Ecological and Geographical Distributions of Laccifera Lacquer Tree (Gluta laccifera (Pierre) Ding Hou) and Its Demographic Status in Thailand

Abstract

The ecological and geographical distributions of laccifera lacquer trees (Gluta laccifera (Pierre) Ding Hou) were investigated from herbarium specimens and field observation thorough Thailand. The trees were found to be distributed throughout 25 provinces mostly in eastern parts of Thailand. Laccifera lacquer trees proliferate in dry deciduous dipterocarp forest, in association with Dipterocarpus tuberculatus and Shorea obtusa as well as D. obtusifolius and Shorea siamensis and also in dry seasonal evergreen forest. The trees can be found in areas with an average annual rainfall of 1,070–2,187 mm and various altitudinal levels ranging from 10 to 600 m above sea level on sandy or sandy-loam soils that are lightly acidic and have low nutrient status. The demographic status of this species is currently considered to be “threatened” as indicated by the low density of trees with GBH > 30 cm (1–7 stem/ha). The deterioration in the population density has been caused by forest fire, illegal forest encroachment and logging. To efficiently implement the genetic resources conservation of this species for sustainable management and utilization in the future, the basic data on its ecological and geographical distributions should be exhaustively clarified.

Keywords: laccifera lacquer tree, ecological characteristics, geographical distribution, Gluta laccifera, demographic status