Integrating Scientific Research with Community Needs to Restore a Forest Landscape in Northern Thailand: A Case Study of Ban Mae Sa Mai

Elliott, Stephen; Kuaraksa, Cherdsak; Tunjai, Panitnard; Toktang, Tiderach; Boonsai, Kunakorn; Sangkum, Sudarat; Suwannaratana, Sutthathorn; Blakesley, David

doi:10.1007/978-94-007-5338-9_7

Cited by 7 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…However, reducing the number of tree species planted would also reduce the rate of biodiversity recovery and might limit the range of forest products available to local stakeholders (thus contravening two REDD+ safeguards mentioned in the introduction). This study shows that in addition to its proven ability to accelerate biodiversity recovery (Elliott et al, 2012), the framework species method sequesters considerable amounts of carbon, which greatly increases the value of the technique.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

“…The plot system forms a wildlife corridor along a ridge joining Dong Seng Forest (DSF) in the east to an unnamed, degraded forest remnant in the west. For a complete account of the study site and the restoration technique see Elliott et al, (2012). The 3 plots, used for this study, had been planted in 2007, 2002 and 1998 and were 5, 10 and 14 years old at the time of the study (henceforth referred to as the RF5, RF10 and RF14 plots respectively) (Figure 2).…”

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

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Above-Ground Carbon Sequestration during Restoration of Upland Evergreen Forest in Northern Thailand

Jantawong¹,

Elliott²,

Wangpakapattanawong³

2017

OJF

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Tropical deforestation reduces the global terrestrial carbon sink and substantially contributes towards global climate change. Conversely, tropical forest restoration could help to mitigate the problem, but few measurements of how much carbon can be absorbed by forest restoration have been published. Therefore, this study used a partial harvesting method to compare carbon sequestration among 11 framework tree species (selected to accelerate forest regeneration by suppressing weeds and attracting seed dispersers), in a restoration trial in northern Thailand. The goal was to enable restoration practitioners to factor in carbon sequestration, when selecting tree species to plant. Above-ground carbon sequestration was derived from wood density, tree volume and above-ground biomass of 3 trees of each of 12 tree species, in 5, 10 and 14-year old restoration plots (RF5, RF10 and RF14, respectively). Wood density did not vary significantly with tree age (p ≤ 0.05), but it did differ significantly among tree species (p ≤ 0.05). Gmelina arborea wood was the densest (0.57 ± 0.10 g/cm 3 ). Carbon concentration of stem wood did not vary significantly among tree species or age (p ≤ 0.05), averaging 44.67% (±0.54). Tree volume varied among the species in the youngest plot, but such variation declined with tree age. In the oldest plot (RF14), Erythrina subumbrans and Spondias axillaris grew significantly larger than the other species and sequestered the most above-ground carbon: 135.23 and 115.87 kgC/tree respectively. Bischofia javanica sequestered the least, only 9.80 kgC/tree. An even framework species mix would sequester 13.2, 44.3 and 105.8 tC/ha, 5, 10 and 14 years respectively after planting and would achieve carbon storage levels similar to those of nearby natural forest in 16 -17 years. The framework species method is therefore capable of rapidly accumulating carbon, a property which, How to cite this paper: Jantawong, K., Elliott, S., & Wangpakapattanawong, P. 158along with its acceleration of biodiversity recovery and provision of a wide range of forest products and ecological services to local people, meets both the requirements and safeguards of REDD+ projects.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Section: Study Areamentioning

confidence: 99%

Above-Ground Carbon Sequestration during Restoration of Upland Evergreen Forest in Northern Thailand

Jantawong¹,

Elliott²,

Wangpakapattanawong³

2017

OJF

Self Cite

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“…The enrichment of restored forests with locally useful plants, like the ones reported and prioritised here, can potentially generate reciprocal effects between locally driven economic development and forest conservation (Georgiadis, 2008). As long as sustainable management and harvesting practices are maintained, the reconciliation of scientific objectives with everyday needs of the community may be the defining success factor for ecological restoration projects (Di Sacco et al, 2021; Elliott et al, 2012; Gann et al, 2019) and sustainable rural development. The observed subsistence and option value of wild plants in Mae Klang Luang is yet to be researched (Faith, 2021) to enable traditional ecological knowledge to drive strategies for biodiversity conservation, poverty reduction and climate resilience.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethnobotanical knowledge against the combined biodiversity, poverty and climate crisis: A case study from a Karen community in Northern Thailand

