The topography and geomorphology of the Klongtom area in the north consist of a long north-south mountain range interspersed with slopes and corrugated and in the west are rivers, as well as coastal plains adjacent to the Andaman Sea. Mountains, both high and low in altitude, can be found scattered in the south and southeast, interspersed with undulating areas until relatively smooth surfaces are found within the location of the hot salt spring.
In the untouched ecosystem of the Klongtom district, most of the forests are of a moist evergreen type mixed with deciduous forests. An ecologically crucial area is Yang Na Kiam Phaya Amata Khianthong Kangrao, comprising rich marine and coastal resources as well as high biodiversity of mangrove forests.
At present, many areas in Krabi province have been developed into agricultural plantations, for example, rubber, palm oil, coffee, coconut, rambutan, and durian, which have caused a gradual reduction in biodiversity.
It is therefore crucial to consider what importance the ecosystem creates. Living and non-living organisms in the ecosystem have complex interconnections in terms of nutrient cycling and energy transfer. Simply, certain species of plant can be considered a producer of sorts, which grows from the photosynthetic portion of the tree, especially the leaves, branches, and wood, all of which will eventually fall and decompose in the water and soil.
Inorganic plant materials from branches and wood chips are then broken down by decomposers into organic matters, eventually becoming nutrients for the consumers. These quickly grow into a rich source of protein for small aquatic animals to consume.
Tiny animals and organisms will grow up and become food for larger animals like shrimps, crabs, and fish. Some of them will die and decay before turning into nutrients available in an ecosystem itself. As every existing element has to depend on each other, it will lead to the natural balance in the ecosystem, particularly since it is not disturbed by outside factors.
The Klongtom Heritage project is developed with the intention to preserve the fertility of indigenous plants found in the Klongtom community as they possess genuine uniqueness and high biodiversity. With the abundance of evergreen plants in the environment, animals of several species will finally come back to their habitats, making the entire community another ecosystem of great value.
The ecological restoration concept of the Klongtom Heritage project is inspired by the existence of valuable water resources. In addition to the salt hot spring that circulates throughout the project area with several healing benefits, the ecosystem also unveils a complete cycle of surface water that helps provide moisture for the soil. When the soil has adequate moisture, the ecosystem will become more fertile as plants can grow and survive by obtaining a sufficient amount of water.
Plenty of indigenous and rare plants can be found almost everywhere in the Klongtom Heritage project area. This has been at the forefront of the effort to protect them from being lost or extinct. Those endangered plants are locally known as Yang Na, Jik Nam, Jak Na, Tung Fah, Payom, and Ta Baek. The project also unveils five levels of indigenous and rare plant cultivation, varying in the mixed, high, medium, surface, and underground levels, which effectively help retain water for longer periods of time. According to plant experts, mixed roots of heterogeneous plants have better water retention capacity.
Additionally, each level of indigenous and rare plant cultivation has different properties in each season. Each of them is regarded as a natural food source and a shelter for various species of animals, from birds flying in the sky to reptiles and amphibians dwelling on land and in the water. All animals are greatly important to the ecosystem as a whole.