Author : Kanlaya Damrongsadsiri

Summary : Results showed that the areas of natural forest and field crop changed the most among all land uses. However, the land area for natural forest decreased, while that of field crop increased. Similarly, the land areas for orchards and tree plantations, settlements and water increased. As to factors affecting land use changes, nearly half (101) of the 204 respondents changed crops due to both biophysical and socio-economic factors. Price of produce, management, government advocacy, and diseases, insects and pests were the most important factors cited for the farmers' decision to shift to other crops. Simulated land use change using the original land use map in 2008 showed the shifts to higher stages of tree plantation. The most obvious change happened when the plantation area become an agroforestry system after 25 years of simulation.