Influence of coastal land use, fisheries and socio-economics on natural resources degradation in Pattani Bay, Thailand | |
| Author | Akom Sowana |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.NR-10-04 |
| Subject(s) | Land use--Thailand--Pattani Bay Fisheries--Thailand--Pattani Bay Natural resources--Thailand--Pattani Bay |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. NR-10-04 |
| Abstract | Pattani Bay, located on the north coast of Pattani province, is the most fertile wetland in southern Thailand. Expansion of land use in coastal areas and socio-economic growth have resulted in natural resources degradation, particularly soil and water pollution and mangrove forest area depletion. Therefore, the objectives of this research were to study land use change in Pattani Bay; to study existing natural resources including soil, water, forest, fisheries, and socio-economics in a participatory way; to review the policy and analyze the strengths and weakness of natural resources management in the bay; and to study the influence of coastal land use, fisheries and socio-economics on natural resources degradation in terms of water, soil and forest. Aerial photos and high-resolution SPOT satellite data were used to analyze land use changes. Sixteen sampling sites from nine land use types were selected and tested to determine soil resources degradation. Basic soil characteristics and heavy metals were analyzed. Water samples from eleven sites around the bay were collected and tested in the laboratory to determine water resources degradation. Aerial photos and satellite imagery were analyzed using GIS to assess forest resources degradation. Various socio-economic data, such as population, population growth, and income, were collected from secondary data and analyzed using Arcview GIS and other software. To study coastal fishery effects, questionnaires were distributed and interviews were conducted. Results from land use analysis found that there were significant increases in residential area and agricultural area for shrimp farming. Other land use types were decreased, especially paddy field. Soil resources were found to be contaminated with some heavy metals, especially Pb and As, and sediment deposits. Soil acidity was found in some land use types, particularly in shrimp ponds. Water resources were degraded by wastewater from many sources, especially industry, shrimp farms and communities. Heavy metal contamination, along with high amounts of coli form bacteria, was found at the Pattani River mouth. Forest degradation was mainly depletion of mangrove forest due to shrimp farming and other land use. Land use types caused soil pollution in different ways. Municipality areas, industrial zones, and dockyard areas have the highest potential for heavy metal contamination, with the dockyard and Pattani River mouth sites showing high levels of Pb and As. Mercury content at Pattani River mouth was over the USEPA water quality standard for fresh water. High concentrations of BOD were found at Sakseni Bridge, Klong Namsai Bridge, Sabarang Bridge, and other sites. The results indicated that municipality areas with high density of population and no wastewater treatment plant generated large volumes of wastewater. Expansion of land use for shrimp farming and socio-economic activities caused mangrove forest area to decrease and biodiversity to be destroyed. Coastal fisheries influence natural resources in many ways; aquaculture, especially shrimp farming, generates large volumes of wastewater; fishing boats, and harvesting of cockles, cause high turbidity, decreased mangrove forest area, and accelerated soil acidity. Also, cockle farming affects the diversity of the ecosystem in the bay through destruction of seaweed and seagrass. Socio-economic effects on forest, soil, and water resources resulted from expansion of economic activities, and include decreases of mangrove forest, large volumes of wastewater and heavy metal contamination in soil and water. The results indicated that without planning and responsibility of all stakeholders in the area, soil, water and forest resources become degraded especially through soil and water pollution. However, the environmental effect is still not serious because most industrial factory and socio-economic activities are fishery industry and infrastructure development to support the communities around the Bay. As for the heavy metal contamination issue, the government authorities responsible to the environmental problems should be watched closely. For wastewater the local government must accelerate construction of wastewater treatment facilities. High amounts of coliform bacteria at the river mouth can be resolved by the management of fishing boats and sanitation of communities. The research has also indicated a lack of correspondence between the government policy, implementation plan and the way of life of local people. |
| Year | 2010 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. NR-10-04 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shrestha, Rajendra Prasad ;Soparth Pongquan; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Nipon Tangtham;Preeda Parkpian; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Prince of Songkla University, Thailand; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2010 |