Alternative Utilization of Private Floodplain Lands in the Chi River Oxbow Lakes through Lowland Floodplain Forest Restoration

Abstract

Economic development driven by the conversion of floodplain forests in the Mun and Chi River basins into agricultural land has resulted in the extensive degradation of native forest ecosystems and persistently low agricultural productivity. The unique geomorphological characteristics of these areas, seasonal inundation lasting 3 to 4 months with water depths ranging from 1 to 4 meters, have caused unsustainable agriculture productivity. Consequently, many private lands, particularly those around oxbow lakes of the Chi River have been abandoned. Furthermore, the progressive land and building tax rates applied to abandoned lands are substantially higher than those used for agriculture. To address this issue, this pilot study proposed the feasibility of three alternative land-use options: (1) allowing natural forest regeneration in a 15-year period, (2) establishing economic forest plantations through enrichment planting of native species based on ecological restoration principles, and (3) developing water storage ponds in addition to option (2), with forest plantations on the remaining land. The evaluation of alternative land-use options indicated that option (2) offered the greatest benefits for landowners. The multiple benefits included: (1) lower land taxes, (2) reinvestment of tax savings into forest restoration and initial maintenance costs for three years, (3) accession to existing nearby water resources, eliminating the need for a farm pond, (4) sustainable income for local communities through the restored forest, providing natural resources for flood material and energy, with no additional costs to the landowner after the third year, and (5) enhancement of carbon sequestration by trees in the lowland floodplain forests, benefiting the environment and enabling future carbon credits.