The purpose of the present work was to investigate variations in the surface areas of lakes in the north-east sector of Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal) at the end of the 20th century, through comparison of the Mount Everest maps based on a survey done in the early 1980s, and the official Map of Nepal based on a survey done at the beginning of the 1990s. The analysis of the changes occurring between the 1980s and the 1990s in the surface areas and distribution of lakes in the north-east sector of SNP reveals that lake areas substantially increased, by 15.4 (-5.5; +5.7)% (median 12.5%), within hydrographic basins that included a certain amount of glacial cover. In fact, 96% of the lakes whose surface area increased are located in glacial basins. Conversely, the majority of the lakes without glacial cover in their catchment showed a reduction in surface area, and in many cases disappeared (83% of the lakes that disappeared were situated in basins without glaciers). This different behaviour of these two types of lakes, though observed over a short time span, would appear to be consistent with the consequences of temperature increases recorded from the beginning of 1980s on a global and local scale. The digital tool produced (Limnological Information System, LIS) as part of this work is intended to provide a useful platform for extending the analysis to entire area of SNP, as well as for subsequent comparisons based on earlier maps or more recent satellite images.

The CNR 4 net radiometer hes been installed in Lukla in 2013 and it consists of a pyranometer pair, one facing upward, the other facing downward, and a pyrgeometer pair in a similar configuration. The pyranometer pair measures the short-wave radiation. And the pyrgeometer pair measures long-wave radiation. The upper long-wave detector of CNR 4 has a meniscus dome. This ensures that water droplets role off easily and improves the field of view to nearly 180°, compared with a 150° for a flat window. All 4 sensors are integrated directly into the instrument body, instead of separate modules mounted onto the housing. But are each calibrated individually for optimal accuracy. Two temperature sensors, a Pt-100 and Thermistor, are integrated for compatibility with every data logger. The temperature sensor is used to provide information to correct the infrared readings for the temperature of the instrument housing. Care has been taken to place the long-wave sensors close to each other and close to the temperature sensors. This assures that the temperatures of the measurement surfaces are the same and accurately known. Which improves the quality of the long-wave measurements. Technical Characteristics: Spectral range: 300 to 2800 (short wave) nm Spectral range: 4500 to 42000 (long wave) nm Sensitivity: 5 to 20 µV/W/m² Temperature dependence of sensitivity (-10 ºC to +40 ºC) : < 4 % Response time: < 18 s Non-linearity: < 1 % Operating temperature: -40 to 80 °C Ventilation power (of the optional CNF 4 ventilation unit): 10 W

At the AWS Pheriche station the DQA035 Lsi-Lastem rain gauge is mounted on a 1,5 m pole. This model of Rain gauge has a 1.000 cmq collector area. The measurement device is composed of a collector cone and a double chamber bascule connected to a magnete that operates one (optional two) reed switch, which generates impulses that can be counted by external meters: each impulse is equal to 0.2 mm of rain (optional from 0.1 to 0.5 mm). The mechanical and electrical specifications are: - Collector surface area: 1000 cmq - Collector area diameter: 420 mm - Measurements range: 180 mm/hr - Resolution: o,2 mm/imp. (opt. 0,1; 0,3; 0,4; 0,5; mm/imp.) - Accuracy: 0-1 mm/min: 1% 1-3 mm/min: 2% 3-5 mm/min: 4% 5-10 mm/min: 8% - Contact: 1 reed (opt. N.2 reed) 0,5 A/24V non inductive - Pulse duration: 100 msec.± 5 - Collector cone material: Brass - External housing material: Inox AISI30 - Tipping bucket material: Alluminium - Cable: 10 m - Weight: 6,3 kg - Power supply: /thermocover 100 W, 24 Vca/Va

