Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area is a protected freshwater wetland located in Phatthalung province, southern Thailand, covering an area of . It is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in Southeast Asia.Coesel, P.F.M., [DOI: 10.1111/j.1756-1051.2000.tb00751."Desmids (Cholorphyta, Desmidiaceae) from Thale Noi (Thailand)"], Nordic Journal of Botany, 2000. Retrieved 05-05-2016. It is the smallest, northernmost basin in the chain of lagoons that form Songkhla Lake, spreading across three provincial boundaries into Nakhon Si Thammarat, Phatthalung and Songkhla provinces and is home to the critically endangered Irrawaddy dolphin (Orcaella brevirostris).Ponnampalam et al., [DOI 10.1578/AM.39.4.2013.401 "Behavioral Observations of Irrawaddy Dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris) in Trat Province, Eastern Thailand"], Aquatic Mammals, 2013. Retrieved 05-05-2016.Iwasaki, S. & Shaw, R., [ "Integrated Lagoon Fisheries Management"], Emerald Group Publishing Limited, 2010. Retrieved 05-05-2016.
History The Thai name ‘Thale Noi’ translates to ‘little sea’ in English language (thale = sea; noi = little). The wetlands were internationally recognised as a biodiversity hotspot in 1975 when the Department of National Parks, Wildlife & Flora, under the Ministry of National Resources and Environment Cookey, P., Darnswasdi, R. & Ratanchai, C., [doi:10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2015.11.015 "Local People's Perceptions of Lake Basin Water Governance Performance in Thailand"], Ocean & Coastal Management, 2016. Retrieved 05-05-2016 . and in conjunction with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) declared it a Protected Area Category III (Natural Monuments), aimed at protecting particular natural features of a small area with high visitor value.IUCN, "Protected Areas Category III" , IUCN, 2014. Retrieved 05-05-2016. The wetlands’ valuable feature is its provision of suitable breeding habitats for tens of thousands of native and migratory bird species. Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area was the first official non-hunting wildlife area declared in Thailand. Furthermore, the Kuan Ki Sian knoll, a area within the non-hunting grounds was declared as a ‘Wetland of International Importance’ in 1998 by the Ramsar Convention for its diversity of flora and fauna species, its value as a breeding haven for myriad bird species and for the presence of vulnerable and endangered species inhabiting the area.Ramsar Convention Secretariat, "Ramsar Sites Criteria", Ramsar Convention Secretariat, 2013. Retrieved 01-05-2016. The wetlands are presently governed by the Royal Forestry Department who work with local authorities and communities to manage the reserve.Royal Thai Government, "Phatthalung Tourism Information", Royal Thai Government, 2016. Retrieved 05-05-2016.
Climate Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area experiences tropical monsoonal weather with little variation in average temperatures throughout the year. There are distinct wet and dry seasons experienced on the southern east coast of Thailand with the rainy season running from October to March and dry season from April to September; November being the wettest month of the year and July being the driest.Thai Meteorological Department, "The Climate of Thailand", Thai Meteorological Department, 2014. Retrieved 19-05-2016.
Ecosystem dynamics
Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area is part of the greater Songkhla Lake Basin, the largest lagoon lake in Thailand, covering an area of over in its entirety.Chufamanee, P. and Lonholdt, L., "Application of integrated environmental management through the preparation of an environmental action programme: Case study from the Songkhla Lake Basin in southern Thailand", Lakes & Reservoirs: Research and Management, 2001. Retrieved 01-05-2016. The lake joins with Thale Luang, a basin, via 3 channels – Khlong Naang Riam, Khlong Ban Klang and Khlong Yuan,King, V., ["Environmental Challenges in South East Asia"], Taylor & Francis Group, 1998. however sluice gates were installed in 1956 by the Royal Irrigation Department to prevent salt water intrusion Iwasaki, S. & Shaw, R., [doi:10.3850/S179392402009000106 "Human Security and Coping Brackish Environmental Hazards in Fishing Communities of Songkhla Lake, Thailand"], Asian Journal of Environment and Disaster Management, 2009. Retrieved 01-05-2016. to create freshwater conditions conducive to rice production (see Environmental Threats). Thale Luang adjoins Thale Sap () which connects to the southernmost lake, Thale Sap Songkhla () that opens into the Gulf of Thailand through a 380 m wide strait.Earth Snapshot, "Songkhla Lake: the Largest Natural Lake in Thailand - See more at: http://www.eosnap.com/image-of-the-day/songkhla-lake-the-largest-natural-lake-in-thailand-march-30th-2009/#sthash.SHvlQev7.dpuf" , Chelys, 2009. Retrieved 01-05-2016. Approximately 94% () of the reserve is terrestrial and 6% () is aquatic. Thale Noi lake is approximately 5 km wide and 6 km long with an average depth of 1.2 m, however water levels fluctuate significantly with changing seasonal conditions, dropping to around 80 cm in dry season and increasing to a depth of 3 m in some areas during the wet season.
Overview lakes of Phatthalung A Thale Noi B Thale Luang C Thale Sap D Thale Sap Songkhla
Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area is a biologically diverse wetland with multiple habitat types supporting a vast array of flora and fauna species. Dense Melaleuca forests dominate the north and south Storer, P.J., "A Study of the Waterfowl at Thale Noi", Natural History Bulletin Siam Society, 1977. Retrieved 01-05-2016. with extensive rice paddy fields to the east and remaining areas combine swamp marsh, grassland and sedge beds, with only a relatively small area of open water.Birdlife International, "Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas - Thale Noi", Birdlife International, 2016. Retrieved 19-05-2016.
