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Park, Edward
- PublicationOpen AccessAdvancing sustainable rice production in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta insights from ecological farming systems in An Giang Province(Elsevier, 2024)
;Tran, Dung Duc; ;Van, Can Thu ;Nguyen, Thien Duc ;Nguyen, Au Hai ;Linh, Tran Che ;Quyen, Pham Hong ;Tran, Duong AnhNguyen, Hong QuanRice serves as a crucial staple food crop for half of the world's population. In the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD), rice production plays a vital role in national food security. However, the majority of the existing intensified rice cultivation schemes in the VMD, which are typically traditional, have rendered many farmers' livelihoods unsustainable due to issues such as land degradation, water pollution, health risks, and low profitability. Therefore, it is imperative to explore alternative sustainable farming systems. This study investigates the benefits of two ecological farming systems, specifically organic rice and rice mixed with lotus, as alternatives to conventional rice farming in the upper VMD floodplain province of An Giang. These two farming systems have demonstrated long-term socioecological and economic advantages. On the one hand, they allow the introduction of rice products to the market at more affordable prices. Additionally, they contribute to improved water quality, improved soil fertility, and increased biodiversity such as bird, fish, and plant species compared to traditional rice farming systems. Although we acknowledge that the availability of floodwater poses a significant constraint for alternative farming systems, the business opportunities and socioecological benefits associated with these systems outweigh the limitations. Our findings provide evidence that ecological farming practices that support rice cultivation represent promising alternatives to sustainable rice production, which can help mitigate vulnerabilities in intensified rice farming systems and can be scaled up for other floodplain provinces in the VMD and beyond.
50 207 - PublicationMetadata onlyRevealing the circulation patterns most conducive to regional heatwave in Southeast Asia and the mechanisms behind(Wiley, 2025)
;Lyu, Yang; ;Zhi, Xiefei ;Zhu, Shoupeng ;Zhang, Hugh ;Lee, Joshua ;Fan, Yi ;Ji, Yan; Wang, XianfengThe increasing frequency of heatwaves over Southeast Asia (SEA) is impacting human health, infrastructure and economies. Understanding the relationship between large-scale circulation patterns and heatwaves is crucial for improving predictions and reducing damages. In this study, four distinct circulation patterns conducive to SEA heatwaves are identified by the self-organizing map. Three circulation patterns are associated with high-pressure systems over the mid-latitude Western Pacific and SEA, significantly influenced by El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In addition to these common high-pressure patterns, a low-pressure dominant pattern is identified, characterized by two enhanced low-pressure systems over the Tibetan Plateau and mid-latitude Western Pacific, which deplete a considerable amount of moisture, resulting in diminished cloud cover and rapid warming across continental SEA. Further analysis reveals that all patterns are significantly modulated by Madden Jullian Oscillation (MJO) activities, each showing distinct peak occurrences in different MJO phases, with further links to ENSO and the Indian Ocean Dipole.18 - PublicationMetadata onlyGlobal impact of seawater intrusion on coastal agriculture(IOP Publishing, 2024)
;Ghirardelli, Aurora ;Straffelini, Eugenio; ;D'Agostino, Vincenzo ;Masin, RobertaTarolli, PaoloCoastal agriculture faces escalating threats from seawater intrusion (SWI), jeopardizing global food security through freshwater scarcity, soil salinization and crop damage. However, research on SWI often fails to consider its impact on coastal agriculture. Linking georeferenced SWI data with cropland presence, this review examines SWI's global distribution and primary drivers. Major attested hotspots include the Mediterranean, South and South-East Asia, and the Bohai Sea region in China. Approximately 87 Mha of cropland globally are vulnerable due to low elevation and coastal proximity, including regions where little to no literature has documented SWI. Main drivers include sea-level rise (SLR), drought, groundwater depletion, river modifications, tidal flooding and subsidence. Projections of SLR indicate cropland of North America, the Indian Subcontinent, and South-East Asia as high-risk for SWI. Additionally, regions like South-East Asia and the Indian Subcontinent are expected to experience significant demographic growth in coastal areas. Understanding present and future SWI dynamics is crucial for designing effective mitigation and adaptation strategies in coastal agriculture to support food supply.31 - PublicationMetadata onlyIntensified susceptibility to riverbed incisions under sand mining impacts in the Vietnamese mekong delta: A long-term spatiotemporal analysis(Elsevier, 2025)
