Kishor Prasad Bhatta

E-mail: k.bhatta[at]stud.uni-goettingen.de

Topic: Forest structure and shifts in evapotranspiration at the tree line in the high mountains of Nepal.
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Dirk Hölscher

The study aims to assess how the mountain forest structure attributes, as well as forest-atmosphere water exchange, varies across the different ecoregions near the tree line. The study proposes to employ ground based and spaced based LiDAR data and ECOSTRESS data to analyze forest structure and evapotranspiration respectively. The study will explore the relationship between forest structure and evapotranspiration (ET) in the Himalayas which helps to understand the role of forest in balancing the hydrological cycle as well as the present scenario regarding plant water availability. Similarly, it will give a clear picture of variation in forest structure and ET across diverse topography and climatic conditions in the Himalayas. This level of information may help the government, policymakers and relevant stakeholders in decision making regarding sustainable management of forest resources and the conservation of water resources, mainly forest springs.

Education:
2018-2020: M.Sc. in Forest Sciences and Forest Ecology, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Germany.
2012-2016: B.Sc. in Forestry, Tribhuvan University, Institute of Forestry, Pokhara Campus, Nepal.

Work Experience:
2022-2023: Researcher (Consultant) at Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR-ICRAF).
2021-2023: Senior Research Officer at Research and Development Centre, Nepal.
2016-2018: Forestry Ranger at IUCN Country Office Nepal.