| Author | Ananya Jarernpornnipat |
| Call Number | AIT Diss no.AQ-04-05 |
| Subject(s) | Coastal ecology--Thailand, Gulf of
Streamflow--Thailand, Gulf of
|
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Technical Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. AQ-04-05 |
| Abstract | Bandon Bay is one of the most productive coastal areas located in Surat Thani Province, Southern Thailand. The Tapi River and eighteen canals are main sources of freshwater outflow and means to transport of material including nutrients, organic matter and sediment to the bay. The freshwater outflow and nutrients transported from the river and canals provide essential support for reproduction of plankton in the estuarine ecosystem. It is important as spawning, nursery and feeding areas for shellfish and finfish. Bandon Bay serves also as an excellent area for culture of shellfish. Meanwhile, Bandon Bay is also a textbook example of excessive utilization of coastal resources in the tropics including all derived changes that occur in an estuarial ecosystem. The estuary, with its well-developed mangrove forest, formerly served as an important nursery ground and feeding area for juvenile shellfishes (oysters, mussels, crabs and shrimps) of great economic importance. However, excessive cutting of the mangrove forest along with uncontrolled massive development of mariculture have led to decreasing water quality and problems with sedimentation. These problems have already been identified and acknowledged to a great extent by the various stakeholders ranging from traditional fishermen through businessmen to authorities and politicians who are responsible for providing a sustainable management plan for the common resources present in the estuary. This study aims to assess the impacts of the Tapi River discharge on coastal ecosystems as well as local livelihood of local people around the Bandon Bay. The study found that yearly computed simulations by using MIKE 21 water quality module showed that the Bandon Bay ecosystem is primarily affected by water discharge from the Tapi River and wind fields which change between wet and dry seasons. During the wet season, freshwater discharge and hence nutrient loading from the Tapi River is very high and associated with westerly winds and nutrient dispersion moves eastwards of the Tapi River mouth in the Kanchanadit area. During the dry season, freshwater discharge from the Tapi River is low and associated with easterly winds, nutrients disperse westwards of the Tapi River mouth into the Tha Chang area. In addition to nutrient dispersal, the model was used to forecast maximum coliform bacterial loading compared to domestic and export-based standard criteria for shellfishes. It was found that the maximum simulated allowances for total coliform bacteria loading to the Tapi River and I<Iong Phunphin through the Bandon Bay, were 15,000 and 10,000 MPN 100 mr1 for domestic and export purposes, respectively. For fecal coliform bacteria, the maximum loading should not exceed 15,000 (domestic) and 10,000 (export) MPN 100 mr1 • Apart from water quality modelling, major human activities of the Bandon Bay coastal resource utilization have also been affected by flooding due to strong cun-ents and winds during this particular period. Those findings were integrated in order to propose management tools into coastal management process for sustainable management of the Bandon Bay. The management tools consist of water quality modeling and interviewing local people perspectives on feedback of the impact outflow on their livelihood. The management tools will be enacted as decision support tools in the coastal management process by intervention between the program preparation step and formal adoption and funding. Additionally, this study demonstrated the value of a SWOT analysis revealing strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of each management step in the ICZM cycle the necessity of enhancing management effectiveness in coastal management policy and planning of the Bandon Bay. It could be governed efficiently by the proper direction for ICZM in this area for meeting with sustainable administrative management. The recommendations from this study are application of the MIKE 21 for mitigating flood-induced rises in critical periods by providing alternative livelihood opportunities to local people around the Bandon Bay; setting up a strategic plan for management of wastewater discharge; setting up mangrove strips as pollution and sediment filters; resolving stakeholders conflicts and overlaps and further study about sediment transpo1t module in the Bandon Bay. If these recommendations are followed, it will push the management of the Bandon Bay into a more sustainable direction. |
| Year | 2004 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. AQ-04-05 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Aquaculture and Aquatic Resources Management (AARM)/Former code name = AQ |
| Chairperson(s) | Pedersen, Ole;Somsak Boromthanarat; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Suphat Vongvissessomjai;Macintosh, Donald J.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Danida; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2004 |
