Adaptation Options for Wetlands. 1.1 About Siphandone Wetland

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1 Basin-wide Climate Change Impact and Vulnerability Assessment for the Wetlands of the Content Adaptation Options for Wetlands The case study: Siphandone and Xe Champhone Wetlands, Lao PDR Prepared for: Developing Regional Climate Change Adaptation Options for Mekong Wetlands, Final Workshop, 2-3 February, Phnom Penh 1. Siphandone Wetland 1.1 About Siphandone Wetland 1.2 Climate change and predictions 1.3 Climate change threats and key vulnerability issues 1.4 Adaptation options for Siphandone wetland 2. Xe Champhone Wetland 2.1 About Xe Champhone Wetland 2.2 Climate change and predictions 2.3 Climate change threats and key vulnerability issues 2.4 Adaptation options for Xe Champhone Dr. Phaivanh Phiapalath, IUCN Lao Dr. Saykham Voladet, NERI Ms. Charlotte Hicks, IUCN Lao Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niane Sivongsay, NUoL Assoc. Prof. Manichanh Nammanivong, NUoL 3. Conclusion 1.1 About Siphandone Wetland Key habitats Dry Diptercarp forest Flooded forests Lowland evergreen Deep pools Dry diptercarp forest Deep pools Lao Savannah Area: 1,718 km2, but the core: 60 km2 Population: 86,000 Village: 114 Fauna: 400 fish 187 birds, Flora: 710 plants Homonoia riparia (Kok kai noon) Key species: Lao Savanna forest Character: braided channels, a 4,000 islands Mega water falls Rocky forest Flooded forest Anogeisus 3 Irrawaddy Dolphin Giant catfish Asiatic soft-shell turtle Anogeissus sp. Dipterocarp alatus Paddy Rapids, waterfalls, channels & islands, 1

2 Basin-wide Climate Change Impact and Vulnerability Assessment for the Wetlands of the Livelihoods and Ecosystem Services Mostly renown tourism destination and fisheries areas in Laos. Villagers of Siphandone rely on agriculture and fish as a major protein and income source; Annual Production values: Agriculture (US$ 30 million), Livestock (US$ 15 million, Fish (US$ 15 million), and Tourism revenue (US$ 5 million); Of which, fish and tourism revenue are most important economic values and can be sustainable based upon the wetland management. 1.2 Climate change and predictions by 2050 Current climate change baseline Temperature (12 C in Jan to 39 C in May) (inc C) Pakse ( Annual rainfalls 1,750mm (inc. 285mm) Pakse ( Water level of the Mekong (varies between 5.5-7m) - Climate change predictions - by 2050 Temperature (inc C by 2050) Annual rainfalls (A2 & B2) (inc.200mm), shorter dry season Water level of the Mekong (inc. accordingly ca. 0.5m) Annual flow of the Mekong River 9,385 the flow rate varies btw 1,060-57,800m3/sec) 1.3 Climate changes threats and key vulnerability issues Great annual variability between wet and dry season that impact on terrestrial biodiversity and ponds Also, this impact on particular local livelihoods activities such as crops. Where should my cow to get water source to drink? Where should our Mekong birds make a nest and feeding in Nov-Dec since water level is not leveled off? Wetland habitat Potential impacts of climate change Other threats? Deep pools Change in flow expected to affect river water level and transport of sediments. Deep pools become shallow through filling up with sediments. Whirl pool changes (filling up of hollows) Upstream dams may also affect flow, but reduce sediment? Increasing presence of Mimosa pigra Effects of dams on sediment? (72 deep pools identified as FCZ) (No new deep pools are created nor reported, unlikely to reverse changes naturally) Sand bars Restrict some plants to grow along the river banks. River (increase 6.5%) 1.3 Climate changes threats and key vulnerability issues (con t) But for the mainstream, except the years with minimum flow, the Mekong water level will keep higher and lengthens till the begin of dry season (Nov-Dec). This can benefit for fishes but impact on some Mekong birds species e.g nesting. Annual flow of the Mekong Increased flow/water level may erode sand bars Increased sediment may increase Increased rainfall/run-off (Some sandbars washed away but some more appear in other places). Impacts of increased flow, higher water levels may not affect trees Riverine flooded forest e.g Anogeissus Lao Savannah (Small area of this habitat, mainly in Ban Veunkham area) (Small area of this habitat, mainly south of Khone falls) Harvesting for fuelwood in dry season or to get to fish Impact of upstream dams on flow/water level High potential to be converted 2

