Thitimar Chongtaku. The application of geoinformatics for studying abundance and distribution of land snails (Cyclophorus spp. and Hemiplecta distincta) in East and Northeast of Thailand. Master's Degree(Technology of Information System Management). Mahidol University. Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center. : Mahidol University, 2017.
The application of geoinformatics for studying abundance and distribution of land snails (Cyclophorus spp. and Hemiplecta distincta) in East and Northeast of Thailand
Abstract:
The land snail is the only group of invertebrate in Phylum Mollusca that has evolved in terrestrial ecosystems successfully. Current environmental issues, e.g. climate change, natural disasters, pollution, and human-encroachment activities, result in decreasing forest areas and longer dry season, which in turn have a huge impact on land snail species. Land snails are limited to reducing habitat area and types of food, resulting in fewer eggs production at spawn time. This study aimed to apply geoinformatics tools for studying the abundance and distribution and land use affecting of Cyclopholus spp. and Hemiplecta distincta. The results revealed that Eastern region of Thailand occupies an area of 5,678,923.58 rai (2,245,268 acre) and Northeastern region has 21,986,083.43 rai (8,692,607 acre) in total suitable area. All 84 sample sizes were conducted in dry season from 48 high suitable areas, 29 moderately suitable areas, and 7 low suitable areas. The total specimens found was 3,990 with Cyclopholus spp. and 1,700 with Hemiplecta distincta. C.spp. were in high abundance in station area which was a source of calcium, high moisture atmosphere content or relative humidity, high vegetation and food, and low temperature such as limestone mountain in Sa Kaeo Province and waterfall in Loei Province. In contrast, H.distincta were distributed in every sampling sizes and condition. The overall accuracy of geoinformatics model was 76 percent for C.spp. and 75 percent for H.distincta. Furthermore, this research would be useful for the management of conservation resource and support for trade, culture, and food alternatives in case there is shortage of sustainable food in the future.