Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
type: channel
description: The Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal (TFERJ) is an open access bi-annual peer-reviewed journal of forest ecology in Thailand. The journal publishes original scientific papers that report and interpret the findings of pure and applied research into the plants and their interaction with biotic and abiotic environments. The goal of TFERJ is to promote the platform for scientists and academics who share and discuss various new issues and perspectives in diverse areas of forest ecology. TFERJ welcomes submissions from Thai and foreign researchers who study related ecological topics in Thailand including: Forest ecology: Studies of plant communities, populations, or individual ecology, plant ecophysiology, ecosystems, and landscape ecology are accepted. Forest management: Studies of forest management, silviculture, forest restoration, as well as plant utilization are accepted. Plant and wildlife management: Studies of the interactions between plants and animals (or fungi), and habitat management for biodiversity conservation are accepted. Forest dynamics and environmental changes: Studies of the impact of environmental changes, climate change, and natural or anthropogenic disturbance on forest dynamics are accepted. Other related plant science: Studies of experimental plant breeding, plant genetics, and other related plant ecological sciences are accepted.
publisher: Cooperation Centre of Thai Forest Ecological Research Network (CC-TFERN), Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University
language: en-US
publication name: Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
issn: 2586-9566
items: Application of Random Forest Algorithm and Multi-Temporal Satellite Data for Forest Types Classification in Chiang Mai Province
items: Relationship between Measured Buttressed Stem Girth and Girth Derived from Actual Basal Area in Lagerstroemia floribunda Jack in Eastern Thailand
items: Population Density and Habitat Suitability of Gaur (Bos gaurus H. Smith) in the Phu Fa Non-Hunting Area, Nan Province
items: Spatial Modeling and Environmental Factors Influencing Seasonal Habitat Use of Wild Elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, Phitsanulok Province
items: Spatiotemporal Assessment of Plant Community in Mixed Deciduous Forest, Mahidol University (Kanchanaburi Campus)
items: Enhancing Community Based Economic Value through Local Material Utilization within the Value Chain of Hed Cone Noi (Coprinopsis cinerea) Mushroom Cultivation in Chiang Mai Province
items: Vegetation Structure and Environmental Influences on Carbon Stocks in Lower Montane Evergreen Forest in Community Forests, Mae Hong Son Province
items: Tree Diversity, Carbon Storage and Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Assessment in Dry Evergreen Forest and Mixed Deciduous Forest of Selected Botanical Gardens and Arboreta in Thailand
items: Natural Succession of Lower Montane Forest in Shifting Cultivation Systems at Namtok Mae Surin National Park, Northern Thailand
items: Seedling Recruitment and Mortality Rates under Gap and Crown Canopy in Lower Montane Forest at Doi Suthep – Pui National Park, Chiang Mai Province

Application of Random Forest Algorithm and Multi-Temporal Satellite Data for Forest Types Classification in Chiang Mai Province
type: item
description: Background and Objectives: Chiang Mai Province is strategically important as a major watershed area for the Ping River basin ecosystem and boasts one of the highest biodiversity levels in Thailand. However, this area is currently facing a severe and challenging environmental crisis, particularly the rapid decline in forest area and recurring wildfires during the dry season. These fires have ongoing consequences, leading to transboundary air pollution and PM 2.5 levels that are hazardous to public health and the regional economy. The severity and spread of wildfires are directly related to fuel type and forest types. Deciduous forests, such as dry dipterocarp forest and mixed deciduous forest, which ecologically shed leaves and accumulate large amounts of dry biomass fuel during the dry season, are more susceptible to fire and more severe fire spread than evergreen forests, which have higher humidity levels. Therefore, an accurate, high-resolution, and up-to-date forest classification map database is urgently needed for fuel management planning, wildfire risk zone identification, and natural resource restoration. However, classifying forest types in the complex mountainous terrain of Chiang Mai Province presents a significant challenge for remote sensing due to physical factors such as mountain shadows and the similarity of spectral reflectance values among different vegetation species at certain times. Traditional methods using single-temporal satellite imagery cannot effectively distinguish between deciduous and evergreen forests. To overcome this limitation, integrating multi-temporal satellite imagery capable of tracking vegetation phenology changes throughout the year, along with machine learning technology on a large-scale data processing platform like Google Earth Engine (GEE), is a powerful approach. This research therefore aims to: 1) create a forest classification map of Chiang Mai Province for the year 2024 using a random forest (RF) algorithm, and 2) anal…
creator: Atthavee Phimpa
creator: Sutheera Hermhuk
creator: Witchaphart Sungpalee
creator: Weeraphart Khunrattanasiri
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
date: 2026-04-13
publication date: 2026-04-13
volume: 10
number: 1
starting page: 1
ending page: 22
doi: 10.34044/tferj.2026.10.1.6595

