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Description |
Geographic Range [top]
Range Description: Originally found on the coastal plain of southern Thailand (Leeratiwong and Jornead 2005), but is now confined to isolated patches on a few rivers and streams in Phang Nga and Ranong provinces. Phang Nga province: Khlong Khura Buri/ Nang Yon, Khlong Banglu, Khlong Tam Nung, Khlong Ban Krung, Khlong Bang Pao Moo and Ranong province: Khlong Nakha; Khlong Kapoe, Khlong Bangpong, Khlong Suan Mai, Khlong Ta Pud (http://www.dnp.go.th; IUCN survey). Occurs at low elevations below 150 m.
Countries occurrence:
Native:
Thailand
Additional data:
? Estimated area of occupancy (AOO) - km2: 48 ? Continuing decline in area of occupancy (AOO): Yes
? Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) - km2: 641
? Continuing decline in number of locations: Yes
? Lower elevation limit (metres): 50
? Upper elevation limit (metres): 150
Range Map: Click here to open the map viewer and explore range.
Population [top]
Population: The population is very fragmented and declining.
Current Population Trend: Decreasing
Additional data:
? Continuing decline of mature individuals: Yes
? Population severely fragmented: Yes
? Continuing decline in subpopulations: Yes
Habitat and Ecology [top]
Habitat and Ecology: This geophytic plant grows in clear running fresh water, usually in wide and open streams and rivers a few centimetres to two meters in depth depending on the seasonal water level. The soil is usually a sandy loam or mixed gravel. Some streams are shaded, however, in all their sites Crinum receive sunlight at least temporarily (http://www.amaryllidaceae.org). It prefers water temperatures of 22-30°C.
Mature bulbs reach 7 cm in diameter and about 15 cm high. The elongated (up to two metres long) float in the direction of the current, or in stiller water are piled in loops. Flowering occurs mainly during the monsoon season (August-October). The inflorescence comprises five to eight flowers. The plant also reproduces vegetatively through the production of bulblets.
The data on the phenology of water onion and water depth in Nakha river, maintained by Mrs. Oy Onkhow (co-leader of a local community based organization – ‘Pleun Prai Sri Naka’ - involved in conservation work in Ranong Province, highlights the following:
January (average water depth of 3-4 m): germination from seeds and leaf production from bulbs starts
February - July (average water depth starts at 1-2 m in March and increases to 5-6 m by July): leaf growth
August (average water depth 6-8 m): flowering is initiated
September (average water depth 8-9 m): peak flowering
October (average water depth 6-9 m): seed formation
November to December (average water depth drops from 6 m down to 4 m): seed is dispersed and laves die back
Preliminary observations on the mid areas of the Nakha River, by a team of IUCN scientists on the 3rd of June 2008 revealed the following: The speed of water flow in mid areas of Nakha River ranged from 0.25-3 m/s. The main population is restricted to a 600 m stretch (width – 30 m; depth 1-2.5 m), which has a muddy substrate. The growth was very dense towards the edge of the river. The water flow in this stretch was below 0.3 m/s. The area received ample sunlight. The length of the leaves ranged from 1-3 m, with each bulb having 20-40 leaves. Several fish were observed in this stretch, beneath the thick growth of this plant, which provided an ideal refuge to them. A thin layer of sediment was clearly visible on the leaf surface. Clumps of washed out Water Onion were observed on either side of the river bank, these had been removed by the fast flow of the water.
The Water Onion is a very important aquatic plant that functions as a keystone species in its aquatic habitats. It provides important habitat for native freshwater fish species such as the Soro Brook Carp (Tor soro), which use it as a habitat to lay eggs. Other aquatic species such as water snails and frogs also use it as breeding habitat. Other native fish eat the young leaves of Water Onion.
Systems: Freshwater
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes
Use and Trade [top]
Use and Trade: The species is popular with aquarists because it is easy to maintain, highly tolerant of temperature and light variations. The bulb is also used to produce a cream for softening the skin.
Investigations carried out by IUCN revealed that a buyer in Kuraburi used to purchase about 10,000 bulbs/day from local communities about 10 years ago. However, this amount has declined sharply over the past four years. At present (2008), he purchases at the rate of 1 Baht per bulb, and sells it to an exporting company in Bangkok at 5 Baht/bulb. The export company sells each bulb for 2-5 US$, in foreign destinations.
Threats [top]
Major Threat(s):
A major threat to the habitat of this species is the dredging of rivers and streams for removal of sediment and rock for construction and land reclamation purposes (this has also increased the speed of water flow in habitats of the Water Onion, where entire subpopulations have been dislodged). Also threatened by diversion of the rivers and streams for agricultural purposes. There is also extensive changes in the ecology of the streams and rivers due to land use changes in the adjoining areas (e.g., clearing of forest for agriculture) and resultant land-based erosion and river bank erosion (the substrate of the Nakha and Kuraburi rivers has changed drastically over the past 10 years, due to erosion. The muddy substrate that facilitates the growth of Water Onion has been replaced by pebbles, rock and gravel, in large areas of these rivers. Collection of bulbs from the wild for sale to the international trade for home fish ponds and aquaria is also a threat which needs closer monitoring.
Conservation Actions [top]
Conservation Actions: The Office of National Environmental Policy and Planning in Thailand (ONEPP) has declared this species as nationally endangered (http://www.onep.go.th/). Local conservation groups in the Ranong province have also initiated the conservation of this species in its wild habitats (Youth group and Plern Prai Sri Na Ca Conservation Group established by Klong Na Ca Wildlife Sanctuary). The youth group is involved in awareness campaigns, ex situ propagation of Water Onion in nurseries, rescue of dislodged Water Onion deposited on river banks and subsequent re-planting in the wild. The Pleun Prai Sri Na Kha Conservation Group, together with the local authority organizes tourist visits (in dinghy paddle boats) along Na Kha river to observe Crinum thaianum during its flowering period (October-December) every year. About 600 Thai tourists visited the area in 2007. A fee of 450 Thai Baht (ca. 15 US$) is charged to each visitor.
Citation: Soonthornnawaphat, S., Bambaradeniya, C. & Sukpong, P. 2011. Crinum thaianum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T201627A9154955. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T201627A9154955.en. Downloaded on 20 November 2017.
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