;Menna Farag Ahmed ;Doan, Van Binh ;Kantoush, Sameh; ;Doan, Nguyen Luyen Phuong ;Luc, Anh Tuan ;Vuong, Nguyen Dinh ;Vu, Thi Huong ;Nguyen, Binh Quang ;Trieu, Anh Ngoc ;Nguyen, Xuan TungSumi, TetsuyaThe Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) has experienced severe morphological changes for decades, resulting in serious social, economic, and environmental consequences. Several natural and anthropogenic factors have contributed to the increasing rate of riverbed incision along the VMD. While previous studies have assessed riverbed incisions in specific affected regions or within limited timeframes, a comprehensive analysis of long-term spatiotemporal variations in incised sediment volumes across the entire delta has been lacking. This study quantitatively evaluated the spatial and temporal morphological changes in the VMD utilizing bathymetric data from 1998 to 2020. Additionally, susceptibility zones, categorized into seven classes for incised and accreted sediment volumes, were delineated considering the influence of sand mining activities. Furthermore, this study pioneers the quantification of sand mining contributions to riverbed incisions along the VMD. The analysis revealed pronounced and irregular morphological alterations in the delta channels over the 22 years of the study. The estimated net annual incision volumes for the entire region were -119 Mm3/year, −69 Mm3/year, and -66 Mm3/year for the 1998–2005, 2005–2017, and 2017–2020 time intervals, respectively. Between 2017 and 2020, the dynamic processes intensified notably, with some areas experiencing either high incision (up to −13 m/year) or high accretion (up to 11 m/year). Intriguingly, most incise-prone areas were partly situated within regions associated with sand mining. The contribution of licensed sand mining to annual net riverbed incisions increased from 27.7 % in 2005–2017 to 35.3 % in 2017–2020. This study highlights the influence of sand mining on exacerbating the vulnerability of different areas within the VMD and provides valuable insights for effective sediment management strategies.62 - PublicationOpen AccessHow the saline water intrusion has reshaped the agricultural landscape of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, a review(Elsevier, 2021)
;Ho, Huu Loc ;Low, Mindy Lixian; ;Tran, Duc Dung ;Sangam ShresthaYoon, Yong-JinOnce a key factor behind Vietnam's successful Doi Moi (restoration) economic reforms, the rice-centered agriculture of the VMD is now confronted by the new pressure of climate change impacts, including the intensifying salinity intrusion (SI). The SI menace has partly triggered the delta-wide emergence of new adaptive livelihood models across the VMD, including the prawn rice rotational crop (PRRC) that is arguably the most prominent. Research on the SI-driving factors is rapidly increasing in numbers, yet little synthesis has been done. Likewise, several studies have investigated the economic benefits of PRRC; less emphasis has placed on environmental and societal aspects, hence the questionable sustainability. This study, therefore, contributes a composite literature review, targeting two SI-related aspects: (i) key factors driving the intensification of SI in recent years across the Mekong Delta, and (ii) current understanding of the sustainability of PRRC. Results from the first review assignment highlight the four key SI-driving factors: riverbed incision, land subsidence, upstream dams, and sea-level rise. Also remarked are the critical absence of studies addressing multiple drivers and the need for a decoupling model to quantify the relative importance of each factor to strategize the adaptive measures. For PRRC, we reveal that while economic benefits have been widely reported, potential negative impacts of this model related to environmental and social aspects are lacking. Therefore, while the lucrative prawn trade might financially benefit the farmers', the economic benefit is marred by the underlying negative environmental impacts and social inequalities, limiting overall sustainability. This study also provides a case study to notify the spatial-temporal trends of PRRC in the last three decades and evaluate the associated geographical and social factors. Kien Giang province was selected as the study site since it is the largest PRRCacross the VMD. The lessons from Kien Giang can also be applied to other transformative agricultural models in both Mekong Delta and other deltas worldwide.WOS© Citations 31Scopus© Citations 65 365 94 - PublicationMetadata onlyNovel landslide susceptibility mapping based on multi-criteria decision-making in Ouro Preto, Brazil(Springer, 2023)
