Vegetation and Vascular Flora of Doi Sutep-Pui National Park, Northern Thailand

Max's ground-breaking study of Doi Suthep resulted in perhaps the most complete flora and vegetation description of any of Thailand's protected areas at the time of publication and it was the first to be computerized as a database. His records and specimens of 2,244 vascular plant species (still kept at the CMUB Herbarium) firmly established Doi Suthep as a botanical treasure, although such diversity was severely threatened, even in the 1990's, by annual forest fires and encroachment for agriculture and tourism development - a situation which has only grown worse over time. Max's growing knowledge of the tree species of Doi Suthep and their habitat requirements, as he compiled the book, was of immense value to FORRU's early research projects. Restoration of forest ecosystems requires knowing which tree species are representative of the forest types being restored, their elevation ranges and their tolerance of disturbance. Thanks to Max's collections and meticulous notes, all these essential data were available to FORRU, right from the unit's foundation, making our work a lot easier than it might otherwise have been. Even today, the enumeration can be used to help identify candidate framework species for testing to restore different forest types, at different elevations, and to plan seed collection programs using the phenology data. CONTENTS Foreword Preface Abstract Acknowledgements Part I-A Reassessment of the Forest Types of Thailand by J. F. Maxwell Introduction Background Pioneer Work Development of Regional Forest Classifications Rain Forests Advantages of the New Forest Classification Scheme Conclusions Future Research Eco-Pornography Part II— The Vegetation of Doi Sutep-Pui National Park by J. F. Maxwell & Stephen Elliott Introduction Etymology of ‘Sutep' Geology Climate Previous Botanical Research on Doi Sutep-Pui Initial Literature on the Flora of Doi Sutep-Pui Teak Forest and Bamboo + Deciduous Seasonal Forest Deciduous Dipterocarp-Oak Seasonal Forest Mixed Evergreen + Deciduous Seasonal Forest Primary Evergreen Seasonal Forest Without Pine Primary Evergreen Seasonal Forest With Pine Summit Flora Disturbed Areas and Secondary Growth Cultivated Plants Settlements and Home Gardens Ornamental Plants Comparisons Among the Forest Types Part III—Annotated Enumeration of the Vascular Flora of Doi Sutep-Pui National Park by J. F. Maxwell Enumeration Summary of Collecting Results in Doi Sutep-Pui National Park (1987-2001) New Species New Records Emended Descriptions/Notes Tropophylly Database Part IV–Exploitation and Conservation by Stephen Elliott Conservation Value of Doi Sutep-Pui National Park Threats to the Botanical Diversity of Doi-Sutep-Pui National Park Fire Roads Extinct Extirpated or Endangered Plant Species Effects of Extirpation of Animal Species on Plant Communities Current Conservation Management of Botanical Richness in the National Park Fire Prevention Controlling Access Conservation and Re-introduction of Endangered or Extirpated Species Management of Key Animal Species Conservation Management Recommendations Deforestation References Cited Photographs Index of Taxa