[Botany • 2011] Living under water for up to four months of the year: observations on the rheophytes of the Mekong River in the Pha Taem National Park area (Thailand/Laos border)

Living under water for up to four months of the year: observations on the rheophytes of

the Mekong River in the Pha Taem National Park area (Thailand/Laos border)

Abstract

Rheophytes of the Mekong were investigated in the Pha Taem National Park area (Thailand/Laos border); a stretch of river ca. 100 km long was studied. The unusually harsh environmental conditions (water levels changing by several meters; plants submerged for up to four months per year) are described, and general characteristics and adaptations of these “extreme rheophytes” are elaborated on.  The kinds of rheophyte habitats are characterized. A list of observed rheophytes (25 taxa) is provided and comments are made on their distribution patterns both in the study area and elsewhere. A comparison with “Siphandone Wetlands”, a well studied area of the Mekong in southern Laos, is included.

Key words: Mekong, rheophytes; Pha Taem National Park, Thailand/Laos border.

http://web3.dnp.go.th/botany/PDF/TFB/TFB39/TFB39_11_.pdf

[Botany • 2011] The floodplain vegetation of the Trang River basin, peninsular Thailand: the threatened remnants of the freshwater swamp vegetation

The floodplain vegetation of the Trang River basin, peninsular Thailand: 

the threatened remnants of the freshwater swamp vegetation

Abstract

The study of the scattered remnants of the floodplain vegetation in the Trang River basin, peninsular Thailand was carried out from November 2008 to January 2010. One hundred and sixty species of vascular plants were recorded. The five most common families were Cyperaceae (22 species), Poaceae (12 species), Rubiaceae (10 species), Fabaceae and Phyllanthaceae (9 species each). Based on floristic compositions, nine association types were described. The spatial variation and differences in habitat distribution among these associations are explained by differences in successional stages due to the history of land uses and water regime. Moreover, the expected vegetation of the floodplain areas, reconstructed from the existing remnants left as isolated fragmentations, was proposed.

Key words: Floodplain vegetation, peninsular Thailand

http://web3.dnp.go.th/botany/PDF/TFB/TFB39/TFB39_7_.pdf

[Botany • 2010] The vegetation structure on the granitic inselberg in Songkhla province, Peninsular Thailand

The vegetation structure on the granitic inselberg 

in Songkhla province, Peninsular Thailand

Abstract

Plant communities were studied and fl oristic surveys of vascular plants carried out on Khao Reng, a small “inselberg” in Songkhla province from October 2008 to February 2010. Seventy three species were recorded with the three most commonly encountered families being Orchidaceae (12 species), Rubiaceae (7 species), and Poaceae (7 species). Profiles of the vegetation on its microhabitats were made. The microhabitats on the rock platform of the inselberg of Khao Reng are categorized into seven types, rock crevices and clefts, rock falls, shallow depressions, deep depressions, exposed rock slopes, shady fl at rocky slopes, and rock platform fringes. The rock platform fringes which possess various conditions of soil accumulation and light intensities, have accommodated the highest plant species numbers.

Key words: Vascular plants, granitic inselberg, peninsular Thailand.

Figure 4.  Typical microhabitat types on the granitic inselberg of Khao Reng hill: A. Rock crevices and clefts; B. Shallow depressions; C. Deep depressions; D. Rock platform fringes.

http://web3.dnp.go.th/botany/PDF/TFB/TFB38/12_Vegetation.pdf