;Mantovani, Jose Roberto ;Bueno, Guilherme Taitson ;Alcantara, Enner; ;Cunha, Ana Paula ;Londe, Luciana ;Massi, Klecia GiliMarengo, Jose A.Weather-related disasters have caused widespread deaths and economic losses in developing countries, including Brazil. Frequent floods and landslides in Brazil are mostly climatic driven, often aggravated by human activities and poor environmental planning. In this paper, we aimed to map and discuss the susceptibility to landslides in the urban area of Ouro Preto, Brazil, a municipality with colonial and world heritage houses. We used data on precipitation, soil types, geology, digital elevation model (DEM), and land use and land cover (LULC) of high spatial resolution (1 m). The location of landslides in the urban perimeter was provided by the Civil Defense of Ouro Preto, and these were validated by fieldwork. A novel mathematical model based on multi-criteria decision-making (MCDA) and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used to map the susceptible areas to landslides. Results show that areas most affected by strong landslides were low-density vegetation (high susceptibility) and rocky outcrops (very high susceptibility). The largest areas susceptible to landslides are urban land use areas. Particularly, landslides that occurred in February 2022 in the region were related to intense soil saturation. With an average monthly rainfall of 122.60 mm, the uneven relief and edaphoclimatic characteristics had caused percolation of the surface runoff, naturally triggering landslides. This study supports mitigation efforts by local governments and decision-makers.WOS© Citations 6Scopus© Citations 16 71 - PublicationMetadata onlyToward a sustainable future of sand(Cell Press, 2025)
;Akanwa, Angela Oyilieze ;Hemmler, Katharina S.; ;Rangel-Buitrago, Nelson Guillermo ;Nguyen, Binh Quang ;Mei, ZhigangLamb, VanessaWith its versatile applications, sand is now the second-most-consumed natural resource by human beings. The ever-growing demand for sand has, however, led to extensive sand extraction that resulted in the world's most significant anthropogenic mining endeavor. Intensive mining activities have caused severe socio-environmental consequences, with many being overlooked. This Voices asks: what pressing issue must be urgently addressed to faciliate a sustainable future for sand?21 - PublicationMetadata onlyMapping the vulnerability of irrigation sand traps in a tropical volcanic basin, Indonesia(Nature Research, 2023)
;Ansita Guptakingkin Pradipta ;Loc, Ho Huu; ;Akram Sripandam Prihanantya ;Nurhady, Sigit ;Setyawan, Chandra ;Mohanasundaram, S. ;Virdis, Salvatore G. P.Sangam ShresthaSand traps in irrigation networks are typically used in mitigating canal sedimentation. In irrigation networks located in basins of high sediment yield due to the presence of volcanoes, it is essential to assess the vulnerability of sand traps. Using sediment yield at irrigation scheme inlets, sand trap vulnerability can be evaluated. This study aims to understand the vulnerability of irrigation sand traps throughout the Progo–Opak–Serang (POS) Volcanic River Basin, Indonesia, via mapping the sediment yield distributions in the basin. We employed the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation to estimate soil loss, where the results show that the average soil loss in the POS River Basin is 179.69 tons/ha/year that falls under the category of moderate erosion potential, while the average sediment yield for the whole basin is 51.04 tons/ha/year. Parts of the basin with high yields of more than 180 tons/ha/year were mostly found along the volcanic mountains such as Sindoro, Sumbing, Merapi, Merbabu, and Telomoyo, and the Menoreh Hills. The model demonstrated relatively high performance with R2, NSE, RMSE, and MAE of 0.89, 0.82, 0.14, and 0.11, respectively. Within the POS Basin, Badran, Kalibawang, and Blawong are the three most vulnerable irrigation sand traps, with sediment yield values of 252.83, 178.92, and 63.49 tons/ha/year, respectively; they are all located in sub-watershed outlets. The vulnerability assessment conducted in this study can be used for the decision support system to prioritize irrigation sand traps towards a more effective irrigation system development.
