Variations of soil properties and soil surface loss after fire in rotational shifting cultivation in Northern Thailand

Since fire is still necessary for rotational shifting cultivation (RSC), the vertical distribution and slope effect on soil properties and soil surface loss after a fire remain unclear. To address these research gaps, the study aims to achieve the following objectives: 1) investigating post-fire soil properties and soil surface loss in RSC, and 2) assessing the vertical distribution and slope effect on soil properties and soil surface loss in RSC. Soil samples were collected from two stages of RSC: 6 years (RSC-6Y) and 12 years (RSC-12Y), located in Chiang Mai Province, Northern Thailand. A continuous 15-year left fallow field (CF-15Y) was used as the reference site. Soil samples were collected from the upper, middle, and lower slopes at depths of 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm at five different time points: before burning, 5 min, 3 months, 6 months, and 9 months post-fire. The results indicated that older fallow fields had a tendency to accumulate more soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil organic nitrogen (STN). The color of the ash was altered by the fire, resulting in dark reddish-brown ash with higher levels of pH, organic matter (OM), electrical conductivity, total nitrogen, and soil nutrients when compared to gray and white ashes. The combustion of OM during the fire was found to release soil nutrients, which could explain the increase after burning. SOC stock increased at deeper layers (5–10 cm) with higher values than pre-burning levels, especially at lower slope positions, while STN stock decreased at the surface soil post-fire but increased in deeper layers at all slope positions. The average soil surface loss ranged from 1.6 to 3.1 cm, with the highest loss observed 9 months after the fire (during the rainy season) at the upper slope. In terms of the impact of slope on soil properties following the fire event, our study indicated a significant correlation between lower slopes and variables including SOC, STN, electrical conductivity, nitrate–nitrogen (NO3-N), ammonium nitrogen (NH4-N), exchangeable calcium, and exchangeable magnesium. Further study is required to investigate and develop appropriate post-fire management strategies to effectively reduce nutrient loss and minimize soil surface erosion

Post-fire recovery of soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen, soil nutrients, and soil erodibility in rotational shifting cultivation in Northern Thailand

The hill tribes in Thailand traditionally depend on rotational shifting cultivation (RSC). However, insufficient understanding remains on post-fire soil properties and soil erodibility (k-values) with fallow years. To address this gap, the levels of soil organic carbon (SOC), soil total nitrogen (STN), soil nutrients, and soil erodibility after fire in RSC were investigated. Topsoil (0–10 cm) samples from sites with 4 (RSC-4Y), 5 (RSC-5Y), and 7 (RSC-7Y) fallow years in Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand, were taken at four time points: before burning, 5 min after burning, 9 months after burning, and 2 years after burning. Soil pH, electrical conductivity, and soil nutrient (available P, K, and Ca) levels were increased after burning and remained higher than the pre-burning levels for at least 2 years. The SOC stock decreased after burning in all fallow fields. At 2 years after burning, the SOC stock in RSC-4Y was higher than before burning, whereas in RSC-5Y and RSC-7Y, the levels had not reached the pre-fire levels. The STN stocks of all studied fields significantly decreased after burning and had not reached the pre-burning levels after 2 years. After burning, the topsoil of RSC-4Y was most susceptible to erosion. However, only in RSC-4Y, the k-value was unchanged at 2 years after burning. Three different approaches are recommended for post-fire land management: 1) farmers should not cut and remove the weeds and grasses at the soil surface, 2) burning should be performed around late winter or early summer (November–February) to inhibit complete combustion, and 3) contour-felled log erosion barriers should be made by using the trunks remaining after the fire to trap the sediment and slow down surface runoff

Fishers’ Decisions to Adopt Adaptation Strategies and Expectations for Their Children to Pursue the Same Profession in Chumphon Province, Thailand

Coastal communities and small-scale fisheries are highly vulnerable to climate change. In this study, we aimed to examine fishers’ decisions to adapt to climate change and their expectations for their children to pursue the same profession. Data were obtained from fisher households covering 8 districts and 22 sub-districts in the coastal area of Chumphon Province, Thailand, using participatory observation, focus group discussion, and in-person field surveys. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine factors influencing the fishers’ decisions and their expectations for their children to inherit their occupation. Results showed that the fishers are aware of the increasing trends in air temperature, sea water temperature, inland precipitation, offshore precipitation, and storms. Increased fishing experience and fishing income increased the likelihood of the fishers applying adaptations to climate change. Looking to the future, fishers with high fishing incomes expect their children to pursue the occupation, whereas increased fishing experience, non-fishing incomes, and perceptions of storms likely discourage them from expecting their children to be fishers. Of the fishers interviewed, 58.06% decided to apply adaptations in response to climate change by incorporating climate-smart agriculture, particularly by cultivating rubber, oil palm, and orchards as a second income source. The adoption of climate-smart fisheries should be considered in relation to the body of local knowledge, as well as the needs and priorities of the fisher community. To cope with the impacts of current and future climate change on coastal communities, the national focal point of adaptation should be climate change, and related governmental agencies should pay more attention to these key factors for adaptation

