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Projecting Land-Use Change and Its Consequences for Biodiversity in Northern Thailand

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Abstract

Rapid deforestation has occurred in northern Thailand over the last few decades and it is expected to continue. The government has implemented conservation policies aimed at maintaining forest cover of 50% or more and promoting agribusiness, forestry, and tourism development in the region. The goal of this paper was to analyze the likely effects of various directions of development on the region. Specific objectives were (1) to forecast land-use change and land-use patterns across the region based on three scenarios, (2) to analyze the consequences for biodiversity, and (3) to identify areas most susceptible to future deforestation and high biodiversity loss. The study combined a dynamic land-use change model (Dyna-CLUE) with a model for biodiversity assessment (GLOBIO3). The Dyna-CLUE model was used to determine the spatial patterns of land-use change for the three scenarios. The methodology developed for the Global Biodiversity Assessment Model framework (GLOBIO 3) was used to estimate biodiversity intactness expressed as the remaining relative mean species abundance (MSA) of the original species relative to their abundance in the primary vegetation. The results revealed that forest cover in 2050 would mainly persist in the west and upper north of the region, which is rugged and not easily accessible. In contrast, the highest deforestation was expected to occur in the lower north. MSA values decreased from 0.52 in 2002 to 0.45, 0.46, and 0.48, respectively, for the three scenarios in 2050. In addition, the estimated area with a high threat to biodiversity (an MSA decrease >0.5) derived from the simulated land-use maps in 2050 was approximately 2.8% of the region for the trend scenario. In contrast, the high-threat areas covered 1.6 and 0.3% of the region for the integrated-management and conservation-oriented scenarios, respectively. Based on the model outcomes, conservation measures were recommended to minimize the impacts of deforestation on biodiversity. The model results indicated that only establishing a fixed percentage of forest was not efficient in conserving biodiversity. Measures aimed at the conservation of locations with high biodiversity values, limited fragmentation, and careful consideration of road expansion in pristine forest areas may be more efficient to achieve biodiversity conservation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the Kasetsart University Research and Development Institute (KURDI) and The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) for financial support for this research project. In addition, gratitude is expressed to the Royal Forest Department, Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, and Land Development Department for providing information. Nipon Tangtham, the handling editor, and two anonymous reviewers provided valuable suggestions and comments during preparation of the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, 50 Phahonyothin Road, Chatuchak, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand

    Yongyut Trisurat

  2. The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), P.O. Box 303, 3720 AH, Bilthoven, The Netherlands

    Rob Alkemade

  3. Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1087, 1081 HV, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Peter H. Verburg

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  1. Yongyut Trisurat
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  2. Rob Alkemade
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  3. Peter H. Verburg
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Correspondence to Yongyut Trisurat.

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Trisurat, Y., Alkemade, R. & Verburg, P.H. Projecting Land-Use Change and Its Consequences for Biodiversity in Northern Thailand. Environmental Management 45, 626–639 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-010-9438-x

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