Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) and Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS), Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.
Khao Yai National Park (KYNP)
Thailand is one of the most biodiversity-rich countries, accounting for about 6-10% of all species of living organisms in the world (Baimai, V. 2010). Mainly because Thailand is located in the tropical zone, slightly above the equator and close to the sea. Therefore, therefore it possesses a good climate for survival, growth and reproduction of many species throughout the year. Particularly, the location of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex in central Thailand, it receives both the northeast monsoons from the South China Sea and southwest monsoons from the Andaman Sea. Thus, the area may experience heavy rainfall throughout the rainy season (July to October). The mean annual rainfall is 2,788 mm and the mean annual temperature is 21°C (National Park Division 1986; Trisurat 1997).
The species diversity in Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex is very high. This great diversity provides potential economic benefits to the region and the country. So, many national parks and Environmental Research Stations were established across this area to conserve, research, and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage in this area.
The location of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, Thailand. (Lynam, A. et al., 2006)
The species diversity in Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex is very high. This great diversity provides potential economic benefits to the region and the country. So, many national parks and Environmental Research Stations were established across this area to conserve, research, and enhance the natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage in this area.
The location of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, Thailand. (Lynam, A. et al., 2006)
Sampling Areas
Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) and Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS) are the most important area and suitable for studying the beetles' biodiversity of Thailand as both areas are long time protected primary forests and largely unmodified areas (Figure 2)
1. Khao Yai National Park (KYNP)
Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) was established as the first national park of Thailand in 1962. It is located in the eastern Phanom Dongrak mountain range in central Thailand between 14°05' N - 14°15' N and 101°05' E - 101°52' E (Trisurat 1997). KYNP covers 2,168 km2 within 4 provinces: Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachinburi. The elevation ranges from approximately 50 meters to 1350 meters above mean sea level. It was designated as one of the ten ASEAN Heritage Parks and Reserves in 1981.
2. The Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS)
The Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS) was established by the Royal Thai government on 19 September 1967. The SERS is situated in the Korat Plateau between 14°25′ - 14°33′ N and 100°48′ - 100°56′ E. It is administrated by the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research as a facility for ecological and environmental research. On 1976 SERS became a participant in United Nation, Man and Biosphere Program (MAB) as Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve.
The Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS)
Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) and Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS) are the most important area and suitable for studying the beetles' biodiversity of Thailand as both areas are long time protected primary forests and largely unmodified areas (Figure 2)
1. Khao Yai National Park (KYNP)
Khao Yai National Park (KYNP) was established as the first national park of Thailand in 1962. It is located in the eastern Phanom Dongrak mountain range in central Thailand between 14°05' N - 14°15' N and 101°05' E - 101°52' E (Trisurat 1997). KYNP covers 2,168 km2 within 4 provinces: Saraburi, Nakhon Nayok, Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachinburi. The elevation ranges from approximately 50 meters to 1350 meters above mean sea level. It was designated as one of the ten ASEAN Heritage Parks and Reserves in 1981.
2. The Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS)
The Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS) was established by the Royal Thai government on 19 September 1967. The SERS is situated in the Korat Plateau between 14°25′ - 14°33′ N and 100°48′ - 100°56′ E. It is administrated by the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research as a facility for ecological and environmental research. On 1976 SERS became a participant in United Nation, Man and Biosphere Program (MAB) as Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve.
The Sakaerat Environmental Research Station (SERS)
Sampling plots
This sampling employs standardised plot-based sampling (Figure 5), using a set of trap types and numbers employed on plots of 1-ha. Each plot is sampled with standardised numbers of traps, including 2 malaise traps (MT), 2 flight interception traps (FIT), and 10 pitfall traps (PT), (a transect of 10 traps at 10 m distance). In addition, other sampling types are used, as appropriate to individual plot. This includes sweeping of vegetation, Yellow pan traps, and light trapping at night.
Figure 5. The standardised plot-based sampling
This sampling employs standardised plot-based sampling (Figure 5), using a set of trap types and numbers employed on plots of 1-ha. Each plot is sampled with standardised numbers of traps, including 2 malaise traps (MT), 2 flight interception traps (FIT), and 10 pitfall traps (PT), (a transect of 10 traps at 10 m distance). In addition, other sampling types are used, as appropriate to individual plot. This includes sweeping of vegetation, Yellow pan traps, and light trapping at night.
