Mangrove afforestation and adaptation of Rhizophora spp. at Sirindhorn International Environmental Park Areeporn Sittiyanpaiboon The Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, Cha-am, Phetchaburi 76120 Thailand Email: areeporn_at_siep@yahoo.com Abstract The mangrove afforestation at Rama VI Camp, Cha-am, Phetchaburi Province, where currently the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park is allocated, started in 1994, after HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn had given a royal initiative to provide appropriate area for experimental planting of mangrove. On 17 August 1994 HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the planting of mangrove species in Khlong Bang Tra Noi and Khlong Bang Tra Yai in Rama VI Camp and planted 202 trees of Rhizophora mucronata at Khlong Bang Tranoi. Since then, from time to time, in 2001 on royal duties HRH Princess Sirindhorn presided over the second phase area of mangrove planting and planted big-leaf red mangrove. In 2003 Princess Sirindhorn presided over to view the result of mangrove planting in the first phase area, started in 1994, and furthermore to release some aquatic animals in order to restore the mangrove ecosystem for balancing the nature. At present, the mangrove at the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park has been restored and as a result biodiversity and mangrove ecosystem are fertile. This allows the Sirindhorn International Environmental Park to be a natural museum, providing some sorts of knowledge to students and general public who come in, experiencing and learning the advantages of mangrove ecosystem through a real fresh natural atmosphere. In 2015, Dr. Sonjai Havanond, a mangrove specialist found a hybrid mangrove (Rhizophora spp.) at the Princess Sirindhorn mangrove, Sirindhorn International Environmental Park and also noticed that the mangrove tree had no propagules to enable the completion of naturally reproductive cycle. According to that Dr. Suchitra Changtragoon, a specialist on forest genetics from Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation was invited to observe and investigate the putative hybrid mangrove. The result of her team’s laboratory examination reveals that it is a natural hybrid mangrove of Rhizophora mucronata and R. apiculata. However, some research work on growth and environmentally related has to be continuously carried out, to unfold the suspicious adaptation to the climate change of Rhizophora spp. The reproduction method of the natural hybrid mangrove through scientific study and research should be encouraged towards an achievement in the future. Keywords: mangrove afforestation, royal initiative, Sirindhorn International Environmental Park, hybrid mangrove, adaptation of Rhizophora spp.
Programme & Abstract for the Presentation : International Mangrove Forum Mangrove Management Towards Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 23 August 2018 @ 13.00-17.00 hrs. FORTROP Room, 3rd Floor, 60th Year Building Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok
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