Juvenile coral communities in Mu Ko Chumphon and Mu Ko Angthong, the Western Gulf of Thailand
Keywords:
juvenile coral, Gulf of Thailand, recovery, abundanceAbstract
Investigating coral recruitment is one of the most effective strategies to understand the recovery potential of coral reef communities subjected to natural and anthropogenic disturbances. The aim of this study was to survey the density and diversity of juvenile corals at two MPAs of the Western Gulf of Thailand. Seven study sites at Mu Ko Chumphon and six at Mu Ko Ang Thong were investigated by random 16x16cm quadrats to count and identify coral recruits (<5cm), while a belt transect was used to estimate the live coral cover. A total of 19 genera were identified among juveniles, being Pocillopora and Favites the most abundant. The highest and lowest percentage of live coral cover were found in Ko Ngam Noi and Ko Ngam Yai respectively, both in Chumphon. The last also held the highest density of coral recruits. There was a significant negative correlation between live coral cover and recruit density. Simper analysis indicate around 78% of dissimilarity between the two MPAs. The low density of recruits at some sites might be an effect of high sedimentation. High percentage of bare rock in Ko Ngam Yai may be skewing the correlation between recruit density and live coral cover. This study provides relevant information for reef management and the proper application of coral recovery projects.
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