2. Wildlife monitoring
Large group numbers visiting and observing wildlife could begin to deter animals away from their usual feeding and nesting sites. Therefore to avoid excessive disruption of their routine, we will monitor both the species biodiversity and abundance of wildlife seen during the trips in the forest. We have designed a data sheet which will be used to record species seen. We can then analyze this data to see how the number of visitors in that study period has influenced the native wildlife.
3. Poacher monitoring
The poachers are known to use rifles and traps to kill animals. This means that it is possible to assess the level of poaching by the quantity of empty cartridges and traps that are found in the forest. If they are hunting for animals we may see traps and empty shotgun cartridges as well as hear gun shots. The main large animals (and the few species that have not yet been hunted to extinction) include pig-tailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina), wild boar (Sus scrofa), Malayan pangolin (Manis javanica), mouse deer (Tragulus napu, Tragulus javanicus), porcupines (Hystrix brachyuran, Atherurus macrourus), Malayan giant frogs (Limnonectes blythii), squirrels, monitor lizards and birds.
Brightly plumaged birds such as black-naped orioles and melodious songbirds such as white-rumped shama are popular cage-birds and some species have become rare as a direct result of the pet trade. Many methods are used, from trapping by net to using a captive to lure a wild member of its species to a limited trap placed in a tree. (B0007, B0008 @Suwit Punnadee)
Local people will also go into the forest to collect wild plant products including bamboo trunks, young bamboo shoots, rattan palm trunks, cores of the terminal stem of Palmaceae Caryota mitis, banana leaves, resin of Dipterocapaceae and wild fruits (Leguminosae: Parkia speciosa, Parkia timoriana, Dialium indum, Archidendron jiringa). As well, there is widespread collection of honey from the wild bees. This is evident from damage to or destruction of these plants and nests. The hunters can also directly affect our work. In the past some of our equipment has gone missing from our forest camp and there may be a risk to our staff even if it is small/infrequent.
We have designed a data sheet to record any signs of poaching/hunting. We can then analyze this data to see whether the sustainable program is in fact reducing the amount of poaching in KPT forest.
4. Visitation impact monitoring
We can monitor and estimate the number of visitors both Thai and foreign over a year, though results can not be 100% accurate. Changes in the type and number of users may cause alterations to the calibration figure. The visitor statistics in themselves give us little insight into why visitor numbers fluctuate. For example weather, changing recreational trends, the global economy, politics, levels of satisfaction of the service, all have the potential to affect levels of use. Moreover the visitor's attitudes, knowledge, behavior towards conservation of natural resources and the environment, and attitudes regarding project activities and KPT forest management will be investigated by a questionnaire.
5. Socio-economic monitoring
Sustainable development is generally a long-term project that will require the commitment of long-term financial and political support. Thus, the cooperation of local people towards the proposed project is necessary to ensure long-term protection of the ecosystems and conservation of biodiversity. The programme should be fully understood, accepted and supported by local communities. Moreover, to evaluate the socio-economic and ecological aspects of the communities prior to and after project implementation a questionnaire survey will be conducted to assess the community participation in management; to evaluate the socio-economic advantages among the participating community; and to indicate the factors of the community participation in project management.
For detailed information a questionnaire survey will be carried out to determine attitudes toward the project, household numbers and data will be collected on the involvement of the number of family members in the project activities, average number of working days per month engaged in project activity, average monthly income and other kinds of income. In addition, information on the present socio-economic structure of the respondents was already collected to understand the pre- and post-project implementation scenarios.
Presenting monitoring results
Community meetings will be held on an annual basis in order to present monitoring results and conclusions to all stakeholders. Progress in achieving the project goals and objectives will be presented and difficulties encountered will be discussed. It is also recommended that media be contacted to share findings and experiences with other communities and organizations (local, regional, national and international) interested in natural resource management. When monitoring results show the need to conduct management changes which affect the community or others outside of the protected area and the project management, additional meetings and publicity will be implemented. It is important to keep all stakeholders informed and involved so that they will fully understand why monitoring is important and how results may impact them.
Evaluating, advancing monitoring
and conducting outreach
Annual reports on the progress, successes and weaknesses of the monitoring initiative will be presented to the steering committee and other associated organizations or supporters. Evaluations will be carried out when necessary and adjustments made to ensure that monitoring and management objectives are being met. Presenting talks about the monitoring program at conferences and workshops is an excellent way to share experiences with others and to gain feedback for making improvements. In addition, the publication of findings and experiences nationally and internationally is recommended to further advance the concepts of conservation impact monitoring and responsible management on a larger scale.
