(Luận văn) research on proposing solutions for sustainable use of coastal wetland resources in the context of climate change in dong rui area, tien yen district, quang ninh province

Background

Climate Change (CC) poses a significant global challenge, particularly as nations strive to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) The International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) highlights in its Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) that various emission scenarios illustrate the urgent need for action.

Climate change and global warming have significantly altered climatic variables such as temperature, precipitation, and sea-level rise, while also increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events These shifts pose serious challenges to both natural ecosystems and human systems around the globe.

According to the Global Climate Risk Index 2021, from 2000 to 2019, over 475,000 fatalities and $2.56 trillion in economic losses were attributed to 11,000 extreme weather events, with Vietnam ranking 13th in the index The year 2020 proved particularly challenging for Vietnam, experiencing a series of severe weather events, including 13 storms in the East Sea, as reported by the Vietnam Disaster Management Authority.

In 2020, Vietnam experienced 264 thunderstorms, whirlwinds, and heavy rain across 49 cities and provinces, alongside 118 incidents of flooding, flash floods, and landslides, as well as 86 earthquakes The country also faced severe droughts, saline intrusion, erosion, and sea dyke subsidence These natural disasters resulted in the tragic loss of 353 lives and injuries to 876 individuals, with estimated economic losses reaching 35,181 billion VND.

Research indicates that Vietnam has experienced an average annual temperature increase of approximately 0.5ºC over the past 50 years, with rising precipitation in the South and declining levels in the North This shift has led to more frequent extreme weather events, such as typhoons, floods, droughts, and prolonged heatwaves (Tân & Thành, 2013) Consequently, the coastal ecosystem and socio-economic activities are increasingly vulnerable to environmental degradation, temperature fluctuations, changes in precipitation, sea level rise, and severe weather conditions Climate change poses a significant threat to the sustainability of Vietnam's coastal zones.

Rationale for choosing Dong Rui wetlands

Dong Rui, an island commune in Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province, is surrounded by rich coastal wetlands and mangrove forests but faces significant challenges due to climate change (CC) From 1980 to 2010, the district experienced rising annual temperatures and declining precipitation Projections indicate that by the end of the 21st century, Quang Ninh's average temperature could increase by 3.6ºC, with a 36.8% rise in annual precipitation compared to the 1986-2005 baseline Additionally, a sea level rise of 100cm could inundate 4.79% of the area, primarily along the coast Dong Rui is particularly vulnerable to climate-related threats such as typhoons, saline intrusion, coastal erosion, and sea level rise, while also facing environmental pressures from nearby industrial activities and pollution.

Dong Rui's wetland resources provide significant advantages for socio-economic development and climate resilience, benefiting the local community through aquaculture and tourism The predominant mangrove forest, the last primary mangrove ecosystem in Vietnam, plays a crucial role in disaster risk reduction by mitigating the impacts of typhoons, erosion, and sea-level rise Recognizing these vital resources, Dong Rui has attracted attention and investment from both the Vietnamese government and international organizations, particularly in mangrove conservation efforts Numerous studies have been conducted to explore the ecological value of the mangrove forests and their sustainable resource use.

In short, the Dong Rui wetland resources are precious assets for the locality, they contribute significantly to CC response and socio-economic development Sadly, CC

Human intervention is degrading wetland resources, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable management solutions To preserve the benefits these ecosystems provide while ensuring their long-term viability, a comprehensive assessment framework is essential This framework will evaluate the sustainability of wetland resources, enabling the development of targeted solutions for their protection and sustainable use.

Ensuring the sustainability of wetland resources is crucial for enhancing adaptive capacity and resilience, particularly in the context of climate change (CC) in the Dong Rui area and across Vietnam This motivates the proposal for research focused on sustainable coastal wetland resource management in Dong Rui, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province The anticipated outcomes of this research aim to contribute to climate change response efforts and support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Research objectives and tasks 3 1.3 Research question and hypothesis 7 1.3.1 Research question

Research hypothesis

- H1: CC impacts on the wetlands in Dong Rui Commune, Tien Yen District,

Quang Ninh Province faces significant challenges due to climate change, which directly impacts the region through altered precipitation, temperature fluctuations, sea-level rise, and increased typhoon activity, leading to the degradation of wetlands and their resources Indirectly, climate change affects the livelihoods of local communities dependent on these wetland resources, ultimately influencing land-use and resource management practices.

- H2: In the context of CC, the sustainability of Dong Rui wetland resources is at medium level because it is severely affected by CC impacts and human activities.

To ensure the sustainable use of wetland resources amid climate change, it is essential to integrate and synergize institutions and policies with science and technology, while also enhancing financial support, capacity development, stakeholder participation, and fostering international collaboration.

Objects and Scope of the research 7 1 Research objects

Scope

- Study site: coastal wetlands of Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province.

