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Increasing habitat complexity enhances crab density: A case study from Thailand
Author(s) -
Tuntiprapas Piyalap,
Rattanachot Ekkalak,
Prathep Anchana
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
ecological research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.628
H-Index - 68
eISSN - 1440-1703
pISSN - 0912-3814
DOI - 10.1111/1440-1703.12196
Subject(s) - seagrass , abundance (ecology) , habitat , fishery , benthos , ecosystem , ecology , marine ecosystem , marine protected area , nursery habitat , biodiversity , marine reserve , geography , environmental science , biology , benthic zone
The problem of seagrass degradation in Southeast Asia region, which harbors some of the greatest marine biodiversity in the world, is increasing due to coastal development and the lack of efficient management. These factors have caused the decline of marine life and have impacted local fisheries. The present study investigated the species, sizes and abundance of swimming crabs in areas of differing seagrass cover at Koh Tha Rai in the Gulf of Thailand. Seagrass cover and crab populations were investigated on May 2006, September 2010 and August 2017. The results showed concomitant change in seagrass cover and the dominant crab species, Thalamita crenata . Seagrass increased from 27.69 ± 5.08% (mean ± SE ) to 58.89 ± 5.61% at the low cover site between May 2006 and July 2017, while T. crenata abundance increased 10‐fold ( p ≤ .0001). This study highlights the importance of conservation and the importance of seagrass in terms of providing ecosystem services and habitat/refuge for marine benthos in the region.