Abstract
This paper describes a forest restoration research project in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, N. Thailand, which successfully combined the needs of science with those of local villagers. Field trials were established by Chiang Mai University’s Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU-CMU) to test the framework species method of forest restoration, in collaboration with the Hmong hill tribe community of Ban Mae Sa Mai village. The project generated a successful method to restore evergreen forest on deforested land, as well as insights into the factors that influence villagers’ participation in forest restoration.
Canopy closure was achieved 3 years after planting 20–30 framework tree species. Rapid biodiversity recovery was also achieved with 73 species of recruit (non-planted) tree species re-colonizing the plots from 5 to 9 years after planting and bird species richness increased from 30 species before planting, to 88 after 6 years.
Watershed protection was the most important reason why the villagers participated so enthusiastically in this project. Social impacts were also highly valued, particularly a better relationship with the national park authority, which reduced the perceived threat of eviction from the national park. Economic values were usually regarded as less important. Payments from FORRU-CMU for labour and community projects, although appreciated, were clearly not the main motivation for villagers and forest products collected from the reforested sites were only a minor contribution to the village economy.
Several pre-existing conditions contributed to the success of this project. The villagers had already made the decision to plant trees when the project started, so there was no need to persuade them of the value of the activity. Secondly, the village was a large and highly organized community. Thirdly, the villagers had little need to exploit the forest for material needs and lastly the villagers had a long history of working with outside organizations on projects, so negotiation mechanisms already existed.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bhumibamon S (1986) The environmental and socio-economic aspects of tropical deforestation: a case study of Thailand. Department of Silviculture, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 102 pp
Blakesley D, Elliott S, Kuarak C, Navakitbumrung P, Zangkum S, Anusarnsunthorn V (2002) Propagating framework tree species to restore seasonally dry tropical forest: implications of seasonal seed dispersal and dormancy. For Ecol Manag 164:31–38
Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) and Royal Forest Department (RFD) (2008) Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in the Tenasserim biodiversity corridor (BCI pilot site) and national capacity building for benchmarking and monitoring (REDD readiness plan)
Elliott S, Navakitbumrung P, Zangkum S, Kuarak C, Kerby J, Blakesley D, Anusarnsunthorn V (2000) Performance of six native tree species, planted to restore degraded forestland in northern Thailand and their response to fertiliser. In: Elliott S, Kerby J, Blakesley D, Hardwick K, Woods K, Anusarnsunthorn V (eds) Forest restoration for wildlife conservation. Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, pp 244–255
Elliott S, Navakitbumrung P, Kuarak C, Zangkum S, Anusarnsunthorn V, Blakesley D (2003) Selecting framework tree species for restoring seasonally dry tropical forests in northern Thailand based on field performance. For Ecol Manag 184:177–191
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (1997) State of the world’s forests 1997. FAO, Rome, 200 pp
Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2001) State of the world’s forests 2001. FAO, Rome, 200 pp
FORRU (2006) How to plant a forest: the principles and practice of restoring tropical forests. The Forest Restoration Research Unit, Biology Department, Science Faculty, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
FORRU (2008) Research for restoring tropical forest ecosystems: a practical guide. Forest Restoration Research Unit, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 144 pp
Goosem S, Tucker N (1995) Repairing the rainforest. Cassowary Publications, Cairns
Jitlam N (2001) Effects of container type, air pruning and fertilizer on the propagation of tree seedlings for forest restoration. M.Sc. in Biology, Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Kopachon S (1995) Effects of heat treatment (60–70°C) on seed germination of some native trees on Doi Suthep. M.Sc. in Biology, Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Kuarak C (2002) Factors affecting growth of wildlings in the forest and nurturing methods in nursery. M.Sc. in Biology, Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Lamb D, Parrotta J, Keenan R, Tucker N (1997) Rejoining habitat fragments: restoring degraded rainforest lands. In: Laurance WF, Bierregaard RO Jr (eds) Tropical forest remnants: ecology, management and conservation of fragmented communities. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp 366–385
Maxwell JF, Elliott S (2001) Vegetation and vascular flora of Doi Sutep–Pui National Park, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Thai studies in biodiversity 5. Biodiversity research and training programme, Bangkok, 205 pp
Nandakwang P, Elliott S, Youpensuk S, Dell B, Teaumroon N, Lumyong S (2008) Arbuscular mycorrhizal status of indigenous tree species used to restore seasonally dry tropical forest in northern Thailand. Rsch J Microbiol 3(2):51–61
Panyanuwat A, Chiengchee T, Panyo U, Mikled C, Sangawongse S, Jetiyanukornkun T, Ratchusanti S, Rueangdetnarong C, Saowaphak T, Prangkoaw J, Malumpong C, Tovicchakchaikul S, Sairorkhom B, Chaiya O (2008) The evaluation project of the forestation plantation and water source check dam construction. The University Academic Service Center, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai (in Thai)
Phongchiewboon A (2008) Recovery of lichen diversity during forest restoration in Northern Thailand. M.Sc. thesis, Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Singpetch S (2002) Propagation and growth of potential framework tree species for forest restoration. M.Sc. thesis, Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Sinhaseni K (2008) Natural establishment of tree seedlings in forest restoration trials at Ban Mae Sa Mai, Chiang Mai Province. M.Sc. thesis, Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Toktang T (2005) The effects of forest restoration on the species diversity and composition of a bird community in Doi Suthep-Pui national park Thailand from 2002–2003. MSc. thesis, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Trisurat Y (2007) Applying gap analysis and a comparison index to evaluate protected areas in Thailand. Eviron Manag 39:235–245
Tucker N, Murphy T (1997) The effects of ecological rehabilitation on vegetation recruitment: some observations from the wet tropics of North Queensland. For Ecol Manag 99:133–152
Vongkamjan S, Elliott S, Anusarnsunthorn V, Maxwell JF (2002) Propagation of native forest tree species for forest restoration in northern Thailand. In: Chien C, Rose R (eds) The art and practice of conservation planting. Taiwan Forestry Research Institute, Taipei, pp 175–183
Zangkum S (1998) Growing tree seedlings to restore forests: effects of container type and media on seedling growth and morphology. M.Sc. thesis, Graduate School, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai
Acknowledgements
The authors thank the villagers of Ban Mae Sa Mai and Doi Suthep-Pui National Park Authority (currently led by Kuhn Amporn Panmongkol) for their co-operation with this project. Project activities in the Upper Mae Sa Valley have been sponsored by Thailand’s Biodiversity Research and Training Program, Britain’s Eden Project, Plant a Tree Today Foundation and WWF-Thailand Program with King Power Duty Free. We thank them all. We also take this opportunity to express our sincerest appreciation to all the previous staff and volunteers who have contributed to the unit’s work in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park since 1994.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Elliott, S. et al. (2012). Integrating Scientific Research with Community Needs to Restore a Forest Landscape in Northern Thailand: A Case Study of Ban Mae Sa Mai. In: Stanturf, J., Madsen, P., Lamb, D. (eds) A Goal-Oriented Approach to Forest Landscape Restoration. World Forests, vol 16. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5338-9_7
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-5338-9_7
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-94-007-5337-2
Online ISBN: 978-94-007-5338-9
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesBiomedical and Life Sciences (R0)