Effects of Fire on Diversity and Aboveground Biomass of Understory Communities in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Western Thailand

Prescribed burns in the Thungyai-Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuaries significantly alter understory plant composition, favoring shrubs and competing tree seedlings over grasses and forbs. The study, conducted in deciduous dipterocarp forests (DDF) and mixed deciduous forests, found that past logging and long-term fire suppression had reduced mature key dipterocarp trees and hindered grass regeneration, critical food sources for local wildlife. Researchers surveyed 128 plots before and after annual burns, identifying 480 understory species, with grasses accounting for only 10% of biomass in DDF plots. Active habitat management is now necessary to maintain forest structure and support wildlife, particularly in areas recovering from historical logging.

Phumsathan, S., Daonurai, K., Kraichak, E., Sungkaew, S., Teerawatananon, A., & Pongpattananurak, N. (2022). Effects of Fire on Diversity and Aboveground Biomass of Understory Communities in Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest in Western Thailand. Sustainability, 14(22), 15067. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142215067