Amy Scott, Colleen Cranmer, Oudomxay Thongsavath, and Khamphat Xeuasing
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Amy Scott, Colleen Cranmer, Oudomxay Thongsavath, and Khamphat Xeuasing Amy Scott, Colleen Cranmer, Oudomxay Thongsavath, and Khamphat Xeuasing This publication is the result of a collaboration between the Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO), Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Lao PDR (MoNRE), and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Lao PDR). The views expressed in this assessment report are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views or polices of IUCN or the donors. While the authors strive for rigor and accuracy in presenting this report, IUCN makes no representations as to completeness, suitability or validity of any information contained, and will not be liable for any errors or omissions. Reproduction of any part of this report for educational, conservation and other non‐profit purposes is authorized without prior permission from the copyright holder, provided that the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction for commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission from the copyright holder. Funded by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Global Environmental Facility (GEF). Published by: IUCN Asia Regional Office (ARO), Bangkok, Thailand Layout by: IUCN Asia Regional Office Citation: Scott, A., Cranmer, C., Thongsavath, O., and, Xeuasing, K. (2018). Final Report: Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, Xe Champhone Ramsar Site, Lao PDR. Vientiane, Lao PDR: IUCN. 93 pp. Date: May 2018 Funded by: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Global Environmental Facility (GEF). Cover Photo: Transporting bamboo, Xe Champhone Ramsar Site, Lao PDR © Amy Scott Back cover: © IUCN/Lao PDR team Photo Credits: © IUCN/Lao PDR team Available from: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Asia Regional Office BRIDGE Programme 63 Sukhumvit Soi 39 Klongtan – Nua, Wattana 10110 Bangkok, Thailand Tel +66 2 662 4029 Fax +66 2 662 4387 Email address: [email protected] www.iucn.org/resources/publications CONTENTS Acronyms .............................................................................................................................. v Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 1 1 Description of the wetland ................................................................................................ 1 1.1 Location and site description ..................................................................................... 1 1.2 Current and historic climate ....................................................................................... 2 1.3 Hydrological characteristics ....................................................................................... 3 1.4 Wetland habitats ........................................................................................................ 3 1.5 Biodiversity ................................................................................................................ 5 2 Communities, land use and livelihoods ............................................................................. 7 2.1 Communities and population ..................................................................................... 7 2.2 Land use and livelihoods ........................................................................................... 8 2.3 Governance (institutions, management bodies) ......................................................... 8 2.4 Gender, ethnicity and vulnerable groups .................................................................... 9 2.5 Current threats to wetland habitats and livelihoods .................................................. 10 3 Climate projections for the site ....................................................................................... 10 4 Vulnerability Assessment methodology .......................................................................... 11 4.1 Scope ...................................................................................................................... 11 4.2 Ecological Response Model ..................................................................................... 11 4.3 Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK) .......................................................................... 12 4.4 VA Process .............................................................................................................. 13 4.5 Village Consultations ............................................................................................... 14 5 Results of vulnerability assessment ................................................................................ 15 5.1 Habitat VA ............................................................................................................... 15 5.1.1 Habitat baseline risk and threats .................................................................... 17 5.1.2 Habitat Climate Change Vulnerability ............................................................. 19 5.2 Village VA ................................................................................................................ 20 5.2.1 Wetland Resources........................................................................................ 20 5.2.2 Historical climate timeline and observed effects ............................................. 34 5.2.3 Climate impacts on communities .................................................................... 37 5.2.4 Current and future coping strategies .............................................................. 45 5.2.5 Success ratings of current coping strategies .................................................. 51 5.2.6 Current management and community recommendations for future management ................................................................................... 54 iii 5.3 Species VA .............................................................................................................. 54 5.3.1 Species selection ........................................................................................... 55 5.3.2 Species VA results ......................................................................................... 56 5.3.3 Baseline risk and threats ................................................................................ 57 5.3.4 Climate Change Vulnerability ......................................................................... 59 5.3.5 Previously assessed additional species/taxa of interest for the Xe Champhone site ............................................................................ 60 6 Summary of vulnerabilities .............................................................................................. 62 6.1 Summary: Habitat vulnerability ................................................................................ 62 6.2 Summary: Community/livelihood vulnerability .......................................................... 63 6.3 Summary: Species vulnerability ............................................................................... 68 7 Adaptation planning and development of an adaptation plan .......................................... 69 7.1 Key considerations to address habitat vulnerability and adaptation ......................... 69 7.2 Key considerations to address species vulnerability and adaptation ........................ 70 7.3 Key considerations to address community/livelihood vulnerability and adaptation ... 71 7.3.1 Strategies that improve livelihood but potentially increase pressure on wetland....................................................................................... 72 7.3.2 Strategies that improve livelihood and potentially reduce impact on wetlands 72 7.4 Key considerations for implementation of recommendations ................................... 80 7.5 Conclusions ............................................................................................................. 80 Annex I: Top 10 priority resources (men and women) for each village surveyed ................. 81 Appendix II: Sample habitat and species assessments ....................................................... 81 Appendix III: Coping strategies ........................................................................................... 85 Appendix IV: Current wetland management and future recommendations for community management …………………………………………………………………...89 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................ 91 iv ACRONYMS CAWA Climate Change in Wetland Areas CEPA Community Education, Participation, and Awareness Focal Point DAFO District Agriculture and Forestry Office DEQP Department of Environmental Quality Promotion DONRE District Office of Natural Resources and Environment DWREO District Water Resources and Environment Office ENSO El Niño Southern Oscillation FAO Food and Agriculture Organization FCZ Fish Conservation Zone GIS Geographic Information Systems GMC Global Climate Models ICEM International Centre for Environmental Management IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IRAS Improving the Resilience of the Agriculture Sector IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature Lao PDR Lao People’s Democratic Republic LEK Local Ecological Knowledge LMB Lower Mekong Basin MoNRE Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment MRC Mekong River Commission NTFP Non-timber forest product PAFO Provincial