SDG 14

Indicator 14.3.3

Research and Innovation

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Conserving Seagrass Beds: Collaboration Project for Seagrass Restoration

Reporters:	Asst .Prof. Porntep Wirachwong
	Dr. Chanyut Sudtongkong

October 18, 2024

Trang Province, Thailand, hosts the country’s largest seagrass beds, covering approximately 6,720 hectares. These habitats are crucial for dugongs (Dugong dugon), classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. The extensive decline of seagrass in Trang Province, attributed to sediment from coastal dredging and land erosion, poses significant concerns for local dugong populations that rely on these habitats for food. Protecting these ecosystems is vital for the long-term survival of dugongs and other marine species.

Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) plays a key role in preserving Thailand’s coastal ecosystems. Led by Assistant Professor Porntep Wirachwong, the Marine Science and Environment program at RUTS has initiated the “Seagrass Restoration Project in Ban Tha Kham, Mod Tanoi, Pak Kong and Laem Sai Village, Trang province, in partnership with the local community.

The project’s goal is to advance seagrass restoration techniques to enhance the survival rates of transplanted seagrasses. During the southwest monsoon season, parts of seagrass are torn,broken, and washed ashore, accumulating with marine debris. Many of the seagrass rhizomes deteriorate, wither, and die without any measures for utilization. an innovative approach was developed to restore seagrass meadows by repurposing damaged rhizomes. Instead of transplanting seedlings, the uprooted rhizomes are collected, rehabilitated in a community hatchery, and replanted in natural seagrass habitats. This method aims to restore seagrass abundance in Trang Province while promoting coastal conservation by involving local people and tourists in seagrass estoration activities.

The project provides education and training to a variety of stakeholders—students, tourists, and coastal communities—through seagrass restoration learning centers in each village. This capacity-building initiative cultivates essential expertise in seagrass restoration, which is vital for the effective development and execution of restoration programs.

Additionally, the Learning Center’s support for seagrass planting significantly contributes to marine conservation. By supplying seedlings and guidance, the Center aids in the restoration and protection of seagrass ecosystems for future generations. These activities align with Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), which focuses on preserving and enhancing existing ecosystems and their biodiversity, particularly the threatened seagrass ecosystems in Trang Province, Thailand.