Figure 5. The standardised plot-based sampling
Sampling regime and timing
We set up 6 sampling plots (3 plots in KYNP and 3 plots in SERS). Sampling period is four weeks between 4 November 2020 to 5 December 2020. Passive traps is emptied twice a week to ensure the preservation of specimens for DNA analysis. So, samples are collected 8 times.
Latitude/Longitude
3 plots in KYNP (Figure 7)
KYNP01: 14.439819, 101.367373 (14°26'23.4"N 101°22'02.5"E)
KYNP02: 14.437881, 101.360158 (14°26'16.4"N 101°21'36.6"E)
KYNP03: 14.442797, 101.363281 (14°26'34.1"N 101°21'47.8"E)
The sampling plot location and distance among the plots in KYNP
We set up 6 sampling plots (3 plots in KYNP and 3 plots in SERS). Sampling period is four weeks between 4 November 2020 to 5 December 2020. Passive traps is emptied twice a week to ensure the preservation of specimens for DNA analysis. So, samples are collected 8 times.
Latitude/Longitude
3 plots in KYNP (Figure 7)
KYNP01: 14.439819, 101.367373 (14°26'23.4"N 101°22'02.5"E)
KYNP02: 14.437881, 101.360158 (14°26'16.4"N 101°21'36.6"E)
KYNP03: 14.442797, 101.363281 (14°26'34.1"N 101°21'47.8"E)
The sampling plot location and distance among the plots in KYNP
The sampling plot location and distance among the plots in SERS
Specimen preservation
DNA-grade specimens require rapid preservation in Ethanol. 96% ethanol is used for the Malaise traps as preservation fluid. While water + SDS-EDTA is used for the FIT and Pitfall traps due to high rates of evaporation of ethanol. In all cases, specimens is transferred to 96% ethanol as quickly as possible and kept in a freezer at -20C until DNA extraction.
What have we got from the traps?
2 Malaise traps/plot x 6 plots x 8 times = 96 sample tubes
2 FIT traps/plot x 6 plots x 8 times = 96 sample tubes
10 Pitfall traps/plot (pull together) x 6 plots x 8 times = 48 sample tubes
5 Yellow pan traps/plot (Pull together) x 6 plots x 8 times = 48 sample tubes
2 Sweeping x 8 times = 16 sample tubes
2 Light traps x 8 times = 16 sample tubes
Total = 320 sample tubes
Examples of insects obtained from different traps.
DNA-grade specimens require rapid preservation in Ethanol. 96% ethanol is used for the Malaise traps as preservation fluid. While water + SDS-EDTA is used for the FIT and Pitfall traps due to high rates of evaporation of ethanol. In all cases, specimens is transferred to 96% ethanol as quickly as possible and kept in a freezer at -20C until DNA extraction.
What have we got from the traps?
2 Malaise traps/plot x 6 plots x 8 times = 96 sample tubes
2 FIT traps/plot x 6 plots x 8 times = 96 sample tubes
10 Pitfall traps/plot (pull together) x 6 plots x 8 times = 48 sample tubes
5 Yellow pan traps/plot (Pull together) x 6 plots x 8 times = 48 sample tubes
2 Sweeping x 8 times = 16 sample tubes
2 Light traps x 8 times = 16 sample tubes
Total = 320 sample tubes
Examples of insects obtained from different traps.
Collaborators
Professor Alfried Vogler - Imperial College London
Mr. Sarawut Ounjai - Imperial College London
Dr. Supatcharee Tanasarnpaiboon - Naresuan University
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Kittisak Buddhachat - Naresuan University
Dr. Methee Phumthum - Mahidol University
Mr. Adisak Phusitwongsanuyut - Khao Yai National Park
Acknowledgement
Thank you for any help
Donald’s team - Chulalongkorn University
Professor Donald Quicke
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Buntika Areekul Butcher
Kittipum Chansri
Pornthap Kerkig
Professor Alfried Vogler - Imperial College London
Mr. Sarawut Ounjai - Imperial College London
Dr. Supatcharee Tanasarnpaiboon - Naresuan University
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Kittisak Buddhachat - Naresuan University
Dr. Methee Phumthum - Mahidol University
Mr. Adisak Phusitwongsanuyut - Khao Yai National Park
Acknowledgement
Thank you for any help
Donald’s team - Chulalongkorn University
Professor Donald Quicke
Assoc.Prof.Dr. Buntika Areekul Butcher
Kittipum Chansri
Pornthap Kerkig