Forest In Thailand Research Articles

Species assemblages and their drivers differ between trees and lianas in a seasonal evergreen forest in Thailand

AbstractDespite a long tradition in ecology of studying tree species assembly and its potential drivers in tropical forest communities, little information exists with respect to lianas (woody climbers), the second most abundant life form of woody plants in tropical forests. Lianas influence forest diversity and stability and provide critical resources for forest fauna. Using a unique dataset of a 30‐ha plot in Thailand, where tree and liana individuals were fully mapped, we investigated the degree to which local species assemblages of trees and lianas of different size classes (i.e., seedlings, established individuals, and large individuals) are related to local environmental conditions. We asked (1) What are the spatial patterns and environmental drivers of local tree and liana species assemblages? (2) How do such patterns and drivers differ among size classes? (3) Which species associate with these assemblages? Local assemblages of established trees showed substantial structuring by environmental variables, whereas we found only weakly structured assemblages of tree seedlings, large trees, and lianas of all size classes. Our results indicated that the biotic and abiotic drivers of local species assemblages differed strongly between tree and liana communities and across size classes. Species assemblages of trees were mainly driven by soil nutrients, leading to patchy assemblages associated with high base saturation (Alfisols) and assemblages associated with lower levels of base saturation and higher aluminum (Ultisols), whereas tree seedling assemblages were only weakly structured by riparian zones. In contrast, species assemblages of established and large lianas were primarily associated with forest canopy structure, separating low‐canopy forests from high‐canopy forests, whereas soil nutrients were the only factors associated with liana seedling assemblages. The weak environmental structuring of tree seedlings and large trees suggests that other mechanisms, such as stochastic disturbances, competition for space, or animal seed dispersal, may play an important role in structuring tree communities in this seasonal tropical forest. The weak patterns observed in liana communities across all life stages raise questions about the underlying mechanisms of liana community assembly, and further research should focus on liana niches, their dispersal mechanisms, and host tree relations.

Toward a more resilient Thailand: Developing a machine learning-powered forest fire warning system

Forest fires in Thailand are a recurring and formidable challenge, inflicting widespread damage and ranking among the nation's most devastating natural disasters. Most detection methods are labor-intensive, lack speed for early detection, or result in high infrastructure costs. An essential approach to mitigating this issue involves establishing an efficient forest fire warning system based on amalgamating diverse available data sources and optimized algorithms. This research endeavors to develop a binary machine-learning classifier based on Thailand's forest fire occurrences from January 2019 to October 2022 using data acquired from satellite resources, including the Google Earth engine. We use four gas variables including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone. The study explores a range of classification models, encompassing linear classifiers, gradient-boosting classifiers, and artificial neural networks. The XGBoost model is the top-performing option across various classification evaluation metrics. The model provides the accuracy of 99.6 % and ROC-AUC score of 0.939. These findings underscore the necessity for a comprehensive forest fire warning system that integrates gas measurement sensor devices and geospatial data. A feedback mechanism is also imperative to enable model retraining post-deployment, thereby diminishing reliance on geospatial attributes. Moreover, given that decision-tree-based algorithms consistently yield superior results, future research in machine learning for forest fire prediction should prioritize these approaches.

Chemical Composition of Organic Carbon in Tropical Soils Under Agricultural Cultivation and Peat-Swamp Forest