Farmers’ Perceptions, Insight Behavior and Communication Strategies for Rice Straw and Stubble Management in Thailand

The adoption of rice straw and stubble management approaches can be affected by various factors. To understand the psychological factors influencing Thai farmers’ adoption of rice straw and stubble management approaches, three integrated behavioral theories were employed: the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the Value-Belief-Norm (VBN) and the Health Belief Model (HBM). Then, a practical communication framework was synthesized and proposed to promote rice straw utilization for social-ecological benefits to achieve more sustainable agricultural production. Through a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews with 240 local farmers, a statistical analysis was performed employing cross-tab, stepwise multiple linear regression, one-way ANOVA and descriptive content analysis using QDA lite miner software. The key results clearly showed that perceived pro-environmental personal norms, perceived cues to rice straw utilization, perceived behavioral control, perceived severity of rice straw burning, perceived ascription of responsibility, and the perceived benefits of rice straw utilization were significantly negatively influenced by burning, and that there was a significantly negative difference to non-burning approaches. Meanwhile, cost savings as perceived benefits of the current option of burning showed a significantly positive difference when compared with incorporation and free-duck grazing options. In communication strategies to promote rice straw utilization for achieving sustainable agriculture, key messages should highlight the clear steps of rice straw utilization, as well as the costs and benefits of each option in terms of economic, health, environmental and social perspectives. Moreover, messages designed to promote action knowledge and self-efficacy at the group level, to promote perceived responsibility via self-awareness and self-commitment, and convenient channels of communication to the farmers can help to achieve more effective non-burning rice straw and stubble management

Urban Agriculture in Thailand: Adoption Factors and Communication Guidelines to Promote Long-Term Practice

The purpose of this study is to clarify influencing factors on the adoption and continuing practice of urban agriculture, and to propose communication guidelines to encourage more adoption and long-term practice. The psychological theories of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and the Health Belief Model (HBM) were integrated to explain people’s behavior. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed with 325 villagers of 13 communities in seven provinces of Thailand. The following techniques and instruments were used: a statistical analysis crosstab, stepwise multiple linear regression, one-way ANOVA, multinomial logistic regression, decision tree analysis, and descriptive content analysis using QDA lite miner software. The key results clearly show that attitude, perceived benefits, and perceived readiness were a significantly positive influence on those who adopted urban agriculture. Key drivers to villagers’ intention to continue practicing urban agriculture for the initiator group who own agricultural land were perceived to be behavioral control and social norm, while perceived readiness and communication played a crucial role for other groups to continue practicing urban agriculture. Communication guidelines to promote long-term urban agriculture practice can be designed based on the EAST framework, by making it easy, attractive, social, and timely, and through the Critical Participatory Action Research process

Understanding Food Security Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted worldwide food security including in Thailand. This review aims to understand people’s behaviors with regard to promoting food security during the COVID-19 pandemic by covering three main cases at a community level: the food bank, the food exchange, and the food pantry. A systematic review of news content analysis and in-depth interviews were employed for data collection. Based on integrated behavioral models of motivation–opportunity–ability (MOA), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and value–belief–norm (VBN), key results indicated that altruistic values including beliefs in opinion leaders and the benefits from food security behaviors were influences on people’s practices. The attitude toward food as a crucial factor for living, the influence of family members and neighborhoods, and the perception of what constituted enough food led people’s behavioral intentions with regard to food security. The intrapersonal communication of opinion leaders was an important initial step linking to people’s understanding of others. The most frequent qualities of opinion leaders were: having a determination to help, thinking of the benefits of local people, and believing in community capacity. Self-reliance and procedural knowledge of how to behave were key messages, while personal media, local broadcasting towers, and social media were mainly employed to distribute these messages. Two-way and networking communication should be strengthened to promote sustainable food security during the crisis

Assessing Ecosystem Services of Rice–Fish Co-Culture and Rice Monoculture in Thailand

