First quantitative ecological study of the Hin Pae pinnacle, Mu Ko Chumphon, Thailand

Authors

  • Makamas - Sutthacheep Ramkhamhaeng Univerity
  • Thamasak Yeemin Marine Biodiversity Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University
  • Sittiporn Pengsakun Pengsakun Marine Biodiversity Research Group, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University

Keywords:

coral structure, diversities, ecotourism, reefs fish

Abstract

The western Gulf of Thailand holds a rich set of coral reef communities, especially at the islands of Mu Ko Chumphon Marine National Park, being of great importance to Thailand’s biodiversity, and economy due to its touristic potential. The goal of this study was to provide a first insight on the reef community of Hin Pae, a pinnacle located 20km off the shore of Chumphon Province, a known scuba diving site with potential to become a popular tourist destination. The survey was conducted during May 2019, when a 100m transect was used to characterize the habitat. Hin Pae holds a rich reef community with seven different coral taxa, seven invertebrate and 44 fish species registered to the moment, besides a high coral cover with more than 50% of live coral. These results put this pinnacle among the richest reef sites in the Gulf of Thailand, whilst its clear and deep water could represent a more stable environment, and a refuge to coral reefs biodiversity. Furthermore, the rich community holds a high touristic potential with several ornamental species such as se anemone, starfish and butterflyfish. However, a high percentage of dead coral (18%) indicates this site might have suffered disturbances in the past and further monitoring is needed to understand weather there is a recovering or dying trend for its coral community, and if Hin Pae has indeed the potential to be a deep refuge for Chumphon’s reefs.

References

Allen G, Steene R, Humann P, DeLoach N (2015) Reef Fish Identification: Tropical Pacific. New World Publications, Jacksonville, Florida USA.

Allen GR, Erdmann MV (2012) Reef Fishes of the East Indies. Conservation International Foundation, Perth, Australia.

Bongaerts P, Ridgway T, Sampayo EM, Hoegh-Guldberg O (2010) Assessing the ‘deep reef refugia’ hypothesis: focus on Caribbean reefs. Coral Reefs 29(2): 309–327.

Cesar HSJ (2000) Coral reefs: their functions, threats and economic value. In: Cesar, H.S.J. (Eds.), Collected Essays on the Economics of Coral Reefs. CORDIO, Kalmar University, Sweden, pp. 14–39

Chou LM, Sudara S, Manthachitra V, Moredee R, Snidvongs A, Yeemin T (1991) Temporal variation in a coral reef community at Pattaya Bay, Gulf of Thailand. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 19: 295–307.

Farmer N, Ault J (2011) Grouper and snapper movements and habitat use in Dry Tortugas, Florida. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 433: 169–184.

Goreau TF (1963) Calcium Carbonate Deposition by Coralline Algae and Corals in Relation to Their Roles as Reef-Builders. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 109(1): 127–167.

Hoeksema BW, Matthews JL, Yeemin T (2012) The 2010 coral bleaching event and its impact on the mushroom coral fauna of Koh Tao, western Gulf of Thailand. Phuket mar biol Cent Res Bull 71: 71–81.

Hylleberg J (1994) Phylum Sipuncula. -part 2. Cryptic fauna with emphasis on Sipunculans in hump coral Porites lutea, the Andaman sea, Thailand. Phuket mar.bioi CentRes Bull 59: 33–41.

Jones GP, Ferrell DJ, Sale PF (1991) Fish predation and its impact on the invertebrates of coral reefs and adjacent sediments. In: The Ecology of Fishes on Coral Reefs Elsevier, p. 156–179.

Lesser MP, Slattery M, Leichter JJ (2009) Ecology of mesophotic coral reefs. Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 375(1–2): 1–8.

Levin PS, Grimes CB (2002) Chapter 17 - Reef Fish Ecology and Grouper Conservation and Management. In: Coral Reef Fishes (Sale PF, Ed.). Academic Press, San Diego, p. 377–389.

Lieske E, Myers R (2001) Reef Fishes of the World Indo-Pacific and Caribbean. periplus, S.l.

Manthachitra V, Cheevaporn V (2007) Reef fish and coral assemblages at Maptaput, Rayong Province. Songklanakarin J Sci Technol 29(4): 907–918.

Mattos FMG, Yeemin T (2018) Reef fish community composition in Mu Ko Chumphon and Mu Ko Ang Thong national parks, western Gulf of Thailand. In: The 44th Congress on Science and Technology of Thailand (STT 44), Bangkok, Thailand.

Ministry of Tourism and Sports (2018) Tourism statistic 2017. Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Thailand

Nelson JS, Grande T, Wilson MVH (2016) Fishes of the World. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, New Jersey.

