13th Flora of Thailand Meeting
Scientific programme day 4
Friday, 15th July
Chairperson Professor John Parnell
Botany Department, Trinity College Dublin
Species diversity and chromosome number of some Zingiberaceae in the Northern region of Thailand
Preeyanan Sanpote
Abstract A taxonomic survey of the Zingiberaceae in three national parks in the Northern region of Thailand was undertaken during May 2002 – May 2004. Four tribes, 11 genera and 31 species were found and identified. They consisted: Tribe Alpinieae: 4 genera; Alpinia with 4 species, Amomum with 2 species, Elettariopsis with 1 species, Etlingera with 1 species -Tribe Globbeae: 1 genus; Globba with 3 species - Tribe Hedychieae: 5 genera; Boesenbergia with 2 species, Caulokaemferia with 1 species, Curcuma with 5 species, Hedychium 2 species and Kaemferia 4 species - Tribe Zingieraceae: 1 genus; Zingiber with 6 species. Chromosome numbers of some Zingiberaceae were determined by the Feulgen Squash method. Chromosome numbers obtained were: Alpinia malaccensis 2n = 48, Alpinia mutica 2n = 48, Amomum uliginosum 2n = 48, Amomum biflorum 2n = 48, Amomum sp.1 & Amomum sp.2 both 2n = 48, Etlingera littoraris 2n = 50, Kaempferia rotunda 2n = 22, Hedychium coronarium 2n = 34, Caulokaempferia alba 2n = 22, Zingiber kerrii 2n = 22, Zingiber neotruncatum 2n = 22, Zingiber xishuangbannaense 2n = 22, Zingiber teres 2n = 22 and Zingiber sp. 2n = 22. Counts for 6 taxa are recorded for the first time.
A phylogenetic study of Blumea (Asteraceae)
Pimwadee Pornpongrungrueng & Mats Gustafsson
Abstract Recent studies of the genus Blumea (Asteraceae: Inuleae) in Thailand reveal that 22 species occur in the country. Infrageneric relationships were analyzed based on molecular data. Sequences of chloroplast DNA (TrnL intron plus TrnL/F spacer) and nuclear rDNA (ITS) of Blumea were analyzed using both separate and combined data. The present results show that Asian taxa appear to be monophyletic including three major clades, Balsamifera: shrub or small tree (1 species, India eastward to Indochina, and the Malesian region except New Guinea), Densiflora: medium-size herbs (6 species, India, Southern China eastward to New Guinea), and Lacera: small widespread weeds (16 species, widespread: some species also in Africa and Australia). The results also suggest that an African species, Blumea brevipes (Oliv. & Hiern) Wild., should be re-transferred to the genus Laggera.
Notes: Won for the best presentation among students.
Priorities and challenges in Zingiberaceae research
Mark Newman
Abstract Taxonomists are drawn in different directions by the kinds of outputs required of them. On the one hand, international treaties such as the CBD clearly demand more ?-taxonomy while peer reviewing procedures require publications in high-impact journals. These pressures can be mutually supporting. In the Zingiberaceae, work on defining generic limits will allow monophyletic groups to be identified which can then be revised.
Plenary Session
Protected Areas System in Thailand - A Significant Component in the Work Under the Flora of Thailand Program
Thawatchai Santisuk
Abstract Thailand is experiencing the same trend as in several other tropical countries that human disturbances and economic pressures have rapidly diminished biological resources, particularly forest habitats. In 1951 forests covered 53 percent (273,010 sq.km.) of Thailand’s land area (515,114 sq.km.). By 2001 natural forests were shrunk to approximate 32.7 percent (168,498 sq.km.) of the kingdom. The notable exception to this devastation, and the last great hope for Thailand’s biodiversity is the impressive and extensive system of protected areas, i. e. national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other nature reserves, established since 1961 (Khao Yai National Park). One of the primary objectives of protected areas is the protection of species and assemblages of species or ecosystems. Thailand’s system of protected areas is one of the most impressive and advanced in the world. The system has been developed and managed by the Royal Forest Department with little outside help or support. It now includes 114 inland national parks (60,604 sq.km. or 11.7 percent), 21 marine national parks (4,225 sq.km. or 0.8 percent), 66 wildlife sanctuaries and 55 wildlife non-hunting areas (55,087 sq.km. or 10.6 percent) under National Parks, Wildlife & Plant Conservation Department. These protected areas in total of 119,917 sq.km.(23.2 percent) are all blanketed by natural forest covers. Hence, almost all Thailand’s remaining natural forests, along with wildlife, are now encountered in the protected areas. The Royal Thai Governtment’s policy of preserving forest habitats has relied primarily if not exclusively on parks and sanctuaries. The national parks are open to the public whilst the wildlife sanctuaries are not generally open to visitors although scientists and naturalists may be able to conduct biological survey and research within their territories.
There are hundreds of different national names for protected areas. The national park and wildlife sanctuary categories in Thailand are equally important and relevant to effective conservation. The management of protected areas in Thailand has been reinforced through the National Park Act and Wildlife Conservation Act. However, it cannot be denied that many protected areas in Thailand lack strong legal basis and effective implementation. Some protected areas are not sufficiently large, not sufficiently well-planned, nor sufficiently well-managed to maximize their contributions to preventing biodiversity loss. In recent years with the aims to promote the idea of protected areas as consolidated system rather than hundred units in isolation, the forest complex system including contiguous, large and small protected areas has been set up to improve the effectiveness of protected area management. At present 19 forest complexes in Thailand have been reorganized and each forest complex is represented by a chief executive officer. The Western Forest Complex (WEFCOM), the largest and most important forest complex with contiguous forest areas of 11 national parks and 6 wildlife sanctuaries (i.e. Thung Yai/Huai Kha Kaeng) covering 18,730 sq.km. for example, is an excellent base for in-situ conservation of plants and wildlife.