Diversity Status and Sustainable Uses of Some Minor Forest Products in Ban Thung Soong Community Forest in Krabi Province, Thailand

Abstract

The diversity status and sustainable uses of some Minor Forest Products in Ban Thung Soong Community Forest in Krabi Province were evaluated based on Important Value Index (IVI) analysis, utilizing method and quantitative ecological data based on local wisdom. The studies were found that at the highest level of 200-300 m altitude, the number of trees and total basal area was the highest than at level elevations of 0-100 m and 100-200 m from 12 stands (20x50 m²/stand). From IVI analysis, there were 65 species of plants found in Ban Thung Soong Community Forest (BTSCF). Analysis of IVI were found that the Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub. var. kerrii (Craib & Hutch.) I.C.Nielsen shows the highest IVI with 22.37%. The highest percentage of relative density, relative frequencies and relative dominance were found in Homalium undulatum King with 7.50%, and 7.55% with Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) Taub. var. kerrii (Craib & Hutch.) I.C.Nielsen respectively. The numbers of species in BTSCF were 49+65 species ha^-1 and comprises of number of trees, saplings and seedlings ha^-1were 4,697; 119,166 and 252,500 of trees ha^-1 respectively. There were 49 species categorized as Minor Forest Products (MFPs) which include medicinal plants, edible plants, and non-edible plants.