Relationship between Measured Buttressed Stem Girth and Girth Derived from Actual Basal Area in Lagerstroemia floribunda Jack in Eastern Thailand
type: item
description: Background and Objectives: Accurate measurement of stem size is a fundamental component of forest mensuration, as it directly underpins the estimation of basal area, timber volume, aboveground biomass, and carbon stocks in forest ecosystems. In tropical forests, however, standard protocols for measuring stem girth or diameter at breast height (DBH) are frequently complicated by the presence of buttresses. These structural adaptations alter stem geometry, causing girth measurements taken at the conventional height of 1.30 m above ground to deviate from the idealized cylindrical form. Consequently, measurements that include buttresses tend to overestimate stem girth and propagate systematic bias into subsequent calculations of forest structure and ecosystem services. To avoid this issue, conventional practice recommends measuring stem size above the buttress. Nevertheless, this alternative approach introduces a different form of bias, as stem diameter typically decreases with height due to tapering. In many tropical species, such as Lagerstroemia floribunda, buttresses may extend continuously along much of the lower stem, making it difficult or impractical to define a consistent measurement position. These challenges are particularly critical in permanent plots, where monitored must be conducted at the same position. Despite the widespread recognition of this issue, practical and standardized methods for correcting buttressed stem measurements remain limited. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) develop a regression model relating measured buttressed girth to girth derived from the actual basal area of L. floribunda, (2) evaluate the accuracy of the developed model, and (3) assess its applicability to other tree species with similar buttress morphology. Methodology: The study was conducted in lowland tropical forest areas in eastern Thailand, where buttressed tree species are common. L. floribunda was selected as the focal species due to its well-developed ridge-type bu…
creator: Thammanoon Temchai
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
date: 2026-04-14
publication date: 2026-04-14
volume: 10
number: 1
starting page: 23
ending page: 34
doi: 10.34044/tferj.2026.10.1.6608

Population Density and Habitat Suitability of Gaur (Bos gaurus H. Smith) in the Phu Fa Non-Hunting Area, Nan Province
type: item
description: Background and Objectives: Spatial ecology of wildlife provides a fundamental basis for conservation planning and sustainable natural resource management. This is particularly important for gaur (Bos gaurus H. Smith), the largest extant wild bovine, which requires extensive home ranges, exhibits low reproductive rates, and is highly sensitive to environmental changes. Currently, gaur populations are facing increasing pressure from habitat loss and fragmentation driven by human activities, as well as limitations in forest connectivity. These factors contribute to population decline and elevate the risk of habitat isolation in the long term. Although protected areas in Thailand have been progressively expanded, information on population density and spatial use patterns of gaur remains limited, particularly in mountainous forest ecosystems in northern Thailand, where terrain complexity and inaccessibility constrain field studies. Phu Fa Non-Hunting Area represents an ecologically significant forest landscape for wildlife, especially gaur, comprising relatively intact montane evergreen and dry evergreen forests. The area also has high potential as an ecological corridor facilitating movement of large mammals between Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. However, current knowledge regarding population status and environmental determinants of habitat suitability in this area remains insufficient to support effective spatial management. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the population density of gaur and to analyze environmental factors influencing habitat selection. The findings are expected to provide baseline information for conservation planning, habitat restoration, and long-term population monitoring. Material and method: Field data collection was conducted from November 2024 to October 2025. A total of 10 camera trap stations were systematically deployed across the study area to record the occurrence of gaur. Camera locations were selected based on…
creator: Chaluampon Kankaew
creator: Supalak Siri
creator: Monthol Norsaengsri
creator: Yuwadee Ponpithuk
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
date: 2026-04-23
publication date: 2026-04-23
volume: 10
number: 1
starting page: 35
ending page: 52
doi: 10.34044/tferj.2026.10.1.6614

