Abstract

Thaiying, J. (2003)

The Diversity of Small Mammal Communities in FORRU's Reforested Areas

This research was carried out to determine how forest restoration affects small mammall communites. The survey was conducted in 2-year-old and 4-year-old restored forest as well as non-planted plots, which are plantations of the Forest Restoration Reserach Unit (FORRU), situated at Baan Mae Sa Mai, in Chiang Mai Province (altitude 1300 metres). Planted trees included the families Ficus, Leguminosae, and Fagaceae. Three types of surveys were initiated, mammal trapping, interviews and a survey of animal signs. Trapping was conducted 3 times, 6 nights each time during April, May and October, using the mark and recapture method. Seven small mammal species were captured, Rattus bukit, Rattus rattus, Rattus koratensis, Rattus surifer, Rattus exulans, Mus pahari, and Mus shortridgei. Interviews indicated the presence of members from 6 families, Manidae, Viverridae, Leporidae, Suidae, Sciuridae, and Tupaiidae. During the survey of mammal signs faeces of the family Leporidae and Viverridae were found. Evidence of the Tupaiidae family, and a skull of Hylomys suillus, were also discovered in the plots. Using the data acquired from the trapping program, control plots had the highest abundance of small mammals. The lower numbers of abundance in the 1998 and 2000 plots is due to human disturbance, such as weeding. Also compared with the work of Ua-Apisitwong, 1998, (which was conducted in a natural forest habitat) capture rates and species variety in this study site were less than Ua-Apisitwong's. Isolation of the plots from the natural forest is the main factor of the occurrence. This factor makes the distribution of small mammals into the plots more difficult.