Annual Productivity of Seagrass at Khung Kraben Lagoon, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand
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Abstract
Khung Kraben Lagoon (KKL) is a coastal lagoon situated in the eastern part of Thailand. There are two major species of seagrasses in KKL, Enhalus acoroides (Ea) and Halodule pinifolia (Hp) with a total areal coverage of 335 ha in both two species. These two species can be found either separately or mixed in three zones: Ea zone, Hp zone, and Mixed zone (both species). This study is to investigate the productivity carbon sequestration of seagrass. Surveys indicated that H. pinifolia (42.97 %) had higher carbon sequestration than E. acoroides (35.23 %). A significantly-high percentage of nitrogen is in aboveground parts of these plants (Hp: 2.29 % and Ea: 2.02 %). E. acoroides in the Ea zone had the highest mean the organic carbon product of 0.0886 Mg C·ha-1. The monsoon period has direct effects on total organic carbon (TOC) production. The Southwest monsoon (SWM) period reduces production of seagrass while the Northeast monsoon (NEM) period promotes higher seagrass production. TOC production was significantly highest in April (0.2092 Mg C·ha-1) during the monsoon transition (between NEM and SWM) in the Hp zone, as revealed cluster analysis. In terms of litter decomposition, E. acoroides has a half-life of 4.31 weeks and a turnover period of 6.21 weeks, while H. pinifolia has a half-life of 7.37 weeks and a turnover period of 10.64 weeks. KKL is a net exporter of organic carbon to the outer sea (0.3042 Gg C·year-1). These findings provide useful information for preparing sustainable management plan to conserve seagrass meadows like the one in KKL.
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