Research Sites
The Mae Klong plot is a mixed deciduous forest with a dense understory of bamboo. Under its seasonally dry climate, fire is a major disturbance. The Semangkok plot is a typical hill dipterocarp forest dominated by Shorea curtisii on the Malay Peninsula. The Pasoh plot is another type of dipterocarp forest, located in a lowland area. During the International Biological Program (IBP), part of the Pasoh plot was clear-cut for aboveground biomass estimation. All three plots were established in the early 1990s for continuous monitoring of forest dynamics.
In Bukit Soeharto, two big fires were recorded under the effect of strong ENSO events, in 1982–83 and 1997–98. Because disturbance intensities (including fire and logging) vary within the catchment, three monitoring plots were set up in 1988. Long-term monitoring data will help us to understand spatial and temporal variations in carbon pools with fire disturbances.
Tropical swamp forest is represented by riparian forest at Lam Se Buy and mangrove forest at Ranong. At Lam Se Buy, wide fluctuations in water level support fish traps within the plot; the plot thus offers a unique opportunity to study the interaction of forests and local people. Because the tsunami created by the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake struck the research plot, Ranong also offers a unique opportunity to evaluate the recovery of stand structure and productivity after a disturbance.
The EA-FDPN comprises seven long-term monitoring plots, in which continuous tree censuses have been conducted.
The Tura plot is the only plot in the boreal zone. It is dominated by Larix gmelinii growing on permafrost soil in central Siberia.
Boreal Forests
TuraTropical Dry Forests
Mae KlongTropical Rain Forests
Pasoh
Bukit SoehartoTropical Swamp Forests