| Research Projects |
||
 Trans-boundary Fish Trade in the Lower Mekong Basin: Impacts on Fisheries and Rural Employment in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Thailand Download Full Extended Abstract Abstract Both formal research and anecdotal evidence indicate that there is a major transboundary trade in fish between Stung Treng, Cambodia; Champassak, Lao PDR; and, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand which supports many rural livelihoods in this area. The decline of Stung Treng and Champassak fisheries has been reasonably well documented and indicates that if this trade continues with limited management, both fisheries and the livelihoods the trade supports may be threatened in the future. This research study seeks to better understand this trade and the employment it provides, with the aim of making policy recommendations about how to manage the trade, conserve fisheries and support rural livelihoods. Research will involve: 1) a desk study on policy and institutional arrangements that govern the trade; 2) a market chain analysis that identifies all key actors in the trade and 3) a livelihoods analysis. Fieldwork will be primarily based around individual interviews, key informant interviews and focus group discussions with local people and related institutions using semi-structured and structured questionnaire for interviews. Policy engagement will begin from the beginning of the project when key boundary partners are consulted to solicit feedback on research design. The final workshop in Bangkok that will be organized through collaboration with Mekong River Commmission (MRC) will provide the major opportunity for policy dialogue. This connection to MRC will be a major asset as MRC has a large network of policy makers and policy influencers that deal with fisheries, transboundary trade and transboundary environmental issues. |
||
 Impact of Urbanization on the Hinterland and Local Responses in the Mekong Region: A Study of Khon Kaen Thailand and Vang Vieng Lao PDR Download Full Extended Abstract Abstract The research objectives explore the perceived impact of urbanization in two urban centers, one in Thailand and the other in Lao PDR by studying the responses of local communities and households to the urbanization process and its impacts. Based on the findings, the research aims to formulate policy options for more balanced and sustainable urbanization. Begun in July 2011, the research has been implemented for four months out of the total 15 months’ project period. This paper presents the research progress, particularly on the conceptual framework and research methods. Khon Kaen city in Thailand and Vang Vieng town in Lao PDR were selected as case studies. The research adopted a mixed–method research methodology, integrating both qualitative and qualitative research methods. The quantitative data will be collected by interview schedule, using a structured questionnaire to interview households in the peri-urban areas of Khon Kaen and Vang Vieng. Descriptive statistics, cross tabulation, and multiple regression analysis will be used to analyze the data, to describe the characteristics of hinterland household and communities, urban-peri-urban interaction, perceived impacts, and to identify the factors influencing the households’ perceptions on impacts. Qualitative data will be collected by means of in-depth interview and group interview, using semi-structured interview and un-structured guidelines. The future research steps are presented at the end of the paper. |
||
 Vulnerability assessment of livelihoods in the Lower Mekong Basin: Adaptation options for enhancing capacity of people living in the most vulnerable flood-prone areas in Cambodia and Vietnam Download Full Extended Abstract Abstract Kandal and An Giang, the two bordering provinces between Cambodia and Vietnam in the lower Mekong Basin, are most vulnerable to flood due to heavy seasonal inundation and low resilience. Current management interventions fail to recognize the diversity of peoples’ livelihoods in the flood zones, the resilience to cope with floods, and inadequate information on the impact of flood events. By undertaking a holistic approach and taking into account the affects of global climate change on flood situations, this research project adopts the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF) concept as a major methodology in combination with different tools and methods (PRA’s tool, households interviews) for measuring vulnerability and exploring options that can catalyze policy actions and enhance the adaptive capacity of local people to deal with flood. The PRAs were conducted during 2011 and were aimed at understanding the impacts of flood on agricultural production and peoples’ livelihoods at the community level. Household interviews were used to record farmers' assessments of livelihood vulnerability to flood for different social groups at two flood-prone sites in Kandal (Cambodia) and An Giang (Vietnam). Due to a big flood that occurred during September and October at the research sites, household interviews at Kandal were postponed to the end of October 2011. Data analyzing (includes updating data of flood 2011 in An Giang and Kandal) and report writing will be completed at the end of February 2012. A final workshop to deliver the research findings will be conducted during January 2012. |
||
 Valuation of Pilot Program on Payment for Forest Environmental Services in Viet Nam and Policy Implication for Laos and Cambodia Download Full Extended Abstract Abstract This research project aims to evaluate the performance and impacts of the pilot program for payment of forest environmental services (PFES), which has been implemented in Lam Dong province of Viet Nam since 2008 and to evaluate its potential for adopting in Laos and Cambodia. The research findings establish the basis for the development of the legal framework for a national policy on payment for forest environmental services for practical implementation. This interim report presents preliminary results from KIIs, FDGs and household survey. The final report will be produced in early 2012. Results from KIIs and FGDs show that the PFES program has a positive impact on forest areas: (i) provision of resources and income for PFES providers; (ii) increase of PFES users' awareness; (iii) reduction of illegal deforestation; (iv) halting loss of forest area; (v) improvement of forest quality. On average, each participated household earned about VND 10.10 million per year in cash from the PFES program. This shows an obvious positive impact of the program to the household income. |
||
