Revisit to community forest in northeast of Thailand: changes in status and utilization

Abstract

The International Forest Resources and Institutions (IFRI) research program is designed by a network of social and natural scientists from different parts of the world and is intended to exam the interdependency relations between people and forests and to analyze forest conditions In 2003, in terms of IFRI methodology, our team has done some relative research in Kog Bung Preu community forest, which locates in the northeast of Thailand, and collected forest data including some key variables and parameters, such as DBH (Diameter at Breast Height), HEIGHT, BA (Basal Area), and DENSITY of trees and saplings in 31 plots in this community forest. In 2009, we re-visited the forests and 31 forest plots, using IFRI methodology and GPS technology again to collect data based on four key variables of trees and saplings. In the process of data management and analysis, we use IFRI Data Entry Application, and Access, Excel, SPSS, Map-source etc. to help us manage and analyze collected data. Meanwhile, a variety of qualitative and quantitative techniques were used to understand and analyze different variables and data. This paper will mainly focus on the changes in the Kog Bung Preu forest since last visit. By comparing and analyzing the forest plot data of two visits by using macro- and micro-scale, it is intended to reveal the actual status of Kog Bung Preu forest and to discuss the reasons behind the changes. From fieldwork and investigation in 31 forest plots and community residents again, we found that for saplings, DHB has slightly increased, however it did not test as significantly different, unlike HEIGHT which had also increased and had significant differences between the 2 years. Density and basal area for sapling revealed the same trend. They appeared to be notably decreasing from 2003 to 2009. BA does not prove to be significantly different, but DENSITY has a significant difference. Comparing tree variables between 2003 and 2009 gave different results. Every variable showed an increase from the previously recorded data. However, only the DBH and HEIGHT of trees demonstrated significant differences between the 2 years. The generally declining rate of sapling density and basal area may be related to the increase in the density and basal area of trees. It may be assumed that within the 6-year period, some saplings in the plots matured and now fall into the tree class. During this study, a total of 78 species in 38 families were recorded; 51 species are trees belonging to 22 families, 25 species from 14 families are saplings, 12 species from 9 families are seedlings, 2 woody climber species were recorded from 1 family; and herbs and grasses consisting of 27 Species from 16 families. Species composition has decreased compared to data recorded in 2003 from 97 to 78 species in 2009 as well as families which had higher recorded counts in 2003 (48 families) but lower recorded counts in 2009 (38 families). The socioeconomic situation of local community has some changes, from interview we found that most of changes focus on the collection of forest products and timber uses. The interaction between forest and people has improved. Finally, based on the analysis earlier, we discussed some aspects and provide relative suggestions.