ThaiNGO

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Botanical Field Survey, Plant Identification, and Herbarium Specimen Collection 

Background

The SCP Mae Ping Corridor Initiative under the SCP team – WWF Thailand is conducting a biodiversity assessment in Lan Sang Community Forest - Muang Tak District and Yan Ri Community Forest – Sam Ngao District to document plant species diversity, support conservation efforts, and enhance local ecological knowledge. Understanding plant composition local stakeholders for implementing efficient forest management and creating alternative sources of community livelihood. 

This ensures long-term benefits from non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as medicinal herbs, fruits, and fibers. By identifying dominant, medicinal, or economically valuable species, local communities and authorities can develop sustainable foraging guidelines to prevent overexploitation. Ethnobotanical data derived from plant identification can support in various ways: ecotourism, herbal product industries, and cultural education programs. A qualified botanist is required to lead field surveys, collect plant specimens, and identify species.

Objectives

1. To conduct a systematic floristic inventory of the study area to record all plant species and life forms (trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers)
2. To verify plant species identification in field survey or herbariums 

Scope of Work

1.  Field Survey - surveying designated field techniques within community forests, recording habitat details (elevation, soil type, associated species) as well as assessing phenological data (flowering/fruiting)
2. Specimen Collection (if finding unknown plant species) - collecting plant specimens according to botanical techniques, label specimens with locations, morphological characteristics, and ecological notes 
3. Plant Identification - identifying species using taxonomic expertise, dichotomous keys, local floras, and herbarium databases as well as documenting unknown species for further analysis

Dates

• 1^st November to 25^th December 2025

Required Skills and Experience 

• Minimum 5 years of field surveys, plant taxonomy and systematics and plant biogeography in northern and western forests in Thailand 
• Proficiency in using identification keys (e.g., Flora of Thailand).
• Familiarity with herbarium techniques. 
• GPS/GIS tools (e.g., QGIS, Google Earth). 
• Knowledge of local or indigenous plant names (preferred).

Deliverables

• Submitting a preliminary species list within three months, delivering a final report including:
• Map of study sites in community forests
• Introductory brief of research methodology in plant biodiversity study
• Results of botanical studies of tree and shrub biodiversity and species richness of other plant lifeforms: underground, herbaceous, and climbing plants 
• Annex and images during field study in plant biodiversity
• Recommendation of ethnobotanical information (if any)

Institutional Arrangement

• The selected candidate will report to the WWF-SCP team and collaborate closely with the project’s manager and team members.

Evaluation Criteria

• The selected candidate will be evaluated based on relevant experience in field surveys, plant taxonomy and systematics and plant biogeography in northern and western forests in Thailand 

Submission requirement:

• Interested candidates must submit 1) quotation with Proposed budget and 2) CV or evident showing previous relevant work by 21 OCT 2025
• Please submit all application documents to: Panus Danpitakkul Email: panusd@wwf.or.th   Email subject line: “Application – Botanical Field Survey, Plant Identification, and Herbarium Specimen Collection ”.

Payment Schedule

• 40% upon signing the contract
• 60% after report approved