Devils Hole, a fracture in the carbonate aquifer underlying the Death Valley Regional Groundwater Flow system, is home to the only extant population of Devils Hole pupfish (Cyprinodon diabolis). Since 1995, the population of C. diabolis has shown an unexplained decline, and a number of hypotheses have been advanced to explain this. Here, we examine the thermal regime of Devils Hole and its influence on the pupfish population. We present a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model of thermal convection on the shallow shelf of Devils Hole, which provides critical habitat for C. diabolis to spawn and forage for food. Driven by meteorological data collected at Devils Hole, the model is calibrated with temperature data recorded in the summer of 2010 and validated against temperatures observed on the shallow shelf between 1999 and 2001.The shallow shelf experiences both seasonal and diel variations in water temperature, and the model results reflect these changes. A sensitivity analysis shows that the water temperatures respond to relatively small changes in the ambient air temperature (on the order of 1 8C), and a review of local climate data shows that average annual air temperatures in the Mojave Desert have increased by up to 2 8C over the past 30 years. The CFD simulations and local climate data show that climate change may be partially responsible for the observed decline in the population of C. diabolis that began in 1995.

Raw project data is available by contacting ctemps@unr.edu

Assessments of organisms’ vulnerability to potential climatic shifts are increasingly common. Such assessments are often conducted at the species level and focused primarily on the magnitude of anticipated climate change (i.e., climate exposure). However, wildlife management would benefit from population-level assessments that also incorporate measures of local or regional potential for organismal adaptation to change. Estimates of genetic diversity, gene flow, and landscape connectivity can address this need and complement climate exposure estimates to establish management priorities at broad to local scales. We provide an example of this holistic approach for desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni) within and surrounding lands administered by the U.S. National Park Service. We used genetic and environmental data from 62 populations across the southwestern U.S. to delineate genetic structure, evaluate relationships between genetic diversity and isolation, and estimate relative climate vulnerability for populations as a function of five variables associated with species’ responses to climate change: genetic diversity, genetic isolation, geographic isolation, forward climate velocity within a population’s habitat patch (a measure of geographic movement rate required for an organism to maintain constant climate conditions), and maximum elevation within the habitat patch (a measure of current climate stress, as lower maximum elevation is associated with higher temperature, lower precipitation, and lower population persistence). Genetic structure analyses revealed a high-level division between populations in southeastern Utah and populations in the remainder of the study area, which were further differentiated into four lower-level genetic clusters. Genetic diversity decreased with population isolation, whereas genetic differentiation increased, but these patterns were stronger for native populations than for translocated populations. Populations exhibited large variation in predicted vulnerability across the study area with respect to all variables, but native populations occupying relatively intact landscapes, such as Death Valley and Grand Canyon national parks, had the lowest overall vulnerability. These results provide local and regional context for conservation and management decisions regarding bighorn populations in a changing climate. Our study further demonstrates how assessments combining multiple factors could allow a more integrated response, such as increasing efforts to maintain connectivity and thus potential for adaptation in areas experiencing rapid climate change.

Abstract

The 2021 NPHC is tthe first census conducted under the federal structure of Nepal. The main census enumeration was originally scheduled to take place over 15 days- from June 8 to 22, 2021, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the enumeration was postponed for five months. Once the impact of the pandemic subsided, the enumeration was carried out according to a new work plan for a 15 dya period from November 11 to 25, 2021.

This report contains statistical tables at the national, provincial, district and municipal levels, derived from the topics covered in the census questionaires. The work of the analyzing the data in detail is still in progress. The report provides insights into the different aspects of the census operation, including its procedure, concepts, methodology, quality control, logistics, communication, data processing, challenges faced, and other management aspects.

This census slightly differs from the previous censuses mainly due to the following activities: i. three modes of data collection (CAPI, PAPI and e-census); ii. a full count of all questions instead of sampling for certain questions, as was done in the previous two censuses, iii. collaboration with Ministry of Health and Population to ascertain the likely maternal mortality cases reported in the census by skilled health personnel; iv. data processing within its premises; v. recuitment of fresh youths as supervisor and enumerators; and vi. using school teachers as master trainers, especially for the local level training of enumerators.

The objectives of the 2021 Population Census were:

a) to develop a set of benchmark data for different purposes. b) to provide distribution of population by demographic, social and economic characteristics. c) to provide data for small administrative areas of the country on population and housing characteristics. d) to provide reliable frames for different types of sample surveys. e) to provide many demographic indicators like birth rates, death rates and migration rates. f) to project population for the coming years.

The total population of Nepal, as of the census day (25 November 2021) is 29,164,578, of which the number of males is 14,253,551 (48.87 %) and the number of females is 14,911,027 (51.13 %). Accordingly, the sex ratio is 95.59 males per 100 females. Annual average population growth rate is 0.92 percent in 2021.

Geographic coverage

National Level, Ecological belt, Urban and Rural, Province, District, Municipality, Ward Level

Analysis unit

The census results provide information up to the ward level (the lowest administrative level of Nepal), household and indivisual.

Universe

The census covered all modified de jure household members (usual residents)

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f] and online

Research instrument

In this census three main questionnaires were developed for data collection. The first was the Listing Form deveoped mainly for capturing the basic household informatioin in each Enumeration area of the whole country. The second questionnaire was the main questionnaire with eight major Sections as mentioned hereunder.

Listing Questionaire Section 1. Introduction Section 2. House information Section 3. Household information Section 4. Agriculture and livestock information Section 5. Other information

Main Questionaire Section 1. Introduction Section 2. Household Information Section 3. Individual Information Section 4. Educational Information Section 5. Migration Section 6. Fertility Section 7.Disability Section 8. Economic Activity

For the first time, the NPHC, 2021 brougt a Community Questionnaire aiming at capturing the socio-economic and demographic characteristics of the Wards (the lowest administrative division under Rural/Urban Municipalities). The Community Questionnaire contains 6 Chapters. The information derived from community questionnaire is expected to validate (cross checks) certain information collected from main questionnaire.

Community questionaire Section 1. Introduction Section 2. Basic information of wards Section 3. Caste and mother tongue information Section 4. Current status of service within wards Section 5. Access of urban services and facilities within wards Section 6. Status of Disaster Risk

It is noteworty that the digital version of questionnare was applied in collecting data within the selected municipalities of Kathmandu Valley. Enumerators mobilized in Kathmandu Valley were well trained to use tablets. Besides, online mode of data collection was adpoted for all the Nepalese Diplomatic Agencies located abroad.

Cleaning operations

For the concistency of data required logics were set in the data entry programme. For the processing and analysis of data SPSS and STATA programme were employed.