Authors : Pathumthip Mankhoksoong and Buapun Promphakping
Abstract: There has long been a recognition that ecosystem services are essential. Not only for maintaining ecosystems themselves but also for socio-economic development, however, the ecosystems are complex interweaving from small local to mega global scale. This has a result that in terms of methodology for studying the ecosystem services, it is difficult to determine the boundary of individual ecosystem. This study places a focus on land use change and its implication on ecosystem services, by considering river basin as a boundary of ecosystem. Land use change was determined by using Quantum GIS computer program interpreting satellite images. Qualitative methods combine with secondary sources of data were employed to study the implication of land use on change of ecosystem services. This study found that during 1992-2008, wetland of Songkhram river basin was changed to be used in agriculture. Land that was previously grown rice and different types of cash crops were found to change into rubber and cassava growing significantly. The change of land use has a significant effect on the loss of ecosystem services, both to ecosystem and local livelihoods. This is because wetland forests play an important in maintaining ecosystem of Songkhram River Basin. Loss of wetland forest lands result in irregularity of flood pules, loss of source for nurturing and reproducing fish, poor quality of water, soil erosion and etc.
Pathumthip Mankhoksoong and Buapun Promphakping, 2016. The Effect on Land Used Changed on Ecosystem Services in the Lower Songkhram River Basin. The Social Sciences, 11: 5752-5755.