GEOINFORMATICS TECHNOLOGY USING FOR THE RISK ASSESSMENT OF PROTECTED AREA THREAT FACTORS IN KHAO SOI DAO WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, CHANTHABURI PROVINCE

Abstract

This study assesses the risk of threat factors in the protected forest area of Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary, Chanthaburi Province, by integrating geoinformatics technology with SMART Patrol System data to evaluate spatial risk levels to forest and wildlife resources. Eleven factors were analyzed, including threat distribution, forest and wildlife resources, distance from patrol routes, transportation routes, water sources, communities, ranger stations, patrol frequency, as well as topographic factors such as slope and elevation above mean sea level. Kernel Density, Euclidean Distance, and Weighted Overlay techniques were applied to integrate and evaluate spatial data systematically and comprehensively.
The results indicate that threat factors are closely associated with topographic characteristics and accessibility. Areas near communities, transportation routes, and lowland zones exhibit the highest risk levels, while highly steep terrain tends to have lower risk. Areas with low patrol frequency show significantly higher risk. The spatial risk assessment reveals that most of the sanctuary falls within moderate to very high-risk levels, accounting for more than 90% of the total area, particularly around communities and easily accessible zones. The integration of SMART Patrol System data with geoinformatics techniques effectively identifies risk-prone areas, supporting patrol planning, priority zone identification, and proactive management to mitigate threats. This approach can be applied to other protected areas to enhance sustainable natural resource management.