Collaboration and Conflict: Developing Forest Restoration Techniques for Northern Thailand's Upper Watersheds Whilst Meeting the Needs of Science and Communities

TitleCollaboration and Conflict: Developing Forest Restoration Techniques for Northern Thailand's Upper Watersheds Whilst Meeting the Needs of Science and Communities
Annotated RecordAnnotated
Year of Publication2019
AuthorsElliott S, Chairuangsri S, Kuaraksa C, Sangkum S, Sinhaseni K, Shannon D, Nippanon P, Manohan B
Secondary TitleForests
Volume10
Issue9
Pagination1-16
Key themesEnvironment
Abstract

This paper describes an early example of Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR), which resulted from collaboration between a university, local community, and national park authority in the upper Mae Sa Valley, near Chiang Mai City, northern Thailand. Working together, the Hmong community of Ban Mae Sa Mai, Doi Suthep National Park Authority and Chiang Mai University's Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU-CMU) established a chronosequence of trial restoration plots from 1996 to 2013, to test the framework-species method of forest restoration. The project developed successful restoration techniques and gained insights into the factors that influence villagers' participation in forest restoration. Recovery of forest biomass, carbon storage, structure, biodiversity and ecological functioning exceeded expectations. Villagers appreciated the improved water security resulting from the project, as well as a better relationship with the park authority and increased land security. Recently, however, tree chopping and a breakdown in fire-prevention measures (perhaps symptoms of "project fatigue") have threatened the sustainability of the plot system. The project demonstrates the importance of a sound scientific basis for forest restoration projects, long-term institutional support, and appropriate funding mechanisms, to achieve sustainability.
URLhttps://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/10/9/732
Availability

Available for download
Countries

Thailand
Document Type

Journal Article

Annotations

Overall relevance: 

The article examines the key outputs and factors behind the success of a forest reforestation project implemented by Chiang Mai University’s Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU-CMU) in collaboration with a local Hmong community, and the national park authority. Elliott et al. (2019) argue that the dual approach of ecological science and social science supports the success of the framework-species method of forest reforestation. Local participation and the sharing of scientific knowledge are main factors that helped this project achieve stakeholders' diverse goals. Over time, however, the motivation for and perceived benefits of participating in forest restoration declined among community members, threatening to unravel key project achievements such as improved relations between the community and park authority.

Key Themes: 
  • Land and the environment: pollution, deforestation, climate change, conservation zoning - Forest restoration projects are increasingly being prescribed to restore degraded forests and to address the biodiversity and climate crisis. Yet, a growing number of studies point to the failures of top-down forest restoration projects to achieve their goals. This article stands out as an example of a forest restoration project that had successful outcomes in terms of restoring forests in the upper watershed of a village in a national park. While success is largely due to the long-term support provided by FORRU-CMU and the collaborative and participatory nature of the project, unequal power relations between the local community and national park authority ultimately shapes the long-term sustainability of the restored forest and the incentives to engage in a collaborative arrangement that may not be seen to be equally beneficial to all. The article contributes to environmental studies by offering best practices for reforestation, while also highlighting key lessons for future replication of the approach. The authors address factors that will benefit environmental policymakers in adapting future reforestation projects.
Research basis: 

The article describes the process and results of FORRU-CMU’s adaption of the framework-species method of forest reforestation to restore tropical evergreen forest in the upper Mae Sa Valley of Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. The article draws on both quantitative scientific and qualitative social science approaches. Data was collected from field testing of the framework-species method, which involved establishing a chronosequence of restoration plots annually from 1996 to 2013, in collaboration with Ban Mae Sai Mai/Noi villagers the Doi Suthep-Puil National Park Authority. Additionally, structured interviews with around 70 community members were conducted from September 2005 to February 2007 to assess socio-economic impacts and gather public opinion of the project by locals. Structured interviews have limitations in gathering public opinion and the paper does not sufficiently elaborate on the sampling method and data analysis in the survey component. (Provided by Chayapol Klumplee AKA “Mind”)