Assessing Environmental Factors for Seagrass Transplantation Site Suitability in Thailand

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Published: Apr 1, 2024
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34044/j.jfe.2024.48.1.13
Keywords:
Andaman Sea Gulf of Thailand Seagrass restoration Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) Site selection

Main Article Content

Nuttiga Hempattarasuwan
Department of Fishery Management, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Yaowaluk Monthum
Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Methee Kaewnern
Department of Fishery Management, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Tipamat Upanoi
Marine and Coastal Resources Research and Development Institute, Department of Marine and Coastal Resources, Bangkok, Thailand
Attawut Khantavong
Sriracha Fishery Station, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Chonburi, Thailand
Pattama Tongkok
Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Alongot Intarachart
Sriracha Fishery Station, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Chonburi, Thailand
Kulapramote Prathumchai
Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Thon Thamrongnawasawat
Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
Chatcharee Kaewsuralikhit
Department of Fishery Biology, Faculty of Fisheries, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand

Abstract

This study aims to identify the environmental factors influencing seagrass distribution, with the aim of evaluating the suitability of an area for seagrass growth. Upon determining factor values, we assessed the accuracy of the methods used to ensure the reliability of those values for proposed seagrass restoration sites. R programming and structured interviews were used to identify relevant factors, while a Geographic Information System (GIS) was utilized to pinpoint six suitable seagrass transplantation sites in the Gulf of Thailand and another six in the Andaman Sea. The selection of factors to evaluate the suitability of sites for seagrass transplantation included the presence of natural barriers that mitigate storm surges and diminish wave energy, their proximity to seagrass beds, shore elevation above the lowest low water mark, extent of seagrass coverage, sediment grain size, and organic matter content. The Simple Additive Weighting (SAW) method proved effective in identifying potentially suitable seagrass habitats. The overall accuracy of the suitability maps for seagrass transplantation ranged from 60.0% to 93.3%. Notably, high-suitable and very high-suitable sites for seagrass transplantation were identified in Phangan Island’s Nai Wok Bay (81%), Thalen Bay - zone 3 (75%), Na Tham Bay at Samui Island (62%), and Tan Island - east side (55%), respectively. Our findings underscore that identifying areas and the specific types of habitats suitable for seagrass restoration can significantly inform decision-making and facilitate the implementation of actions aimed at restoring seagrass ecosystems.

Article Details

How to Cite
Hempattarasuwan, N., Monthum, Y., Kaewnern, M., Upanoi, T., Khantavong, A., Tongkok, P., Intarachart, A., Prathumchai, K., Thamrongnawasawat, T., & Kaewsuralikhit, C. (2024). Assessing Environmental Factors for Seagrass Transplantation Site Suitability in Thailand . Journal of Fisheries and Environment, 48(1), 148–167. https://doi.org/10.34044/j.jfe.2024.48.1.13
Issue
Vol. 48 No. 1 (2024): January-April
Section
Research Article
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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