Working towards an engagement turn to agricultural research in the Tonle Sap Biosphere,Cambodia

A new generation of agricultural research programs are embracing use of participation as a vehicle for achieving greater impact and supporting transformative change in complex social-ecological systems. In this paper, we share learning from use of participatory action research in the Tonle Sap biosphere in Cambodia, as the main implementing methodology within a large multi-partner agricultural research program. We describe the program’s espoused approach to applying participatory methodologies focusing on co-ownership, equity and reflexivity with stakeholders throughout the research process. We then reflect upon our practice as we pursued initiatives to support increased income and nutrition outcomes for the poorest people in a diverse aquatic agricultural system characterized by inequality. We discuss the challenges and early successes of the process and share three enabling conditions that support a shift towards quality of participation in agricultural research: (1) focusing at the outset on a strengthsbased mind-set, (2) staging a critical stance to progressively build equity in process and outcomes, and (3) institutionalizing reflexivity to facilitate ongoing learning

Climate change effects on people’s livelihood

Generally climate is defined as the long-term average weather conditions of a particular place, region, or the world. Key climate variables include surface conditions such as temperature, precipitation, and wind. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) broadly defined climate change as any change in the state of climate which persists for extended periods, usually for decades or longer (Allwood et al. 2014). Climate change may occur due to nature’s both internal and external processes. External process involves anthropogenic emission of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere, and volcanic eruptions. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) made a distinction between climate change attributable to human contribution to atmospheric composition and natural climate variability. In its Article 1, the UNFCCC defines climate change as “a change of climate which is attributed directly or indirectly to human activity that alters the composition of the global atmosphere and which is in addition to natural climate variability observed over comparable time periods” (United Nations 1992, p. 7)

EXTENDED ABSTRACT

Integrated Basin Flow Management (IBFM) approach has been proposed by Mekong River Commission (MRC) to balance the economic and social developments, and maintenance of productive, healthy ecosystems in the Mekong Basin. The IBFM approach needs analytical tools to be used in solving real management problems. Mathematical models, in this case hydrological, hydrodynamic, and water quality models, are among those tools. While such models are useful in themselves, their full potential is only realised when linked with social, economic and policy issues. This paper focuses on the estimating impacts of the development scenarios on natural resources and on socio-economy with the help of mathematic modelling. The work presented here is part of the WUP-FIN project, complementary project for Water Utilization Programme under MRC. WUP-FIN focuses on developing and implementing hydrological, environmental and socio-economic modelling tools for the Lower Mekong Basin impact assessment. The Mekong River is one of the largest rivers in the world having a catchment size of 795,000 km 2 and average flow of 14,500 m 3 /s (Mekong River Commission, 2003). The river is shared by si

High resolution 3D-ecosystem model for the Neva Bay and Estuary - model validation and future scenarios

We have used a simple 3D-ecosystem model to describe nutrient dynamics and biomass production in the Neva Bay off St.Petersburg. The River Neva is responsible for carrying the waste waters of St. Petersburg to the Gulf of Finland. Literature values of chlorophyll-a concentrations and satellite images have been used for model validation. The results indicate that our model can reproduce both the temporal and spatial variation in the phytoplankton biomass with reasonable accuracy. The model was used to analyse scenarios describing the ecological effects of planned water protection measures. More efficient phosphorus purification was found to be the most effective measure for improving the water quality off St.Petersburg

Use of Current Meters in Aquatic Research & Engineering

9 pagesThe increase in exploitation and use of the aquatic environment by humans with increasing population enhances the need for knowledge for future sustainable management of lakes, coastal zones and the open ocean. A frequently used tool for process understanding and management are mathematical models that simulate global, regional and local scenarios. To be reliable models have to be calibrated and validated with high-quality field measurements. The more good data that is used the better the model becomes and forecasting possibilitie

Patterns of Ecosystem Metabolism in the Tonle Sap Lake, Cambodia with Links to Capture Fisheries

The Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia is a dynamic flood-pulsed ecosystem that annually increases its surface area from roughly 2,500 km2 to over 12,500 km2 driven by seasonal flooding from the Mekong River. This flooding is thought to structure many of the critical ecological processes, including aquatic primary and secondary productivity. The lake also has a large fishery that supports the livelihoods of nearly 2 million people. We used a state-space oxygen mass balance model and continuous dissolved oxygen measurements from four locations to provide the first estimates of gross primary productivity (GPP) and ecosystem respiration (ER) for the Tonle Sap. GPP averaged 4.1±2.3 g O2 m−3 d−1 with minimal differences among sites. There was a negative correlation between monthly GPP and lake level (r = 0.45) and positive correlation with turbidity (r = 0.65). ER averaged 24.9±20.0 g O2 m−3 d−1 but had greater than six-fold variation among sites and minimal seasonal change. Repeated hypoxia was observed at most sampling sites along with persistent net heterotrophy (GPP<ER), indicating significant bacterial metabolism of organic matter that is likely incorporated into the larger food web. Using our measurements of GPP, we calibrated a hydrodynamic-productivity model and predicted aquatic net primary production (aNPP) of 2.0±0.2 g C m−2 d−1 (2.4±0.2 million tonnes C y−1). Considering a range of plausible values for the total fisheries catch, we estimate that fisheries harvest is an equivalent of 7–69% of total aNPP, which is substantially larger than global average for marine and freshwater systems. This is likely due to relatively efficient carbon transfer through the food web and support of fish production from terrestrial NPP. These analyses are an important first-step in quantifying the resource pathways that support this important ecosystem.Peer reviewe