Behavior for the Collection of Boletus griseipurpureus Corner and Attitudes toward Conservation of Local Community Members in Sikao District, Trang Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to gather data about sustainable conservation of Boletus griseipurpureus Corner using mixed research with quantitative and qualitative methods, Questionnaires were used to interview a sample group who collected  mushrooms in the following locations in Sikao district, Trang province: Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Trang campus, Mai Fad Sub-district; Hat Chao Mai national park and Hat Klong Son, Bohin sub-district. A total of 150 people were interviewed from May to June 2016. The data were analysed by using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean standard deviation) and content analysis. Results revealed the following 1) The majority of mushroom collectors were females with an average age of 42 years 5 months (S.D. = 13.33). The majority of the mushroom collectors had completed primary school education level and were rubber and palm oil farmers 2) Most of the samples (83.3%) collected mushrooms in Melaleuca leucadendron forest at Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya, Trang Campus. Most of the mushroom gatherers used the mushrooms for their own personal consumption, but some sold mushrooms to consumers at local markets and roadside stands. The average income gained per mushroom-picking trip was 351 baht, and the average amount of mushrooms collected was 4.2 kilograms. The collectable size of mushrooms picked ranged 2-4 centimeters. The majority of the mushroom collectors had 5-10 years of experience collecting mushrooms. The fruiting mushroom bodies appeared a few days after the mushroom areas experienced heavy rainfalls and cool weather. The mushroom areas had humid soils under decomposing leaves with thriving small grasses. 3) The study examined the attitudes of mushroom collectors in the local community toward conservation issues such as suitable technology to improve germination and growth of the mushrooms, improvement of conservation efforts, and activities to restore the size of mushroom populations. Most of the local mushroom pickers were found to have positive attitudes toward mushroom conservation at the high average level of 3.86 (S.D = 0.92). 4) The results from the interviews revealed that small sized mushrooms (less than two centimeters in cap diameter) should not be picked, the use of cultivation technology would be beneficial, the host plant species of B. griseipurpureus should be conserved, and rules to regulate mushroom collecting should be implemented.