Increasing production costs for rice monoculture and concerns about farming households’ food security have motivated farmers to adopt integrated rice–fish farming. To date, there has been little research that comparatively assesses the ecosystem services (ESVs) of both rice–fish co-culture and the rice monoculture system in Thailand. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the ESV values of these systems based on the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment. A total of 19 rice–fish co-culture farms were investigated, covering three regions of Thailand (northern, northeastern, and central regions) and consisting of 13 sub-districts, 13 districts, and 11 provinces. For a fair comparison, 19 conventional rice farms were selected as comparison sites. Rice–fish co-culture had a higher net ESV value of 48,450,968.4 THB ha−1 year−1 than rice monoculture with a net ESV value of 42,422,598.5 THB ha−1 year−1. Rice–fish co-culture generated average economic values 25.40% higher than in rice monoculture farming. The most positive change in ESV was found in the regulation of temperature and humidity, with 3,160,862.9 THB ha−1 year−1. Moreover, agrotourism can generate revenue and increase the ESV in rice–fish co-culture. Our findings showed that rice–fish co-culture gives more economic and ecological benefits compared to the rice monoculture system. Further studies are recommended to explore and analyze the potential advantages of the rice–fish system in more detail

Understanding Food Security Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Thailand: A Review

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted worldwide food security including in Thailand. This review aims to understand people’s behaviors with regard to promoting food security during the COVID-19 pandemic by covering three main cases at a community level: the food bank, the food exchange, and the food pantry. A systematic review of news content analysis and in-depth interviews were employed for data collection. Based on integrated behavioral models of motivation–opportunity–ability (MOA), the theory of planned behavior (TPB), and value–belief–norm (VBN), key results indicated that altruistic values including beliefs in opinion leaders and the benefits from food security behaviors were influences on people’s practices. The attitude toward food as a crucial factor for living, the influence of family members and neighborhoods, and the perception of what constituted enough food led people’s behavioral intentions with regard to food security. The intrapersonal communication of opinion leaders was an important initial step linking to people’s understanding of others. The most frequent qualities of opinion leaders were: having a determination to help, thinking of the benefits of local people, and believing in community capacity. Self-reliance and procedural knowledge of how to behave were key messages, while personal media, local broadcasting towers, and social media were mainly employed to distribute these messages. Two-way and networking communication should be strengthened to promote sustainable food security during the crisis

Low-carbon city communication: Integrated strategies for urban and rural municipalities in Thailand

As an important sustainable development goal, the creation of low-carbon cities (LCCs) has become crucial to creating livable cities and environmental sustainability. Thus, we aimed to understand the factors that support the transition of traditional cities to LCCs, by analyzing and synthesizing how to promote practical LCC across 15 pilot municipalities in four regions of Thailand, covering four strategies: City of Trees, City of Waste Minimization, City of Energy Efficiency, and City of Sustainable Consumption. Literature research, in-depth interviews, and observations were employed for data collection, while the 5 ​W (who, says what, in which channel, to whom, and with what effect) and SMCR (sender, message, channel, and receiver) models were used to create a communication analysis framework. Results revealed that the effective activities of municipalities should increase tree planting and implement more serious regulations for the conservation of existing trees. Making compost and establishing waste recycling banks are recommended for rural municipalities, while optimization of garbage and wastewater management systems and facilities should be highlighted in urban municipalities. Moreover, recycling, low-carbon agriculture, second-hand shops/markets, green markets, and homegrown vegetables should be encouraged for sustainable consumption. Working with local municipalities, credible leaders and representatives were the key senders. Additionally, message design should compare the pros and cons of behaviors, connect with local health and tourism, and promote dialogue in easy-to-understand and thought-provoking language. Receivers that drive LCC should have an excellent understanding of LCC practice and its benefits, be public-minded, and have a desire to live in a good environment

Air-Pollutant Emissions from Agricultural Burning in Mae Chaem Basin, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Particulate pollution is a continual problem which is usually caused by the burning of crop residues in highland agricultural systems. The objectives of this study are to investigate crop-residue management and estimate the amount of pollutant emissions from burning crop residues for each land-use pattern (grain maize, seed maize and integrated farming), and to estimate the chemical compositions of PM2.5 emissions from agricultural burning in Mae Chaem basin, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. The purposive sampling method was used for sample selection. A door-to-door questionnaire survey was used to obtain responses from 149 respondents. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the open burning of crop residues were estimated, using specific emission factors obtained from several literature reviews and from the field by the questionnaire survey. Results revealed that the majority of farmers burned maize residues during April and May and mostly in the afternoon. These burning behaviors are in line with the supportive weather conditions that reflect high values of temperature and wind speed, and less rainfall and relative humidity result in maize residues being burned easily and quickly. The integrated farming system generated the lowest GHG emissions and amount of chemical composition of PM2.5 emissions, followed by the grain maize and seed maize patterns, respectively. This study strongly supports the implementation of the integrated farming system in Mae Chaem basin. Proactive and reactive measures should be taken in a well-organized and systematic fashion and should engage all related parties. More importantly, there is an urgent need for policy makers to include PM2.5 concentrations to upgrade Thailand’s air-quality index (PM2.5 AQI)