ABSTRACT Soil organic carbon (SOC) is important for agricultural production and from an environmental perspective. This research determined the chemical composition of SOC and studied factors related to its distribution for various crops and peat-swamp forests in the tropical region. In total, 21 topsoil samples were collected from areas of paddy rice, sugarcane, cassava, pineapple, oil palm, para rubber, and peat-swamp forest in Thailand. Four groups of SOC chemical composition were investigated (carbonyl C, aromatic C, O-alkyl C, and alkyl C) using solid-state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). The dominant peak of the NMR spectra indicated that SOC originated from a variety of lignin compound units. The results revealed the dominant SOC chemical component was O-alkyl C (36.57–50.90%), followed by alkyl C (22.32–32.60%), aromatic C (16.65–23.41%), and carbonyl C (7.99–10.95%), respectively. Most of the SOC chemical components were derived from plant debris, particularly biodegraded lignin compounds. There were slightly differences between the distributions of the SOC functional groups in each vegetation type, perhaps partially as a result of the specific management activities for each crop, including tillage. Furthermore, alkyl C was related to some soil properties (silt and clay fractions), while O-alkyl C was related to available P in the soil. The hydrophobicity index, aromaticity index, and degree of humification were in the ranges 0.69–1.12, 0.17–0.23, and 0.46–0.92, respectively. These findings provided SOC chemical composition data of several economic crops to further support soil management for crop production and carbon stock preservation in tropical soils.

Streptomyces silvisoli sp. nov., a polyene producer, and Streptomyces tropicalis sp. nov., two novel actinobacterial species from peat swamp forests in Thailand.

Two novel actinobacterial strains, designated RB6PN23T and K1PA1T, were isolated from peat swamp soil samples in Thailand and characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The strains were filamentous Gram-stain-positive bacteria containing ll-diaminopimelic acid in their whole-cell hydrolysates. Phylogenetic analysis of their 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain RB6PN23T was most closely related to Streptomyces rubrisoli (99.1 % sequence similarity) and Streptomyces ferralitis (98.5%), while strain K1PA1T showed 98.8 and 98.7% sequence similarities to Streptomyces coacervatus and Streptomyces griseoruber, respectively. However, the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values were below the species-level thresholds (95-96 % ANI and 70 % dDDH). The genomes of strains RB6PN23T and K1PA1T were estimated to be 7.88 Mbp and 7.39 Mbp in size, respectively, with DNA G+C contents of 70.2 and 73.2 mol%. Moreover, strains RB6PN23T and K1PA1T encode 37 and 24 putative biosynthetic gene clusters, respectively, and in silico analysis revealed that these new species have a high potential to produce unique natural products. Genotypic and phenotypic characteristics confirmed that strains RB6PN23T and K1PA1T represented two novel species in the genus Streptomyces. The names proposed for these strains are Streptomyces silvisoli sp. nov. (type strain RB6PN23T=TBRC 17040T=NBRC 116113T) and Streptomyces tropicalis sp. nov. (type strain K1PA1T=TBRC 17041T=NBRC 116114T). Additionally, a giant linear polyene compound, neotetrafibricin A, exhibiting antifungal activity in strain RB6PN23T, was identified through HPLC and quadrupole time-of-flight MS analysis. The crude extract from the culture broth of strain RB6PN23T exhibited strong antifungal activity against Fusarium verticillioides, Fusarium fujikuroi and Bipolaris zeicola. This finding suggests that strain RB6PN23T could be a promising candidate for biological control of fungal diseases.

Streptomyces rugosispiralis sp. nov., a Novel Actinobacterium Isolated from Peat Swamp Forest Soil That Produces Ansamycin Derivatives and Nocardamines.

Actinomycetes, especially the genus Streptomyces, are one of the most promising sources of bioactive natural products. In this study, a novel Streptomyces strain, RCU-064T, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a peat swamp forest in Thailand. Strain RCU-064T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity (99.06%) with Streptomyces malaysiensis NBRC 16446T. Based on a polyphasic approach, strain RCU-064T represents a novel species of the genus Streptomyces, for which the name Streptomyces rugosispiralis sp. nov. is proposed. The chemical isolation of the crude ethyl acetate extracts of the strain led to the isolation of six compounds: (1) geldanamycin, (2) 17-O-demethylgeldanamycin, (3) reblastatin, (4) 17-demethoxyreblastatin, (5) nocardamine, and (6) dehydroxynocardamine. These compounds were evaluated for their biological activities. All compounds showed no antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms used in this study. Compounds (1)-(4) displayed cytotoxic activity against the NCI-H187 cell line, with IC50 values ranging from 0.045-4.250 µg/mL. Cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cell line was found in compounds (1) and (3) with IC50 values of 3.51 and 1.27 µg/mL, respectively. Compounds (5) and (6) exhibited cytotoxicity only against Vero cells (IC50 of 16.57 µg/mL) and NCI-H187 cells (IC50 of 13.96 µg/mL), respectively. These results indicate that peat swamp forest soil remains a promising reservoir of novel actinomycetes capable of producing bioactive natural products.

