Mj. Int. J. Sci. Tech. 2007, 01, 10-63 Maejo International Journal of Science and Technology ISSN 1905-7873 Available online at www.mijst.mju.ac.th Full Paper Vegetation of Doi Tung, Chiang Rai Province, Northern Thailand J. F. Maxwell* CMU Herbarium, Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand E-mail:
[email protected] * Author to whom correspondence should be addressed. Received: 20 February 2007; Accepted: 13 April 2007; Published: 29 April 2007 Abstract: The climate of Doi Tung, Chiang Rai Province, is monsoonal with three distinct seasons, viz. cool-dry, hot-dry, and rainy. The elevation ranges from c. 350-1525m and most of the bedrock is limestone and granite. Vegetation below c. 1000m is mostly deciduous, while above this it is evergreen. A mixed evergreen + deciduous facies is present on the limestone peaks (up to 1425m). Forest destruction as well as settlements are widespread, thus creating increasingly severe problems with water resources, soil quality and stability, and biodiversity. The planting on pine monocultures in deforested areas 20 years ago in upland granite areas has resulted in much environmental degradation which requires immediate rectification. Keywords: Doi Tung, vegetation, deciduous, evergreen, hardwood forest Introduction Doi (Mt.) Tung (pronounced “dtung”) is a mountainous area situated in the northern part of Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand at approximately 20° 20' N latitude, 99° 50' E longitude. The northern part of the mountain is in Mae Sai District, while the southern part is in Mae Fa Luang District. The area is under the jurisdiction of the Mae Fa Luang Foundation, Doi Tung Development Project, which was established in 1988 by HRH the late Princess Mother (1901-1995) who had a retreat there.