SPECIES DIVERSITY OF UNDERGROWTH MEDICINAL PLANTS IN PHU POE COMMUNITY FOREST, KALASIN PROVINCE, THAILAND

Phu Poe Community Forest, a young recovery forest in Tumbon Naboan, Ampur Kammuang, Kalasin Province, Thailand consists of a compound dry dipterocarp forest with mixed deciduous forest. The main objective of this study is to compile a checklist of undergrowth plants in this forest and explore their ethnobotanical information. The belt transect method, 10 meters wide with 1,200 meters long from the ground level to the top of the mountain (253-426 msl), was applied for the plant collection. There were altogether 16 belt transects with a distance of an interval about 250 meters each. The plant specimens were collected from July to October 2003. The general morphology and habitat of the plants collected with their uses (if any) were documented. A total of 101 species (72 genera in 49 families) were enumerated with one species each of non-seeded plant and the gymnosperm, 20 species (11 genera in 7 families) of the monocotyledons and 79 species (59 genera in 40 families) of the dicotyledons. From all the specimens collected, the number of the family Zingiberaceae was the greatest (10 species) used for medicinal plants. Though this forest has just been discovered, the species richness was so high and from the study one rare species (Stahlianthus campanulatus) was found. Acknowledgements: Khon Kaen University, Thailand provided funding and Naboan Villagers provided the information

ETHNOBOTANY OF AQUEOUS PLANTS AT NONG HAN KUMPHAWAPI WETLAND, UDORNTHANI, THAILAND: SAVING TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE THROUGH LOCAL RESOURCE-BASED ECONOMY

An ethnobotanic study of aquatic plants at Nong Han Kumphawapi—a wetland of international importance, Udornthani, Thailand was conducted from June to August, 2006. Data were collected by in-depth interviews of seven senior villagers and traditional healers, coupled with field and local market surveys. In total, 62 species (33 families) of aquatic plants were reported to be used for subsistence, including food, medicines, household tools, animal feed and community rituals. Edible and medicinal plants are most frequently harvested, accounted for 45% and 26% of all identified species respectively. The family most frequently used is Cyperaceae i.e. Scirpus grossus L.f. and Cyperus corymbosus Hook.f. Key informants reported that ethnobotanic knowledge was passed along through storytellers rather than written documentation. Currently, due to technology development, socio-cultural transformation, access to market goods and nature of knowledge transfer, ethnobotany especially use of medicinal plants is fading away. Hence, loss of potential usefulness is likely even before these species can be studied. Wetland resource management, including detailed assessment of ecosystem status, biodiversity quantities, productivity potential, and sustainable use methods is necessary. Furthermore, local communities need to recognize the importance of ethnobotany and participate in the management. Day-to-day use and value addition of these species need to be promoted, so ethnobotany becomes part of a community economy. This can be seen in Thailand under the national program called “OTOP—One Tambon (an products made from local resources and selects one to generate its economy. administrative level equivalent to sub-district) One Product.” Every Tambon develops its most uniqu