Allometric Models to Estimate the Biomass of Tree Seedlings from Dry Evergreen Forest in Thailand

Seedlings are an important stage for plant populations, as the abundance and rigor of seedlings can indicate a changing forest structure in the future. Studying the different traits of the seedling can represent how the plant grows. Biomass is one of the traits that can represent the plant’s performance and many other growth processes of the seedling. Several allometric equations have been developed to estimate tree biomass. However, allometric equations for the biomass of seedlings remains poorly studied, especially those from the tropics. The objective of this research is to create and develop a model that can be used to predict the biomass of seedlings, including total biomass, aboveground biomass, and belowground biomass, from root collar diameter, shoot height, main stem length, and wood density from 205 two-year-old seedlings from twenty tree species found in dry evergreen forest in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthai Thani, Thailand. The results showed that the root collar diameter, shoot height, and wood density could be used to create a model to best predict the seedling biomass. This model should be tested with other seedlings in the wild and other datasets to evaluate the performance of the model. To our knowledge, this study is among the first to provide the first allometry for seedlings in tropical dry evergreen forest. The results from this study will allow ecologists to monitor and examine the growth of the seedlings at all stages of life in dynamic tropical environments in the future.

Assessment of the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Rhizophora mucronata along Coastal Areas in Thailand.

Unique and biodiverse, mangrove ecosystems provide humans with benefits and contribute to coastal protection. Rhizophora mucronata, a member of the Rhizophoraceae family, is prevalent in the mangrove forests of Thailand. R. mucronata's population structure and genetic diversity have received scant attention. Here, we sequenced the entire genome of R. mucronata using 10× Genomics technology and obtained an assembly size of 219 Mb with the N50 length of 542,540 bases. Using 2857 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers, this study investigated the genetic diversity and population structure of 80 R. mucronata accessions obtained from the mangrove forests in Thailand. The genetic diversity of R. mucronata was moderate (I = 0.573, Ho = 0.619, He = 0.391). Two subpopulations were observed and confirmed from both population structure and principal component analysis (PCA). Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed that there was more variation within populations than between them. Mean pairwise genetic differentiation (FST = 0.09) showed that there was not much genetic difference between populations. Intriguingly, the predominant clustering pattern in the R. mucronata population did not correspond to the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea, which are separated by the Malay Peninsula. Several factors could have influenced the R. mucronata genetic pattern, such as hybridization and anthropogenic factors. This research will provide important information for the future conservation and management of R. mucronata in Thailand.

Genetic diversity and population structure of the upriver orange mangrove Bruguiera sexangula along the coastlines of Thailand

Upriver orange mangrove Bruguiera sexangula is a member of the Rhizophoraceae family and is usually distributed in the intertidal zones of the tropical and subtropical coastal areas. The analyses of genetic diversity and population structure of B. sexangula are essential for their conservation and management. In the present study, the genetic diversity and structure of 101 B. sexangula individuals from mangrove forests in Thailand were evaluated using single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) through restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (RAD-seq). A total of 3482 high-quality SNPs were obtained after filtration for genetic study. All 3 genetic structure analyses (Bayesian analysis, principal components analysis, and maximum likelihood tree) revealed that these individuals can be clustered into 2 groups corresponding to geographical regions, namely the Andaman Sea and Gulf of Thailand. The level of genetic differentiation between the clusters was moderate (FST = 0.122, p < 0.001), and the analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) indicated that the individual differences within groups were greater than the differences between the 2 groups. A moderate level of genetic diversity (Shannon's information index, I = 0.458; observed heterozygosity, Ho = 0.416; expected heterozygosity, He = 0.295) of B. sexangula was observed. These results give us a better understanding of the genetic variations and will provide a framework for the conservation of B. sexangula.

