Posted on August, 13 2007

The beach forest is another area that is of great significance and carries unique traits unlike any other ecosystems. Despite often being overlooked due to its lack of economically significant plant species, in terms of ecology, beach forests are considerably valuable. Not only do these forests hold together soil, which is mostly sand, they also act as barriers against storm waves from the sea. Furthermore, beach forests maintain moisture in the sandy soil, which is crucial to the survival of numerous living organisms in the area. 
 
Currently, most beach forests have been destroyed and developed for tourism, so much so that the original state of these forests has been erased. Additionally, misconceptions are still present, and people have planted alien species such as coconut and ornamental palm trees in place of the indigenous species for aesthetic purposes. Such actions dramatically alter the beach forest ecosystem.

Therefore, conservation and restoration in degraded areas is crucial. In the case of WWF Thailand, the organization joined with various public and private organizations, such as Phang Nga Provincial Office, Khao Lum Pi-Had Tai Muang National Park, Phang Nga Naval Base, Phuket Rajhabat Univeristy, Kenan Institute Asia , local primary and secondary schools as well as the local community to restore the beach forest this past July 21, 2007 . On August 11 , 2007 , the beach area was also improved so that it would be more appealing and its environment enhanced. Participants reforested the beach forests of Kao Na Yuk and Had Tai Maung, by bringing in nearly 3000 trees of various indigenous species, such as the Mammea siamensis , Barringtonia asiatica,Terminalia cattappa, and the Casuarina equisetifolia .; reforestation was accomplished on nearly 10 rai of land.

As a result, these activities built awareness in protecting the beach forests as well as stressing the importance of these forests for the local communities. Furthermore, it is also through such activities that the richness and diversity can return to the beach forests, allowing the forests to once again strive and be appropriate as an egg laying site for sea turtles; a symbol of pride for the local community.