Implementing Watershed Management Strategies Based on Location Specific Diversity of Aquatic Species
Implementing Watershed Management Strategies Based on Location Specific Diversity of Aquatic Species
Healthy aquatic ecosystems are essential for maintaining biodiversity, sustaining fisheries, supporting food security, and protecting the livelihoods of communities that depend on marine and coastal resources. However, aquatic ecosystems face increasing pressures from habitat degradation, pollution, unsustainable fishing practices, and changes in environmental conditions. These pressures can affect the abundance and distribution of aquatic species, disrupt breeding and nursery habitats, and weaken the ecological connections between watersheds, estuaries, and coastal waters. Effective management therefore requires more than protecting individual sites; it requires coordinated action informed by the ecological characteristics of each location and the relationships between connected aquatic environments. Diagnostic assessments of habitat conditions, aquatic species, environmental pressures, and resource-use patterns can help identify conservation priorities, measure changes over time, and guide evidence-based management strategies. By integrating scientific research, local ecological knowledge, and community participation, universities and their partners can strengthen the management of aquatic ecosystems and support the long-term conservation of biodiversity and natural resources.
Walailak University Strengthens Community-Based Management of Coastal Ecosystems and Aquatic Biodiversity Through the LMMA Initiative
In 2025, Walailak University (WU) collaborated with local fishing communities, government agencies, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and marine industry partners to strengthen the management and conservation of shared marine and coastal ecosystems under the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) initiative. The collaboration supports the protection of aquatic biodiversity, the sustainable use of aquatic resources, and the maintenance of habitats that sustain local fisheries, food security, and community livelihoods. Through community participation, scientific knowledge exchange, sustainable fisheries management, and diagnostic assessments of environmental conditions and conservation needs, WU and its partners sought to strengthen local capacity and establish a coordinated framework for the long-term stewardship of aquatic ecosystems.
A major outcome of the initiative was the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and mutual agreement on community-based marine and coastal resource protection involving Ban Nai Thung, Ban Sa Bua, and Ban Na Thap (Rong Ruea 3) in Tha Sala District, Nakhon Si Thammarat Province. Discussed during a consultation meeting at WU, the agreement established a framework for cooperation in conserving marine and coastal resources while supporting sustainable livelihoods, local economic development, and equitable access to natural resources. The initiative recognizes that effective ecosystem management requires location-specific conservation measures, collaboration among resource users and responsible agencies, and the integration of local ecological knowledge with scientific expertise.
A central component of the LMMA initiative is the establishment and strengthening of community conservation zones covering approximately 3,900 rai (624 hectares). These areas comprise approximately 600 rai in Ban Nai Thung, 1,600 rai in Ban Sa Bua, and 1,700 rai in Ban Na Thap. Developed through community consultation and participation, the zones are intended to protect important marine and coastal habitats, safeguard breeding and nursery grounds, provide safer areas for juvenile aquatic animals, and support the replenishment of aquatic populations. Community conservation rules also provide a basis for regulating resource use, promoting responsible fishing practices, and strengthening surveillance against illegal fishing. Where appropriate, the release of aquatic species can complement habitat protection and other conservation measures. Together, these interventions support the ecological functions of shared coastal environments and help maintain the natural resources on which local fishing communities depend.
Walailak University contributes academic expertise in sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management, community engagement, and fisheries-management principles and regulatory frameworks. Through knowledge exchange, the University supports local communities in understanding responsible resource use, conservation practices, and relevant fisheries regulations. Discussions have also addressed European Union requirements and Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMO) frameworks, strengthening stakeholders’ understanding of broader approaches to sustainable fisheries governance. These activities provide a foundation for identifying management challenges through diagnostic assessments, scientific research, and community observations, while connecting local conservation priorities with wider principles of aquatic resource management.
Under the MOU, WU and Nakhon Si Thammarat Rajabhat University serve as academic partners responsible for providing scientific knowledge, technology, innovation, and research expertise to support sustainable marine and coastal resource management. Their commitments include transferring knowledge to local communities, strengthening local capacity, supporting the development and management of blue swimming crab banks, and conducting research on ecosystem and environmental restoration associated with coastal resources. These responsibilities create opportunities to examine the relationship between habitat conditions and aquatic populations, assess the effectiveness of conservation interventions, and identify measures that can improve the protection of breeding grounds and the replenishment of marine resources. Such research can also inform future management decisions based on the ecological characteristics and conservation needs of the participating communities.