Sapwood density underlies xylem hydraulics and stored carbohydrates across 13 deciduous tree species in a seasonally dry tropical forest in Thailand

Sapwood density underlies xylem hydraulics and stored carbohydrates across 13 deciduous tree species in a seasonally dry tropical forest in Thailand

Assessment of the Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Rhizophora apiculata Blume (Rhizophoraceae) in Thailand.

Simple SummaryWe utilized the 10× Genomics technology to obtain a reference whole-genome sequence for assessing the genetic diversity and population structure of Rhizophora apiculata in Thailand. Using SNPs identified from the R. apiculata genome sequence, moderate genetic diversity and high genetic differentiation were observed among 82 R. apiculata accessions collected along the coasts of Thailand. Two subpopulations corresponding to the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea coasts were clustered and confirmed from three approaches: population structure, PCA, and phylogenetic analyses. The AMOVA result revealed that the percentage of variation within populations (76%) was higher than that among populations (24%). Rhizophora apiculata is one of the most widespread and economically important mangrove trees in the Indo-West Pacific region. Knowledge of the genetic variation of R. apiculata in Thailand is limited. Here, we generated a whole-genome sequence of R. apiculata using the 10× Genomics technology. R. apiculata genome assembly was 230.47 Mb. Based on its genome, 2640 loci of high-quality biallelic SNPs were identified from 82 R. apiculata accessions collected from 17 natural mangrove forests in Thailand to assess the genetic diversity and population structure among them. A moderate level of genetic diversity of R. apiculata was observed. The average observed heterozygosity (Ho = 0.48) was higher than the average expected heterozygosity (He = 0.36). Two subpopulations were observed and confirmed from three approaches: population structure, PCA, and phylogenetic analyses. They corresponded to the Gulf of Thailand and the Andaman Sea separated by the Malay Peninsula. AMOVA analyses indicated that genetic variation was attributable to 76.22% within populations and 23.78% among populations. A high level of genetic differentiation between the two subpopulations (FST = 0.24, p < 0.001) was observed. This study evaluated the genetic diversity and population structure of R. apiculata, providing useful information for sustainable mangrove management in Thailand.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Bruguiera cylindrica along coastal areas in Thailand

Bruguiera cylindrica (L.) Blume is an important true mangrove species and is the common mangrove species in Thailand. Studies related to the genetic diversity and population structure of B. cylindrica are limited. Here, the genetic diversity and population structure of 78 B. cylindrica accessions from the mangrove forests in Thailand were explored using 2611 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers. A low level of genetic diversity was inferred from the genetic diversity parameters (Ho = 0.289, He = 0.257, and I = 0.400). The results of STRUCTURE, a principal component analysis (PCA) and a maximum-likelihood (ML) tree suggested that the genetic structure of the studied B. cylindrica populations fell into two clusters corresponding to geographical regions. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) pointed to higher levels of variation within populations than between populations, and the mean pairwise genetic differentiation (FST = 0.225) indicated high genetic population differentiation. This study revealed the genetic variation of B. cylindrica along the coast of Thailand for the first time and also provides valuable genetic information for this species that will be helpful for management and conservation of the species.

Whole-Plant Seedling Functional Traits Suggest Lianas Also Support “Fast-Slow” Plant Economics Spectrum

Lianas are predicted to perform better than trees during seasonal drought among tropical forests, which has substantial implications for tree and forest dynamics. Here, we use whole-plant trait comparison to test whether lianas allocated on the resource acquisitive end of the continuum of woody plant strategies. We measured morphological and biomass allocation traits for seedlings of 153 species of trees and lianas occurring in a tropical forest in Thailand during the dry season. We first compared trait differences between lianas and trees directly, and then classified all species based on their trait similarities. We found that liana seedlings had significantly higher specific leaf areas and specific stem lengths than co-occurring tree seedlings. Trait similarity classification resulted in a liana-dominated cluster and a tree-dominated cluster. Compared to the tree-dominated cluster, species in the liana-dominated cluster were characterized by a consistent pattern of lower dry matter content and cheaper and more efficient per dry mass unit investment in both above- and below-ground organs. The consistency of all organs operating in tandem for dry matter content, together with optimized investment in them per mass unit, implied that the lianas and trees can be highly overlapped on the strategy gradient of the resource acquisition continuum.

