Forest Restoration Research UnitChiang Mai University

So, you want to grow a forest?

Thirty years of applied research, written for the people doing the planting.

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The method, topic by topic

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Upper Mae Sa Valley · Northern Thailand

Tropical forest ecosystems can be restored — with the application of appropriate science.

Deforested, over-cultivated and burnt, this plot in the upper Mae Sa Valley, Northern Thailand, was planted with 30 framework tree species in 2000. A thriving upland evergreen forest was restored within 10 years.

The same hillside in the upper Mae Sa Valley, photographed from beside a charred stump that survives in every frame.

2000

8%
Canopy cover
9
Tree species
31
Bird species

Illustrative figures

Upper Mae Sa Valley · Northern Thailand

Eleven years of framework species research, standing on one hillside.

See how it was done

Four photographs, taken in 2000, 2001, 2009 and 2011, dissolve across the years between them. Drag to move through the recovery.

Resources

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Method, evidence, work

Advice

How to restore a tropical forest ecosystem, drawn from thirty years of FORRU-CMU research.

Library

The evidence behind the method: books, papers and theses, all free to download.

Projects

Restoration and education work underway now, and what earlier projects established.

A large group of Young Forest Restorers participants raising their fists beside a banner at the end of a field day.

Outreach and Education

FORRU provides education and training experiences for all stakeholders involved in forest restoration - from school children and university students to NGO's and government officers - customized events to meet your needs.

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Featured publications

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Projects in the field

Restoration, research and training

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