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Coastal Biodiversity in Ranong


Coastal Biodiversity in Ranong is a collaborative project between Kasetsart University, The Natural History Museum, London, Centre for Coastal Marine Science - Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Wildlife Fund Thailand and Kampaun Fisheries Co-operative. The project is centred in Ranong in SW Thailand and is supported by funding from the European Union.

Thai project staff

Thailand is a country rich in marine biodiversity. This natural heritage plays an important role in the lives of the people living along the Andaman Sea coast. Marine resources are used as food, provide medicines and are the basis for tourism.

Ranong River

Fisherman's hut on the Kampaun River, Thailand.

Many coastal habitats provide ecological services; for example, mangroves are nursery grounds for commercially exploited species and act as a buffer zone between the sea and the land. Several endangered species also rely on coastal resources: Dugong dugon feed on seagrasses and green turtles nest on many of the sandy beaches in the region.

The primary objective of the Coastal Biodiversity in Ranong project is to provide both primary biodiversity information and training to underpin biodiversity assessment and long-term environmental monitoring.

Long tail boats

Long tail boats, Thailand.

The project will concentrate on non-coral habitats such as sea-grass meadows, mangroves and sandy and muddy sediments. These habitats are less studied but are just as critical as coral systems. A classification scheme together with an inventory of the dominant species found will be created. This will form the basis for future monitoring of the coast.

Oreasterid starfish

Oreasterid starfish

From the beginning the project will seek the support of local communities. The project's biodiversity-assessment activities will be complemented by development of an educational programme to support and promote biodiversity awareness in local communities.

A key element of the project will be to involve local and regional schools in a programme of activities and visits. As part of the outreach programme Kasetsart University's Marine Coastal Research Centre will be developed as a field studies centre with education and interpretative displays to provide local people, students and visitors with information about the marine environment.


For more information about the project contact:

Dr Gordon Paterson
Department of Zoology
The Natural History Museum
London SW7 5BD, UK
Email: G.Paterson@nhm.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5678
Fax: +44 (0)20 7942 5433
Dr Chittima Aryuthaka
Department of Marine Science
Faculty of Fisheries
Kasetsart University
Bang Khen, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
Email: ffiscta@ku.ac.th
Tel: + (0)66 2 597 7610
Fax + (0)66 2 561 4287
Mike Kendall
Centre for Coastal Marine Science
Plymouth Marine Laboratory
Prospect Place
Plymouth
PL1 3DH, UK
Email: mak@ccms.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1752 633423
Fax: +44 (0)1752 633101