Ethnobotany of Moo Soe Dam at Ban Huai Pla Lod, Dan Mae Lamao Subdistrict, Maesod District, Tak Province

Abstract

An ethnobotanical survey of Moo Soe Dam at Ban Huai Pla Lod, Dan Mae Lamao subdistrict, in the Maesod district of Tak province, was conducted using the rapid ethnobotanical appraisal (REA) method in conjunction with some ecological characteristics studies. The results showed that villagers used local wisdom in their selective utilization of various natural plants from 193 species (79 families). Based on utilization types, 6 groups were identified: 60 species (37 families) of edible plants; 103 species (53 families) of medicinal plants; 14 species (12 families) with construction uses; 6 species (6 families) for fuel and charcoal; 19 species (15 families) with miscellaneous uses; and 4 species (4 families) for environmental reforestation. The ecological characteristics studies indicated that the villagers benefited from 66 species (40 families) in the mixed deciduous forest. The dominant species based on the criterion of importance value index were Curcuma sessilis Gage, Phyllanthus emblica L. and Ixora cibdela Craib with index values of 14.20, 12.35 and 9.93, respectively. There were 54 species (36 families) used from the dry evergreen forest. The dominant species based on the criterion of importance value index were Archidendron jiringa (Jack) I.C. Nielsen, Trevesia palmata (Roxb. ex Lindl.) Vis. and Rubus rugosus Sm., with values of 17.17, 13.17 and 10.56, respectively.

Keywords: ethnobotany, ecological characteristic, mixed deciduous forest, dry evergreen forest