Georgiadis

2022

Plants People Planet

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Societal Impact Statement Global biodiversity is eroding at alarming rates due to anthropogenic factors, such as climate change and unsustainable land use management. These interrelated challenges often push forest ecosystems to their limits, leading many species to disappear before their characteristics and potential are explored. As a result, indigenous rural communities inhabiting the world's biodiversity hotspots are losing a vital resource that supports their subsistence and livelihoods against persistent poverty. This research documents traditional ecological knowledge of a Karen community inside the Doi Inthanon National Park, Northern Thailand, reporting ethnobotanical uses of 125 plant taxa. It provides a ranking of culturally important trees that can inform the selection of framework species for ecosystem restoration and sustainable development in the region's montane forests. Summary Climate change, population growth and persistent poverty are applying pressure to the world's most fragile ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots in unprecedented ways. There is an urgent need to document species that provide important ecological services and contribute to overall human quality of life. Participatory rural appraisal tools and collection of herbarium specimens were used to elicit ethnobotanical knowledge of an ethnic community inside the mountain forest of Northern Thailand. Statistical analysis was performed on the basis of quantitative indices to rank the cultural significance of the reported species in a Karen community inside Doi Inthanon National Park, Northern Thailand. This article presents an ethnobotanical inventory of 125 plants, including data on important botanical families, use categories and useful plant parts. A prioritisation of 30 culturally important tree species is attempted on the basis of four quantitative indices. Most of the reported plants are neglected and underutilised in need of further research and development for the diversification of agriculture, diets, livelihoods and landscapes. The integration of cultural criteria in the selection of framework species for ecosystem restoration embeds local community needs in conservation efforts, increasing their potential for success and fostering an integrated approach to sustainable development.

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“…Only a few studies have examined the distribution of seed dispersers (bats and birds) and seed rain patterns relative to edge in SE Asian forest [13], which has the highest rate of deforestation in tropical regions [19]. Furthermore, no study in the region has looked in detail at how different plant growth forms attract particular dispersers, especially birds and bats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Furthermore, no study in the region has looked in detail at how different plant growth forms attract particular dispersers, especially birds and bats. Currently, some forest restoration techniques treat remnant shrubs as competitors of newly planted tree seedlings; shrubs and weeds are often cleared before trees are planted [19–20]. In this study we determine the role of remnant trees and shrubs in grassland as a tool for passive and low cost ecological restoration.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seed Rain in Abandoned Clearings in a Lowland Evergreen Rain Forest in Southern Thailand

Sritongchuay

Gale

Stewart

et al. 2014

Tropical Conservation Science

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Some forest restoration techniques treat remnant shrubs as competitors of newly planted tree seedlings, often clearing shrubs and weeds before trees are planted, but such plants may have significant value in attracting seed dispersers. In this study we examined the role of remnant trees and shrubs in grassland as a tool for passive and low cost ecological restoration. We determined the species density and abundance of both seed rain and its vertebrate dispersers in relation to different microhabitats (shrub-like vs. tree-like vegetation vs. grassland patches) in a 20-ha clearing of weeds mixed with early successional woody vegetation in a lowland evergreen forest in southern Thailand. We quantified seed rain from 60 seed traps placed in each microhabitat, and compared differences in seed abundance and species richness, while also examining the effect of distance from the forest edge. We found that seed rain abundance and seed species richness were significantly different among microhabitats. Seed rain was highest under shrubs, followed by under trees and then grassland, whereas seed species richness was highest under trees, followed by under shrubs, and grassland. Distance from the forest edge affected seed rain abundance under trees only. Birds (bulbuls and flowerpeckers) were the main dispersers of seeds at trees and shrubs respectively, while bats were the primary dispersers for the grassland patches. Different seed disperser groups appear to have complementary roles, such that sites containing a mixture of vegetation types including early successional vegetation may attract significantly more seed dispersers.

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Integrating Scientific Research with Community Needs to Restore a Forest Landscape in Northern Thailand: A Case Study of Ban Mae Sa Mai

Cited by 7 publications

References 4 publications

Above-Ground Carbon Sequestration during Restoration of Upland Evergreen Forest in Northern Thailand

Above-Ground Carbon Sequestration during Restoration of Upland Evergreen Forest in Northern Thailand

Ethnobotanical knowledge against the combined biodiversity, poverty and climate crisis: A case study from a Karen community in Northern Thailand

Seed Rain in Abandoned Clearings in a Lowland Evergreen Rain Forest in Southern Thailand

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