Government agencies provide technical, regulatory, research, and enforcement support for the initiative. The Nakhon Si Thammarat Provincial Fisheries Office and the Sichon Marine Fisheries Protection and Suppression Unit contribute expertise in fisheries management, responsible fishing practices, law enforcement, and surveillance of conservation areas. The Songkhla Marine Fisheries Research and Development Centre contributes fisheries research and technical knowledge, while relevant marine and coastal resource agencies support coastal management and the conservation and restoration of community mangrove forests. Tha Sala Subdistrict Administrative Organization is expected to promote awareness of community conservation rules and support their integration into local policies and regulations. These complementary responsibilities strengthen the institutional framework for implementing conservation measures, addressing threats to aquatic biodiversity, and maintaining shared ecosystems over the long term.
Local fishing communities remain central to the implementation and continuity of the LMMA initiative. Local fishing groups have committed to serving as volunteer conservation monitors, continuing conservation activities, and cooperating with relevant authorities to prevent illegal fishing and protect marine resources. The Thai Sea Watch Association supports community-based resource management, conservation activities, improved aquatic product processing, and the development of local economic opportunities. By involving resource users directly in conservation and monitoring, the initiative encourages shared responsibility for maintaining aquatic ecosystems while recognizing the close relationship between environmental protection, sustainable livelihoods, and equitable access to natural resources.
To strengthen the initiative’s contribution to ecosystem management, diagnostic assessments and systematic monitoring can be used to measure changes in habitat conditions, the status of breeding and nursery grounds, aquatic population trends, and compliance with community conservation rules. Community observations can complement scientific data by identifying environmental changes, emerging threats, and practical challenges in managing local aquatic resources. Monitoring can also help assess the effectiveness of conservation zones, blue swimming crab banks, habitat restoration, and community surveillance. The findings can inform the selection of conservation priorities, support evidence-based adjustments to management practices, and provide a basis for measuring progress toward maintaining aquatic biodiversity.
The LMMA initiative also offers a foundation for strengthening integrated watershed-to-coast management. Coastal ecosystems are influenced by the interaction of marine processes with conditions in connected estuaries, rivers, and surrounding catchments. Where these connections are relevant to the participating communities, future management assessments can examine how land-based pollution, sediment runoff, changes in freshwater flows, and other pressures affect coastal habitats and aquatic species. Integrating catchment information with marine and coastal biodiversity assessments would help identify the connections between upstream environmental conditions and downstream ecosystem health. Such an approach could strengthen the use of location-specific ecological information in determining conservation priorities and developing coordinated management measures across connected aquatic environments.
Through the LMMA initiative, Walailak University and its partners have established a collaborative framework for protecting marine and coastal habitats, managing aquatic resources, strengthening community participation, and supporting research-informed conservation. The community conservation zones covering approximately 624 hectares provide a defined geographical focus for conservation activities across the three participating communities. By combining local ecological knowledge, scientific research, community monitoring, institutional support, and diagnostic assessments, the initiative provides opportunities to measure conservation progress, identify emerging environmental pressures, and improve management decisions over time. Continued implementation and monitoring, together with a clearer assessment of watershed-to-coast connections where applicable, can strengthen the initiative’s contribution to location-specific aquatic biodiversity conservation and the long-term sustainability of marine and coastal resources.
Walailak University Implements Nature-Based Watershed Management to Conserve Freshwater Ecosystems and Aquatic Biodiversity
Freshwater ecosystems are essential for sustaining aquatic biodiversity, maintaining water security, supporting agricultural activities, and providing livelihoods for local communities. Rivers and streams form interconnected ecological systems in which water flow, sediment movement, riparian vegetation, and aquatic species influence one another. However, inappropriate water management, riverbank erosion, habitat degradation, and changing rainfall patterns can threaten these ecological functions and the availability of freshwater resources. Effective watershed management therefore requires strategies that respond to the environmental characteristics of each location and consider the needs of the aquatic organisms inhabiting its waterways. Diagnostic assessments of river conditions, aquatic habitats, water availability, and environmental pressures can help identify conservation priorities, guide appropriate interventions, and measure changes in ecosystem health. Recognising these needs, Walailak University (WU) promotes nature-based freshwater management through its Living Weir Project, combining environmental education, practical river conservation, and community participation to support the sustainable management of shared freshwater ecosystems.
A central component of the Living Weir Project is community-based learning that strengthens understanding of freshwater ecosystem functions and the environmental factors influencing river health. Through classroom discussions, community consultations, field surveys, demonstrations, and hands-on conservation activities, WU researchers share knowledge about freshwater biodiversity, sustainable irrigation, river restoration, erosion prevention, water retention, ecological engineering, and climate-resilient water resource management. Participants learn how water flow, sediment movement, vegetation, aquatic organisms, and seasonal rainfall interact to shape river ecosystems. These activities also create opportunities for communities and researchers to identify local water-management challenges, discuss ecological conditions, and consider appropriate conservation measures based on scientific knowledge and local experience. By connecting environmental education with diagnostic assessments of river conditions and resource-management needs, the project encourages more informed decision-making and supports the development of locally appropriate watershed management practices.
