"Ecomarine is determined and committed to preservation of the natural marine environment"
Environmental Issues in Wetland Areas
"Two Water Hyacinth plants can multiply into 30 tons within 20 days"
Many fresh-water wetland areas become naturally shallow due to sediment accumulation which came with the water mass and silt from decaying water plants. Some are dilapidated by humans draining water out of the area, land filling and sowing the area for agriculture. Productivity in terms of fish and other marine life diminishes along with the areas’ biodiversity as the food sources of birds and other animals disappear. The chemical characteristics of the soil also change and the PH balance of underground water may also be affected. Moreover, contagion risks from invasive plant and animal species such as applesnail and water Hyacinth further contribute to the decline in numbers of indigenous plants and fishes.
At present, the main rivers in each of the provinces are plagued with unwanted flora as well as rubbish and waste, resulting in considerable quality degradation of the rivers themselves and deterioration of the landscape along the river banks. The recent massive flooding provided lessons for everyone to be mindful of the importance of water drainage systems including smaller canals and waterways which play a vital role in redirecting water masses into the Chao Phraya River.
The prevalence of Water Hyacinth and other unwanted flora as well as garbage in the waterways create detrimental economic, social and environmental impacts. (Two Water Hyacinth plants can multiply into 30 tons within 20 days, or increase twice its weight within 10 days while its coverage of the water surface expands by 8 percent each day. If we allow only 10 Water Hyacinth plants to grow, within one year these will have increased to 1 million plants. Studies conducted on the Chao Phraya and Tha Chin rivers reveal that approximately 2,000 tons of Water Hyacinth from these two rivers flow into the Gulf of Thailand every day.)
Ecomarine Co., Ltd.
"Determined and committed to preservation of the natural marine environment"
Many natural water sources can be classified as “wetlands” which are a type of eco-system that plays a vital role, as well as possessing valuable and essential attributes towards life in ecological, economic and socio-political terms at the local, national and international levels. Water is perhaps one of the most important factors in any ecological system, especially a fresh water eco-system, both in generating and sustaining life. Water provides the habitat for living organisms from the smallest microbes to larger animals. Exploiting natural resources without planning proper management of possible impacts has invariably led to sharp decline and damage to remaining natural resources. We must, therefore, focus on remediation and rehabilitation of our natural resources and the environment in all aspects.
Very often, we find that wetlands are a rich source of biodiversity, providing habitat as well as feeding and breeding ground for numerous fauna and flora—some rare, some near extinction, an essential pool of genetic resources. In addition, wetlands also have aesthetic value as a place for recreation and leisure as well as tourism, especially in terms of natural and artistic/cultural appeal.
Impacts on Related Systems Resulting from Water Hyacinth and Other Unwanted Flora
Unwanted flora can slow down water flow by approximately 40 percent. Moreover, decaying plant-life invariably sink and remain submerged, blocking drainage and floodgates, obstructing the waterways and rendering them shallow, causing floods in the wet season.
Impact on Irrigation System:
Impact on Hydro-Electricity Generation System:
Sediment from unwanted flora causes reservoirs to become shallow and also negatively impacts on water catchment.
Impact on Agricultural System:
Floating hyacinth can carry other pests such as rats in large numbers. These pests can damage and destroy agricultural crops.
Impact on Fishery:
If the growth of unwanted flora becomes very dense, it could block out sunlight which impedes other marine life as their food becomes scarce.
Impact on Public Health:
Unwanted flora often provides an ideal habitat for infestation of disease from such pests as rats and mosquitoes, or dangerous animals such as poisonous snakes.
Impact on Transportation:
Unwanted flora has often proven to significantly impede transportation in some canals, in waterways connecting to rivers as well as in the rivers themselves, for both large and small vessels even during the wet season.