Ecology Of Angthong Marine park
The sea around Mu Ko Ang Thong is about 10 m. in deep. Since the archipelago is located near the mainland, it receives sedimentaicontamination from the Tapee river. Sunlight cannot thoroughly penetrate the waters, which is a limiting factor in the control of photosynthetic life such as, corals and other underwater plants. However any other marine creatures are adapted to this environment, and they still live forage, shelter and breed here.
On land, the park supports several types of forest and wildlife such as, dry evergreen forest covers the large islands of Ko Wua talap, Ko Paluai, and Ko Saamsao. An important plant in the park, Ang Thong Lady’s Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum x Ang Thong), is an endemic species found only in Mu Ko Ang Thong.
Beach Forest, spares forest growing along the beaches and foothills near the shore. There is little of this type left.
Limestone Mountain Forest. Consist of flora found in limestone crevices with little or no soil. They are often small, dry tolerant, and slow – growing species such as Dracaena loureira, Malayun Spurge Tree Euphorbia antiquarum, and Morinda tinctoria.
Of Mangrove Forest there is very little, some can be seen on the muddy beach in the inner sea and some in the bays to the east of Ko Paluai. They have all been planted.
In general the wildlife found consists of smaller animals, of which researchers have discovered 16 species of mammals, more than 50 species of birds, 14 species of reptiles, and 5 species of amphibians. An interesting one to look out for is the Dusky Langur, which comes down to the park’s HQ allowing visitors to observe closely.