This project is helping to offset the carbon footprint of Christian German School Chiang Mai (CDSC) and generate data on the suitability of candidate framework tree species for restoring mid-elevation bamboo-deciduous forest. It is also providing novel environmental education activities for the school's pupils.
The project plan evolved during the last quarter of 2019, and several preliminary activities were implemented, including the participation of pupils in tree seed collection, the establishment of a school tree-nursery, promotion of the project during the school fair, and tuition provided to students in tree care and tree nursery management. A site near Ban Meh Meh (Mae Rim District) was selected for the project, in collaboration with the Mae Sa Watershed Unit and planted at the start of the rainy seasons in 2020 and 2021. A total of 1,016 trees (26 species) were planted on the 2020 plot across almost 3 rai and 376 trees (24 species) on the 2021 plot over 1 rai. CDSC pupils and teachers were joined by FORRU-CMU staff, as well as Mae Ram Sub-District Municipality officers and local villagers for planting, maintenance and monitoring of the sites. The trees were cared for by weeding and fertilizer application 3 times over each rainy season. Monitoring for tree survival and growth was implemented at the end of each rainy season. The work at the Ban Meh Meh sites was completed in December 2022. The trees are growing well above the weeds and are on track to meet the school's carbon offset target. The project also generated an enormous amount for species-performance data. For more on that, please access the project report through the download panel.
The school continued with it's carbon-offsetting program by planting another plot at Mon Cham in 2022 - more on that project coming soon
Related articles from the Christian German School Chiang Mai (CDSC)
- Beginning of the CDSC Forest: 25th Anniversary of CDSC in 2019
- Class Trips and Opening of the CDSC Tree Nursery
- Planting Day on June 16, 2020
- It doesn’t work without care!
- Project Funding: Donation Run for the CDSC Forest
Ban Meh Meh 2020
Ban Meh Meh 2021
Training & Outreach
Every restoration project should provide learning experiences to all stakeholders. Find out how to include education and training in your projects here.
Biomass, Carbon Accumulation & Climate Change
About half the biomass of a growing forest is carbon – that means forest restoration can help to mitigate global climate change. Learn more here.
21: Determination of aboveground carbon sequestration in restored forest by framework species method
ABSTRACT: Tropical deforestation reduces the global terrestrial carbon sink and substantially contributes towards global climate change. Conversely, tropical forest restoration could help to...
22: Pre-dispersal seed predators and fungi differ in their effect on Luehea seemannii capsule development, seed germination and dormancy across two Panamanian forests
Pre-dispersal seed predation can greatly reduce crop size affecting recruitment success. In addition, non-fatal damage by seed predators may allow infection by fungi responsible for post-dispersal...
23: Above-ground carbon sequestration during restoration of upland evergreen forest in northern Thailand
ABSTRACT: Tropical deforestation reduces the global terrestrial carbon sink and substantially contributes towards global climate change. Conversely, restorating tropical forest ecosystem could...
24: Fire resilience of framework tree species in hill evergreen forest
This paper won an award for best oral presentation at the national conference: "Biological and Cultural Diversity: Living in Harmony" - run by the NSTDA (National Science and Technology...
25: Selection of native tree species for restoring forest ecosystems
ABSTRACT: The framework species method is a well-established tropical forest restoration technique, which involves planting 20-30 indigenous forest trees species, with high survival and growth...
26: Soil organic carbon stock in restored and natural forests in Northern Thailand
Abstract: In order to increase understanding of the role that tropical forest restoration might play in mitigating global climate change, soil organic carbon (SOC) was determined in a...
27: Use of the framework species method to restore carbon flow via litterfall and decomposition in an evergreen tropical forest ecosystem, northern Thailand
ABSTRACT - If forest restoration is to play a significant role in mitigating climate change, greater knowledge is needed of how quickly the process can restore carbon flows to levels typical of...
28: Soil carbon sequestration and dynamics of natural forest ecosystems and forest restoration plots in Mae Rim District, Chiang Mai Province
ABSTRACT: The study of below-ground carbon sequestration was conducted in a forest that was restored using framework species method of Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU), Ban Mae Sa Mai, Mae...
29: Restoring Tropical Forest Ecosystems on Limestone Mines
This booklet describes basic techniques and species choices for restoring forest on a limestone quarry in northern Thailand, by the framework species method. The methods are specific for a quarry...
30: Germination of Ficus microcarpa on limestone for restoring mines
ABSTRACT: For limestone mining in Thailand, it is stipulated that the site must be reclaimed to the original vegetation after mining is completed. The study area was the Muang Poon semi-opencast...