Project title: Development of Integrated Active Coral Restoration Using High-Stress Tolerant Corals and Enhancement of Carbon-Neutral Tourism in Ko Samui, Gulf of Thailand
Lead applicant: Dr. Makamas Sutthacheep
Co-applicants: Dr. Wichin Suebpala, Dr. Sittiporn Pengsakun, Dr. Charernmee Chamchoy, Dr. Wanlaya Klinthong, Dr. Laddawan Sangsawang
Countries involved: Thailand
Takes place: Thailand
Supporting institutions: Research and Academic Service Center (RASC), Ramkhamhaeng University (RU), Association of Marine Biodiversity Conservation and Education
Total budget: USD 89,370
Duration: 24 months
Project overview
Coral reefs in Thailand are under severe pressure from land-based pollution, overfishing, marine debris, and unsustainable tourism. These threats are compounded by climate change, leading to widespread coral bleaching and mortality. Restoration efforts are urgently needed, but current approaches often rely on fast-growing staghorn corals, which limits genetic diversity, overlooks stress tolerance, and provides few tangible benefits to local communities. Moreover, restoration projects rarely consider the potential of naturally resilient corals — such as those in shallow reef flats that withstand high temperatures, intense solar radiation, and periodic exposure during low tides — as parent stock for climate-resilient restoration.
This project addresses those gaps by selecting heat- and stress-tolerant coral colonies from multiple populations and applying micro-fragmentation and colony fusion to accelerate coral growth and enhance resilience. To tackle the additional pressure from overtourism, the project also integrates carbon-neutral tourism practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainability in the tourism sector.
By combining advanced restoration science with certified carbon-neutral tourism, the initiative aims to safeguard coral reef ecosystems while creating a model for climate adaptation that benefits both biodiversity and local economies.
Specific objectives
- Identify and select stress-tolerant corals from shallow reef flats and apply micro-fragmentation and colony fusion to accelerate growth and reproductive success.
- Enhance coral cover, survival, and resilience on targeted restoration sites.
- Strengthen local economies by integrating restoration with carbon-neutral tourism, increasing tourism-related income for coastal communities.
How the objectives will be met
The first step will be selecting parental coral colonies, nursery sites, and restoration sites.
On coral nurseries:
- Establish nurseries using coral micro-fragmentation and colony fusion techniques.
- Monitor coral survival, growth, and reproductive activity alongside key environmental variables.
On coral restoration sites:
- Deploy dome-shaped artificial reef structures to accelerate coral growth and habitat complexity.
- Track coral survival, growth, and reproductive performance under field conditions.
On local income:
- Monitor the socio-economic benefits of tourism-related services in project areas.
- Quantify greenhouse gas emissions to align with carbon-neutral tourism goals.
- Deliver training workshops on coral restoration techniques to build local capacity and ensure long-term adoption.
Impact of the project
- Successful construction and deployment of dome-shaped artificial reef structures using high-stress tolerant coral fragments
- Increased use of the restored reef areas for eco-friendly tourism activities, particularly snorkelling
- Increased income among local communities through tourism-related services, reflecting improved economic opportunities linked to community-based tourism
- Improved awareness and engagement of local communities in coral conservation activities
- Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from tourism through promotion of low-carbon travel practices. Revenue from carbon offset contributions will be reinvested into ecosystem restoration projects
Major highlights
- Restoration protocols integrated into national coastal management and marine protected area plans.
- An integrated, community-based coral restoration model that is cost-effective, scalable, and aligned with carbon-neutral tourism practices.
- A transferable model that can be adapted and implemented by government and research networks in Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.