Term of Reference
Supervised by: Demis Galli
Duration: April 1st 2026 – 30th June 2026
Budget: 90,000 THB (total amount for 3 months period)
1. Background of consultancy assignment
Despite increased investment in reforestation and tree-planting programs across Thailand, many restoration efforts have not achieved full ecological recovery. Plantations often rely on fast-growing, commercially valuable, or exotic tree species, which may survive well but fail to restore the natural forest structure, biodiversity, and ecological processes required for long-term sustainability. As a result, many sites remain ecologically simplified, prone to fire, and unable to support native wildlife or self-regeneration.
In southern Thailand, restoration practitioners face additional challenges linked to the region’s diverse topography, variable rainfall, and mixed deciduous–evergreen forest systems. There is currently limited knowledge on how native species respond to different elevations, soil types, and microclimates, as well as which species combinations can most effectively accelerate natural succession. Without systematic data, species selection is often based on availability rather than ecological suitability, leading to inconsistent survival and growth outcomes.
Moreover, the framework species approach, although successfully developed and applied in northern Thailand by the Forest Restoration Research Unit (FORRU-CMU), has not yet been comprehensively tested or adapted for the southern region. Species that perform well in northern conditions may not thrive in the wetter and more coastal or montane environments of the south. Local seed sources and propagation methods for native species are also limited, constraining restoration capacity.
2. Objective of the consultancy
- Conduct structured germination experiments (20+ priority species per year)
- Identify optimal germination treatments (e.g., scarification, pre-soaking, temperature, media)
- Track survival and growth performance in nursery stage
- Build a database of seed biology: viability, dormancy type, timing, success rates
- Enhance operational capacity of restoration nurseries
3. Scope of work/ Major responsibility
The Research Technician will:
3.1 Seed Collection & Processing
- Support collection planning and field sampling where needed
- Clean, sort, store, and test viability
3.2 Experimental Design & Implementation
- Prepare media and controlled germination trials
- Apply pre-treatments based on species ecology
- Set up monitoring in shade houses or climate-controlled facilities
3.3 Monitoring & Data Management
- Daily/weekly recording of:
- Germination % and speed
- Environmental conditions
- Nursery survival indicators
- Maintain seedlings until transplanting
3.4 Reporting & Knowledge Sharing
- Produce monthly progress summaries
- Update a digital database of all species tested
- Share learnings as Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for nursery teams (bi-annually)
| No | Activity | Expected output | Timeframe |
| 1 | Collect selected seeds species and wildlings (about 20,000 between wildlings and seeds) | Collect all the required number of seeds and wildlings | 1 Apr-31st Apr |
| 2 | Testing germination according to different trials and prepare controls | Germination and mortality data | 1st May-30th May |
| 3 | Survival and growth data | Collect growth data, mortality, and other pertinent information | 1st June-31st June |
| 4 | Survival and growth data, finalize and summarize in a report | Prepare final data summary and recommendations report. | 1st Jun-20th Jun |
- Reporting and Supervision
- The contractor will report daily directly to Mr. Tanasin Yimnoi whom will then communicate toDemis Galli.
Regular progress reports shall be submitted monthly (or as agreed) to track implementation.
6.0 Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Botany, Horticulture, or related field (or equivalent experience)
- Experience in nursery/plant science research desirable
- Skills in plant propagation and data recording
- Ability to manage greenhouse or shade house environments
- Physical ability to handle field/nursery work
7.0 Payment schedule
Monthly payments of 30,000 baht will be made after delivering monthly report and after receiving invoice.
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Tree Seed Germination and Seedling Performance Research Model
Scientific Approach
This study will follow a structured, science-based experimental design aligned with established nursery and restoration ecology practices to ensure that results are reliable, reproducible, and directly applicable to large-scale forest restoration. Seeds will be collected from multiple genetically distinct mother trees to maintain diversity and improve the long-term resilience of restored forests. A randomized block design with replicated treatments will be implemented to minimize environmental bias and allow for statistically robust comparisons among germination media. Standardized nursery conditions — including watering, shading, and handling — will be maintained across treatments so that observed differences can be confidently attributed to the media tested.
Data collection will follow consistent protocols from seed sowing through early seedling establishment, capturing germination success, germination speed, growth performance, and mortality. These indicators are widely recognized as critical predictors of out planting success and restoration cost-effectiveness. Quality control measures, including careful labeling, tray tracking, and routine monitoring, will further strengthen data integrity.
Importantly, the research is designed with operational scalability in mind: only locally available, cost-effective media will be tested to ensure that successful treatments can be rapidly adopted in production nurseries. The outcomes will generate species-specific propagation guidelines that reduce uncertainty, improve seedling survival, and optimize resource allocation. By investing in an evidence-driven propagation strategy, the project minimizes restoration risk and maximizes long-term ecological impact, ensuring that planted forests are both resilient and biologically diverse.
Research Objective
To evaluate the effects of different germination media on:
- Germination success (%)
- Germination speed (days to emergence)
- Seedling growth rate
- Mortality rate
Across a selected list of native tree species suitable for restoration that will be shared by WWF Natural Resources Technical advisor
Species Selection
Choose 10–15 native species, ideally representing different functional traits:
- Pioneer species
- Framework species
- Shade-tolerant species
- Dry dipterocarp / evergreen (depending on your target ecosystem)
Ps: Please select from the list provided
Seed Collection Protocol
For each species:
- Collect seeds from at least 6–12 mother trees
Maintain a minimum distance of 100-300 m between trees to ensure genetic diversity
Record:
- GPS location
- Date
- Habitat type
- Tree health
- Fruiting intensity
Avoid:
- Immature seeds
- Pest-damaged seeds
- Seeds from isolated trees
Experimental Design
Structure
Use a randomized block design to reduce environmental bias in the nursery.
Example layout:
| Species | Medium A | Medium B | Medium C | Medium D |
| Replicates | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Seeds per replicate | 50 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Total per species = 600 seeds
This gives enough statistical power without being overwhelming.
Media Treatments
Choose media that are locally available and scalable.
Example treatments:
Medium A (Control):
Standard nursery soil
Medium B:
Soil + compost (70:30)
Medium C:
Soil + rice husk + sand (40:30:30)
Optional Medium D (if testing restoration innovation):
Soil + biochar (80:20)
Keep watering, shade, and handling identical across treatments.
Data Collection Framework
Germination Monitoring
Record daily (or every 2–3 days).
Metrics:
Germination %
Mean germination time (average time (in days or hours) required for a population of seeds to germinate)
Germination curve (number of germinated seeds over time)
Formula:
Germination (%) = (Total germinated / Total seeds) × 100
Growth Monitoring
Measure every 2–4 weeks.
Collect:
- Height (cm)
- Root collar diameter (preferred over DBH for seedlings)
- Number of leaves (optional but useful)
Growth Rate Example:
Relative Growth Rate =
(Height₂ − Height₁) / Number of days
Mortality Tracking
Record continuously.
Mortality (%) =
(Number dead / Number germinated) × 100
Also note likely causes:
- Damping off
- Desiccation
- Transplant shock
- Herbivory
Study Duration
Minimum recommended:
6-12 months
Why?
Some species germinate late but perform very well afterward — short trials often mislead restoration planning.
Data Analysis
Use:
- Mean
- Standard deviation
- Simple ANOVA (if available)
Or just compare:
- Highest germination
- Fastest growth
- Lowest mortality
Expected Outputs
By the end, you should be able to produce a species propagation guide including:
Best germination medium
Expected germination time
Nursery growth performance
Propagation difficulty ranking
Recommended species for scaling restoration
