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Sie sind hier: Startseite Research Research Areas Forestry and Rural Development All projects Research Area Forestry and Rural Development Effect of Different Burning Frequencies on Plant composition, Site Fertility and Fuel Properties in Dry Dipterocarp Forests, Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand
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Effect of Different Burning Frequencies on Plant composition, Site Fertility and Fuel Properties in Dry Dipterocarp Forests, Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand

concluded 02/2008

Summary

Fires have long been a human-caused disturbance in tropical forest ecosystems, both intentionally and accidentally. In some forests, such as dry dipterocarp forest and mixed deciduous forest, fires occur annually during the dry season. During the recent decades man-made wildfires have become more common due to the increasing human population. In modern times, the pressure from humans has become even more intense, and the ecological role of fires is now a matter for serious debate, as it is seen to affect diminishing forest resources in closer and closer proximity to human settlements. Also the majority of forestry staff doubt whether fires should be used to manage forests, in particular deciduous forests. Some forest officers believe that fires must be kept out of deciduous forests. In contrast, others believe that fire is important to the ecological functioning of these forests and that without fire structures and functions of these forests would be substantially altered. Assuming a third position in the debate about fire, most researchers believe that deciduous forests should be burnt in some years and remain unburned in the following years. However, there is little agreement about the frequency of burning and a lack of scientific data to support particular burning frequencies to maintain certain forest functions.
Therefore, this research is designed to quantify the impact of different burning frequencies on vegetation, site fertility, fire behaviour and their interactions. The main hypothesis is that vegetation diversity and site fertility decrease with fire frequency. Research is being carried out in Huay Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Uthaithani province, in the western part of Thailand. Areas of different fire history were identified using remote sensing and the fire records of the forest authorities. The exact extent of burnt areas on the ground is being verified through fire scars and other indicators. Four fire frequencies within 10 year (from 1995 to 2004) have been defined as 1. frequent burning, 2. intermediate burning, 3. rare burning and 4. no burning. At each site, experimental plots of 3 30 x 30 m are being installed, which will be experimentally burned. Plant species composition, soil properties and nutrients transferred to the atmosphere during burning, as well as fuel load and fire behaviour will be assessed.
 
Researcher: Wanthongchai Kobsak
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Jürgen Bauhus,  Prof. Dr. Johann G. Goldammer
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