The preservation, restoration, and maintenance of nature-based weirs form the practical foundation of the initiative. WU works with local residents, community leaders, local government officers, and student volunteers to construct and restore weirs using locally available materials, including small boulders, bamboo, coconut leaves, and sandbags. Designed as stepped and permeable structures, these weirs slow water flow, increase local water retention, and allow water to continue moving downstream. Community members participate in site surveys, planning, construction, restoration, and maintenance, gaining practical knowledge of how nature-based structures can contribute to freshwater conservation. When designed and maintained appropriately for local river conditions, these interventions can support watershed management by addressing water availability and erosion while retaining the natural characteristics of the surrounding aquatic environment.
The environmental functions of the weirs extend beyond water retention. By slowing water movement and helping maintain water availability, the structures can support local agricultural activities, retain soil moisture, reduce erosion, and stabilise riverbanks. The pools and associated habitats may also provide suitable conditions for freshwater fish, aquatic insects, freshwater invertebrates, and riparian vegetation. These ecological relationships highlight the importance of considering aquatic biodiversity when planning and maintaining water-management structures. Management decisions should take account of the aquatic species present, their habitat requirements, seasonal changes in water conditions, and potential effects on movement between different parts of the river. Community observations of increased aquatic animals compared with previous years provide an encouraging indication of possible ecological improvement. However, systematic surveys and continued monitoring are necessary to measure changes in species abundance and diversity and to determine whether the observed changes are associated with the weirs or other environmental factors.
Community participation is essential to the long-term management of the freshwater ecosystems supported by the project. Local residents and community leaders contribute knowledge of river conditions, seasonal water flows, aquatic resources, and local water-use needs, while WU researchers provide scientific guidance and technical expertise. Local government officers and student volunteers participate in educational and practical activities that promote environmental awareness and collective stewardship. This collaboration creates opportunities to combine local ecological knowledge with scientific observations when identifying habitat conditions, conservation priorities, and maintenance requirements. Where aquatic species surveys and habitat assessments are incorporated into project planning, this information can help communities determine whether existing weirs support local biodiversity and identify adjustments that may be needed to protect aquatic habitats and maintain river connectivity.
To strengthen the effectiveness of the Living Weir Project, ongoing monitoring and diagnostic assessments can be used to evaluate river conditions, water retention, erosion, aquatic habitats, and the maintenance needs of nature-based structures. Relevant measurements may include water depth, flow conditions, seasonal water availability, riverbank stability, and the presence and diversity of aquatic species. Comparing observations over time can help identify environmental changes, evaluate the effectiveness of management interventions, and diagnose emerging problems. Community observations can complement scientific measurements by identifying changes in aquatic populations, water availability, and river conditions that may require further investigation. The resulting evidence can inform decisions about weir maintenance, river restoration, habitat protection, and adjustments to local water-management practices. Incorporating species-specific information into these assessments would further strengthen the project’s contribution to location-specific watershed management.
The Living Weir Project also provides opportunities to strengthen coordination between freshwater ecosystem conservation and wider watershed management. Rivers and streams are influenced by activities throughout their surrounding catchments, including land use, vegetation removal, agricultural practices, erosion, and the movement of pollutants. Managing a river sustainably therefore requires consideration of both the waterway itself and the surrounding land that influences its ecological condition. By combining nature-based interventions with community participation, environmental education, and diagnostic assessments, WU and local stakeholders can identify pressures affecting freshwater ecosystems and develop management measures suited to local conditions. Continued collaboration can also support the transfer of practical knowledge to other communities, provided that interventions are adapted to the hydrological conditions, ecological characteristics, and aquatic biodiversity of each location.
Through the Living Weir Project, Walailak University promotes a collaborative approach to freshwater ecosystem management that connects nature-based infrastructure, watershed conservation, environmental education, and community-led stewardship. The initiative demonstrates how local participation and scientific knowledge can support the maintenance of shared water resources while recognising the importance of aquatic habitats and ecological processes. Continued diagnostic assessments, species monitoring, and systematic measurement of environmental conditions can help determine the effectiveness of interventions, identify emerging threats, and guide improvements to management practices. By strengthening the relationship between water management and location-specific aquatic biodiversity, the project has the potential to contribute to more resilient freshwater ecosystems, improved local water security, sustainable livelihoods, and the long-term conservation of aquatic resources.
