Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex

World Heritage Research

Discover scientific research and academic studies that deepen our understanding of Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex from its history and significance to its conservation, management, and contemporary challenges.

• Environmental influence on the spatial abundance of tiger prey monitored using camera traps in Thap Lan and Pang Sida National Parks, Thailand

  A study in Thailand's Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex reveals critical environmental factors influencing the spatial abundance of five key tiger prey species: gaur, banteng, sambar deer, muntjac, and wild boar. Using advanced camera-trap data analysis models (REST and Royle-Nichols), researchers found that vegetation cover, proximity to human settlements, elevation, and salt licks significantly impact prey densities. Muntjac and wild boar consistently showed higher densities, with estimates ranging from 1.05 to 3.06 individuals per km² depending on the model used. These findings provide a novel framework for predicting animal density, offering crucial insights for conservation strategies aimed at sustaining tiger populations in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  MEEAMNART, B., PAKPIAN, S., KHONGMUEANG, J., KAMSUDSANG, P., PAANSRI, P., DUENGKAE, P., & SUKSAVATE, W. (2025). Environmental influence on the spatial abundance of tiger prey monitored using camera traps in Thap Lan and Pang Sida National Parks, Thailand. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 26(3). https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d260350

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• Can Southeast Asia's Tigers Break Free? The Connectivity, Constraints, and Recovery of the Region's Remaining Tiger Populations

  Southeast Asia's tiger populations face critical challenges but show signs of recovery, particularly through habitat connectivity. A study using spatially-synoptic modeling identified only four contiguous core habitat patches across three landscapes—Dawna-Tenasserim (DTL), Upper Chindwin (UCL), and Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai (DPKY)—as having broad-scale connectivity potential. The DTL landscape emerged as a key site for population spread, while UCL's expansive habitat offers unparalleled potential for expansion, though its status remains uncertain. Conversely, DPKY's isolated configuration poses significant constraints to movement, highlighting the need for targeted conservation efforts. This research provides actionable insights for tiger recovery strategies in a rapidly changing region.

  Ash, E., Cushman, S. A., Kaszta, Ż., Redford, T., & Macdonald, D. W. (2025). Can Southeast Asia’s Tigers Break Free? The Connectivity, Constraints, and Recovery of the Region’s Remaining Tiger Populations. Animal Conservation, 29(1), 71–85. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/acv.70021

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• Community ecology of domestic animals and wildlife at solid waste disposal sites near dong phayayen – khaoyai forest complex and its impacts on zoonotic diseases

  Solid waste disposal sites (SWS) near the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex act as critical hotspots for zoonotic disease transmission, with domestic dogs and the rodent Rattus rattus serving as key bridge species that facilitate pathogen spillover between diurnal and nocturnal animals. Despite high host densities at SWS, chigger prevalence was lower than in semi-natural forest habitats, yet Leptotrombidium deliense—the primary vector for scrub typhus—showed a 35-fold specificity to R. rattus. Network analysis revealed distinct habitat-host modules and host-chigger compartments, indicating that transmission risk is driven by network topology rather than biodiversity alone. The study suggests that interventions should focus on restricting SWS within 2 km of protected areas, targeting surveillance on dogs and R. rattus, and implementing One Health approaches to monitor waste workers and surrounding communities.

  Lekcharoen, P. Community ecology of domestic animals and wildlife at solid waste disposal sites near dong phayayen – khaoyai forest complex and its impacts on zoonotic diseases. https://doi.org/10.58837/chula.the.2025.307

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• Home range and habitat utilization of gaur (Bos gaurus) in transition zone between protected forest and human-dominated landscape, Eastern Thailand

  Gaur (Bos gaurus), a vulnerable species, exhibits distinct home range and habitat utilization patterns in the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, a UNESCO Natural World Heritage site. This study reveals that gaurs, while primarily dwelling within protected areas like Khao Phaeng Ma Non-hunting Area (KPM-NHA), frequently move between protected forests and surrounding agricultural landscapes. Male gaurs have an average home range of 9.33 km², traveling approximately 6.38 km/day, whereas females cover a smaller range (4.09 km²) with daily movements of about 6.19 km. Gaurs show a preference for habitats with lower canopy density, including dry evergreen forests, grasslands, field crops, rangelands, urban areas, and water bodies. These findings provide critical data for mitigating human-gaur conflicts and enhancing conservation strategies, particularly in managing grasslands within protected areas. The research utilized GPS-collar data collected from 11 adult gaurs over a two-year period, employing autocorrelated kernel density estimation (AKDE) and step-selection functions (SSFs) to analyze their spatial ecology.

