This study aimed to assess ecotourism in a mangrove area and whether it conformed with sustainable tourism. We were interested in exploring the demand for natural resources and the supply of areas for ecotourism. To achieve this, we integrated a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis with the DPSIR (driving forces, pressures, states, impacts, and responses) framework, based on questionnaire interviews with three target groups (tourists, homestay operators, and community residents), plus in-depth interviews with local scholars and officers of administrative organizations. Supplementary data recorded included the physical characteristics of local homestays and houses. The results were analyzed statistically and the ecotourism carrying capacity of the area was assessed, based on the SWOT analysis. Internal factors included key strengths, e.g., the income associated with nature-supporting tourism, and key weaknesses, e.g., local stakeholders' awareness and understanding of ecological mechanisms. External factors included opportunities arising from tourism policies and public relations and threats from town and urban planning and pollution from nearby areas. The DPSIR framework was used to rank the scores of each DPSIR dimension, with the responses identifying DPSIR indicators prioritized. Finally, a conceptual DPSIR model of ecotourism, which illustrated the ecotourism lifecycle, was developed.

This paper presents the description of land use change in the suburbs near Suvarnabhumi International Airport, with a focus on land use patterns before and during airport development. According to geographic information system (GIS), land use patterns are categorized into three main groups, namely intensive urban development land, areas developed under environmental conditions, and natural land. Steps of land use changes, land use planning and related factors concerning number of population, dwelling units and factories were analyzed. In the short term, urban development dramatically increases by 39.97% whereas the areas developed under environmental conditions decreased by 37.52%, with significant correlation (P < 0.05). The natural land which is typically grassland and watercourses changed insignificantly (P > 0.05). Urbanization of the areas where the airport is located increased between 10.07% and 15.57%. The changes of land use comply with the Integrated Town and Country Planning. The areas where urbanization is small are under the area designated as the green area. Urban expansion is mainly a result of increase in residential areas which is closely related to number of population. Such changes indicate a need for more effective urban development planning and management to conserve environmental quality.

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Mangrove ecosystem services (ES) support the global carbon (C) cycle. This study aimed to assess factors affecting the loss or gain of C stocks in mangrove forests in Thailand. Two fundamental considerations were taken into account, including ES supplied by mangroves from the perspective of C stocks, and the potential for C loss resulting from human activities conducted in mangrove forests. Three different land-use types in mangrove forests were studied: an area encroached upon by the local population (L1), a conservation area (L2), (both of which were dominated by the mangrove species Avicennia alba ), and a seaside area. Based on their average height and diameter at breast height (DBH), most of the mangrove trees were determined to be young. The highest importance value index (IVI) was seen for A. alba , at 224.73 (L1) and 213.79 (L2). Above- and below-ground C levels were 189.97 t-Cha −1 , 77.11 t-Cha −1 in L1 and 81.73 t-Cha −1 , 32.54 t-Cha −1 in L2. Soil C stocks were 60.95 t-Cha −1 (L1) and 43.71 t-Cha −1 (L2). Statistical analysis indicated that nitrogen was the crucial factor influencing soil C in both L1 and L2. Overall, the total mangrove C stocks in L1 were estimated to be 328.64 t-Cha −1 , which surprisingly was higher than in L2, at 290.34 t-Cha −1 . The potential change in C stocks was then assessed. This showed that demand for mangrove resources resulted in the permanent loss of C stocks, particularly within plant communities, as the major fraction of C was from above-ground C stores. The loss of 1 ha of mangrove vegetation was estimated to result in the loss of 77.71–189.97 t-C/ha −1 and 32.54–81.73 t-Cha −1 in L1 and L2, respectively. Different approaches to mangrove management based on the differing supply and demand for ES are recommended.

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