3 Livelihood and Economic Losses due to climate change Wet rice production: Reduced wet rice harvest areas due to drought and pests, by around 20%, the economic lose is estimated to be about USD 4.5 million annually. Increasing dry seasonal rice production costs of around per ha: Increased use of chemical fertilizers, insecticides, water pumping/irrigation Livestock production: Every year, thousands of livestock die because of diseases related to climate change, including diarrhea, New-catle, anthrax and Haemorrhagic-septicaefnia, etc. Estimated economic loss of over USD 1.5 million, presenting around 10% of total value of livestock production in the location. Fisheries: Significant reduction in fish population (by around 70 % during last decade) The economic lose is estimated to be about USD 30 million (including opportunity cost) Health and other living associated : Increase in disease issues, dengue fever (224 cases in 2010); malaria, diarrhea (1,504 cases between 2007 and 2010), also increase in market price, Siphandone Wetland Deep pools and Sandbars erosion prevention and mgt at site by enhancing land cover. identify areas in urgent need for ecological adaptation e.g planting ficus trees, bamboo, cotton trees etc. Identify critical sandbars/islets with local villagers to zone, enhance and remove invasive species e.g Mimosa pigra Action research and recovery plan for the key species Siphandone Wetland (con t) Fisheries Improve fisheries management through reviewing the current fisheries practice conducting more researches determining optimum number and locations of fish traps including licensing or quota measures required. capacity building and awareness raising in fisheries management and sustainable use. conduct key fish monitoring with fishermen. Siphandone Wetland (con t) Flooded forest, Lao Savannah forest etc (KoklamsengAnogeissussp., Mai yang DipterocarpusAlatus) Need more research and surveys as to identify appropriate solutions for rehabilitating the species with local villagers. Ideally, no further cutting the trees, local rules to be developed and strengthened; Grow seedlings and regenerating are all needed. 3

4 Siphandone Wetland (con t) Livelihoods and Economics Need to revise the existing Mahanathi Siphandone Master Plan to ensure environmentally sounds development e.g wise use and investment. Need to maintain local knowledge, culture and practice. Siphandone Wetland Management of wetlands Form SiphandoneMgt Advisory Board Form Scientific Committee for wetland management Determine appropriate management status (eg Man- Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site) Undertake comprehensive water and land-use planning/zoning, and for key habitats and species; Develop Siphandone wetland Management Plan Capacity building on mgt, CC adaptation, sustainable dev t. Siphandone Wetland (con t) Specifically, research and piloting rice variety for drought resistance. Agricultural training/extension, promotion & capacity building for livelihoods on sustainably ecological adaptation. Develop adaptation fund, piloting and setting up microcredit scheme for small-scale businesses & farmers. 2.1 About Xe Champhone wetland Character: unique wetland with oxbows and meanders Area: 846 km 2 but the core area Ramsar is 124 km 2, Population : ca.105,000 ( 102 Villages) but 13 key villages. Fauna: ## fish, ## birds, Flora: ## plants 4

5 Basin-wide Climate Change Impact and Vulnerability Assessment for the Wetlands of the Key habitats Open water and peatland Livelihoods and Ecosystem Services Seasonally flooded bamboo forest Water hyacinth, floating mats being built and changed from open wetland rice and fish production in the Savannakeht province. Villagers of Xe Champhone rely on agriculture and wetland services counts for 80% of the gross district income. Annual production values: agriculture (US$ 39.7 million), livestock (US$ 15 million), NTFPs (US$ 21 million), fish and other (US$ 12 million), tourism revenue (US$ 0.15 million). Flooded forest Key species Siamese crocodile Asiatic soft-shell turtle Elongated tortoise Mostly renown large wetlands, Siamese Crocodile sites in Laos, Permanent marshes/floating mats Of these, agriculture, wetland resources/fish are most important economic values that are based upon the wetland s resources. 2.2 Climate change and predictions by Climate changes threats and key vulnerability issues Current climate change baseline Temperature - (26 C, as 13 C in Jan to 39 C in Apr, as increased 0.05 during last 35 years. Annual rainfalls 1,800mm, rainfall dropped 5.7mm. Intense drought and floods - Climate change predictions - by 2050 Temperature inc C by 2050) Annual rainfalls (A2) (inc. 255mm), longer dry season, 530 mm in the catchment and its tributaries More intense drought and floods Climate changes have already severe in Xe Champhone and based on the projection there will be more intensive in the future. The changes are unlikely possible to reverse naturally. hotter dry season will result in further drying down of isolated water bodies and the river. Affecting the breeding cycle and key habitats and species. Severity and frequency of flooding, leading to more erosion, spreading invasive species further and damaging crops and property. Increased sedimentation in the river may make its deep pools become shallower. Continuing pattern of flood then drought will likely exacerbate the current trend of open water wetlands changing to closed wetlands, then will contribute to a loss of biodiversity. The wetland also faces some threats from increasing irrigation 5

