Influence of human activities on coral diseases at tourist hotspots in the Gulf of Thailand

The quality of ecosystem services of coral reefs depends on coral reef health which has been impacted by human activities and natural stressors. This study aims to analyze the influence of human activities on coral health by... [ view full abstract ]

The quality of ecosystem services of coral reefs depends on coral reef health which has been impacted by human activities and natural stressors. This study aims to analyze the influence of human activities on coral health by conducting the field surveys at fourteen study sites in the Gulf of Thailand during 2016. The main patterns of coral diseases at the study sites consisted of pigmentation responses, white syndromes, growth anomalies, and unusual bleaching patterns. Twelve species of corals with the diseases and signs of compromised health included Acropora muricata, Astreopora mileopora, Plerogyra sinuosa, Pavona decussata, Fungia fungites, Platygyra sinensis, Favia speciosa, Favites halicora, Goniastrea aspera, Porites lutea and Goniopora lobata. The highest prevalence of the diseases and signs of compromised health was found with P. lutea (83%). Of which, more than 50% was pigmentation response, followed by white syndromes accounting for 23%. The results showed that the highest prevalence was found at the study sites located close to big cities and influenced by the tourism activities. The prevalence of coral diseases may associate with poor water quality. This study emphasizes the need of impact mitigation of human activities, particularly from mass tourism and infrastructure development, on coral communities in the Gulf of Thailand.