In ungulates, rank order is determined by differences in weight, body size, weapon size and age. In the Caprini tribe (Bovidae: Caprinae), adult male Himalayan tahr are unique to show different coat colours, but no sexual dimorphism in weapons. A highly significant correlation between hair colour and rank order was found during the rut: males with a lighter coloured ruff dominated over darker ruffed ones, in both aggressive interactions and access to oestrus females. We studied colour-based dominance in relation to weight, age and testosterone levels, which establish the social rank in most ungulates. No differences in weight and testosterone concentrations were found between adult male colour classes, but males with paler ruffs were significantly younger than darker adult males. The distribution of physical traumas from fights confirmed that younger, lighter-coloured males had a higher rank than older, darker males, a pattern which is unusual amongst ungulates. Coat colour seems to work as a signal of rank in male-male aggressive interactions and it changes according to age, whereas the relevant physiological determinants deserve further research. Intrasexual male competition has not changed weapon size or shape in the Himalayan tahr, but ruff colours are apparently used to signal rank and dominance. Colour patterns of adult males may then be homologous to ritualised weapons, apparently being a unique feature of male tahr amongst mammals.

At the AWS Pheriche station the CombiSD DNA022 Lsi-Lastem combined wind speed-direction sensor is mounted on a 5m pole. The CombiSD sensor includes, in a single apparatus, the both transducers for measuring wind speed and wind direction. Its use simplifies the installation and the plant design in respect of the sensors with separate measurements plus giving some other advantages being smaller, lighter and cheaper. The CombiSD DNA022: sensor has a direct signal output. Frequency (Hz) for wind speed and resistance (Ohm) for wind direction. the CombiSD has low power consumption, it can be used in systems with small energy availability. The technical characteristics are: - Principle of operation: 3 cups and vane anemometer - Speed sensor: Optoelectronic disk - Direction sensor: 2000 Ohm wire potentiometer / Positioning Hall effect sensor - Housing: Heavy gauge anodised aluminium - Shaft carriers: Low-torque stainless steel bearings - Protection (vertical position): IP65 - Mechanical mounting: On 48 50 mm diameter mast - Electrical outlet terminators: IP65 watertight connector - Weight (instrument with rotors): 950 gr. The Physical and operational specification are: - damage threshold > 75 m/s - operating temperature: -30°+70°C The speed measures are specified by: - Measurement range: 0-60 m/s (using transfer function) - Threshold: 0,21 m/s - Response time (63% at 5 m/s): 0.8 s - Distance constant (delay distance) at 5 m/s: 4 m - Resolution (integration time=1s): 0.05 m/s - Accuracy & Linearity: 0,1 m/s+1%VL (readout), if connected to LASTEM data loggers. The direction measures are specified by: - Measurement range: 0 ÷ 360 - Threshold: 0,15 m/s - Response time (at 5 m/s): 0,26 s - Delay distance (at 5 m/s): 1,32 m - Damping coefficient (VDI3786): 0,21 - Transfer function: Dir(°)= 355 x R(Ohm)/2000 - Resolution: 0,1 - Accuracy: 1% FS (Full scale) - Integral linearity: 0,5%

Since 2014, the Digital Barometer PTB330, by VAISALA, is installed. Vaisala BAROCAP® Digital Barometer PTB330 is a new generation barometer, designed for a wide range of high-end atmospheric pressure measurement. -Vaisala BAROCAP® sensor -Accurate measurement -Excellent long-term stability -Added reliability through redundancy -Graphical trend display with 1-year history data -Altitude corrected pressure (QFE, QNH) -For professional use in meteorology, aviation, laboratories, and demanding industrial applications

In the Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal, Himalayan species of Galliformes are poorly studied and their present status is unknown. We studied the distribution of three high-altitude species: Himalayan monal, blood pheasant, and Tibetan snowcock, comparing birds' distribution in relation to altitude and habitat in spring and autumn 2007. Our study area was at 3300–5000 m a.s.l., characterized by subalpine vegetation. A structural description of vegetation types was made on the basis of main habitat features. We observed two different patterns across the year. Group size differences are common during spring and autumn. Variation in habitat use and altitudinal ranges are evident in the snowcock and blood pheasant. The Himalayan monal distribution was influenced by anthropogenic resources.