Ecological and social values of the community forest managed for rural livelihoods in Sa Kaeo Province, Eastern Thailand
Article Sidebar
Abstract Views: 76
File Views: 48
Main Article Content
Abstract
Abstract. Yodsa-Nga P, Teeratinan J, Pangklom S, Waiboonya P, Moungsrimuangdee B. 2026. Ecological and social values of the community forest managed for rural livelihoods in Sa Kaeo Province, Eastern Thailand. Biodiversitas 27 (3): d270341. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d270341. Community forests are essential in Thailand for supporting local livelihoods and conserving the environment. This research investigates the ecological and social values of the Ban Nong Ma-U Community Forest in Sa Kaeo Province, Eastern Thailand. Ecological characteristics of woody species were assessed in 54 systematically established sampling plots, each measuring 20 × 20 m. Species composition and diversity were evaluated using the importance value index (IVI) and the Shannon-Wiener index (H¢). Biomass of woody species was calculated using allometric equations, and carbon stocks were estimated accordingly. Social values were determined through ethnobotanical indices derived from interviews with 94 residents of Nong Ma-U Village regarding the use of non-timber forest products (NTFPs). In total, 68 species were identified in the sample plots, representing 54 genera and 30 families. Fabaceae was the dominant family, comprising 11 species. Dipterocarpus tuberculatus was the most prevalent tree species, while Suregada multiflora and Sindora siamensis ranked highest among sapling and seedling species based on IVI. The H¢ ranged from 2.48 to 2.96 across tree, sapling, and seedling stages. Tree and sapling biomass were 59.49 and 0.75 ton ha-1, respectively, while carbon stocks for trees and saplings were 27.96 and 0.35 ton C ha-1. A total of 97 NTFPs were recorded, primarily wild plants used for human consumption. Curcuma parviflora, Amorphophallus macrophyllum, Cratoxylum formosum, Azadirachta indica, Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, Curcuma alismatifolia, and Phoenix loureiroi were identified as the most culturally significant NTFP species based on high values of the cultural importance index (CI) and relative importance index (RI). The results indicate that the Ban Nong Ma-U Community Forest provides significant ecological and social benefits to local communities. These benefits include meeting local needs, reliance on NTFPs, carbon sequestration, and the maintenance of local traditions. The implementation of a comprehensive conservation and utilization framework is expected to sustain the resources of Ban Nong Ma-U Community Forest and enhance local livelihoods.
Article Details
Issue
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
References
Agarwal S, Sairorkham B, Sakitram P, Lambin EF. 2022. Effectiveness of community forests for forest conservation in Nan province, Thailand. J Land Use Sci 17 (1): 307-323. https://doi.org/10.1080/1747423X.2022.2078438.
Aprilia R. 2025. The potential of carbon sequestration in community forests for climate change mitigation and disaster risk reduction. Asean Nat Disaster Mitigation Edu J 2 (2): 129-143. https://doi.org/10.61511/andmej.v2i2.2025.1520.
Aye YY, Pampasit S, Umponstira C, Thanacharoenchanaphas K, Sasaki N. 2014. Floristic composition, diversity and stand structure of tropical forests in Popa Mountain Park. J Environ Prot 5 (17): 1588-1602. https://doi.org/10.4236/jep.2014.517150.
Budiharta S, Holl KD. 2025. Harnessing opportunities to upscale forest landscape restoration in Indonesia. Trees For People 21: 100917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100917.
Chaiya C. 2025. Empowering climate resilience: A people-centered exploration of Thailand's greenhouse gas emissions trading and sustainable environmental development through climate risk management in community forests. Heliyon 11 (2): e41844. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2025.e41844.
Chashike A, Shibru S, Gebre T, Uncha A. 2025. Ethnobotanical study of traditional medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge in Melokoza District, South Ethiopia. Tree For People 20: 100849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100849.
Cook FEM. 1995. Economic Botany Data Collection Standard. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond.
Eiadthong W. 2008. Endemic and rare plants in dry deciduous dipterocarp forest in Thailand. In: Proceedings of the FORTROP II: Tropical forestry change in a changing world. Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, 17-20 November 2008. [Thai]
Ekasari I, Widjaya AH, Latifah D, Sahromi. 2024. Floristic composition and structure of Dipterocarps habitat in Dramaga Research Forest, Bogor, Indonesia. IOP Conf Ser: Earth Environ Sci 1425: 012008. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1425/1/012008.
Fambayun RA, Istomo, Ramadhan DE. 2021. The growth performance of dipterocarps species and understorey diversity in the Gunung Dahu Research Forest, Leuwiliang, Bogor. IOP Conf Ser: Earth Environ Sci 914: 012042. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/914/1/012042.
