RESILIENT FLOOD-BASED FARMING SYSTEMS IN THE MEKONG DELTA

Nguyen Van Kien

Director of Research Centre for Rural Development of An Giang University, Vietnam

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ABSTRACT

This paper investigate resiliency of the floating rice-based farming system overtime. Resilience is defined as “the capacity of a system” to cope with disturbance, learn from changes and creativity. This paper will explore the link between social-ecological resilience in the context of preservation and development of the floating rice based farming systems in the Mekong Delta. In particular, this floating rice farming system can adapt well to seasonal flood event, recover inland fish, maintain the nutritional sources for small farm holders, and does not require modification of natural resources such as infrastructure (dikes), and recycling of natural resources, and make use of full ecosystem services from the seasonal flood events in the Mekong Delta. Early pioneers during the Nguyen Dynasty (1705), traditional people harvested floating rice in the lowland back swamps, caught fish in the floodplains and hunt wild animals for home consumption. During the colonial period (1858-1954) the floating rice was expanded in the flooded areas of Vietnamese Mekong Delta. Since short-term high yield rice varieties were introduced into the Mekong Delta in the late 1960s, it quickly replaced floating rice-based agro-ecological systems by using massive irrigation and systems of protective polders. In 1974, there were 0.5 million hectares of the floating rice in the VMD, but by 2012, this dropped to 50 hectares (ha), found in Vinh Phuoc and Luong An Tra communes of Tri Ton district in An Giang province. Research Center for Rural Development of An Giang University has carried out a series of research and development projects to co-design with community and rural leaders to recover this farming system since 2013. The research shows higher economic return, protects biodiversity, and recovers inland fishery for food security. In contrast, intensive rice farming systems show fewer resiliencies because they create environmental costs.

Key words: Floating rice, flood, Mekong delta, social-ecological resilience

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LAKE TAAL : SUSTAINING NATIVE BIODIVERSITY IN THE FACE OF AQUACULTURE, CLIMATE CHANGE AND NON-NATIVE SPECIES

Rey Donne S. Papa

Department of Biological Sciences, Research Center for the Natural and Applied Sciences and The Graduate School, University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines 1015

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ABSTRACT

Lake Taal is an interesting freshwater ecosystem to study. The complex interactions of its geological origins, its location, and the presence of the world’s lowest active volcano led to the evolution of a diverse flora and fauna. Its fisheries are integral to local communities and have sustained them for centuries. In the past three decades, however, the biodiversity of Lake Taal has been threatened by aquaculture. This has eventually led to poorer water quality and alteration of species’ structure. Fewer scientific research studies on Lake Taal have been published, which has also led to a lack of sound management policies that would have helped alleviate the current problems of the lake. This research study is focusing on determining the range of Lake Taal’s biodiversity and will shed light on the impacts of aquaculture, newly introduced species, and climate change on the native flora and fauna of Lake Taal. The findings of this study will be compared to the existing records, and significant differences are expected, given the dynamism in taxonomy and systematics, as well as the newly available technology. The research team is collaborating with experts from the California Academy of Sciences (CAS) who are currently documenting the biodiversity of the Verde Island Passage. Lake Taal’s proximity and close geographic link makes it highly possible for Lake Taal to be home to an equally diverse set of organisms.
The researchers anticipate that this project will open opportunities for scientifically sound recommendations to be integrated in future lake conservation plans. The research results will be shared through peer-reviewed publications, presentations, community discussions, and museum exhibits. Since the evaluation of the current state of Lake Taal’s biodiversity is already long overdue, much effort is being put into research result dissemination through valid avenues to ensure that other scientists and policy makers would have access to reliable data on Lake Taal’s biodiversity. This study will also ensure that the surrounding communities in the area would gain a better understanding and appreciation of the lake, which plays a significant role in shaping their livelihoods. The outreach and education activities are being designed to help communities integrate responsible aquaculture processes into lake conservation efforts. A museum exhibit on the biodiversity of Lake Taal is planned to help increase public awareness on the importance of Lake Taal as a biodiversity hotspot, given how its native flora and fauna must cope with external pressures from anthropogenic and natural sources. The involvement of young scientists will help build a more educated and scientifically inclined community. This presentation highlights the current status of the project, after a year of full implementation, and will also give a run-down of on-going and upcoming events in relation to this project.

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