Nattha Wattanaratchakit. Density, distribution and human consumption of small mammals around a Karen village in Mae Hong Son province, Thailand. Master's Degree(Environmental Biology ). Mahidol University. : Mahidol University, 2005.
Density, distribution and human consumption of small mammals around a Karen village in Mae Hong Son province, Thailand
Abstract:
This research studied the relationship between small mammals and the lifestyle of Karen people in Muang Pham village, Mae Hong Son Province, North Thailand. Density, distribution and species diversity of small mammals around this Karen village were estimated. The status of their community was assessed to estimate the level of disturbance to wildlife communities. Hunting and trapping wildlife species by villagers was a major disturbance factor. Ten species of small mammals were captured in this study. Menetes berdmorei, Rattus rattus and Niviventer bukit were the three most common species around Muang Pham village. R. rattus had high abundance in paddy fields, whereas M. berdmorei was captured often in corn fields. N. bukit was common in used forest area. However, in this study low numbers of captured animals were found, so estimates of their density are not conclusive. The greatest species diversity of small mammals was found in the communal forest, whereas the highest abundance of small mammals occurred in agricultural fields, but with low diversity. Most species that occurred in the agricultural area were pest species. Maxomys surifer had low density around the village but it was a delicious protein food for Karen villagers. Rat meat contributed about 7.2 kg / household and more than 300 kg of rat meat were consumed in Muang Pham village late in the trapping period. However, the consumption of this meat is tending to decrease in the new generation. Disturbance from agriculture and timber and non-timber forest product harvesting around the village have caused a high abundance of pest species around this Karen village. Most species are tolerant of disturbed areas, whereas species that are sensitive to disturbance were rare near the village, including the food species of villagers such as M. surifer. The decrease in rat consumption in the new generation of villagers might cause the loss of a local skill inherited from their forefathers and might increase the cost of living of villagers.