Fischer HW, Chhatre A, Duddu A, Pradhan N, Agrawal A. 2023. Community forest governance and synergies among carbon, biodiversity and livelihoods. Nat Clim Chang 13: 1340-1347. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-023-01863-6.
Georgiadis P. 2021. Ethnobotanical knowledge against the combined biodiversity, poverty and climate crisis: A case study from a Karen community in Northern Thailand. Plants People Planet 4 (4): 382-391. https://doi.org/10.1002/ppp3.10259.
Hansmann R. 2024. Social, ecological and economic synergies of forests for sustainability contradict projects involving large-scale deforestation for energy production. Ecol Civiliz 1 (4): 10013. https://doi.org/10.70322/ecolciviliz.2024.10013.
He F, Hu XS. 2005. Hubbell’s fundamental biodiversity parameter and the Simpson diversity index. Ecol Lett 8 (4): 386-390. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2005.00729.x.
IPCC [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change]. 2006.: Forestland. In: IPCC guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories. National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme, Japan.
Issaree M. 1982. Primary Production of Plant Communities in Old Clearing Areas at Sakaerat Environmental Research Station, Pakthongchai, Nakhon Ratchasima. [Thesis]. Kasetsart University, Bangkok. [Thai]
IUCN [International Union for Conservation of Nature]. 2025. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-2. https://www.iucnredlist.org.
Jenkins M, Schaap B. 2018. Forest Ecosystem Services. Background study prepared for the thirteenth session of the United Nations Forum on Forests. https://www.un.org/esa/forests/wp-content/uploads/2018/ 05/UNFF13_BkgdStudy_ForestsEcoServices.pdf.
Kabir ME, Webb EL. 2006. Saving a forest: The composition and structure of a deciduous forest under community management in Northeast Thailand. Nat Hist Bull Siam Soc 54 (2): 239-260.
Kanhom B, Moungsrimuangdee B, Waiboonya P, Yodsa-nga P, Larpkern P. 2019. Plant diversity and biomass carbon stocks of Nong Mek Community Forest, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province. Thai J For 38 (2): 41-55.
Kent M, Coker R. 1992. Vegetation Description and Analysis: A practical Approach. CRC Press, Inc.
Khamyong N, Wangpakapattanawong P, Chairuangsri S, Inta A, Tiansawat P. 2018. Tree species composition and height-diameter allometry of three forest types in Northern Thailand. Nat Life Sci Commun 17 (4): 289-306. https://doi.org/10.12982/CMUJNS.2018.0021.
Magurran AE. 2007. Species abundance distributions over time. Ecol Lett 10 (5): 347-354. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2007.01024.x
Marod D, Hermhuk S, Sungkaew S, Thinkampheang S, Kamyo T, Nuipakdee W. 2019. Species composition and spatial distribution of dominant trees in the forest ecotone of a mountain ecosystem, Northern Thailand. Environ Nat Resour J 17 (3): 40-49. https://doi.org/10.32526/ennrj.17.3.2019.21.
Martin G. 1995. Ethnobotany: A Methods Manual. WWF International, UNESCO and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew/Chapman and Hall, London.
Mechaala S, Bouatrous Y, Adouane S. 2022. Traditional knowledge and diversity of wild medicinal plants in El Kantara’s area (Algerian Sahara gate): An ethnobotany survey. Acta Ecol Sin 42 (1): 33-45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chnaes.2021.01.007.
Mills MB, Malhi Y, Ewers RM, Kho LK, Teh YA, Both S, Burslem DFRP, Majalap N, Nilus R, Huasco WH, Cruz R, Pillco MM, Turner EC, Reynold G, Riutta T. 2023. Tropical forests post-logging are a persistent net carbon source to the atmosphere. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 120 (3): e2214462120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2214462120.
Noinarai T, Sunthornhao P, Pothitan R. 2020. Utilization of non-timber forest products by the local communities around Phu Laen Kha National Park, Chaiyaphum Province. Thai J For 39 (2): 137-150.
Ogawa H, Yoda K, Kira T. 1965. A preliminary survey on the vegetation of Thailand. Nature and life in Southeast Asia 1: 21-157.
Pandey SS, Cockfield G, Maraseni TN. 2014. Dynamics of carbon and biodiversity under REDD+ regime: A case from Nepal. Environ Sci Policy 38: 272-281. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2014.01.005.
Pibumrung P, Gajaseni N, Popan A. 2008. Profiles of carbon stocks in forest, reforestation and agricultural land, Northern Thailand. J For Res 19: 11-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11676-008-0002-y.