Walailak University Research Supports Evidence-Based Watershed and Coastal Ecosystem Management Through Heavy Metal Risk Assessment
Effective watershed management requires an understanding of how land-based activities, river systems, and coastal environments interact. Freshwater runoff can transport pollutants from inland areas into estuaries and coastal bays, where contaminants may accumulate in sediments and pose risks to aquatic ecosystems. Recognizing these connections, research assessing environmental conditions across watershed-to-coast systems can provide important scientific evidence for identifying pollution risks, strengthening monitoring practices, and supporting more informed natural resource management.
A study entitled “Assessment of Ecological Risk and Spatial-Temporal Variations of Heavy Metals in Surface Sediment from Blood Cockle Cultivation Areas at Bandon Bay, Thailand” investigated heavy metal contamination in surface sediments collected from blood cockle cultivation areas in Bandon Bay during February and August 2021. The study examined arsenic (As), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn), comparing their concentrations between the dry and wet seasons. Four environmental assessment indices—the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (PER)—were used to measure contamination levels and diagnose potential ecological risks.
The findings revealed seasonal variations in sediment contamination, with higher concentrations of heavy metals generally recorded during the dry season than during the wet season. The assessment also identified areas of concern for arsenic and cadmium contamination. In the Thathong area of Bandon Bay, the pollution indices indicated low-to-moderate ecological risk associated with arsenic, while the reported potential ecological risk value for cadmium reached 65.34. These findings demonstrate the importance of systematic environmental measurement in identifying spatial and seasonal differences in pollution and determining where further investigation and monitoring may be needed.
The study also provides a useful perspective on the relationship between watershed processes and coastal environmental quality. Bandon Bay receives freshwater inputs from the Tapi–Phumduang River watershed and other watercourses. Rivers and streams can connect inland activities with downstream estuarine and coastal environments by transporting materials that may subsequently accumulate in sediments. Assessing sediment quality in coastal cultivation areas therefore contributes to a broader understanding of environmental conditions across connected freshwater and marine systems. Such assessments can help environmental managers identify potential pollution pathways and consider upstream and downstream factors when planning monitoring and pollution-prevention measures.
The research recommended frequent monitoring of heavy metal contamination to help minimize and mitigate pollution risks in Bandon Bay. Repeated measurements across seasons and locations can support the identification of emerging pollution hotspots, the evaluation of changes in sediment quality, and the prioritization of areas requiring further investigation. When combined with information about local aquatic species, habitat conditions, and watershed characteristics, these diagnostic findings could also contribute to management decisions intended to maintain healthy aquatic environments and protect the ecological functions that sustain fisheries and coastal livelihoods.
Overall, the study highlights the value of scientific measurement and ecological-risk diagnosis in supporting evidence-based management of interconnected watershed and coastal ecosystems. Its findings provide a baseline for understanding heavy metal contamination in blood cockle cultivation areas and reinforce the importance of continued environmental monitoring. Integrating such evidence with aquatic biodiversity assessments and documented management actions can help strengthen watershed-to-coast planning, improve the protection of aquatic habitats, and support the long-term sustainability of coastal resources. For Walailak University’s sustainability reporting, the research offers relevant supporting evidence for environmental assessment and watershed management, while further documentation would be needed to demonstrate an implemented strategy explicitly based on the location-specific diversity of aquatic species.
Taken together, the watershed conservation initiatives, community-based ecosystem protection activities, streamflow modelling research, and heavy metal contamination assessment demonstrate the importance of combining practical action with scientific evidence to support the sustainable management of connected aquatic environments. Through environmental measurement, field observations, water-resource assessments, and ecological-risk diagnosis, these approaches can help identify environmental pressures, understand seasonal changes, and establish priorities for conservation and pollution prevention. Nature-based solutions, such as living weirs, can contribute to water retention, erosion reduction, and the maintenance of aquatic habitats, while collaboration with local communities can strengthen environmental awareness, encourage responsible resource use, and support the long-term stewardship of local waterways.
Continued measurement and monitoring are essential to evaluate whether these initiatives achieve their intended environmental benefits. Indicators such as streamflow, water availability, sediment quality, erosion, habitat conditions, and the presence and diversity of aquatic species can provide a basis for assessing ecosystem health and identifying areas requiring further intervention. Combining these measurements with local and scientific knowledge can support adaptive management, allowing conservation measures to respond to changing environmental conditions and the needs of different aquatic species. This integrated approach can also help protect fisheries, sustain community livelihoods, and strengthen resilience to pollution, seasonal water fluctuations, and other environmental pressures.
By connecting watershed assessment, ecosystem restoration, pollution-risk evaluation, and community participation, these initiatives provide a foundation for more coordinated and evidence-based aquatic resource management. Their potential benefits extend beyond improving environmental conditions to include stronger local capacity, more informed decision-making, and the long-term protection of freshwater and coastal ecosystems.
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