The floodplain vegetation of the Trang River basin, peninsular Thailand: the threatened remnants of the freshwater swamp vegetation

Abstract

The study of the scattered remnants of the floodplain vegetation in the Trang River basin, peninsular Thailand was carried out from November 2008 to January 2010. One hundred and sixty species of vascular plants were recorded. The five most common families were Cyperaceae (22 species), Poaceae (12 species), Rubiaceae (10 species), Fabaceae and Phyllanthaceae (9 species each). Based on floristic compositions, nine association types were described. The spatial variation and differences in habitat distribution among these associations are explained by differences in successional stages due to the history of land uses and water regime. Moreover, the expected vegetation of the floodplain areas, reconstructed from the existing remnants left as isolated fragmentations, was proposed.