Analysis of Hard Clam (Meretrix casta, Chemnitz, 1782) Conservation Network in Palian Watershed, Trang Province

Abstract

The objective of this study was to conduct an analysis of Hard Clam (Meretrix casta, Chemnitz, 1782) Conservation Network in Palian Watershed. This study used mixed methods of both qualitative and quantitative research. The target groups consisted of 34 and 39 members of hard clam conservation network from two communities - Ban Hin Khok Khwai and Ban Thung Tasae. The instrument was a set of questionnaires verified by three experts with the IOC at 0.67–1.00. Regarding the relational structure among members of hard clam conservation network, the centrality difference tested with Permutation t-test showed that Hin Khok Khwai hard clam conservation network (HKK-HCCN) and Thung Tasae hard clam and mangrove conservation network (TT-HCMCN) had the centrality degree (mean =0.651 and 0.676, respectively), betweenness centrality (mean=0.011 and 0.009, respectively), and closeness centrality (mean=0.749 and 0.775, respectively). No significant difference was found at the 0.05 level (p-value=0.62, 0.37 and 0.32, respectively). This indicated that communication activities about hard clam conservation issues of members of each network were not significantly different. Both networks also had nodes which passed through connections between each pair of nodes to distribute information, and their ability to control communication within the network did not differ significantly. Moreover, they had nodes that could equally communicate with other nodes in the network quickly and efficiently with no significant difference. Network members who had many communication activities and high level of influence to control information flow within network in HKK-HCCN were H7, H2, and H14. The female H7 was a secretary whose roles were to coordinate with all network members, record meetings, and join activities of the network. The male H2 was a formal leader of the network (head of village) whose roles were to define guidelines for hard clam conservation, provide a budget, and guard hard clam to inhibit boats from raking hard clam within the conservation area. The male H14 was a committee who participated in network activities. On the other hand, the TT-HCMCN had T1, T33, T34, and T32. The male T1 was a natural leader of network (former head of village) whose roles were to define guidelines for hard clam and mangrove conservation, find budgets for setting up hard clam conservation center and roads to the center, and coordinate with public sectors at sub-district, district, and province levels about conflicts occurring when boats of neighboring community came to rake hard clam in the conservation area. The male T33 was a consultant whose role was to organize mangrove planting activities for outsiders who came to study mangrove ecosystem. Finally, the male T34 was a member of municipal council, and the female T32 was a committee participating in network activities.