Ethnobotany and Ecosystem Services in a Tidal Forest in Thailand

Ecosystem services from ecosystems have been providing different kinds of goods to people living in and around them. Here, the ecosystem services of the tidal forest in Thailand were investigated using the ethnobotanical research method. A total of 101 informants living around a tidal forest in Rayong Province, Thailand was interviewed using the free-listing technique. Totally, 48 species and 992 uses were recorded. Among these, the highest use value species included Cratoxylum cochinchinense, Garcinia cowa, Melientha suavis, and Nelumbo nucifera. Half of the informants received income from selling plant products which varied from 75 to 4000 USD annually without a significant difference between male and female informants. We found a significant correlation between economic value and the number of use-reports. Most economic species are food plants except one which was weaving material. Gender equality is supported by the ecosystem services since the difference in knowledge and generated income were not observed. Significantly, our results support that economic value is one of the most important factors to promote the recognition of traditional uses of local plants or on the other hand, the service from the ecosystem. Therefore, to conserve the existence of traditional knowledge, efforts from various stakeholders, e.g., the communities and the local and central governments, are required.

Effects of fire disturbance on species and functional compositions vary with tree sizes in a tropical dry forest.

BackgroundDisturbances are crucial in determining forest biodiversity, dynamics, and ecosystem functions. Surface fire is a significant disturbance in tropical forests, but research on the effect of surface fire on structuring species and functional composition in a community through time remains scarce. Using a 20-year dataset of tree demography in a seasonal evergreen tropical forest in Thailand, we specifically addressed two essential questions: (1) What is the pattern of temporal turnover in species and functional composition in a community with frequent fire disturbance? (2) How did the temporal turnover vary with tree size?MethodsWe analyzed species compositional and functional temporal turnovers in four different tree size classes among five tree censuses. We quantified species turnover by calculating Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, and investigated its underlying mechanisms by comparing pairwise dissimilarity of functional traits with simulations from null models. If fire disturbances contribute more to a stochastic process, the functional composition would display a random pattern. However, if they contribute more towards a deterministic process, the functional composition should reveal a non-random pattern.ResultsOver 20 years (1994–2014), we observed changes in species composition, whereas functional composition remained relatively stable. The temporal turnover patterns of species and functional compositions varied with tree sizes. In particular, temporal functional turnover shifted very little for large trees, suggesting that changes in species composition of larger trees are contributed by species with similar functional traits through time. The temporal functional composition turnovers of smaller trees (DBH ≤ 5 cm) were mostly at random. We detected a higher functional turnover than expected by null models in some quadrats throughout the 50-ha study plot, and their observed turnover varied with diameter classes.ConclusionsSpecies compositional changes were caused by changes in the abundance of species with similar functional traits through time. Temporal functional turnover in small trees was random in most quadrats, suggesting that the recruits came from the equal proportions of surviving trees and new individuals of fast-growing species, which increased rapidly after fires. On the other hand, functional composition in big trees was more likely determined by surviving trees which maintained higher functional similarities than small trees through time. Fire disturbance is important for ecosystem functions, as changing forest fire frequency may alter forest turnover, particularly in functional composition in the new recruits of this forest.