11 - PublicationMetadata onlyRecent intensification of riverbed mining in the Mekong Delta revealed by extensive bathymetric surveying
Large-scale sand extraction has had significant and compounding impacts on the riverine environment of the Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD). Yet, effective and targeted implementation of regulations and sustainable management remains hindered by scant data availability, limiting a comprehensive understanding of the delta's sand mining scale and extent. This study assessed recent intensifying patterns of sand mining activities in the VMD mainly based on extensive bathymetric surveys carried out across 800 km2 of the VMD river channel from 2017 to 2022. Our results revealed severe riverbed deepening across the VMD, with the upper reaches of the Hau (Bassac) River experiencing an average incision of 1.4 m from 2017 to 2022, resulting in sediment losses of 127 Mm3. Similarly, the upper reaches of the Tien (Mekong) River and the Co Chien branch showed incisions of 1.3 m and 0.7 m from 2017 to 2020, accompanied by sediment losses of 139 Mm3 and 87 Mm3, respectively. The observed spatial and temporal variability in incisions, along with widespread sand mining pockmarks along the riverbed profiles, provide strong evidence of the significant contribution of sand mining to changes in riverbed morphology. The progressive lowering of riverbed elevation provides further evidence of the recent intensification of sand mining activities. Additionally, field surveys highlighted the proximity of perceived sites of bank collapse to pitted riverbeds, providing reliable indications of sand mining-induced erosion. Ultimately, we intend for this evidence-based assessment of sand mining activities in the VMD to contribute to informed quantitative assessments of sediment budgets and effective implementation of regulatory frameworks for sustainable sand mining in the future.
23 - PublicationOpen AccessAn enhanced analytical framework of participatory GIS for ecosystem services assessment applied to a Ramsar wetland site in the Vietnam Mekong Delta(Elsevier, 2021)
;Ho, Huu Loc; ;Tran, Ngoc Thu ;Nguyen, Thi Hong DiepNguyen, Trong CanPublic participation geographic information systems (PPGIS), though proven valuable in ecosystem services (ES) research, is occasionally criticized for being expensive in terms of time, cost and administration efforts in case the post-hoc sophisticated spatial analytics/statistics are targeted. This study, based on the enhancement of the pre-developed PPGIS analytical framework, seeks to address these critiques by introducing an in-expensive effective data collection strategy, while substantially facilitating geo-spatial analytics. The U Minh Thuong National Park (UMTNP) in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, a world’s renowned Ramsar site, was chosen to demonstrate the framework. The respondents participated in the participatory mapping on paper maps, using color markers to hand-draw (as polygons) their self-perceived areas associated with different categories ES. By collecting 2D data, the post-hoc spatial analyses could have utilized more meaningful statistical methods. In this study, we introduced the uses of three methods: Ordinary least squares (OLS), Geographically weighted regression (GWR) and Moran’s I to assess the spatial autocorrelation of ES across the landscape. In addition to participatory mapping, the respondents were also engaged in completing a semi-structured questionnaire, which was subsequently analyzed using principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis. These two multivariate analyses serve to reveal the structured diversity of the people’s perceptions towards the importance of different ES. It was shown that Provisioning ES was the most highly regarded benefit, followed by Regulating, Supporting and Cultural. Regulating and Supporting ES, the two indirect material services share relatively similar appreciation patterns while Cultural ES was unexpectedly the least credited, a stark contrast lineagainst the government designated eco-tourism and historical functions of UMTNP. Geographically, the core areas of the national park have the most overlaps between Provisioning and Regulating services. Supporting services, on the other hand, were the most associated with Provisioning and Regulating services in peripheral areas. Cultural services were synergized with the other three types of ES in the areas reserved for eco-tourism activities. The revealed spatial synergies can determine the areas where potential conflicts between extractive and non-extractive uses could occur, contributing insights for sustainable management of UMTNP and other protected areas worldwide. In addition, this study also contributes to promoting the PPGIS method in ES research and other human geographical studies, those relying on community participation.WOS© Citations 21Scopus© Citations 29 183 285