6 2.3 Climate changes threats and key vulnerability issues (con t) Key habitat/ Key Species Open wetland and deep pools Siamese Crocodile Pila scutata (snail) and Rana lateralis (frog sp.) Potential impacts of climate change Open wetland lost 70%, change to close wetland due to spread out of invasive species e.gwater hyacinth and Mimosa pigra. Make suitable habitats for fish and birds restricted. Also, higher rate of soil erosion in XeChamphoneriver made about 80% of deep pools gone. Habitats fragmented and disturbed, drier mashes/ ponds, population fragmented. Decreased in food availability in dry season Hotter during incubation possibly affect on sex ratio (can be completely male or female ) Snail: Hoi tadeng Hotter and longer dry season make weak in breeding ability, water temperature, expansion of apple snail, Yellow-backed Frog: Khiat Luang Hotter and longer dry season can make change in local climate and water temperature. Other threats More offtakewater from marshes/ponds Increase in use of chemical fertilizers/ pesticides More offtakewater from marshes/ponds Increase in use of chemical fertilizers/ pesticides Conversion forest surrounding wetlands Increase in use of chemical fertilizers/ pesticides. High market demands Livelihood and Economic losses due to climate change Wet rice production: Reduced wet rice harvest areas due to drought, flood and pests, by around 20% ; the economic lose is estimated to be about USD 3.9 million annually. Increasing rice production costs due to using of chemical fertilizers, insecticides and water pump or irrigated water; Reduced wet rice productivity in some areas because of salinity. Livestock production: - Every year more than 3,000 cow and buffalos die because of insufficient food, clean water and diseases; therefore, reduction in cattle (buffalos and cows) for 24% of 62,535 heads in last five years ; - The economic loss is estimated to be over USD 1 million. - Population of cattle and buffalo has decreased by over 40% during last four years Fisheries: Significant reduction in fish population (by around 70 % during four years), Health and other living associated : Increase in disease issues, fever (307 cases; diarrhea (9,727 cases), inc. market price. 2.4 Adaptation Options for Xe Champhone Wetland (con t) Fisheries Improve fisheries management through: conducting action research, set up community-based key fish monitoring, identify existing barriers to fish migration, rehabilitate fish population and zoning. 2.4 Adaptation Options for Xe Champhone Wetland (con t) Open wetlands Identify wetland sites and design approach for removing weeds. Collect weeds through community-based approach. Flooded forest Zoning and clarify/demarcate the habitat. Replanting some native bamboo forest where needed. Invasive species Study and mapping of invasive species problem in the wetland. Eradication of the invasive species (Mimosa pigra and water hyacinth) Assessment of alternative uses of the invasive species Pilot alternative use business for invasive species, if appropriate. 6

7 2.4 Adaptation Options for Xe Champhone Wetland (con t) Siamese Crocodile Identify the zone for this species protection Integrate into the wetland regulation/ management plan. Maintain and rehabilitate bamboo habitat in southern section. enrichment, may replant native trees for shade in hatching sites Birds Spot-billed duck Identify its seasonal patterns/use of the wetland, monitoring. Other species Yellow-backed frog, Pila scutata, wetland ferns Need to identify zones, integrated into wetland regulations 2.4 Adaptation Options for Xe Champhone Wetland Management of wetlands enhance existing national and provincial Ramsar Committee. form Ramsar/wetland management Committee at district and community levels. ensure the existing Ramsarsite Management Plan being developed to include climate change adaptation development of a district wetland regulation: incorporating traditional practices and community consultations, and extending NRM beyond fishing penalties. Capacity building and awareness for officials and villages on sustainable wetland mgt, climate change adaptations. 3. Conclusion Climate change may result in positive and negative impacts Climate change is already problematic in XeChamphoneand CC likely to have important impacts in the future, but Of less concern in Siphandone; it looks better since higher flow in Mekong is projected. For the Siphandone, it can be for some key species, Mekong bird nesting sites will be impacted, Wash away the sandbars/islets that turtles make nests. Most important economic values of Siphandonewetland are fisheries and tourism business while, Agriculture and other wetland services (wetland vegetables, fish) for XeChamphone. 3. Conclusion (con t) Biological adaptation is the first option to seek for where possible. Siamese crocodile in XeChamphone for example, but all to conduct more deep research and work with local communities to find best solutions. Although, some existing human adaptation is being undertaken in both sites, potential long-term adverse impacts of these efforts are concerning e.girrigation, increased chemical inputs for dry season crops, water off-take, etc. Some adaptation options and measures required to undertake some detailed researches and piloting before making some policy influence. 7

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