14th Flora of Thailand Meeting
Scientific Programme
Monday, August 18
Presentation of the Carlsberg Academy Bjarne Maurer
50 years of Thai-Danish partnership Kai Larsen
Opening of the 14th Flora of Thailand Meeting H.E. Ambassador Cholchineepan Chiranond
AFTERNOON SESSION Chaired by Peter C. van Welzen
Present progress in the floristic studies in Thailand
Thawatchai Santisuk & K. Chayamarit
Abstract: Although taxonomic work in Thailand started as early as in the 1950s, it was only in the last decades that it took off at a greater pace. The Flora of Thailand Project has been currently achieved to ca. 75% of the whole flora including several revised mss. ready for the forthcoming volumes, with the collaboration among foreign and Thai botanists. The reason was a remarkable reorganization of the BKF administration, funding and supporting facilities, as well as strengthening collaboration among Thai and foreign botanists. The large families are currently revised by various working groups and coordinated by specialists from main herbaria in Europe and UK. The whole work will be done in 5-8 years' as recently predicted. While the Flora of Thailand in progressing well, quite a number of small-scale local florulae has been undertaken. In addition, there was a resurgence of plant systematic studies to support biodiversity initiatives nation-and world-wide. The publications have led to a greater understanding of the biodiversity of the plants and provided a conservation tools. Based on Flora of Thailand's information not only for the tool for identifying plants but also results in the programme of work of many issues in the Convention of the Biodiversity (CBD) which requires the plant database as the first priority like Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI), Protected Area, Invasive Alien Species etc. Meanwhile the Flora of Thailand serves a much wider purpose as the scientific communication and capacity building in the country and offers a basis for important national and more local projects like the surveying on the ethnobotanical studies, the preparation of the Red Data Book of Thailand, the checklist of plants in certain areas as in National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
Gunnar Seidenfaden and his heritage: developments in the diversity and organization of Thai orchid studies
Henrik IE. Pedersen, S. Watthana & K. Srimuang
Abstract: Modern Thai orchidology was initiated by Seidenfaden & Smitinand's "The Orchids of Thailand a Preliminary List" (1959-1965). Until the end of his career, Seidenfaden maintained a leading position with regard to taxonomic research in the orchids of Thailand (although from 1992 he became more focused on neighbouring regions), and contributions from other orchidologists were sparse. Despite Seidenfaden's eventually decreasing number of publications on Thai orchids, no less than 50 publications on Thai orchids appeared in 1998?2007 compared to 18 in 1988-1997. Correspondingly, 35 authors contributed in 1998-2007 compared to 20 in 1988-1997, and the share of Thai authors increased from 25 % to 43 %. At present, at least 10 MSc students, 4 PhD students and 41 professional or retired biologists in Thailand are doing research on Thai orchids. Whereas publications from the period 1958?1997 cover 6 main topics, the publications from 1998-2007 cover 9, and the publication activity among non-professionals has increased. The recent developments challenge our ability to organize ongoing Thai orchid research as team work. Establishment of a research group to prepare the Flora of Thailand account, expected online access to the Seidenfaden Database and establishment of the Native Thai Orchid Network are examples of initiatives that serve to promote data-sharing, collaboration and creation of interdisciplinary synergy.
New, improved and more comprehensive: collecting rates and distribution patterns in Thailand
John A. N. Parnell, D. A. Simpson, J. Moat, P. C. van Welzen, K. Chayamarit, P. Chantaranothai, P. C. Boyce, P. Bygrave, C. Byrne, T. Curtis, S. Dransfield, H.-J. Esser, M. H. P. Jebb, D. W. Kirkup, K. Larsen, S. S. Larsen, J. Macklin, C. Meade, D. J. Middleton, A. M. Muasya, I. Nielsen, A. Prajaksood, C. A. Pendry, R. Pooma, S. Suddee, S. Sungkaew, A. Teerawatananon, A. Trias Blasi & P. Wilkin
Abstract:
Aims: To produce representative aggregate maps of plant collection locations in Thailand, discuss their impact on biogeographical studies in Thailand and the surrounding region and analyse their relationship with endemism.
Methods: A representative dataset comprising 42,000 plant specimen records for Thailand has been assembled. The dataset contains ? all known Thai collections for 15 representative plant families and further records for another 260. Nearly all records are localised to at least quarter degree square.
Results: Comparison of the results of analysis of these data with those obtained and published in 2003 using a very much smaller database are presented. Due to the very large size of the current database the patterns revealed are exceptionally robust allowing much firmer conclusions to be drawn and providing model information for much of the rest of mainland SE Asia. The database is used to analyse the spread of collecting activity in Thailand in time, by Changwat and by quarter degree square allowing the identification of periods and areas of intense collecting activity. The spread of collections by vegetation type is detailed and gaps elucidated. The results of these analyses are linked to a separate data-set which details the localities of all endemic species so far published in the Flora of Thailand project. It is argued that collecting activity should more closely reflect known collection hot/cold spots and that targeted collecting activity is still required. It is suggested that the establishment of this database even now allows robust phytogeographic modelling and analysis. Such analysis will be undertaken by the newly formed Thai Biogeography Group (TBG).
Globba L. (Zingiberaceae) in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Viet Nam
Mark F. Newman
Abstract: A taxonomic revision of Globba has been carried out for the Flora of Thailand and Flore du Cambodge, du Laos et du Vietnam, based on material at A, AAU, BK, BKF, C, E, K, L, P, and SING. All but the most obscure names have been typified. Working in these four countries together has revealed synonymy which is sometimes missed when working on one or other of these floras alone. A key to the species is given, with descriptions, maps and line drawings. While some species are easily delimited, others require more collections and more study in the field before a satisfactory classification is achieved.
Conservation status of Thai palms
R. Pongsattayapipat, Anders S. Barfod & J. D. Dransfield
Abstract: The conservation status of 161 species of Thai palms was assessed according to four IUCN categories. Two were critically endangered, five endangered, 17 Vulnerable, and 51 data deficient. We will provide a case-story from each category that will illustrate the threats imposed on rare species of palms in Thailand. Finally hotspots of palm diversity will be identified based on Reid's definition from 1998: "...a geographical area that ranks particularly high on one or more axes of species richness, levels of endemism, members of rare and threatened species, and intensity of threat".
Cyperaceae: conservation and climate change
David A. Simpson & C. Couch
Abstract: Work is under way to develop a better understanding of the conservation status of Cyperaceae in Thailand. Such work is focussed on developing IUCN conservation assessments for the family. These are an essential tool which enables us to determine how threatened a plant is within its native habitat. The procedure for obtaining conservation assessments will be outlined and examples of conservation assessments developed for Thai Cyperaceae will be given. Studies of the phylogeny of Cyperaceae, and in particular the mapping of characters and traits on to a phylogenetic tree, together with an increasing knowledge of conservation status, are tools that may help us determine the effects of climate change on Cyperaceae which taxa will benefit and which will be threatened. Examples of both will be discussed with reference to Thailand.