Wood You Protect It? Insights into Petrified Forest Conservation | Nareerat Boonchai

Wood You Protect It? Insights into Petrified Forest Conservation

Among plant fossils, petrified wood holds immense value contributing significantly to regional economies through tourism due to its diverse preservation states, large sizes, and historical significance. However, conserving petrified wood presents challenges influenced by environmental conditions, mineral composition, and varying levels of regional administrative and community involvement. In Thailand, notable petrified wood sites have been discovered, from northeastern locations like the Khorat UNESCO Geopark to northern areas such as Doi Soi Ma Lai - Ma Kaplan Pen Hin National Park, which contains petrified tree trunks ranging from 22 to 72 meters in length. Additionally, private properties in Tak, Phi Chit, and Kamphaeng Phet provinces have also uncovered significant petrified wood deposits. Despite decades of protection efforts, even successful conservation sites continue to face challenges due to environmental instability and insufficient protection measures. This review examines both successful and unsuccessful conservation cases from 2003 to the present based on our direct experience at various sites. Our findings highlight the importance of environmental control, reliable funding sources, and community empowerment, alongside public outreach efforts. Petrographic sections, data loggers, photographic records, and SEM analyses were employed to identify deterioration factors and propose conservation treatments. Effective conservation planning requires not only understanding these key elements but also learning from past conservation failures at different sites. By analyzing the mistakes made in previous attempts, we can avoid repeating them and develop more effective strategies for preserving geoheritage.