Plybour C, Laosuwan T, Uttaruk Y, Awichin P, Rotjanakusol T, Itsarawisut J, Singharath M. 2025. An investigation of plant species diversity, above-ground biomass, and carbon stock: Insights from a dry dipterocarp forest case study. Diversity 17 (6): 428. https://doi.org/10.3390/d17060428.
Podong C, Krivutthinun P. 2018. Tree species richness and diversity of community forestry in Uttaradit Province, Thailand. Nat Environ Pollut Technol 17 (1): 87-92.
Pokhrel RK, Gautam AP. 2024. Community forest, environment conservation and rural livelihood. Geog J Nepal 17 (1): 151-162. https://doi.org/10.3126/gjn.v17i01.63945.
Pooma R, Suddee S. 2014. Tem Smitinand's Thai plant names, revised edition 2014. Office of the Forest Herbarium, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Bangkok.
RECOFTC. 2025. Community forest governance in Thailand: The Community Forest Act and the Citizens’ Forest Network. [Updated 2025 Feb 28; cited 2025 Sep 1]. https://www.recoftc.org/stories/thailand-community-forest-act-governance
Ruziman HH, Ismail A, Pardi F, Mohd Hatta SKM. 2022. Edaphic influences on tree species composition and community structure in a secondary-lowland dipterocarp forest of Kota Damansara Forest Reserve, Selangor. Malays Appl Biol 51 (4): 11-21. https://doi.org/10.55230/mabjournal.v51i4.06.
Saisor N, Prathepha P, Saensouk S. 2021. Ethnobotanical study and utilization of plants in Khok Nhong Phok Forest, Kosum Phisai District, Northeastern Thailand. Biodiversitas 22 (10): 4336-4348. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d221026.
Shannon CE, Weaver W. 1949. The Mathematical Theory Communication. University of Illinois, IL.
Shiva MP, Jantan I. 1998. Non-Timber Forest Products from Dipterocarps. In: Appanah S, Turnbull JM (eds). A Review of Dipterocarps: Taxonomy, Ecology and Silviculture. Centre for International Forest Research, Bogor, Indonesia.
Tardío J, Pardo-de Santayana M. 2008. Cultural importance indices: A comparative analysis based on the useful wild plants of Southern Cantabria (Northern Spain). Econ Bot 62: 24-39. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12231-007-9004-5
Terakunpisut J, Gajaseni N, Ruankawe N. 2007. Carbon sequestration potential in aboveground biomass of Thong Pha Phum National Forest, Thailand. Appl Ecol Environ Res 5 (2): 93-102.
Thammanu S, Han H, Ekanayake EMBP, Jung Y, Chung J. 2021b. The impact on ecosystem services and the satisfaction therewith of community forest management in Northern Thailand. Sustainability 13 (23): 13474. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132313474.
Thammanu S, Han H, Marod D, Srichaichana J, Chung J. 2021c. Above-ground carbon stock and REDD+ opportunities of community-managed forests in northern Thailand. PLoS One 16 (8): e0256005. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0256005.
Thammanu S, Han H, Marod D, Zang L, Jung Y, Soe KT, Onprom S, Chung J. 2021a. Non-timber forest product utilization under community forest management in northern Thailand. For Sci Technol 17 (1): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/21580103.2020.1862712.
Thanh Tuan N, Quang Bao T, Rodríguez-Hernández DI, Gliottone I. 2021. Tree diversity and species composition of tropical dry forests in Vietnam’s Central Highlands Region. Forestry Studies 75 (1): 80-103. https://doi.org/10.2478/fsmu-2021-0013.
Wang N, Bi H, Peng R, Zhao D, Liu Z. 2023. Disparities in soil and water conservation functions among different forest types and implications for afforestation on the Loess Plateau. Ecol Indic 155: 110935. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.110935.
Whitmore TC. 1984. Tropical Rain Forest of the Far East. 2nd Ed. Clarendon, New York.
Wimolsakcharoen W, Dumrongrojwatthana P, Trébuil G. 2020. Production of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) and diversity of harvesters’ practices and decision-making processes in northern Thailand community forests. Bois For Trop 343: 39-52. https://doi.org/10.19182/bft2020.343.a31845.
Wiriyabancha C. 2020. Guide to Permanent Sample Plot Establishment and Field Data Collection. Forest Research and Conservation Office, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, BKK. https://pubhtml5.com/irdz/pmso/คู่มือการวางแปลงตัวอย่างถาวรและการเก็บข้อมูลภาคสนาม/86. [Thai]