Natural regeneration and ecological succession in Pinus kesiya watershed plantations in northern Thailand : implications on plantation management

Establishment of Pinus kesiya Roy. ex Gord. plantations in Thailand began in the 1960s by the Royal Forest Department. The aim was to reforest abandoned swidden areas and grasslands in order to reduce erosion and to produce timber and fuel wood. Today there are about 150, 000 ha of P. kesiya plantations in northern Thailand. Most of these plantations cannot be harvested due to a national logging ban. Previous studies have suggested that Pinus kesiya plantations posses a capability as a foster environment for native broadleaved tree species, but little is known about the extent of regeneration in these plantations. The general aim of the study was to clarify the extent of forest regeneration and interactions behind it in Pinus kesiya plantations of the Ping River basin, northern Thailand. Based on the results of this study and previous literature, forest management proposals were produced for the area studied. In four different pine plantation areas, a total of seven plantations were assessed using systematic data collection with clustered circular sample plots. Vegetation and environmental data were statistically analysed, so as to recognise the key factors affecting regeneration. Regeneration had occurred in all plantations studied. Regeneration of broadleaved trees was negatively affected by forest fire and canopy coverage. A high basal area of mature broadleaved trees affected the regeneration process positively. Forest fire disturbance had a strong effect also on plantation structure and species composition. Because of an unclear future forest management setting as regards forest laws in Thailand, a management system that enables various future utilisation possibilities and emphasises local participation is recommended for P. kesiya watershed platations of northern Thailand.

Grantor dc:publisher

Helsingfors universitet

Year dc:date.issued

2005

Author dc:creator

• Kiianmaa, Sampsa

Contributors dc:contributor

• Helsingin yliopisto, Maatalous-metsätieteellinen tiedekunta, Metsäekologian laitos
• University of Helsinki, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Forest Ecology
• Helsingfors universitet, Agrikultur- och forstvetenskapliga fakulteten, Institutionen för skogsekologi

Statement dc:rights

• This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
• Publikationen är skyddad av upphovsrätten. Den får läsas och skrivas ut för personligt bruk. Användning i kommersiellt syfte är förbjuden.
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Language dc:language.iso

eng

Identifier URI

URN:NBN:fi-fe20061274

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:helda.helsinki.fi:10138/20688