Evaluation of a multifunctional mangrove-based wetland in the Samut Prakarn Province (Bang Pu Nature Reserve) | |
| Author | Alisa Khunchornyakong |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.EV-08-1 |
| Subject(s) | Wetland ecology--Thailand--Samut Prakarn Coastal ecology--Thailand--Samut Prakarn Mangrove ecology--Thailand--Samut Prakarn |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Environmental Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Evaluation of Bang Pu Nature Reserve was studied based on three components of functions namely intern of water purification, impacts of aquacultural products on livelihoods and nature education. The research was conducted during June 2007 to March 2008. Water purification was analyzed using conventional physio-chemical and biological parameters including temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen (DO), salinity, total organic carbon, total nitrogen, ammonia-nitrogen, phosphate-phosphorus, and chlorophyll a. The results indicated that organic pollution from guano (bird dropping) was the major source of pollution exerted into the reserve where concentration of DO was as low as 0.2 mg/L and nutrient pollutants of nitrogen and phosphorus were quite high in area with high population of birds. However, it showed that BPNR can perform in terms of water purification in pollution removal as 1.83 kg TOC/d.ha, 1.12 kg TN/d.ha and 0.067 kg phosphate-P/d.ha. However, majority of the alga species belonged to the diatom microalgae (41.2-64.7%) while the cyanobacterial genus Oscillatoria (5.2-42.2%) were also dominant. Total of 62 other microalgal species was found in the area representing a healthy population. Socio-economic surveys conducted among visitors of the Reserve with regard to the impact of marine products generated by the Reserve have demonstrated that their dependency on these products for their livelihood has been dramatically decreased approx. 10 fold over the last 10 years. It was also found that the local people or migrants dependent on these products for their livelihoods belonged to the poorest section of the society. For evaluation of nature education, total number of visitors to the Reserve was 17,572 during 3 years from March 2005 to Feb 2008. Approx. 75% of total visitors were school students. BPNR provided several benefits including understanding of ecosystem (70%), an opportunity to make new friends and improving communication skills sharing knowledge on environmental conservation. However, further interventions on the level of policy and decision making process should prioritize the rehabilitation of the mangrove forest and wetland ecosystem to which its function can be maximize through to the extent in which benefits of livelihood dependency on marine products can be resuscitated and managed in a sustainable manner while at the same time realize the importance of its ecological values and its function for urban wastewater purification system. |
| Year | 2008 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Energy and Climate Change (Former title: Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change (DEECC)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Environmental Engineering and Management (EV) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shipin, Oleg V.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Thammarat Koottathep;Sajor, Edsel E.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Royal Thai Government Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2008 |