Impact on VietnamImpact on VietnamCoastal areas at or below one metre of elevation constitute much of Vietnam's 3,000 km coastline. Sea level rise presents a serious threat to these coastal areas in particular, to the two low-lying deltaic areas of the north and south. Even a limited rise in sea level over coming decades could seriously affect the people and nation of Vietnam.
Sea level rise will result in:
The most fertile agricultural lands, together with 50% of the population, are centred on the low-lying Red River and the Mekong delta regions.
Sea level rise could have drastic consequences for the livelihoods and socio-economic well-being of the inhabitants of these areas. It is likely that valuable arable land would be lost. Shrimp and crab farms may have to be relocated and coastal fisheries might disappear.
The biophysical characteristics of neighbouring regions not permanently inundated by sea water could be affected and this may render these areas unsuitable for agriculture.
For example, the irrigation of paddy rice may be seriously affected as a result of the increased intrusion of saline or brackish water. Estuarine and riverine areas could be affected by changes in the tidal regime and in river currents.
Biological resources in coastal areas provide an important base for socio-economic development. They are significant for the ecological balance and for scientific research and provide an important service of coastal protection.
Vietnam's rich diversity of coastal flora and fauna might be substantially reduced and unique habitats may disappear. Mangrove and cajeput forests - important ecosystems in low-lying areas - may be reduced in extent or lost completely.
Marshy areas in river estuaries are habitats and resting places for birds and these will be threatened by sea level rise. Likewise, sandy stretches where sea turtles lay their eggs may be flooded. The development of coral reefs could be affected.
Research currently being undertaken in Vietnam indicates that significant impacts due to sea level rise may already be occurring.
Data from the past decade show that, in the Cau Mau coastal region, more than 600 hectares of land has been eroded from the mouth of the Bo De River with strips of land 200 m wide lost in some locations.
Observations also indicate that increased salt intrusion is causing a gradual change in species distribution in the mangrove forests. The more that the mangrove forest area is reduced, the greater the impact from salt water intrusion and erosion on the neighbouring land and the greater the vulnerability to storm-induced flooding.
The social and economic consequences of sea level rise could well be wide-ranging. Port facilities may have to be re-engineered. Coastal industries may be lost. Transportation will be disrupted. The provision of drinking water may be affected as saline water penetrates aquifers.
Communities living in coastal areas vulnerable to increased flooding may have to be relocated. This would increase pressure on the remaining land and exacerbate problems associated with forest destruction and ecosystem degradation as new agricultural tracts are created. Biodiversity would be degraded, land erosion would increase and flooding may worsen as a result.
In response to the impact of sea level rise, increased expenditure will be necessary on flood protection and the planning and zoning of activities in coastal areas, including agriculture, industry, transportation and tourism, may have to be rethought.
Sea level rise will have significant implications for all activities in low- lying areas. Given the planning timescales involved, it is important that serious and prompt consideration be given to suitable responses in relevant policy areas such as coastal protection, agriculture, industry and land use zoning.
Based on material provided by
Dr Nguyen Huu Ninh, Director, Center for Environment Research Education and Development
Professor Phan Nguyen Hong, Director, Mangrove Ecosystem Research Centre, Hanoi National Pedagogic University
"Impact on Vietnam: Biodiversity"
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