Melaleuca forestsRice paddiesSwamp, sedge, grasslandOpen water
Wildlife Plant life ranges from Melaleuca swamp forests to floating aquatic macrophytes and microscopic phytoplankton. Records from the late 1990s show there were 72 species of flora in Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area.Liangphonphan, S., "Forest inventory at Thale Noi Basin", AGRIS, 1999. Retrieved 14-05-2016. However more recent studies reveal dramatic reductions in plant populations with only 25 species remaining in the reserve. This loss of biodiversity is due to the heavy impact human populations have had on the area through the over-exploitation of natural resources and pollution into the lake.
The weeping paperbark (Melaleuca leucadendron) and the white samet (Melaleuca cajuputi) bordering both ends of the reserve represent the largest Melaleuca habitat in Thailand.
Other water adapted plant species in the area include the mangrove species Rhizophora apiculata and Sonneratia caseolaris, the nipa palm (Nypa fruticans), Siamese balsa (Alstonia spathulata) and the shore eugenia (Syzygium antisepticum), which all contribute to ecosystem stability for maintaining soil composition, food sources, sanctuary and breeding grounds for both terrestrial and aquatic species. Macrophytes provide important habitats for birds, otters and other wildlife. These include reeds Phragmites, sedges (Cyperus), Scleria, Scirpus, Eleocharis, rice grass (Paspalum scrobiculatum), sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera), white lotus (Nymphaea lotus), blue lotus (Nymphaea nouchali), water snowflake (Nymphoides indica), Asian watermoss (Salvinia cucullata), golden bladderwort (Utricularia aurea), hornwort (Ceratophyllum demersum), green algae (Chara) and myriad other phytoplankton. Many macrophyte populations form dense floating patches on the lake surface providing refuge and habitat for both mobile and sessile organisms.
Over-exploitation of the grey sedge Lepironia articulata in the Thale Noi region has led to shortages in supply for local communities who depend on the plant as a primary source of income. This species is intensely harvested by over 1,000 local families with more than 70% women who use the stems for weaving mats, baskets, bags and other handicraft items for sale. The cultivation of the grey sedge in the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area does not require legal land tenure and little financial outlay. The sacred lotus is harvested extensively for food, medicine and religious ceremonies. Thai people use all parts of this species for myriad uses including the rhizomes, stems, leaves, petals, pods and seeds in cooking; the flowers and leaves for Buddhist rituals; and the leaves, pods, petioles, stamens and pollen for treating a variety of ailments such as sinusitis, diabetes and fever. Leaves from the Pandanus plant (Pandanus amaryllifolius) are commonly used throughout Thailand for flavouring dishes and adding natural green colouring to drinks and sweets, and is used as a traditional medicine for treating diabetes.
Amphibians Amphibian species present in Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area are black-spectacled toad (Bufo melanostictus), pointed-tongued floating frog (Occidozyga lima), common green frog (Hylarana erythrae), Chinese bullfrog (Rana rugosa), white-lipped tree frog (Polypedates leucomystax), Burmese squat frog (Calluella guttulata) and the Malaysian narrowmouth toad (Kaloula pulchra).
Fish and shellfish There are mixed reports to the number of fish species found in Thale Noi Lake with some ranging from 45 species to other much lower figures of 26 species. It is likely that many species have been lost from the wetlands due to habitat conversion, pollution and fragmentation resulting from agricultural expansion and industrialisation,Monvises, A., Nuangsaeng, B., Sriwattanarothai, N. and Panijpan, B., [doi:10.2306/scienceasia1513-1874.2009.35.008 "The Siamese fighting fish: Well-known generally but little-known scientifically"], Science Asia, 2009. Retrieved 05-05-2016. however more research is required to quantify the extent of loss. Siamese Fighting Fish (Betta splendens), once common in the Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area are facing declining populations due to habitat destruction from land conversion, pollution and over-exploitation in the pet trade. This species is commonly bred in Thailand for the purpose of betting on aggressive fighting male individuals and for their attractive colouring. A secondary threat, as a consequence of the international trade of this species, is genetic erosion resulting from privately bred stock being released into wild areas.Vidthayanon, C., "Betta splendens", IUCN Red List, 2013. Retrieved 05-05-2016. This loss of genetic diversity increases the risk of local extinctions as populations become less adapted to survive in changing environments. It is reported that Prophagorus niuhofi, Walking Catfish, native to Thailand were previously found at Thale Noi, however there is no recent literature available on the distribution of this species in the area. The Giant Sword Minnow (Macrochirichthys macrochirus) was once also found in Thale Noi Non-Hunting Area Humphrey, S. & Bain, J., ["Endangered Animals of Thailand"], The Sandhill Crane Press, 1990. however is now extirpated due to its sensitivities to pollution and gillnet fishing.Vidthayanon, C. & Allen, D.J., "Macrochirichthys macrochirus", IUCN Red List, 2013. Retrieved 05-05-2016.
Other non-threatened aquatic species present in the wetlands include several economically valuable species including snakehead (Channa), climbing perch (Anabas testudineus), several catfish species, grey featherback (Notopterus notopterus), swamp eel, and the freshwater prawn species Macrobrachium lanchesteri" and "Macrobrachium rosenbergii.
Reptiles