Spatial Modeling and Environmental Factors Influencing Seasonal Habitat Use of Wild Elephants (Elephas maximus) in Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, Phitsanulok Province
type: item
description: Background and Objectives: The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is classified as an umbrella species that plays a critical role in forest ecosystem conservation. Thung Salaeng Luang National Park (1,262.40 km²), located within the Phu Miang–Phu Thong Forest Complex, represents a key habitat for wild elephants. However, habitat fragmentation resulting from the expansion of human settlements and agricultural areas has compelled elephants to increasingly utilize agricultural lands as pseudo-habitats, elevating the risk of human-elephant conflict. This study aimed to analyze environmental factors influencing seasonal habitat selection and estimate home range size of wild elephants in Thung Salaeng Luang National Park, with the goal of informing wildlife management and conflict mitigation strategies. Methodology: A total of 650 wild elephant occurrence records – comprising direct sightings, dung deposits, footprints, and rubbing marks – were collected from qualitative SMART patrol data between 2018 and 2024. Records were partitioned into dry season (November–April) and wet season (May–October) datasets. Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling was applied using 11 environmental variables across three categories: physical, biological, and threat factors, on a 100×100 m grid. Data were randomly split into 75% training and 25% testing sets, with five replications, and model performance was evaluated using the Area Under the Curve (AUC). Results: Both seasonal models demonstrated good predictive performance (dry season AUC = 0.764; wet season AUC = 0.858). During the dry season, the most influential factors were distance to evergreen forest (46.10%) and distance to grassland (12.70%), with elephants exhibiting a broad distribution across the park and a home range of 456.92 km². During the wet season, distance to dry evergreen forest (21.70%) and distance to salt licks (21.00%) were the primary determinants, with elephants showing a more clustered distribution in the central and sou…
creator: Daengrawee Promruk
creator: Yuwadee Ponpithuk
creator: Wanna Mangkitta
creator: Supalak Siri
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
date: 2026-04-23
publication date: 2026-04-23
volume: 10
number: 1
starting page: 53
ending page: 76
doi: 10.34044/tferj.2026.10.1.6618

Spatiotemporal Assessment of Plant Community in Mixed Deciduous Forest, Mahidol University (Kanchanaburi Campus)
type: item
description: Background and Objectives: Forests are vital natural resources that support living organisms and serve as key mechanisms for maintaining ecological stability and balance, particularly through their role in carbon sequestration and storage. Global climate change and the reduction of forest areas due to human activities have made monitoring and assessing forest resources critically important. Mahidol University, Kanchanaburi Campus, located in Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi Province, encompasses approximately 6,500 rai of land, most of which consists of mixed deciduous forest on karst topography—a highly unique ecosystem suitable for sustainable conservation. The main objectives of this study are to: (1) assess the spatiotemporal changes in plant communities, (2) evaluate changes in plant community structure and growth of mixed deciduous forest species over a 10-year period, and (3) develop spatial data layers of the mixed deciduous forest within Mahidol University, Kanchanaburi Campus. Methodology: This study compared historical data on plant community structure (plant census) from 2014 (B.E. 2557) with current data from 2024 (B.E. 2567). Random sample plots measuring 40 m × 40 m were established within permanent study plots to collect information on species diversity and quantitative plant characteristics, such as species identity and diameter at breast height (DBH). These data were used to calculate key quantitative attributes of the plant community, including the Shannon–Wiener Diversity Index and the Importance Value Index (IVI), which was derived from relative density, relative dominance, and relative frequency to assess the status of the vegetation. Tree growth was evaluated by comparing the mean DBH of 34 previously recorded trees over the 10-year period, with statistical significance tested using a paired t-test. For assessing spatiotemporal changes, Landsat-8 satellite imagery from March 2014 and March 2024, representing the dry season, was used to classify …
creator: Pathomphot Chinsawadphan
creator: Sura Pattanakiat
creator: Pisut Nakmuenwai
creator: Sirasit Vongvassana
creator: Thunyapat Sattraburut
creator: Thamarat Phutthai
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
date: 2026-05-08
publication date: 2026-05-08
volume: 10
number: 1
starting page: 77
ending page: 94
doi: 10.34044/tferj.2026.10.1.6520

Enhancing Community Based Economic Value through Local Material Utilization within the Value Chain of Hed Cone Noi (Coprinopsis cinerea) Mushroom Cultivation in Chiang Mai Province
type: item
description: Background and Objectives: Hed-cone noi (Coprinopsis cinerea) is a saprophytic, edible mushroom widely distributed in Thailand’s tropical forest, particularly in the dry evergreen forests, mixed deciduous forest, and deciduous dipterocarp forest where leaf litter accumulates on the soil surface and termite mounds are present. The species also proliferates on moist piles of organic residues such as rice straw, legume residues, and sugarcane bagasse in high humidity, particularly after Thailand’s rainy season. Hed-cone-noi is well established in cultivation, with strong prominence in Chiang Mai Province. As a biological resource Hed-cone-noi links natural ecosystem functions with local based production systems. Its capacity to utilize locally available organic materials enables integration into smallholder farming and valorization of agricultural waste. By prioritizing locally sourced substrates, the research aims to minimize external inputs across the value chain, thereby enhancing household incomes and promoting sustainable resource management in local Thai communities. The objectives aimed to investigate the utilization of local raw materials in the cultivation process of Hed-cone noi and to strengthen the community-based enterprise development. Then, knowledge can promote grassroot economic development and enhance income generation throughout the value chain in the target areas of Chiang Mai Province. All data collection was done during March 2024 to February 2025. Methodology: This study employed a mixed-methods research design, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches, across three target areas in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand: the northern zone of Mae Taeng District, the eastern zone of Doi Saket District, and the southern zone of Saraphi District. The population samples involved two groups. The first group consisted of three local enterprise leaders (Local enterprises: LEs), each selected based on specific criteria: (i) leadership of a communit…
creator: Wutthipong Chuatrakul
creator: Penwarat Panphattharachai
creator: Aritat Aksorntap
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
date: 2026-05-19
publication date: 2026-05-19
volume: 10
number: 1
starting page: 95
ending page: 114
doi: 10.34044/tferj.2026.10.1.6607

