Macrobenthic Invertebrate Assemblages across Coral Reefs in Chumphon Province, the Western Gulf of Thailand
Keywords:
Benthic community, Coral reef, Macrobenthic invertebrate, Spatial variation, Gulf of ThailandAbstract
Macrobenthic invertebrates play important ecological roles in coral reef ecosystems by facilitating nutrient cycling, energy flow, and trophic connectivity. Because their assemblage composition and abundance are sensitive to changes in habitat and environmental conditions, they can provide useful indicators of reef condition and ecosystem health. This study investigated the composition and density of macrobenthic invertebratesat selected coral reef sites in Chumphon Province, the Western Gulf of Thailand. Field surveys were conducted by SCUBA diving along permanent belt transects, with three replicate transects established at each site. Macrobenthic invertebrates were recorded within each transect, and species were identified directly in the field following standard survey procedures. The results showed that the density of macrobenthic invertebrates differed statistically significantly between sites (ANOVA, p<0.001), with the highest density observed at Ko Mat Wai Noi (13.6 ± 1.4 individuals/m²)and the lowest at Ko Rang Banthat (5.4 ± 0.9 individuals/m²). The diversity of macrobenthic invertebrates varied among sites, with Ko Maphrao exhibiting the highest diversity, while Ko Rang Banthat showed the lowest. The dominant species were Diadema setosum, Sabellastarte sp., and Bequina semiorbiculata. The observed spatial variability in macrobenthic invertebrate density highlights differences in ecological conditions among coral reef sites. These results provide valuable baseline data for long-term reef monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and the development of site-specific management strategies for coral reefs in the Western Gulf of Thailand.
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