Ms. Benjapan Manohan (Ben)

Ben first joined FORRU as a volunteer, whilst she was studying for a B.Sc. in Ecology, at CMU's Biology Department. Her B.Sc. thesis was titled "Seed Germination Treatment of Some Rare Tree Species on Doi Suthep-Pui". She then worked as an assistant manager and photographer at the Wildlife Friends Foundation. She became a full-time Field Research Officer with FORRU-CMU in July  2016, (initially sponsored by Biotropica Australia) implementing and monitoring tree-planting trials, analyzing results and reporting to donors. She also co-ordinated the unit’s work with a wide range of partners, as well as local communities. Her work on forest ecosystem restoration beneath a over-mature pine plantation was included in a regional assessment of forest restoration practices. In 2019, she changed to a part-time position, whilst also studying towards her M.Sc., on " Use of Functional Traits to Classify Tree Species Planted for Forest Restoration into Successional Guilds", which she completed and published in 2023. 

Key Publications: 

1. Elliott, S., S. Chairuangsri, C. Kuaraksa, S. Sangkum, K. Sinhaseni, D. Shannon, P. Nippanon & B. Manohan. 2019. Collaboration and conflict - developing forest restoration techniques for northern Thailand’s upper watersheds whilst meeting the needs of science and communities. Forests 10(9): 732; https://doi.org/10.3390/f10090732
2. Banin Lindsay F., Raine Elizabeth H., Rowland Lucy M., Chazdon Robin L., Smith Stuart W., Rahman Nur Estya Binte, Butler Adam, Philipson Christopher, Applegate Grahame G., Axelsson E. Petter, Budiharta Sugeng, Chua Siew Chin, Cutler Mark E. J., Elliott Stephen, Gemita Elva, Godoong Elia, Graham Laura L. B., Hayward Robin M., Hector Andy, Ilstedt Ulrik, Jensen Joel, Kasinathan Srinivasan, Kettle Christopher J., Lussetti Daniel, Manohan Benjapan, Maycock Colin, Ngo Kang Min, O'Brien Michael J., Osuri Anand M., Reynolds Glen, Sauwai Yap, Scheu Stefan, Silalahi Mangarah, Slade Eleanor M., Swinfield Tom, Wardle David A., Wheeler Charlotte, Yeong Kok Loong and Burslem David F. R. P, 2023. The road to recovery: a synthesis of outcomes from ecosystem restoration in tropical and sub-tropical Asian forests. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B3782021009020210090
3. Manohan, B., D.P. Shannon, P. Tiansawat, S. Chairuangsri, J. Jainuan & S. Elliott. 2023. Use of functional traits to distinguish successional guilds of tree species for restoring forest ecosystems. Forests , 14(1075). https://doi.org/10.3390/f14061075

Email: b.manohan@gmail.com