Researchers from Key Laboratory of tropical Forest Ecology of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) is willing to conduct joint studies in forest dynamics plots in Thailand. During December 14 to 21, Dr. FAN Zexin, assistant director of XTBG, headed up a 7-person group to the 24-ha Khao Chong Forest Dynamics Plot and 50-ha plot in a seasonal dry evergreen forest at the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary in western Thailand. They have reached primary common consensus on joint studies in the plots.
XTBG researchers had a meeting with researchers from Kasetsart University. Prof. SarayudhBunyavejchewin, creator of the 24-ha Khao Chong Forest Dynamics Plot, and other researchers met XTBG delegation. The two sides introduced their present research focus respectively and discussed to further promote cooperation between plots by jointly cultivating graduate students.
Comprehensive cooperation between the two sides is expected to start from 2016.

ABOUT
The Khao Chong Forest Dynamics Plot was initiated under the direction of Sarayudh Bunyavejchewin of Thai Royal Forest Department. The field crew, led by graduates from Kasetsart University, completed the census of the first 16-ha in 2001, and the total 24-ha census was finished in 2003. The forest is more diverse than expected, the 612 species inlcudes an interesting mix of species typical of forest further south as well as those in northern regions. The plot encompases a valley which extends up the side of a steep granite, and includes ridges forest dominated by masive trees of Dipterocarpus costatus.

In 1992, a Forest Dynamics plot was initiated by the Royal Thai Forest Department in collaboration with Kasetsart and Mahidol Universities and CTFS/Harvard University at the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, a World Heritage Site in western Thailand. The plot crosses a steep soil moisture gradient, forming a transect between dry evergreen dipterocarp and deciduous forest. Evergreen dipterocarp forest is a critically endangered habitat in the region, and often becomes converted into deciduous forest through degradation and fire. The area's abundant large game, including elephants and tigers, depends on each forest type in different ways and during different seasons. Understanding the dynamic relationship between these evergreen and deciduous forests will be fundamental to the conservation of both the forests and their wildlife.

At 50-ha  Huai Kha Khaeng plot

At 24-ha Khao Chong Forest Dynamics Plot

Prof. SarayudhBunyavejchewin presents book on Huai Kha Khaeng plot to XTBG