THE ECONOMIC VALUE OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF RUBBER-BASED AGROFOREST PLANTATIONS IN SOUTH THAILAND

Abstract

The objective of this study was to estimate the ecosystem service values of three types of rubber-based agroforest plantations and monoculture rubber plantations in the southern region of Thailand, covering a life cycle of 25 years. Three ecosystem services were investigated in this study: timber production, CO2 sequestration, and O2 production. The study used data collected from 29 plantations and used growth prediction models from previous research to determine the quantity and value of the ecosystem services. The results showed that at at the 25th year, the agroforest rubber plantation that cultivated Hevea brasiliensis Mull-Arg. with Hopea odorata Roxb., Shorea roxburghii G.Don. and Swietenia macrophylla King. provided the highest value of timber production, CO2 sequestration and O2 production (190622.62 USD/ha, 5918.5 USD/ha and 90779.3 USD/ha, respectively), whereas the monoculture rubber plantation provided the lowest value (11715.12 USD/ ha, 565.8 USD/ha and 6587.5 USD/ha, respectively). Overall, the agroforest plantations provided higher benefit than monoculture plantations. The findings can be used to support farmers and governmental agencies to diversify monoculture rubber plantations, which will ultimately contribute to environmental and human well-being.