Variations in leaf water status and drought tolerance of dominant tree species growing in multi-aged tropical forests in Thailand

Large-scale abandoned agricultural areas in Southeast Asia resulted in patches of forests of multiple successions and characteristics, challenging the study of their responses to environmental changes, especially under climatic water stress. Here, we investigated seasonal variation in leaf water status and drought tolerance of dominant tree species in three multi-aged tropical forests, ranging from 5 to > 200 years old, with contrasting soil moisture in Thailand. Seasonal variation in leaf water status differed among the forests with trees in young and intermediate sites demonstrating larger differences between seasons than the old-growth forest. Although vulnerability to embolism curves revealed that trees in old-growth forest were potentially more sensitive to declining leaf water status than others, they were predicted to lose < 5% of their hydraulic capacity as opposed to 13% for the trees in the younger sites. Our results suggest that the responses to water stress of tree species in different forest ages greatly vary with a tendency of trees in younger sites to be more resilience than those in older sites. Such information would benefit the selection of tree species that could adapt well to specific environments, thus improving the strategies for managing forests of different ages under a warmer future.

Two new Russula species (fungi) from dry dipterocarp forest in Thailand suggest niche specialization to this habitat type

Dry dipterocarp forests are among the most common habitat types in Thailand. Russulaceae are known as common ectomycorrhizal symbionts of Dipterocarpaceae trees in this type of habitat. The present study aims to identify collections of Russula subsection Amoeninae Buyck from dry dipterocarp forests in Thailand. A multi-locus phylogenetic analysis placed Thai Amoeninae collections in two novel lineages, and they are described here as R. bellissima sp. nov. and R. luteonana sp. nov. The closest identified relatives of both species were sequestrate species suggesting that they may belong to drought-adapted lineages. An analysis of publicly available ITS sequences in R. subsect. Amoeninae did not confirm evidence of any of the new species occurring in other Asian regions, indicating that dry dipterocarp forests might harbor a novel community of ectomycorrhizal fungi. Macromorphological characters are variable and are not totally reliable for distinguishing the new species from other previously described Asian Amoeninae species. Both new species are defined by a combination of differentiated micromorphological characteristics in spore ornamentation, hymenial cystidia and hyphal terminations in the pileipellis. The new Amoeninae species may correspond to some Russula species collected for consumption in Thailand, and the detailed description of the new species can be used for better identification of edible species and food safety in the region.

Sapwood area~DBH allometries for 14 common tree species in a successional tropical forest in Thailand

AbstractSapwood area is an important parameter for estimating canopy transpiration in the forest water cycle. However, sapwood area highly varies across species and forest ecosystems and is difficult to measure directly. Therefore, species- and site-specific allometric equations are needed to estimate the sapwood area of all trees in a forest. Here, we conducted a comprehensive campaign to measure sapwood thickness and to estimate the sapwood area of 14 common tree species in a successional forest in Thailand. These data represent the first comprehensive measurements of sapwood area in south-east Asian successional forests growing under diverse environmental conditions in terms of soil moisture and canopy density. The results show that a power function can significantly explain the relationship between sapwood area and stem size, represented by diameter at breast height (DBH), in all species in both primary and secondary forests. Interestingly, a single equation could describe the sapwood area~DBH relationship in all species and forest stages, except for Dipterocarpus gracilis, an emergent, dominant species in the primary forest. The latter showed slower growth in sapwood area once the trees reached a DBH of ~30 cm. Overall, our results can benefit future studies that estimate canopy transpiration of tropical forests with similar conditions as in our study sites.

Assessment of factors that influence carbon storage: An important ecosystem service provided by mangrove forests

