Plant community structure of the coastal vegetation of peninsular Thailand

Abstract

Vegetation study on the natural vegetation along the sandy coasts of peninsular Thailand was conducted from October 2006 to May 2008. Thirteen sites along the sandy coast were selected as representatives of each subtype. The coastal vegetation on the sandy ground can be divided into two groups: I. sandbar vegetation due to the sedimentation from sea current comprising three categories: 1) dune grassland 2) dune scrub and 3) dune woodland communities. II. sandbar vegetation due to strong wind. Only one site of the latter type in the northernmost part of the peninsula is recognized, comprising two categories: 1) dune grassland and 2) dune scrub communities. The profi les of the actual and natural vegetation on the sandbars and dunes along the sandy
coast are proposed.