  Prayoon, U., Suksavate, W., Chaiyes, A., Paansri, P., Siriaroonrat, B., Utara, Y., Tipkantha, W., Baicharoen, S., Jairak, W., Kaewkhunjob, E., Chaisonkhram, C., Maikaew, U., Ieamsaard, G., Sripiboon, S., Winitpornsawan, S., Thunhikorn, S., Wanna, N., Sriracha, S., Sornsa, T., et al. (2024). Home range and habitat utilization of gaur (Bos gaurus) in transition zone between protected forest and human-dominated landscape, Eastern Thailand. Global Ecology and Conservation, 50, e02811. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e02811

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• Identifying wildlife corridors to restore population connectivity: An integration approach involving multiple data sources

  A novel framework integrating multiple data sources identifies critical wildlife corridors for the Asiatic black bear in the Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex, revealing that 22% of the assessed area is highly suitable under current conditions. The study highlights that improving human attitudes toward corridor construction could expand suitability to 29%, while increased threats like hunting and vehicle collisions could reduce it to just 4%. This approach combines ecological data with landscape characteristics and human dimensions using a Bayesian Belief Network, offering a practical tool for conservation decision-making that can be adapted globally.

  Tantipisanuh, N., Phakpian, S., Tangtorwongsakul, P., Vinitpornsawan, S., & Ngoprasert, D. (2024). Identifying wildlife corridors to restore population connectivity: An integration approach involving multiple data sources. Global Ecology and Conservation, 53, e03015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2024.e03015

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• Female-biased introductions produce higher predicted population size and genetic diversity in simulations of a small, isolated tiger (Panthera tigris) population

  Female-biased introductions significantly enhance population size and genetic diversity in small, isolated tiger populations. A study simulating the genetic trajectory of tigers in Thailand's Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex found that translocating females consistently improved allelic richness and heterozygosity compared to equal numbers of males. Without intervention, simulations predicted stark declines in genetic diversity—46.5% for allelic richness and 53.5% for heterozygosity. Frequent translocations (four females every generation or every other generation) were necessary to mitigate long-term losses. The research underscores the critical role of sex-biased introductions and frequent gene flow in preserving genetic diversity, offering actionable insights for tiger conservation efforts.

  Ash, E., Cushman, S., Kaszta, Ż., Landguth, E., Redford, T., & Macdonald, D. W. (2023). Female-biased introductions produce higher predicted population size and genetic diversity in simulations of a small, isolated tiger (Panthera tigris) population. Scientific Reports, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-36849-z

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• Use of Bayesian, Lasso Binary Quantile Regression to Identify Suitable Habitat for Tiger Prey Species in Thap Lan National Park, Eastern Thailand

  A novel approach combining Bayesian quantile regression with the lasso penalty identified key habitat factors that significantly influence the presence of tiger prey species—sambar deer and gaur—in Thap Lan National Park, part of Thailand's Dong Phayayen-Khao Yai Forest Complex. The study found that open habitats, such as grasslands and dry evergreen forests, with higher grass and forb biomasses, are preferred by these species due to their nutritional benefits, particularly hemicellulose content. This preference was strongly correlated with the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), a key indicator of vegetation health. By leveraging spatial modeling and robust statistical techniques, researchers demonstrated that habitat management strategies—such as maintaining open forest structures—can enhance prey availability for tigers, offering actionable insights for wildlife conservation in Thai national parks.

  Paansri, P., Suksavate, W., Chaiyes, A., Chanteap, P., Duengkae, P.,. (2022). Use of Bayesian, Lasso Binary Quantile Regression to Identify Suitable Habitat for Tiger Prey Species in Thap Lan National Park, Eastern Thailand. Environment and Natural Resources Journal, 20(3), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.32526/ennrj/20/202100244

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