Dipak Mahatara
Graduate Student
Université du Québec à Rimouski, Department of biology, chemistry and geography
Research Project: Impact of different thinning regimes on wood properties and carbon sequestration in white spruce (Picea glauca) plantations
Directeur: Robert Schneider
Codirecteur: Julie Barrette
ACADEMICS
- M. Sc. in Biology, University of Quebec at Rimouski (UQAR) (ongoing)
- B.Sc. in Forestry, Institute of Forestry (IOF), Tribhuvan University (TU), Nepal (2016)
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
- 2017 to present: Forest Research Officer, Forest Research and Training Center (FRTC), Government of Nepal
Forest Research and Training Center is the mandatory organization to keep up to date national level forestry researches and database. Currently I am working at Forest biometry section and here, I focus my works on the cross-cutting issues regarding the sustainable forest management and resource modelling. I have also been involving closely in the development of different policies, directives, guidelines, action plans to manage, protect and utilize the natural resources, and in National forest inventory and survey. - 2016 to 2017: Climate Change Officer, Practical Solution Consultancy Pvt. Ltd., Kathmandu, Nepal
I had Worked as a Crew leader for the preparation of Local Adaptation Plan for Action (LAPA) for Dailekh District of Nepal in joint partner with Ministry of Forests and Environment, Government of Nepal. We used GIS and Remote sensing tools along with Participatory Rural Appraisal to analyze the vulnerable areas. We also involved in school teaching programs, community outreach and policy dialogue talks on issues related to climate change and green economy.
CURRENT RESEARCH THEME
Stand density management is one of the most important and widely used silvicultural tools that directly influence tree growth, wood quality and carbon content. The impact of the silvicultural treatments on wood quality and carbon content has been a subject of concern to forest managers for decades. Although the prime objective of forest managers is to produce a higher quantity of large-sized trees by using proper silvicultural treatments, everyone wants to maintain the wood quality and store more carbon at the same time. White spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) is a conifer tree species native to the northern temperate and boreal forests of North America. It is an ecologically and economically important tree species that has been managed intensively in these regions, and one of the main species that has been used for plantations. Studies showed that productivity and growth of white spruce are sensitive to tree spacing. While different wood properties of white spruce have been studied extensively, including genetic effects on wood quality traits, acoustic velocity, and modulus of elasticity, very few have made the attempt to study the growth characteristics and carbon content of white spruce after commercial thinning. In this project, the dynamics of growth-ring characteristics and carbon sequestration rates associated with four thinning methods (control, thinning from below, early crop tree (CT) release of 50 CT/ha and release of 100 CT/ha) in plantations will be assessed. The concept of CT release has never been used for softwood species in Eastern Canada. The effect of this innovative approach on the growth-ring characteristics and carbon sequestration rate will be better understood, so that forest managers will have a wider range of information to choose the appropriate silvicultural regime to achieve the desired management goals.
PUBLICATIONS
Articles published in refereed journals
- Mahatara, D., Rayamajhi, S., & Khanal, G. (2018). Impact of anti-poaching approaches for the success of Rhino conservation in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Banko Janakari, 28(2), 23-31. URL
Scholar Researchgate
- Mahatara, D., Acharya, A.K., Dhakal, B.P., Sharma, D.K., Ulak, S. and Paudel, P., 2021. Maxent modelling for habitat suitability of vulnerable tree Dalbergia latifolia in Nepal. SILVA FENNICA, 55(4). URL Scholar Researchgate
- Subedi, T., Bhandari, S.K., Pandey, N., Timilsina, Y.P. and Mahatara, D. Form factor and volume equations for individual trees of Shorea robusta in Western low land of Nepal Formfaktor-und Volumengleichungen für den Salbaum (Shorea robusta) im westlichen Tiefland von Nepal.URL Scholar Researchgate
- Sharma, . Pillai C.P.K. Ulak S . Pradhan D.K, . Mahatara D, . Pokhrel Y.P . Kharal D.K, Ghimire K1, . Aryal S . Aryal R . Poudel B.S . Jha R.K2, . Kafle M, and . Lewis J. 2021. Standardization of Vegetative Propagation Through Rhizome Cuttings in Phyllostachys Pubescens. Journal of Bamboo and Rattan 20(October):1–8.URL Scholar Researchgate
Articles published in conference proceedings
- Mahatara, D., Rayamajhi, S., & Khanal, G. (2018). Impact of anti-poaching approaches for the success of Rhino conservation in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. (Student Conference on Conservation Science, Bangalore, India )
- Ulak, S., Lama, B., Mahatara, D., & Ghimire, K. (2019). Agroforestry System and Practices in Terai and Midhills of Nepal. (Agroforestry conference Nepal, 2019 )
Reports
