Mae Klong [Tropical Dry Forest]
[Photo by T. Sato]
Mae Klong LTER site was established in 1992 in a tropical seasonal forest, western Thailand. Three 4-ha permanent plots were established in a natural forest (plot 1), a natural forest with a record of selective cutting (plot 2), and a abandoned grassland (plot 3), respectively. Tree censuses (dbh ≥ 5 cm) have been conducted every two years in these three plots. For plot 1, seedling and sapling census have been conducted every year in 100 1 m x 1 m quadrats regularly distributed in a 1 ha sub-plot. The forest is composed of evergreen and deciduous tree species with dense undergrowth of four bamboo species. Forest fire eventually occurs during the dry season. Three of the four bamboo species flowered and died simultaneously during the last two decades. The structure and dynamics of this forest is strongly affected by the undergrowing bamboos and forest fire.
Site Information
| Established Year |
1992 |
|---|---|
| Research Partners | Kasetsart University/ Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation/ Tohoku University |
| Latitude / Longitude | 14º34’ N, 98º51’ E |
| Mean Temperature | 27.5 ºC |
| Mean Annual Precipitation | 1,546 mm |
| Soil Type | loam to clay loam, well drained, classified into Ultisols |
| Plot Size | 4 ha (plot 1 & 2: 200 m x 200 m, plot 3: 100 m x 400 m) |
| Main Disturbance agent | Fire, Strong wind and heavy rain during rainy season |