Vegetation Structure and Environmental Influences on Carbon Stocks in Lower Montane Evergreen Forest in Community Forests, Mae Hong Son Province
type: item
description: Background and Objectives: Lower montane forest (LMF) is indispensable in mountain ecosystems; it was important for carbon sequestration in forest ecosystems and mostly found that in northern Thailand. The areas where this forest type is located in the national forest reserve, are often found that inhabited by hill tribe communities, making the lower montane forest vulnerable to encroachment and destruction. Therefore, to prevent this problem, the community forests have been established to enable local communities to help protect these forest types. Despite several studies on the vegetation structure and carbon sequestration in lower montane forest but mostly focused on the conservation area. This leads to a lack of data in national forest reserves, especially community forests. As well as the study of the limitation’s factors of carbon storage in such a plant community is also limited. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the vegetation structure characteristics, carbon sequestration, and environmental factors that affect carbon sequestration in lower montane forest areas that are managed as community forests. Methodology: This study was conducted in the lower montane forest located in community forests of Ban La-Oob, Ban Dong Kao, Ban Dong Mai, and Ban Tun, at Huai Hom Subdistrict, Mae Lan Noi District, Mae Hong Son Province. Twelve - 0.16 ha (40 x 40 meters) of purposive sampling plots were established to cover the community forest area of four villages. The diameter at breast height (DBH) and total height of all trees within the DBH ≥ 4.5 cm in the sample plots were measured. Cluster analysis was performed to classified sub-communities. Plant community characteristics were analyzed for each sub-community, including diversity index (H′), density (D), basal area (BA), and importance value index (IVI). We also analyzed biomass, carbon sequestration, and carbon dioxide sequestration of each sub-community. Furthermore, the relationship between carbon sequestrati…
creator: Lamthai Asanok
creator: Penpilai Piankhit
creator: Waralee Srikue
creator: Kunthaphong Kruama
creator: Kattisak Numtasao
creator: Jiraporn Pakketanang
creator: Suphalak Siri
creator: Yuwadee Ponpituk
creator: Itsaree Howpinjai
creator: Torlarp Kamyo
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
date: 2026-06-01
publication date: 2026-06-01
volume: 10
number: 1
starting page: 115
ending page: 136
doi: 10.34044/tferj.2026.10.1.6634

Tree Diversity, Carbon Storage and Carbon Dioxide Sequestration Assessment in Dry Evergreen Forest and Mixed Deciduous Forest of Selected Botanical Gardens and Arboreta in Thailand
type: item
description: Background and Objectives: The increase in greenhouse gases concentrations is a major driver of climate change, which in turn affects to forest ecosystems. Forest plays a role in the release and storage of carbon, thereby influencing global warming. However, forest ecosystems also mitigate climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide through various processes and serve as reservoirs of biodiversity for both flora and fauna. In Thailand, the forests mostly are tropical dry forests and forests can be categorized into two types; 1) deciduous forests (such as deciduous dipterocarp forest and mixed deciduous forest) and 2) evergreen forests (such as dry evergreen forest, montane forest and moist evergreen forest). These two types of forest are distributed throughout the country, with most found in protected areas. Botanical gardens and arboreta are classified as urban forest that there are people using regularly and serve as important sites in protected areas. It comprised many rare or economically valuable plant species and also serves as a biodiversity conservation area and a research site but less documents were found in species diversity and the potential of carbon stock and carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration. This study aimed to clarify species diversity in dry evergreen forest (DEF) and mixed deciduous forest (MDF) within selected botanical gardens and arboreta and study the potentials of botanical gardens and arboreta as carbon storage. Methodology: A total of 241 concentric sample plots were established in 2024 with inter-plot spacing of either 250 m or 2.5 km, depending on the size of the botanical gardens and arboreta and are divided into 115 sample plots within dry evergreen forest, covering an area of 11.5 ha, and 126 sample plots within mixed deciduous forest, covering an area of 12.6 ha. Concentric sample plots with radius about 17.84 m were established. All trees with diameter breast height (DBH) >4.5 cm and height greater than 1.3 m were tagged, identified …
creator: Siriphum Srisuwan
creator: Voradol Chamchumroon
creator: Nanthawan Suphuntee
creator: Suthaporn Chongdi
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
date: 2026-06-07
publication date: 2026-06-07
volume: 10
number: 1
starting page: 137
ending page: 156
doi: 10.34044/tferj.2026.10.1.6673