 Communicating water-related climate change risks to improve local adaptation in the deltas of the Mekong Region Download Full Extended Abstract Abstract The densely settled, low-lying coastal and delta areas of the Mekong region are among the most vulnerable areas to climate change in the world. Extreme events such as flooding are the greatest threats, particularly as population growth and development continues in high-risk locations. To contribute to sustainable development of delta communities in the Mekong region, it is important that those working to support vulnerable communities have the tools for effective communication. To develop such tools, the project, “Communicating Water-Related Climate Change Risks to Improve Local Adaptation in the Deltas of the Mekong Region”, funded by SUMERNET, is underway. This project aims to 1) understand how different stakeholders (including, officials, researchers and students, farmers and fishermen) perceive types, levels and sources of water-related climate change risks and uncertainties; 2) develop effective communication models on water-related climate change risks with participation of local stakeholders in order to promote shared learning and strengthen local adaptation capacity; and 3) facilitate sharing good practices and experience in climate change risk communication and advocate for replication of the communication models to delta communities in the Mekong region. To understand perceptions of vulnerable people to water-related climate risks, a survey of over 600 farmers and aquaculturalists has been conducted in six communities along the Mekong in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, with the data currently under analysis. Although recent flooding delayed survey data collection, the project is still expected to be completed on time. The survey is currently being complemented by semi-structured interviews with government officials, media representatives, researchers, farmers and aquaculturalists. These interviews will explore more in-depth, perceptions to water-related risks and investigate how different communication tools are currently used to convey messages and their relative effectiveness. In the final stage, the project will use the knowledge gained to develop a model/s for communicating water-related climate change risks among national and local stakeholders in the Mekong region. This model/s will be tested with three regionally-based Risk Communication Working Groups (RCWGs), which are composed of researchers, students, farmers, aquaculturalists and local government officials. The RCWG’s and have already been engaged in the collection of survey data and will also be utilized to assist in the implementation of the communication model/s. On the completion of this research, a workshop will be conducted to share findings and lessons learned, while knowledge dissemination will occur through regional and international conferences, forums and workshops. |
||
 Research on Integrating Community-based Participatory Carbon Measurement and Monitoring with Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS in a Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV) System for REDD+ Download Full Extended Abstract Abstract The project began in August 2011. Its scope is to test and develop an “MRV Guidebook for Integrating Participatory Community Carbon Measurement and Monitoring with Satellite Remote Sensing and GIS” through three pilot activities (one each) in Lao PDR, Thailand and Vietnam. We have engaged local officials and communities and will develop training material for local communities. Since we are in the early stages of the project we have limited results to report. Over the next few months we will, however, compare the results of the surveys across the three pilot areas, begin training in data collection and conduct data collection, analyze remote sensing satellite data and begin mapping carbon in the REDD+ areas to demonstrate the linking of community-based measurements with remote sensing and GIS. Following these steps we will meet with boundary partners to demonstrate the potential for research application and seek feedback. |
||
 Making economic integration work for the rural poor through contract farming practices Download Full Extended Abstract Abstract In recent decades, contract farming (CF) has evolved as a mechanism for economic integration within the agricultural sector of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The question is: has it benefited rural households, especially those most impoverished, and serve them better? This collaborative research project investigates the status of CF, its impacts on households, and ways of improving it, within chosen rural communities of Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. Sugar CF is the focus in Thailand and Laos, rice CF in Cambodia and Myanmar. Data is being collected through three avenues of inquiry: a structured survey of 200 farm households in each of the four countries (HHS); in-depth interviews IDI) with key informants representing farmer interests, company interests, and support agencies (government and NGO); and focus group discussions (FGD) amongst all stakeholder groups as to how to improve CF. An outcome of the project to date has been the construction of a common questionnaire for the HHS, translated into each language, tested by pilot survey of 30 farmers in each country, and refined collaboratively. The survey of 200 farmers by interview has now been completed in Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar. Data for the Thailand has been compiled and cleaned ready for analysis; a similar process is underway in the other countries. |
||
 Sustainable urban tourism through low carbon initiatives: Experiences from Hue and Chiang Mai Download Full Extended Abstract This research aims to explore strategies for decreasing carbon emissions while at the same time creating more employment and income in the urban tourism sectors of Hue and Chiang Mai cities. These two rapidly urbanizing cities in the Mekong region are interested in using opportunities for climate compatible urban tourism development. However, tourism industries including hotels, small business and travel are growing rapidly at the expense of creating adverse impact on the urban environment. The research will first estimate the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated by the tourism sector related activities. Then, actions for low carbon development (i.e. GHG emission mitigation) will be developed by consulting with research and boundary partners that would aim to create green and decent jobs in the two cities due to green production and consumption. The project will also provide an opportunity for all sectors such as government, private and local communities to make use of participatory approaches in decision-making in urban tourism planning processes. Thus, overall, it is expected that the research outputs will foster the development of action plans/policies related to climate compatible, sustainable, urban tourism development. |
Extended Abstract
-
font size
decrease font size
increase font size
Read 2880 times