採集には、間引きも兼ねて根から引き抜く方法と、繰り返し採集できるように若葉だけ摘む方法の二通りが確認された。野草の採集と販売は女性と子供によって行われ、彼らの現金収入源とされていた。このようにラオス北部の水田では、農耕活動のもとで人々と野草の多様な関係が維持されており、それは水田農業の多様性を象徴するものである。

The Transition Away From Swidden Agriculture and Trends in Biomass Accumulation in Fallow Forests: Case Studies in the Southern Chin Hills of Myanmar

Swidden farmers are rapidly transitioning to other types of land use. This study was conducted in 2 villages (T village and P village) in southern Chin State, Myanmar. The number of swidden-cultivating households decreased by 50% in T village over 2003–2013, and varied over 2004–2013 in P village; 21% and 13% of the total population in T and P villages, respectively, have out-migrated for employment. In addition, the introduction of terrace farming, development of animal husbandry, marketing of non-timber forest products, and other activities that generate cash income have reduced dependency on swidden agriculture. Remittances from out-migrated family members also contribute significantly to household incomes. As a result, the area devoted to swidden agriculture has decreased. By establishing site-specific allometries and applying best-fit allometry coefficients, total aboveground biomass was estimated for both villages. Generally, the aboveground biomass increased with the age of the fallow. Out-migration, insufficient crop productivity, and the development of alternative income sources resulted in the decrease in swidden agriculture in the areas studied. Further biomass regrowth can be expected in both villages in the future.

Development of shrimp-based cropping systems in the coastal area of Bangladesh: a village-level study in Satkhira district

The introduction of shrimp (Penaeus monodon Fabricius) cultivation represents an important change in land use resulting in cropping system changes along the south-western coast of Bangladesh. This study conducted a systematic survey of farming systems in a village in this coastal area. The results reveal that the cropping system in medium lowland parts of the village has been changed from that of an entirely rice-based one to Boro rice and shrimp-based one. Most local farmers (77.7% of households covering 84.4% of the total cultivated land area) are practicing Boro rice–shrimp cropping, encouraged by the readily available input resources for shrimp cultivation and the economic profitability. Farmers have established a modified semi-intensive shrimp farming system based on their needs and local conditions. In addition to its economic importance, shrimp farming also helps to establish good social bonds among villagers. However, this system is also leading to increasing soil salinity in the medium lowlands, where Boro rice is grown during the winter, which may create problems for rice culture in future.

Sleep quality among elderly high-altitude dwellers in Ladakh

It has been already known that people who temporarily stay at high altitude may develop insomnia as a symptom of acute mountain sickness. However, much less is known about people living at high altitude. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of high altitude environment on sleep quality for the elderly who have been living at high altitude for their whole lives. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Domkhar valley at altitudes of 2800-4200m, Ladakh. Sleep quality was assessed using Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Measurement items include body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, hemoglobin, timed Up and Go test, oxygen saturation during wakefulness, respiratory function test, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and so on. The participants were Ladakhi older adults aged 60 years or over (n=112) in Domkhar valley. The participation rate was 65.1% (male: female=47:65, mean age: 71.3 years and 67.9 years, respectively). The prevalence of the high score of ISI (8 or more) was 15.2% (17 out of 112). Altitude of residence was significantly correlated with ISI. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that OKS and altitude of residence were significantly related with ISI.

Community-scale analysis of the farmland abandonment occurrence process in the mountain region of Ladakh, India

ABSTRACT Farmland abandonment has been a significant issue in mountain regions. Thus, many studies have attempted to uncover its driving factors. Most existing studies take a large- or meso-scale view of mountain regions, and there are a few studies that provide community-level analysis. Therefore, it is unclear how ecological and sociopolitical factors are actually combined to influence farmland abandonment at a community level. Thus, we conducted a field survey in the mountain village of Ladakh, northern India, beginning in 2009 and tried to understand the farmland abandonment occurrence process from the viewpoint of traditional altitudinal models of land use. Using data collected during the survey, a relationship between altitude and farmland abandonment was established. However, this relationship was complex, combining traditional forms of land use system in the village. The altitudinal model of land use was very common in mountain regions; thus, discussions of current land use issues should be based on an understanding of such traditional altitudinal systems.

Conserving Forests in Privatized Commons: Trends and Management Options in an Ifugao Village, Philippines

This study addresses the question, ‘How can remaining forests be conserved when these are already individually privatized, and when the people prefer landuses other than forestry?’ These changes in landuse and forest ownership are demonstrated through a case study of a village in Ifugao, Philippines. A rapid and continued conversion of forest into agricultural land is observed, particularly for vegetable farming. Traditionally, most of the village total land area was under communal land ownership, but now almost half is under de facto private ownership. This transition in land (including forest) ownership is generally attributed to increased demand for land which is further attributed to changes in peoples’ values towards wealth accumulation rather than redistribution, greater integration to the market economy and a shift towards commercial agriculture. Past forest policies have been ineffective in regulating the landuse largely because they have not reflected local reality, and this appears to be true with the present national forest management strategy of community-based forest management. It is argued that the granting of land titles will improve forest conservation because it will improve the enforcement of forest laws and related contractual agreements. Based on the reality of private land ownership, it is further argued that forest policy in IP land should include private (individual, family or household) forest management. Given the possibility that indigenous people may prefer landuses other than forestry or may sell their property for various reasons, policies should regulate landuse as well as make it legal for IPs to transfer rights of ownership to ‘outsiders’. There is scope to improve the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act in the Philippines.

Livelihood Activities of Swiddeners Under the Transition of Swidden Agriculture: A Case Study in a Khmu Village, Northern Laos

The proportional extent of swidden cultivation in Laos is greater than in any other Southeast Asian country. Yet since 1975, the government of Laos has made attempts to eradicate, or at least reduce, swidden cultivation through a village relocation policy predicated upon security concerns, through a “shifting cultivation” eradication policy, and a land and forest allocation program. Recently, the Land Allocation Programme (LAP), known as the “Three-Plot Policy,” was introduced across the country. This chapter presents a case study from the Khmu area, northern Laos, where land available for swidden culture was limited by LAP implemented in 2011. The chapter shows how this policy created difficulties for villagers to pursue traditional swidden practice. It presents the crucial role swidden cultivation plays in the livelihoods of the Khmu swidden cultivators and highlights a notable shift from traditional to semicommercialized practices. This chapter clarifies the possible impacts of changes in swidden and argues that any future planning of REDD+—as the government has attempted to promote it in swidden fallows, requires detailed observation of the role and function of swidden cultivation for livelihood purposes.