Lecture 1 - Thailand's Forests: Ecology, Diversity, & Management

ecology

organisms and their environment

Asian elephant

national animal of Thailand

1. produce oxygen

2. sequester carbon

3. support 1.6 billion people

4. reduce soil erosion, floods, & landslides

5. provide medicine

5 benefits of forests

10%

only __% of energy is transferred to the next trophic level

80%

Percentage of terrestrial animals relying on forests

bottom-up trophic cascade

Consequence of the removal of forests

photosynthesis

Base of all ecosystems

6 CO₂ + 6 H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6 O₂

equation of life

1. altitude

2. temperature

3. precipitation

4. soil

4 changes that result in environmental gradients up a mountain

1. strong winds

2. cold temperatures

3. poor soils

4. intense sunlight

4 abiotic factors that create a distinct “treeline” at the top of a mountain

1. Hot

2. Rainy

3. Cold

3 seasons of Thailand

March to May

Hot season of Thailand

June to October

Rainy season of Thailand

November to February

Cold season of Thailand

evergreen

plant that retains green leaves throughout the year

deciduous

trees that seasonally shed their leaves

broadleaf

any tree within angiosperms that has flat leaves and produces seeds inside of fruits

conifer

a tree that bears cones and needle-like leaves

evergreen

Coniferns are typically…

70%

Percentage of deciduous forests in Thailand

30%

Percentage of evergreen forests in Thailand

1. Mixed deciduous

2. Dry deciduous

3. Savanna forest

4. Bamboo forest

4 deciduous forest types

1. Tropical evergreen (moist & dry evergreen)

2. Cloud forest (hill evergreen)

3. Coniferous forest

4. Mangrove forest

4 evergreen forest types

mixed deciduous forest

dominant forest type of Thailand

tropical zone (below 800 meters)

Mixed deciduous forests are found at what altitude?

Dry Dipterocarp Forest

Second name for dry deciduous forest

9%

Percentage of Dry Dipterocarp Forest in Thailand

Dry Dipterocarp Forests

Forest can survive on nutrient poor soils

Savanna forest

Forests found as a result of deforestation in Thailand

1. grass

2. fire-resistant trees

2 characteristics of savanna forests

areas of high disturbance

Bamboo forests are found where?

Tropical evergreen forest

Highest biodiversity forest with thick canopies

Cloud forests

Characterized by horizontal precipitation

epiphytes

plants going on other plants

over 1000 meters

Cloud forests are found at what altitudes?

acidic

Coniferous forests contain ___ soil

over 700 meters

Coniferous forests are found at what altitudes?

halophytes

Mangrove forest are unique because they are…

mangrive forests

Forests with dense floor of branches for anchoring and breathing

1. stabilize coastlines

2. protect water quality

3. reduce costal flooding

4. provide habitat & nutrients

5. support biodiversity

5 benefits of mangrove forests

primary forest

forest developed naturally over time without significant human disturbance or interference

secondary forest

forest that is regrown naturally after a significant human disturbance or land use changes

naturally regenerated

forest with no human intervention (primary or secondary)

plantations

intentionally established for the production of commercial products

stakeholder

a person with an interest or concern with a topic

1. identification

2. understand expectations

3. prioritization

4. continuous communication

5. monitoring & adaptation

5 steps of stakeholder analysis workflow