MANGROVES OF THAILAND
Fig 1. Mangrove distribution area in 2007¹²³
Fig 2. Mangrove Plantation Areas (hectare) in Thailand (1961-2014)¹²⁶
Location: Southeast Asia
Latitude: 15.8700° N, 100.9925° E
Area: 513,120-km² ¹²⁴
In Thailand, mangrove trees grow on sheltered muddy shores and low-lying bogs of river and stream estuaries at levels between low and high tides.
High-density areas include the Gulf of Thailand banks on the west coast of the east peninsula. Mature natural mangrove forests remain only along the west coast of the peninsula in the provinces of Ranong, Phang-Nga, and Trang ¹²⁴ .
The last 46 years (1961–1998) saw a dramatic decline in the Thailand mangrove area, primarily due to encroachment.
Thailand lost about 56% of its mangrove forests due to the expansion of shrimp and salt farms.
From 2000 onwards, the recognition of the importance of mangroves facilitated the formulation of area/community action plans, increasing the rates of mangroves¹²⁵.
Reasons for the Loss of Mangroves
Importance of Mangroves in Thailand
Mangroves and coastal ecosystems are crucial resources for juvenile form of aquatic animals as they serve as nursery grounds and habitats for numerous organisms.
Mangroves also prevent coastal erosion and have the potential to absorb waste from communities and urban activities.
Mangroves play an important role as food resources and protection zones for people living in the coastal area.¹²⁷
EQUATOR INITIATIVE
What do they do?
The Equator Initiative brings together the United Nations, governments, civil society, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities¹²⁸
Recognize the success of local and indigenous initiatives
Create opportunities and platforms to share knowledge and good practice
Inform policy to foster an enabling environment for local and indigenous community action
Develop the capacity of local and indigenous initiatives to scale-up their impact.
How do they do it?
Equator Prize awarded biennially to recognize and advance local sustainable development solutions for people, nature and resilient communities.
Equator Dialogues are an ongoing series of community-driven meetings and exchanges, held in conjunction with related international forums.
Equator Knowledge works with partners to identify, document, and analyze the success factors of local best practice, and to catalyze ongoing peer-to-peer learning, knowledge exchange and replication of best practice¹²⁹.
The Equator Initiative is a multi-sector partnership that brings together the United Nations system, governments, civil society, and grassroots organizations¹²⁹ .