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Environmental Factors Influencing Land Use of Coastal Land in Thailand: A Case Study in Samut Sakhon Province
Dissertation Abstract:
The development and utilization of coastal natural resources in Samut Sakhon, Thailand have gradually increased over the past century. The rapid growth of aquacultural development activities and the lack of land use plan created negative impacts on the coastal resources of the province-mangrove forest disappeared, water pollution occurred, and saline soil increased. The increasing demand for urbanization and industrial development activities in the area have resulted in land use conflicts. The answer to improved resource management is a sound resource control policy and proper land use management, which considers nature's sustainability and the suitability of resource usage. Proper management of land should be based on a sound land use plan. The purpose of this study was to develop a land use plan for Samut Sakhon Province. Environmental factors that have influenced the land use pattern of coastal land in Samut Sakhon were identified and assessed. This involved studies on present land use and on the quality and quantity of soil and water in the area.
A semi-detailed soil survey was done throughout the province. Each soil type was evaluated for its potential agricultural use. A method of classifying land use suitability for selected fruit trees and vegetable crops was developed and applied in the study area. The existing land use map was prepared using satellite images aerial photographs and field surveys. Water quality parameters such as water salinity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, and chemical oxygen demand were investigated using standard methods. Results showed that the river water was still of good quality. Survey questionnaires were used to obtain the socioeconomic characteristics of the study's 200 respondents who were selected depending on the soil series. They were asked for their attitude toward public facilities, environmental problems, and land development.
Findings showed that two soil series, Tha Chin and Samut Prakarn, occurred on the active tidal flat and four soil series. namely: Bangkok, Banglen, Than Buri, and Damnoen Saduak, occurred on the former tidal flat. The chemical property of all soil series had no limitation for agricultural use. Swamps and idle land covered the largest area (35%) of the province, followed by fruit tree crop areas (19%), fish and shrimp ponds (14%), paddy tields (13%), vegetable crop areas (8%), urban and industrial areas (5%). and salt production area (1%). The major factor affecting agricultural land use was the waterlogged condition of the area. Water salinity, which directly affected plant growth and also caused soil salinity in the area, was a minor factor. The majority of the respondents had a positive attitude toward land development. Those with fruit tree, fish, and shrimp farms were satisfied with their land use. The rest believed that their land should be developed for industrial or urban use.
About 87 percent of the respondents had a false perception of water abundancy. Water from natural sources was used carelessly and extravagantly, resulting in water shortage and water quality problems. Respondents thought that water pollution was mainly due to fish and shrimp farms' discharges. The respondents had no complaint about the infrastructure fac ilities since they believed that they receive good services. They have positive attitude toward land development. Based on the findings, a land use zoning map and a policy relating to coastal resource control were recommended.