Mangrove ecosystem services (ES) support the global carbon (C) cycle. This study aimed to assess factors affecting the loss or gain of C stocks in mangrove forests in Thailand. Two fundamental considerations were taken into account, including ES supplied by mangroves from the perspective of C stocks, and the potential for C loss resulting from human activities conducted in mangrove forests. Three different land-use types in mangrove forests were studied: an area encroached upon by the local population (L1), a conservation area (L2), (both of which were dominated by the mangrove species Avicennia alba), and a seaside area. Based on their average height and diameter at breast height (DBH), most of the mangrove trees were determined to be young. The highest importance value index (IVI) was seen for A. alba, at 224.73 (L1) and 213.79 (L2). Above- and below-ground C levels were 189.97 t-Cha−1, 77.11 t-Cha−1 in L1 and 81.73 t-Cha−1, 32.54 t-Cha−1 in L2. Soil C stocks were 60.95 t-Cha−1 (L1) and 43.71 t-Cha−1 (L2). Statistical analysis indicated that nitrogen was the crucial factor influencing soil C in both L1 and L2. Overall, the total mangrove C stocks in L1 were estimated to be 328.64 t-Cha−1, which surprisingly was higher than in L2, at 290.34 t-Cha−1. The potential change in C stocks was then assessed. This showed that demand for mangrove resources resulted in the permanent loss of C stocks, particularly within plant communities, as the major fraction of C was from above-ground C stores. The loss of 1 ha of mangrove vegetation was estimated to result in the loss of 77.71–189.97 t-C/ha−1 and 32.54–81.73 t-Cha−1 in L1 and L2, respectively. Different approaches to mangrove management based on the differing supply and demand for ES are recommended.

First record of non-flying mammalian contributors to pollination in a tropical montane forest in Asia.

This study aims to identify the flower visitors of Mucuna thailandica (Fabaceae), endemic plant species in montane forests in Thailand, to determine their potential pollinators. The genus Mucuna produces papilionaceous flowers and has an explosive flower‐opening step. Explosive opening rapidly exposes stamens and pistil from keel petals and releases pollen. The flower of this species depends completely on animals to perform this step, essential for pollination success. Using a camera trap survey, we revealed that non‐flying mammals, such as squirrels (Callosciurus sp.) and masked palm civets (Paguma larvata), opened flowers explosively. Thus, these mammals contribute to the pollination of M. thailandica. This is the first report of non‐flying mammals contributing to pollination in montane forests in tropical Asia.

Space use and activity of Boiga cyanea – A major songbird nest predator in a seasonal tropical forest in Thailand

Predator-prey interactions are fundamental drivers of population dynamics. Studying both predator and prey species simultaneously yields particularly useful insights into these complex interactions. Despite being significant, widespread avian nest predators, Southeast Asian snakes are rarely simultaneously studied in relation to avian prey. The Green Cat Snake Boiga cyanea is a primary nest predator, estimated to be responsible for 17–33% of forest songbird nest depredations in Northeast Thailand. We explored both diurnal and nocturnal movements of 14 (5 male, 9 female) adult B. cyanea with radio-telemetry for an average of 68 ± 16 days per individual, between 21 October 2017 and 8 June 2019 in the dry evergreen forest of the Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve (SBR). We quantified horizontal movements (m) and area of space use (ha) and activity through motion variance (Ϭ m 2 ) during the study period using dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Models (dBBMMs) and reported our findings within the context of a simultaneously run avian nest monitoring study initiated in 2013 within the same forest. On average, adult B. cyanea moved 56.4 ± 10.4 m/day and used areas of 9.4 ± 3.4 ha, while their activity averaged 2.8 ± 0.8 Ϭ m 2 . Males moved 51.4 m/day farther than females, and in general, adult B. cyanea moved 50.3 m/day farther during the avian nesting season than the avian non-nesting season. We refrain from inferring statistical differences with the dBBMM outputs between sexes and seasons within our sample because of the unequal samples and sampling effort during the study period. Only two individuals (one male and one female) were sufficiently radio-tracked across both seasons (the avian nesting and non-nesting seasons), and these two displayed a clear increase in their respective movements, space use and activity during the avian nesting season. This could suggest that movements, space use and activity likely differ between the avian nesting and non-nesting seasons for male and female B. cyanea , however it is only two individuals. All individuals were exclusively nocturnal, moving throughout the night, and often descending from higher diurnal refugia (> 2 m) to forage closer to the ground after sunset. Our openly available data may yield further insight when combined with other major avian nest predator species like the congeneric invasive Brown Tree Snake Boiga irregularis on the island of Guam.