Vietnamese mangroves are among the most productive & biologically important ecosystems of the world; providing habitat/nursing grounds for commercial & non-commercial fish species, food, medicine, building materials/fuel for local communities, as well as carbon storage (blue carbon) & coastal protection from storm events. However, Vietnam's mangroves have been lost in recent decades (~38%) or degraded, predominantly driven by herbicides during the Vietnam War and later by conversion to aquaculture and coastal development, although there has been a recent slowing of this degradation as a result of restoration and protection schemes. In this review article, the current state of mangrove ecosystems in Vietnam, their evolution and restoration efforts are discussed in detail as well as highlighting challenges to management and rehabilitation schemes. Further discussion includes the socio-2 economic benefits derived from mangroves in Vietnam as well as recent developments in research with reference to major mangrove forests (Can Gio, Ca Mau and Red River Delta) in the country. Special attention is given to recent studies using remote sensing techniques, including advantages and future challenges, in mangrove research focussing on Vietnamese mangroves. The impacts of climate change are discussed and evaluated with a particular focus on sea level rise and changes to sediment budgets as a result of the increase in hydropower station on major river course.
Sustainable livelihood development is an ongoing challenge worldwide, and has regained importance due to threats of water shortages and climate change. To cope with changing climatic, demographic and market conditions in Vietnam's Mekong Delta (VMD) an agricultural transformation process has been suggested in the recent Mekong Delta Plan. This agricultural transformation process requires the implementation of alternative livelihood models. The majority of current agricultural livelihood models in the VMD have been introduced by the government in a top-down manner. In this study, we applied a bottom-up approach to understand the motivations and abilities of local farmers to adopt alternative livelihood models. It is based on the MOTA methodological framework, which is further tested with the use of multivariate analyses. The study was conducted in Ben Tre coastal province. Results showed that farmers' motivations and abilities to apply alternative models vary substantially among different groups, driven by their perceptions on triggers and opportunities. Acknowledging this diversity is essential to the development of agricultural transformation plans. Furthermore, based on the analysis, a projection of the precise support that communities need to supplement their knowledge, skills and financial capacities, as well as interventions to reduce the risks of new livelihood models, is given.
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