2.1. Study Sites

Four national parks in Thailand were selected for study sites to collect EPNs and symbiotic bacteria: Kaeng Krachan National Park (Phetchaburi Province, western Thai-land), Namtok Samlan National Park (Saraburi Province, central Thailand), Phu Phan National Park (Sakhon Nakhon Province, northeastern Thailand) and Huai Nam Dang National Park (Chiang Mai Province, northern Thailand) (Figure 1). The protocol for soil sample collection in the national parks was approved and permitted by the Department of National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Thailand (Permit number 0907.4/5514).

Map of Thailand shows the location of national parks where soil samples were collected. The number of identified positive EPN soil samples for each locality is listed.