Beach forest changes (2003–2013) in the tsunami-affected area of Phang Nga, Thailand from multi-temporal satellite data

Abstract

Beach forests are important ecological zones in many coastal regions. Many are under increasing anthropogenic and natural stress. Beach forest changes and their causes were examined in three tsunami-impacted sites with different land-use/cover (LULC): Ban Nam Khem (BNK, fishing village), Khao Lak (KL, tourist destination), and Thai Mueang (TM, part of a national park). Vegetation surveys, GIS, and interpretation of time series IKONOS and THEOS imagery using supervised classification (ENVI 4.7) from 2003-2013 were performed. Six beach forest tree and shrub species were found in BNK and KL, dominated by Casuarina equisetifolia, while 24 tree/shrub species, dominated by Syzygium grande, were observed at TM. After the tsunami, beach forests were severely damaged in BNK (45%), KL (40%), and TM (23%). Recovery of beach forests in 8 years varied from BNK (58%), KL (39%) with low rates in KL and high rates in TM (62%). Substantial portions of the three sites were still characterized as beach forest in 2013, though the forests now included areas that had recovered from the tsunami damage and/or altered LULC (e.g., barren land to beach forests and vice versa). Anthropogenic factors represented 40% (BNK), 56% (KL), and 5% (TM) of the changes with urbanization being a leading cause in tourist areas (KL; 24%). The study highlights the need for improved understanding of beach vegetation, tsunami impacts, and LULC to provide sustainable management of beach forests in Thailand in three sites with different anthropogenic characteristics.

Group-specific archaeological signatures of stone tool use in wild macaques

“…The geological profile of available raw material across the shoreline is predominantly limestone, with the occasional rock formed of igneous rocks such as granite cobbles, which do not occur naturally on the Islands but may have been transported to the islands by wave action. There are occasional granite outcrops in other areas within Phang Nga bay (Charusiri et al, 1993), and this is a tsunami prone region (Kongapai et al, 2016) which could transport stone material to the research sites.…”

Beach Forest Communities of San Agustin, Romblon with Notes on Coastal Threats

“…The number of beach forest plants in San Agustin, Romblon was relatively higher than in other beach forests in the Philippines and other countries (Table 4). For instance, only 16 species were found on Dinagat Island (Lillo et al, 2019), 21 species were found on Sicogon Island (Pedregosa et al, 2006), and 24 species were found in Pang Nga, Thailand (Kongapai et al, 2016). On the other hand, the results of the present study were lower compared to the study of Sabulao et al (2020) in Guiuan Eastern Samar with 39 species, a study by Garcia et al (2017) in Surigao, the Philippines, with 55 species, study of Nini and Tatil (2017) in Surigao del Norte with 57 species and the study of Neamsuvan et al (2012) in Songkhla province, Thailand with 69 species.…”

“…These are critical ecological zones in many coastal regions. Plant species in these zones are adapted for growing in harsh environmental conditions, experiencing wide variations in temperature, salinity, and humidity which influence the composition of plant species (Cochard et al, 2008;Kongapai et al, 2016). They are also resilient to wind, rain, waves, and salt sprays from the ocean (Tanaka et al, 2007;Cochard et al, 2008;Kongapai et al, 2016).…”

“…Beach forests are essential in sustaining coastal ecosystems and local communities (Kongapai et al, 2016). For centuries, beach forests have provided shelter from strong typhoon winds.…”

“…(Victor et al, 2006). Adjacent sandy beaches are also important nesting sites for sea turtles (Kongapai et al, 2016). Thus, the increasing intensity xyrrajeremiah@gmail.com Romblon State University -San Agustin Campus, San Agustin, Romblon and frequency of weather disturbances brought by changing global climate highlight beach forests' critical role as bio-shields for vulnerable coastal communities and biodiversity.…”