| This study examined the impact of an exotic species introduction on the vegetative composition, use and management of forests maintained as common property resources in northeastern Thailand. Two community-maintained forests were selected for study; one a naturally regenerating forest of 40 ha and another 20 ha forest where 6.4 ha of naturally regenerating forest had been replaced with Eucalyptus camaldulensis in 1991. An ethnobotanical and comparative case study approach utilized multiple data collection methods to discern the impacts of eucalyptus cultivation within the forest. Methods employed included community resource mapping, participation in foraging trips, forest vegetation surveys, focus group and individual interviews, as well as informal community feedback sessions.; Vegetative surveys recorded over 75 plant types in each forest, with 40 percent of the plants considered useful by foragers. Data on the impact of eucalyptus on forest vegetative composition was inconclusive; however, for forest users, eucalyptus reduced the number of forage items available for extraction to five and was incompatible with cattle grazing. Both forests suffered from over-exploitation and lax management that were attributed to increased pressure from population growth, commercialization of foraging activities, chronic environmental and social problems, disinterested leaders and lack of institutional support. The introduction of eucalyptus did not positively contribute to the use or management of the community forest. The low number of forage items available from the eucalyptus stand, coupled with its primary purpose as a commercial pulpwood crop did not afford individuals full foraging or grazing rights. Sparse vegetation in the eucalyptus portion of the forest spurred sewage disposal and further discouraged foragers, from entering the forest. Income produced from the sale of the pulpwood was not used for forest improvement, and local residents did not consider the income adequate to compensate for the loss of forage items otherwise obtainable from the forest. The study concludes that small-scale plantings of eucalyptus made on former naturally regenerating, community forest lands are poor investments for the community and impede forest stewardship and management activities. |
