Part 1 – A Rapid Participatory Biodiversity Assessment - IUCN

Timber (for
housing)
Almost all village houses are built with timber extracted from
forests. Species commonly used include Pterocarpus
macrocarpus, Dalbergia spp., Terminalia spp., Artocarpus
lakoocha, Casearia floranos, Dipterocarpus alatus, Hopea
odorata, Vatica harmandii, Lagestroemia balansae and
Shorea siamensis
Declining due to
over-exploitation
for commercial
purposes
Fuelwood Alstonia rostrata, Acacia megdalena, Schima wallichii, Steady
Medicinal Fruits of Phyllanthus embilica, Bark of Alstonia scholaris, Variable
plants Fruits of Amomum spp., Rhapis laosensis
Resins Vatica harmandii, Aquilaria crassna Declining due to
over-exploitation
Fish Catfish, Snakeheads and several Cyprinids Declining
Wild meat Wild Boar - Sus scrofa; Red Muntjac - Muntiacus muntjac; Wild boar are
Many species of forest birds
increasing
Sustenance of A network of streams and rivers flowing through forest areas Some annual
ground and supply water for domestic and agricultural use by villagers streams have
surface water
dried out due to
forest clearance
Supporting Services
Biodiversity High species richness of plants and animals in forests; the Declining due to
primary forests sustain populations of several species of direct and indirect
globally threatened plants and animals
drivers of change
Nutrient cycling The organic matter produced by forests supports fishery Loss of soil
production in streams and rivers, and also contributes to soil nutrients due to
fertility in agricultural lands (ie., in shifting cultivations and increased
irrigated paddy lands)
clearance forest
Regulating services
Carbon
sequestration
Water
purification
Cultural Services
Recreational
and aesthetic
values
Sustenance of
traditional
knowledge
Cultural and
historic values
The vast areas of primary forest cover in the five districts
function as valuable carbon sinks
The fast flowing rocky streams and water fall scattered in the
five districts contributes to purify freshwater
The lush forests, streams and water falls, and the old village
landscapes has a potential for tourism
Production of traditional handicrafts (ie., baskets and mats)
using bamboo species (Bambusa spp.), rattan (Calamus and
Dendrocalamus spp.) reeds and Pandanus spp.; the practice
of traditional medicine and spiritual healing in some villages
Every village has a spirit forest (usually a primary forest),
where their ancestors are buried; The Ho-chi-minh trail is of
historical importance
Decreasing due to
increased forest
clearance and
over-harvesting of
timber during past
2 decades
Forest clearance
has led to erosion
and siltation
Needs promotion
Gradual loss of
traditional
knowledge
Spirit forests are
not exploited
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