Defining Degradation: The Impacts of Swidden on Forests in Northern Thailand

Abstract

This paper reconsiders existing 'orthodox' definitions of forest degradation by looking at the changes in vegetation caused by swidden farming near three upland villages in Northern Thailand. It is argued that the common belief that swidden is a degrading land use, causing species loss, soil erosion, and water shortages, is highly simplistic. Instead, swidden should be evalu- ated in recognition of its great diversity in species encouraged; the economic uses of species; and the cultural needs and practices of different forest users. The case studies indicate that swiddens from Lawa and Karen ethnic groups may provide better land man- agement and diversity than reforestation, largely because of the practice of using 'relict emergents'--or retaining trees in cleared ground. But a different swidden system in one Akha village led to species loss and less useful secondary regrowth. It is argued that environmental policy makers should acknowledge that many secondary forest formations in Thailand do not constitute degraded forest, and that defining degradation from the viewpoint of one ethnic group may avoid loss of potentially valuable forest uses defined by others.