Ecological indicators for assessing ecosystem integrity for cultural forest management : a case study in Maha Sarakham Province, Northeastern Thailand

Abstract

Ecological indicators for assessing forest ecosystem integrity were selected and tested at Nong Meg-Nong Hee cultural forest in Ban Suea Tao, Amphoe Chiang Yuen, Maha Sarakham Province, Northeastern of Thailand. In this study, top-down and bottom-up approach were used for filtering of criteria and indicators (C&I) in Phase 1 (selection initial set of C&l and revision) and Phase II (filtering and testing). The initial C &I set consisted of 40 indicators, and seven criteria under three principles regarding with the main attributes of forest ecosystem integrity i.e. Principle 1 (Structure and composition of forest ecosystem are maintained, Principle 2 (Forest ecosystem function is maintained, and Principle 3 (Disturbance sign should be under control) were set up. After revision (Phase 1), the C &I consisted of 4 1 indicators, seven criteria under three principles. The revision set of C&l were evaluated in Step 1: general filter and Step II: fine filte r during Phase II. A t this phase, the Multi-Criteria Analysis (M C A) was adopted as a decision-making tool to evaluate (general filter and fine filter) C&l with a participation of local organization. In general filter (scoring and ranking), twenty five indicators, six criteria under the three principles were arranged into the next filter step. The fine filter (pairwise comparison analysis) classified order of relative weight of C&l (important value) and inconsistency index (C.I.) of each criterion. Almost of criteria showed acceptance value (less than 10% of threshold level of a tolerance consistency index). The exception was for Criterion 2.1 of Principle 2 which was consisted of the highest number of indicators to be compared. Annual testing o f C & I in experimental plots showed that indicators indicate the value relevant to their categories i.e. forest ecosystem structure, function, and human disturbances. Thus, indicators value altogether showed the overall current status of cultural forest. Forest structure and function that measured through C &I showed a better trend whereas there was increasing of small-scale disturbance (e.g. increasing in number of digging hole). Moreover, C&I were finally justified by ecological rationale to implement the conceptual framework of forest ecosystem integrity. A t this step, one redundant indicator (abundance of butterfly species) under Criterion 1.2 (To improve and maintain richness/diversity) was omitted from the list and one accomplished indicator (decomposition rate determine from leaf bag) under Criterion 2.1 (To conserve soil and water) was recommended to restore in the list. The final set of C&I (25 indicators, six criteria under three principles) were proposed to use by local organization for assessing forest ecosystem integrity at forest management unit. Results indicated that these techniques are effective for selecting C&I. The methods are highly transparent, easy to understand and offer a participatory decision-making. Field assessment showed that all indicators are effective and practical. The processes in this study are features that widely accepted in currently managing of forest resources.