Abstract—In this study, we explored the relationship between soil properties, nutrient availability, and forest ecosystems in Northern Thailand, with the aim of investigating how variations in soil properties and nutrient availability influenced biodiversity in community forests. Specifically, we investigated whether soil health indicators, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, impacted forest diversity, density, and tree basal area. Using quantitative analysis and fieldwork, we assessed soil quality indicators, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium ratios. These factors influenced forest variety, density, and tree basal area. We found that the nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels significantly influenced tree species diversity and forest structure, those soils with balanced nutrient ratios supporting greater biodiversity, whereas areas with nutrient imbalances showed reduced ecosystem productivity. These results emphasize the need for targeted nutrient management strategies to enhance forest biodiversity and sustainability. Our findings show that nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium significantly influence forest diversity, emphasizing the need for balanced nutrients to ensure optimal ecosystem efficiency and strategies for managing nutrient imbalances. In the context of conservation, advocating for soil health measurements in ecological evaluations and conservation plans is essential. This study provides practical guidance for effective conservation strategies through enhancing our understanding of the interactions between soil chemistry and forest ecology.
Keywords—soil health indicators, biodiversity, nutrient management, forest ecosystems, conservation strategies
Cite: Chattanong Podong, Krissana Khamfong, Supawadee Noinumsai, and Sukanya Mhon-ing, "Influence of Soil Health on Biodiversity in Community Forests of Northern Thailand," International Journal of Environmental Science and Development vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 151-163, 2025.
Copyright © 2025 by the authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited (CC BY 4.0).