Assessment of Vietnam Coastal Wetland Vulnerability for Sustainable Use (Case Study in Xuanthuy Ramsar Site, Vietnam)

Abstract

For sustainable use of coastal wetland ecosystems, vulnerability of the Xuan Thuy Ramsar site in the northern coast of Vietnam, an internationally important area for feeding and roosting of migratory water birds, is assessed. The assessment tools include 1) a geographical information system database, which describes physical, socio-economic, and environmental conditions; 2) spatial multi-criteria decision analysis, and 3) evaluating criteria by a pair-wise comparison method. Consequently, coastal vulnerability criteria were determined following three periods of a year with different density of migrating birds: the highest density period - from September to March of the following year; the average density period - April and from August to October; the lowest density period - the remain time in year. For each period, 5 levels of vulnerability (from 1-lowest to 5-highest level) were determined. High vulnerability level is concentrated in a great area, belonging to the ecological restored area and the south of communes Giao Thien, Giao Xuan; Low vulnerability level is distributed in communes of the buffer zone. Correspondingly to each vulnerability level, recommendations are given for the risk management, resource use, environment protection and human activities. Keywords: wetland, vulnerability, Ramsar site, hazard, sustainable useDOI: 10.3126/jowe.v2i1.1850Journal of Wetlands Ecology, (2009) vol. 2, pp 1-16

The application of δ13C and C/N ratios as indicators of organic carbon sources and paleoenvironmental change of the mangrove ecosystem from Ba Lat Estuary, Red River, Vietnam

“…Due to its proximity between northern and southern Asia and its extensive tidal flats and mangrove forests, the BLE is of great regional importance as a major stopover for migratory birds and locally as essential habitat for fish and wildlife. The mangrove forests are dominated by trees of Sonneratia caseolaris, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Kandelia candel, Aegiceras corniculatum, and Acanthus ilicifolius (Wösten et al 2003;Nhuan 2007;Van Santen et al 2007), which play an important role in the filtering of terrestrial-derived material and pollutants, and as a physical buffer against erosion and surge from major storm events. For example, an estimated 26,000 kg N/day and 3,100 kg P/day are sequestered into the estuarine mangrove ecosystems of the Red River (Wösten et al 2003).…”

Dynamics of Farming Systems under the Context of Coastal Zone Development: The Case of Xuan Thuy National Park, Vietnam

“…The frequency of water exchange in the aquaculture corporate in close proximity to the IAM (3 km) and ISH (1.9 km) with agricultural sluices might incur more effects from external pollution which illustrated in the Figure 3b. According to Nhuan and Ngoc [21], the concentration of pesticides and herbicides was higher than allowed in the XTNP area. Pesticides cause toxic pollution to the estuaries and inshore water, killing fish and leading to a reduction in fish yield, as mentioned by the FAO [1].…”

“…Diverse systems enhance diverse food production, but at the same time, there have been severe problems of development with uncontrolled policies. The depletion of water quality, mangrove fragmentation, and increasing vulnerable levels are challenges that have been recognized by many researchers [13,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23]. As opined by many agricultural experts, analyzing the existing farming systems corresponding with social, economic, and biophysical parameters is an effective method for proposing activities to protect the soil and water and enhance food security, as well as secure other benefits for farm families [24][25][26][27][28].…”

Vietnam's Emerging National Parks: War, Resource Exploitation, and Recent Struggles to Protect Biodiversity

“…For example, the management board of Hoang Lien National Park permits ethnic Hmong to plant traditional forest crops under the forest canopy. Another example can be seen in aquaculture allowed in Xuan Thuy National Park where shrimp and crab ponds provide feeding and nesting sites for waterfowl including the endangered Black‐faced Spoonbill ( Platalea minor ) (Nhuan et al ). Despite efforts to work with local residents, the administration of Vietnam's national parks has been criticized for not contributing to local economies.…”