Natural Succession of Lower Montane Forest in Shifting Cultivation Systems at Namtok Mae Surin National Park, Northern Thailand
type: item
description: Background and Objectives: Forest recovery in shifting cultivation systems plays a crucial role in shaping forest structure and species composition in tropical mountainous regions. In northern Thailand, lower montane forests represent one of the most ecologically important ecosystems, characterized by high biodiversity and complex vegetation structure. However, land-use changes, particularly shifting cultivation practices, have significantly altered these ecosystems, leading to forest degradation and initiating natural succession processes. The recovery of plant communities following disturbance is a dynamic and complex process influenced not only by the time since abandonment but also by environmental conditions and site-specific factors. Understanding how these factors interact to influence forest recovery is essential for developing effective strategies for forest restoration and sustainable land management. Therefore, this study aimed to (1) investigate the natural succession of plant communities in lower montane forests across a chronosequence of shifting cultivation fallows, and (2) examine the relationships between environmental factors and plant species distribution. Methodology: The study was conducted in Namtok Mae Surin National Park, Mae Hong Son Province, northern Thailand, which is characterized by mountainous terrain and a tropical monsoon climate. A total of 15 temporary sample plots were established across five land-use stages: natural forest and shifting cultivation fallows of 1, 4, 7, and 10 years. Three plots were established for each stage. Within each plot, all trees with a diameter at breast height (DBH) ≥ 4.5 cm were measured and identified to species level. Saplings were also surveyed in subplots to assess regeneration patterns. In addition, soil samples were collected for the analysis of physical and chemical properties, including soil organic matter, soil moisture, and soil texture. Vegetation data were analyzed using the Importance Value …
creator: Sathid Thinkampheang
creator: Sarawood Sungkaew
creator: Oraphan Chailaert
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
date: 2026-06-10
publication date: 2026-06-10
volume: 10
number: 1
starting page: 157
ending page: 180
doi: 10.34044/tferj.2026.10.1.6670

Seedling Recruitment and Mortality Rates under Gap and Crown Canopy in Lower Montane Forest at Doi Suthep – Pui National Park, Chiang Mai Province
type: item
description: Background and Objectives: Natural forests are dynamic ecosystems in which the structure and composition of plant communities continuously change through the process of natural regeneration. This regeneration process is an important ecological mechanism that maintains forest structure, species composition, and plant diversity over long periods of time. The seedling stage represents a critical phase in the life cycle of forest plants because seedlings must cope with intense competition and environmental filtering, which influence germination, growth, and survival. This process is particularly important in ecosystems with specific environmental characteristics, such as montane forests, which generally occur at elevations higher than 1,000 meters above mean sea level and are characterized by cool and humid conditions as well as dense forest canopies that limit light penetration to the forest floor. As a result, many plant species exhibit shade-tolerant characteristics. However, disturbances such as the fall or death of large trees can create forest gaps, which alter local environmental conditions, including light intensity, temperature, and humidity. These environmental differences influence seed germination and seedling establishment. Light-demanding species generally exhibit higher recruitment and growth rates in forest gap areas, whereas shade-tolerant species are better able to establish and survive under low-light conditions beneath the crown canopy. In addition, variations in light intensity and temperature also affect seedling mortality rates, reflecting the adaptive capacity of each species under different environmental conditions. However, quantitative information on the relationships between light intensity and temperature and the recruitment and mortality rates of seedlings in montane forest remain limited. Therefore, this study aims to: 1) compare light intensity and temperature between forest gap areas and crown canopy areas; 2) examine the recruitment and…
creator: Manas Pimrat
creator: Apisada Rueangket
rights: Copyright (c) 2026 Thai Forest Ecological Research Journal
date: 2026-06-19
publication date: 2026-06-19
volume: 10
number: 1
starting page: 181
ending page: 200
doi: 10.34044/tferj.2026.10.1.6653