Mixed Forest Plantation for Biodiversity and Ecotourism Based on case study entitled : “The Success and Utilization of Mixed Forest Plantation Under Biodiversity Implementation in Farm Chokchai” Authored by : Dumrong Chaiglom, Reforestation Consultant, Thailand Presented by : Dumrong Chaiglom, at Asia Regional Forum on Biodiversity, Cha-am, Thailand, November 2011 Farm Chokchai in Pakchong District, Nakorn Ratchasima Province in Thailand was in the area initially named “Dong Phaya Yen” or the “Cool Jungle” by King Rama V during His Majesty’s inspection tour for railroad construction to the northeastern boundary in 1898. The area used to be covered with tropical evergreen forest, which was unfortunately wiped out at the end of World War II due to population expansion and the need to develop land for agriculture. Reforestation under mixed transplanting with both indigenous and exotic tropical tree species was implemented to regenerate biodiversity in 1994. This mixed forest plantation is located on the southwestern point of the northeastern plateau near the Friendship Highway about 150 kilometers from Bangkok. The plantation has been maintained and developed as a sustainable green area for eco-tourism activities in the farmland and also for the protection and conservation of its ecological functions. The Plantation The mixed forest plantation of Farm Chokchai is located on the corner of the southwestern point of the northeastern plateau. The area has an average elevation of 300 meters and is surrounded by the mountain ranges of Dong Phaya Yen on the west from Khao Yai National Park, Nakorn Ratchasima 72 THE ASIA REGIONAL FORUM ON BIODIVERSITY Province, northward up to Phu Rheua National Park, Loey Province. The average rainfall is 1,000 ml. The rainy season starts from May to September, winter is from October to February, and the dry season is from March to April. Highest temperatures in the plantation have been recorded at 26°C, while in the open area of grassland nearby, the temperature climb to as high as 46°C. The forest plantation is evidently a natural tool for the reduction of air temperature and will definitely benefit environmental conservation particularly in the efforts to reduce global warming. Transplanting Operations Depending on site quality and topography, transplanting operations were implemented in two phases: Phase 1: Mixed transplanting operation with seedlings of various indigenous and exotic species was implemented in the area of less density of weeds and free from buttress from Casuarina plantation in 1994. Phase 2: Mixed transplanting operations with saplings of the indigenous and exotic species was implemented in the area with density of weeds and buttresses of old stumps from the earlier Casuarina plantation within the northern part of the area from 1995 to 1996.
In Celebration of His Majesty the King of Thailand’s 84th Birthday Anniversary
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