The aim of our study was to test the efficacy of the nominative technique for estimating the prevalence of wildlife part use within a small sample. We used the domestic consumption of bear Ursus thibetanus and Helarctos malayanus parts in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) as a case study and performed 179 semi-structured interviews in Luang Prabang, northern Laos, in August 2017 and April 2019. We also assessed whether the specialized questioning of the nominative technique could be used for qualitative data collection methods, such as semi-structured interviews. The technique theoretically ensures more accurate statements of illegal wildlife consumption by maintaining the anonymity of an individual's sensitive behaviour through asking about the behaviour of peers. We also directly asked about participants’ use of bear parts. The nominative technique suggested that c. 11% of the participants’ peers used bear parts, whereas respondents’ direct admittance of using bear parts was approximately double, at 23%. Use of bear parts appears not to be sensitive in northern Laos. In addition, we found a strong association between responses to questioning using the nominative technique and direct questioning, indicating that users of bear parts have social networks with higher levels of use. This lends supports to theories that use of wildlife products is directly influenced by social group. The underreporting resulting from use of the nominative technique indicates the high variability of response that can occur within small samples. However, our results show that the nominative technique may be a simple, useful tool for triangulating data, assessing users’ integration into social networks of use, and assessing changes in behaviour prevalence.

The design of a Payment for Environmental Services (PES) scheme that involves setting a ‘pseudo market price’ per unit of environmental service requires the estimation of demand and supply. This paper presents the results of discrete choice experiments aimed at estimating the demand for environmental and social services generated by a wildlife protection PES scheme in two protected areas in Lao PDR. The discrete choice experiments targeted international tourists sampled at Vientiane airport and the urban Lao population sampled in Vientiane City as potential buyers of the environmental and social services provided by the PES scheme. The survey was customised to a developing country context to address diversity in respondents' literacy levels, language limitations of the interviewers, socio-cultural conventions, and limited trust in confidentiality and anonymity of the survey process. The marginal benefits of the environmental services so estimated were used to inform the development of a PES scheme.

This article investigates whether and how local livelihood issues are linked to international development policy and practices in the Mekong River Basin under a two-level game approach. Based on field research and interviews with villagers, and national and international policy makers associated with two hydroelectric dam projects, four key livelihood issues that are central to local communities, but are not currently considered important in international development policy and practices, are described. Fundamental to these issues is the problem that existing frameworks of international institutions do not consider local communities and citizens as legitimate participants at the international level. It is argued that the linkages between local- and international-layer institutions are not established by considering only policy issues and interests of nation-states; the focus of existing frameworks of international institutions. A major challenge for international development planning in the Mekong River Basin is establishing direct linkages between local livelihood issues and international development institutions.

The Endangered red-shanked douc Pygathrix nemaeus is a charismatic Asian colobine endemic to Vietnam, Cambodia and Lao People's Democratic Republic (PDR). The largest population is found in central-eastern Lao PDR but it has never been quantified. We conducted line-transect surveys in Nakai–Nam Theun National Protected Area in 2011–2012. We used distance sampling combined with a habitat suitability model to estimate group density and group abundance in the area. Our analysis yielded a density of 2.8 (range 1.9–4.1) groups per km2 and c. 4,420 groups within the predicted c. 1,600 km2 of suitable habitat in Nakai–Nam Theun. These are the only available data for P. nemaeus in Lao PDR to date. We discuss the limitations of our survey, which involved potential violations of the distance sampling method, and highlight the challenges of using this method for primates. We also consider the importance of assessing limitations in distance sampling studies, to evaluate reliability and facilitate comparisons. The population of P. nemaeus in Lao PDR is under threat from illegal hunting and is not the focus of any specific conservation action. To avoid a repetition of the decline the species has already experienced in Vietnam, and to secure the species' global survival, conservation projects need to target the population in Nakai–Nam Theun. A long-term conservation and research project in this key biodiversity area will also benefit other threatened and unique co-existing species.

Hoya lyi H.Lév. and H. yuennanensis Hand.-Mazz. (Apocynaceae – Asclepiadoideae), described at the beginning of the 20th century from specimens collected in South West China, have often been confused with each other and with H. carnosa R.Br. Currently Hoya yuennanensis is considered a synonym of H. lyi but after the selection of lectotypes and the comparison of extensive herbarium materials from the region two species are once again recognised. Emended descriptions and illustrations are provided. The recently described Hoya mekongensis M.G.Gilbert & P.T.Li is synonymised with H. yuennanensis.

Few viable populations of western black crested gibbon Nomascus concolor remain in southern China and northern Indochina, where the species is endemic. We conducted village surveys in the Nam Ha National Protected Area in Luang Namtha Province, Lao PDR to assess presence and status of gibbon populations. Forest surveys used to verify gibbon presence and species identification confirmed village reports of gibbon populations in three locations, and sonogram analysis identified all as N. concolor. These represent an expansion in the known distribution of western black crested gibbon in Lao PDR and the only known populations to occur inside the national protected area system. Significantly longer times since gibbons were last reported were associated with villages with <50% forest cover and high human populations. Although village taboos regarding gibbon hunting were reported, hunting and trade were nevertheless identified as factors contributing to gibbon decline. Results indicated that increased community-based management, public education and enforcement are needed to maintain N. concolor populations and their habitat in Lao PDR.