Interplay of climatic factors and forest biodiversity crafting adaptive strategies for Northern Thailand ecosystems

This study presents a comprehensive investigation into how key climatic parameters—namely, temperature, precipitation, and wind speed—influence the biodiversity of community forests in Northern Thailand. A total of 27 systematic plots (40 m × 40 m) were established across nine forest sites, representing three different community forest governance models. Quantitative data on vegetation (trees, shrubs, herbs) were collected alongside climatic parameters obtained from nearby meteorological stations. Statistical techniques, including Pearson correlation and multiple linear regression analysis, were employed to explore relationships between environmental variables and forest attributes. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between wind speed and tree density (r = 0.336), as well as between tree density and basal area, indicating that forest structural complexity responds predictably to climatic variation. The species–area relationship (SAR) analysis further revealed a pronounced increase in species richness with area expansion, with a SAR exponent (z) of 0.68—substantially higher than typical for mainland ecosystems—suggesting exceptional biodiversity response patterns in the study areas. These findings underscore the heightened vulnerability of Northern Thailand’s community forests to ongoing climate change. Moreover, the study demonstrates the critical role of integrating indigenous knowledge systems with empirical science to enhance local conservation strategies. Such adaptive measures are crucial for mitigating anthropogenic impacts and enhancing ecosystem resilience. This research supports the promotion of collaborative governance, involving local communities, academic institutions, and policymakers in the formulation of sustainable forest management practices. Ultimately, the study contributes valuable evidence to inform biodiversity conservation under rapidly changing environmental conditions.