Status and trends of biodiversity, including benefits from biodiversity and ecosystem services
The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.
Thailand is one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in Southeast Asia. It is located within two major biogeographical regions – the Indochinese region in the north and the Sundiac region in the south. With 15 mountain ranges throughout the country, the watersheds and main river basins connected to the Mekong River, Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea form a juncture of distribution for various plant species, such as temperate plant species and sub-alpine flora species from China and the Himalayas, tropical plant species from Indo-China and tropical species from other parts of Asia. In consequence, this area is one of the most biodiverse in the world. Thailand contains around 15,000 plant species, representing 8% of the world’s total. Forest area covers at least 33% of the country’s total area, with at least 18% comprised of conserved forests.
Threatened species in Thailand are numerous, consisting of 121 mammals, 184 birds, 33 reptiles, 5 amphibians, 218 fishes and no fewer than 1,131 plants. For instance, the number of wild elephants is between 1975 and 2380, wild buffaloes remain between 50 and 70, tigers between 200 and 500, while guars and bantengs remain at around 200. The kouprey, eld’s deer and java rhino have not been reported in the wild for a long time. The number of irrawaddy dolphins is plummeting as well. Some freshwater fish species have become extinct and there are more than 20 endangered species. The number of indigenous livestock is also decreasing due to the introduction of alien animals.
Thailand’s unique biodiversity is supported by a large variety of ecosystems, landscapes and habitats, most of which are also greatly threatened by human activity. In 1961, Thailand had a lush forest covering 53.35% of the country however, in 2009, terrestrial forest coverage had decreased to 32.1%. Several wild plant species have been irretrievably lost, including some species indigenous to the Toe Daeng peat swamp forest. Furthermore, hundreds of thousands of wild orchids were poached between 2003 and 2005 and sold to orchid farms and collectors. The agricultural ecosystem in Thailand harbors a rich diversity of species. The country is a sanctuary for world rice species. However, at the moment, there is rapid genetic erosion of rice due to urban rice paddy cultivation and farmers preferring to grow prolific species (with less conservation of indigenous crops). A large number of indigenous cultivated plants have also disappeared following the destruction of farmed areas as a result of natural disasters, urbanization, industrialization and dam construction.
Thailand possesses unique coastal and marine biodiversity. Along the coastline, mangrove forests comprise approximately 36% of the coastline. Currently, mangrove forests are threatened by illegal wood cutting, shrimp farming, construction of residential areas and industrial factories. Beach forests have been heavily devastated due to tourism, community settlement and port activities. At present, only a few lush beach forests exist in Thailand, most of which are located in the national marine parks. A survey undertaken in 2006 revealed that 40% of the seagrass bed in the Gulf of Thailand was in good condition, while this figure was only 20% in the Andaman Sea. These decreasing trends are a result of erosion by the current flow, net fishing and trawling, shrimp farm sewage and residues from estuaries. The largest area of coral reefs, equivalent to 25% of the total coral reef area nationwide, is located in the Suratthani Province. A survey conducted in 2007 indicated that only 5% of coral reefs in the Suratthani Province is considered in good condition, 24% in fair condition, 52% in poor condition and 13% in very poor condition.
Thailand derives large benefits from ecosystems. In particular, the country recognizes the important environmental role performed by watersheds, river basins and coastal areas, as well as their significance in supporting livelihoods linked to fisheries, recreation and tourism, among many others. For instance, a watershed with adequate forest cover provides water that supports lowland agriculture, sustains the supply of surface and ground water for domestic use, and prevents soil erosion and the siltation of coasts and water bodies. Likewise, the forest ecosystem provides ecological services that benefit agriculture, industries, water and power needs.
Main pressures on and drivers of change to biodiversity (direct and indirect)
The content of this biodiversity profile is still draft. The text below has been prepared by SCBD and remains subject to final approval by the Party concerned.
Threats to biodiversity in Thailand include illegal hunting, crop and forest burning, livestock overgrazing, forest clearance/illegal logging, destructive fishing practices, disturbance caused by tourism and transportation activities, environmental pollution, forest fires, introduction of invasive alien species, coral bleaching and the loss of wetlands. The threats to biodiversity differ from one ecosystem to another. In regard to forest ecosystems, the shrinking of habitats for local plants and animals due to urbanization has resulted in the loss of indigenous plant and animal species. Urban and industrial growth has led to a critical decrease in (and deterioration of) agricultural ecosystems. Coastal ecosystems are threatened by illegal logging, overfishing, community settlement, industrialization and tourism development. Biodiversity ecosystems located near tourist attractions are threatened by rubbish, pollution, boat anchors and the collection of seashell and ornamental fish. In the past decade, overfishing and the deconstruction of coastal habitats, such as the mangrove forest, have reduced the quantity of marine animals available from natural sources. Notably, the amount of shell fished in the past ten years has declined by 70%. As a result, most of the large marine fish, such as shark, sawfish and ray, are now vulnerable.