Phongsuwan N, Chansang H, Satapoomin U (1994) Colonization of fouling communities and associated fauna at artificial reefs in Ranong Province, Thailand. In: The Effect of Artificial Reef Installation on the Biosocioeconomics of Small-Scale Fisheries in Ranong Province, Thailand. Bay of Bengal Programme, Madras, India, p. 10.

Sakai T, Yeemin T, Snidvongs A, Yamazato K, Nishihira M (1986) Distribution and community structure of hermatypic corals in the Sichang Islands, inner part of the Gulf of Thailand. Galaxea 5: 27–74.

Satapoomin U (2000) A preliminary checklist of coral reef fishes of the Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea. Raffles Bull of Zoo 48(1): 31–54.

Songploy S, Chavanich S, Kuanui P, Viyakarn V (2017a) Diversity of reef fish at Royal Thai Naval Base, Sattahip, Chonburi Province, Thailand. INDIAN J MAR SCI 46(06): 7.

Songploy S, Chavanich S, Kuanui P, Viyakarn V (2017b) Diversity of reef fish at Royal Thai Naval Base, Sattahip, Chonburi Province, Thailand. Indian J Mar Sci 46(06): 7.

Songploy S, Hemachandra W, Chavanich S, Viyakarn V (2013) Fish assemblages in coral communities at Chao Lao Beach, Chanthaburi Province, Thailand. Journ Cor Reef Stud 15(Supplement): 189–194.

Spalding M, Burke L, Wood SA, Ashpole J, Hutchison J, Ermgassen P zu (2017) Mapping the global value and distribution of coral reef tourism. Marine Policy 82: 104–113.

Sudara S, Thamrongnawasawat T, Sookchanu1uk C (1991) Artificial classification of coral communities in the Gulf of Thailand. In: The Regional Symposium on Living Resources in Coastal Areas, Manila, Philippines.

Sutthacheep M, Chamchoy C, Pengsakun S, Klinthong W, Yeemin T (2019) Assessing the resilience potential of inshore and offshore coral communities in the western Gulf of Thailand. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering 7(11): 408; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse7110408

Sutthacheep M, Saenghaisuk C, Pengsakun S, Donsomjit W, Yeemin T (2013a) Quantitative studies on the 2010 mass coral bleaching event in Thai waters. Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies 15(Supplement): 379–390.

Sutthacheep M, Yucharoen M, Klinthong W, Pengsakun S, Sangmanee K, Yeemin T (2012) Coral mortality following the 2010 mass bleaching event at Kut island, Thailand. Phuket mar biol Cent Res Bull 71: 83–92.

Sutthacheep M, Yucharoen M, Klinthong W, Pengsakun S, Sangmanee K, Yeemin T (2013b) Impacts of the 1998 and 2010 mass coral bleaching events on the Western Gulf of Thailand. Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 96: 25–31.

Wattayakorn G (2006) Environmental Issues in the Gulf of Thailand. In: The Environment in Asia Pacific Harbours (Wolanski E, Ed.). Springer Netherlands, p. 249–259.

Wilkinson C, (2008) Status of Coral Reefs of the World: 2008. Global Coral Reef

Monitoring Network Reef and Rainforest Research Centre, Townsville304

Wood E (2001) Managing coral reef tourism. EEZ Technology : 45–48.

Veron JEN (2000) Corals of the World. Australian Institute of Marine Science: Townsville, Australia, Volume 1–3

Yeemin T, Saenghaisuk C, Sutthacheep M, Pengsakun S, Klinthong W, Saengmanee K (2009) Conditions of coral communities in the Gulf of Thailand: a decade after the 1998 severe bleaching event. Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies 11(2): 207–217.

Yeemin T, Sutthacheep M, Pettongma R (2006) Coral reef restoration projects in

Thailand. Ocean Coast. Manage. 49:562–575

Yeemin T, Sutthacheep M, Suebpala W, Pengsakul S, Klinthong W (2018) Managing ecotourism on coral reefs and underwater pinnacles in the Western Gulf of Thailand. 8th CJK IMBeR Symposium

Yucharoen M, Yeemin T, Casareto BE, Suzuki Y, Samsuvan W, Sangmanee K, Klinthong W, Pengsakun S, Sutthacheep M (2015) Abundance, composition and growth rate of coral recruits on dead corals following the 2010 bleaching event at Mu Ko Surin, the Andaman Sea. Ocean Sci J 50(2): 307–315.

Downloads

Published

2021-04-30

Issue

Section

Original Articles