Huai Kha Khaeng Forest Dynamics Plot, Thailand

In 1991, a Forest Dynamics plot was initiated by the Royal Thai Forest Department in collaboration with Kasetsart and Mahidol Universities and CTFS/Harvard University at the Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, a World Heritage Site in western Thailand. The plot crosses a steep soil moisture gradient, forming a transect between dry evergreen dipterocarp and deciduous forest. Evergreen dipterocarp forest is a critically endangered habitat in the region, and often becomes converted into deciduous forest through degradation and fire. The area's abundant large game, including elephants and tigers, depends on each forest type in different ways and during different seasons. Understanding the dynamic relationship between these evergreen and deciduous forests will be fundamental to the conservation of both the forests and their wildlife.

1991年，泰国皇家森林部联合泰国农业大学（Kasetsart University）、玛希隆大学（Mahidol University）以及CTFS/哈佛大学，在泰国西部的世界遗产地怀卡肯野生动物保护区（Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary）设立了一处森林动态样地（Forest Dynamics Plot）。该样地横跨陡峭的土壤湿度梯度带，形成了一条衔接干旱常绿龙脑香林与落叶林的生态样带。常绿龙脑香林是该区域极度濒危的生境类型，常因生境退化与火灾演变为落叶林。该区域拥有丰富的大型野生动物类群，包括大象与老虎，它们会在不同季节依据不同的生存需求依赖不同的森林类型。厘清这两类森林间的动态关联，对于森林生态系统及其伴生野生动物的保护均具有基础性的核心意义。