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Outreach and Engagement
RUTS Trang Aquarium: A Public Awareness Center for Freshwater Ecosystems
November 4, 2022
Indicator 14.2.1
Freshwater ecosystems are globally dynamic, diverse, and complex. Lakes, rivers, and ponds cover about 1% of the Earth's surface but support 10% of all animals. These ecosystems offer ecosystem services that are vital to human welfare. These resources provide water for residential, agricultural, industrial, and transportation needs. Freshwater ecosystems are under tremendous stress as a result of overuse, habitat loss, invasive species, climate change, water diversion, and impoundment. Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) is committed to raising public awareness about freshwater ecosystems, coastal biodiversity conservation, and sustainable fisheries development through RUTS Trang Aquarium. The aquarium is a large building located inside the Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS), Trang Campus.
The aquarium is divided into two sections: an indoor section with 61 species display tanks such as freshwater fish, coral fish, and an outdoor display pond that showed both freshwater animals, marine animals and amphibians found in tidal and coastal zone. However, freshwater ecosystems are displayed as one-third of exhibition area. The majority of them are Thai freshwater fish that are displayed in aquarium tanks. Aquarium tank displays enhance freshwater ecosystem awareness, encouraging people to adopt environmentally responsible practices.
Every year, over 20,000 tourists, including foreigners, locals, and students, visit the RUTS aquarium. The displays of organisms are intended to raise public awareness in respect of freshwater ecosystems, coastal biodiversity conservation, and sustainable fisheries development. RUTS aquarium plays a critical role in connecting people to the aquatic ecosystem and the natural world. The ultimate goal is formal educational opportunities, but providing non-formal education to visitors, schools, and undergraduates appears to be a major mission of aquariums. RUTS Aquaria can raise public awareness of environmental education and aquatic life conservation.
Related Links: http://nrei.rmutsv.ac.th/?q=en/content/358-1436765858-245-130715
https://www.facebook.com/AquariumTrangPage/videos/1145963419603995/
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=457292263106232&set=pcb.457292689772856
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=449371407231651&set=pcb.449372100564915
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=447382124097246&set=pcb.447382314097227
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