Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Thailand

This biosphere reserve is situated on the edge of Thailand’s Khorat Plateau about 300 km north-east of Bangkok. It was created in 1977 around the Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS), which was established in 1967 primarily as a site for research on dry evergreen and dry dipterocarp tropical forest. Other vegetation types in the biosphere reserve include bamboo forests, forest plantations and grasslands.

Ecological Characteristics

The Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve is largely comprised of dry evergreen forests, mixed deciduous forests, dry dipterocarp forests, reforested areas, and a few bamboo patches.  Within the transitional zone there are agricultural and urban lands.  While the dry evergreen forests are the most expansive and representative ecosystem in SBR, the dry dipterocarp is the unique ecosystem that needs to be preserved.  Within the core area of the reserve, non-invasive scientific research is conducted for the benefit of the reserve.  Within the transition zone of the biosphere reserve, a range of lifestyles and socio-economic industries exist from small business to agricultural farming.  Complex and intricate human and ecological interactions between all ecosystem types, transitional zones, and socio-economic industries exist. 

Within the Biosphere Reserve there are currently over 380 floral species, 486 wildlife species, and 533 species of invertebrates. New species are discovered on a very consistent basis.

 

Socio-Economic Characteristics

Agriculture is the primary source of income for the majority of families residing in the biosphere reserve. Cassava has largely replaced rice paddies as the dominant agricultural field type. Plantation forests including: Eukalyptus, Rubber, Acacia, and Mango are present in the transitional zones. Small shops are also present in every village within the biosphere reserve, and the southern borders of the transitional zone in Wang Nam Khiow are dominated cultural and eco-tourist activities, which have relatively low impacts on the ecosystem.

The tourism industry in the biosphere reserve is largely supported by the science camps which are run out of SERS. Approximately 17,000 student ecotourists visit the buffer zone and core area each year in closely controlled camps which facilitate learning about the environment and a respect for nature.  

 

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Last updated: May 2019