Trees Stand Clustering in Plant Community at Khao Khitchakut National Park, Chanthaburi Province

Abstract

Trees stand clustering in plant community is important for resource management and conservation planning. The objectives aimed to clarify plant diversity and their status, including, tree stand classification in the plant community in Khao Khitchakut National Park Chanthaburi Province. Twenty sampling plots, 20 ? 50 m, was used which two plots were set up based on the altitudinal gradients in every 100 meter above mean sea level (m asl.) from the foot to the top of the mountain. All trees with diameter at breasth height larger than 4.5 cm were measured and identified. The result showed that total trees of 267 species 173 genus and 63 families were found. They were sorted by using the Cluster analysis via PC-ORD program by managing data base on the similarity about 50 percent of the coefficient. It was divided to be 4 groups which mostly related on the altitudinal gradients. First group, about 100-400 m asl., it was the stand of Archidendorn quocense., second group, at the mean sea level between 500-700 meters, it was the stand of Archidendron quocense which subsequence dominant species were different, third group, about 800-900 m asl., it was the stand of Gironniera nervosa, and fourth group, at above 900 m asl., it was the stand of Sloanea sigun. All found tree species can be classified into the conservation status based on Plant Red list of Thailand and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It found that 98 species had their status classification and mostly found in family of Dipterocarpaceae, Meliaceae, Moraceae, Lauraceae, Euphorbiaceae respectively In addition, endangered and vulnerable status were found within 6 and 9 species, respectively. Indicating these species group may faced to the local extinction if high disturbances occur. Thus, the conservation management plan should urgently done for protecting these threated species and also for utilizing the other species for sustainable management.