Novelty and Significance of the research 8 1 Novelty

Scientific significance

This research introduces a novel perspective on the sustainability of wetland resources, proposing a comprehensive set of assessment indicators to evaluate this sustainability The concept and indicators aim to provide a scientific foundation for future studies on wetland ecosystems, particularly in the context of climate change Additionally, the assessment results will serve as a valuable reference for ongoing research in the Dong Rui area of Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province.

Practical significance

The research findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and enforcers to develop effective strategies for climate change response and sustainable development The proposed framework serves as a reference for evaluating the sustainability of wetland resources, applicable not only to the coastal wetlands in the Dong Rui area of Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province, but also to other coastal wetlands Ultimately, the research aims to enhance the management and conservation of these vital ecosystems.

8 solutions be noticed/executed to ensure a healthy and sustainable wetland ecosystem while ensuring human’s benefits taken from the resources.

Theoretical basis for the research 9 1 Wetland resources

The concept of sustainability and sustainability of wetland resources

Sustainability is a multifaceted concept that has been recognized for a long time, but it still carries some ambiguity, while "sustainable development" has gained popularity Although these terms share semantic similarities, they represent distinct ideas and should not be used interchangeably in most contexts.

Sustainable development is defined as the process of fulfilling present needs while ensuring that future generations can also meet their own needs, a concept introduced in the Brundtland Report by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987.

The report highlights the critical connection between global economic development and environmental sustainability, emphasizing that progress must be aligned with the preservation of essential ecosystems Consequently, sustainability serves as a measure of the capacity to maintain and enhance specific systems or integrated systems.

Sustainability, as defined by the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), is crucial for human survival and well-being, requiring a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature Achieving sustainability involves reconciling economic development with equitable fulfillment of evolving human needs while conserving limited natural resources and ensuring the environment can withstand the stresses caused by human activities.

Though many studies have been conducted on sustainability recently, these studies mostly focus on environmental sustainability Specific ecosystem sustainability, especially on wetlands remains limited.

―Over the normal cycle of disturbance events, maintains its characteristic diversity of major functional groups, productivity, soil fertility, and rates of biogeochemical cycling In another respect, sustainability is perceived

10 mainly as the ability to sustain the functions, processes, and productivity of ecological systems and ecology in the future‖

(Stuart Chapin III et al., 1996)

―…the capacity of a system to maintain output at a level of approximately equal to or greater than its historical average, with the approximation determined by the historical level of variability.‖

Ecological sustainability focuses on preserving the productivity of our waters, soil, and ecosystems for the long term, while minimizing our impact on the environment and human health to ensure both nature and humanity can thrive together.

In short, sustainability of the wetland resources conveys the ability to maintain its values, functions, services, and biodiversity.

Sustainable use & principles for sustainable use of coastal wetlands

The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands emphasizes two key principles for utilizing wetland resources: wise use and sustainable use These concepts are recognized as essential for ensuring that wetlands are managed in a way that balances ecological health with human needs, promoting long-term sustainability and responsible resource management.

“The wise use of wetlands is their sustainable utilization for the benefit of humankind in a way compatible with the maintenance of the natural properties of the ecosystem‖

Sustainable utilization of wetlands involves using these ecosystems in a way that maximizes benefits for current generations while preserving their ability to support future needs and aspirations.

Wise and sustainable use of wetlands is essential for preserving their critical ecological functions while balancing human interests across generations This approach ensures the protection of the environment, conservation of biodiversity, and responsiveness to climate change Sustainable use emphasizes the integration of economic, social, environmental, and cultural factors to achieve related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The sustainable use and conservation of wetlands in Vietnam are guided by Decree no 66/2019/ND-CP, issued on July 29, 2019, by the Prime Minister This decree aligns with the Ramsar definition of sustainable utilization, emphasizing the importance of preserving wetland resources Proposals for sustainable wetland resource use are developed based on these government principles, particularly considering the impacts of climate change on wetland sustainability.

Overview of related studies 12 1 Wetland resources in CC context

Sustainable use of coastal wetland resources

Recognizing the significance of wetland resources in addressing climate change (CC) and the adverse effects of CC on these ecosystems highlights the critical need for their sustainable utilization.

Sustainable use of wetland resources is essential for preserving their ecological functions while fulfilling human needs for future generations International organizations, including the United Nations (UN), Ramsar, and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), advocate for wetland conservation and sustainable practices as part of their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Wetland management, despite garnering global attention and investment, encounters significant challenges related to information dissemination, policy frameworks, planning, and institutional support (Maltby et al., 1992) Key threats to the biological resources in coastal wetlands include environmental pollution, rising sea levels, and the invasion of non-native species, which hinder sustainable resource utilization (Tang et al., 2012) Additionally, land use practices such as crop cultivation and livestock grazing pose serious risks to wetland ecosystems.

Sustainable use of wetland resources is crucial in various countries, as highlighted by Musasa & Marambanyika (2020) and Phethi & Gumbo (2019) However, the Ramsar synthesis indicates that the conservation and effective management of these resources encounter significant challenges These include the need for better integration of wetland conservation targets into national strategies and investments, improved planning and management practices, active stakeholder participation, comprehensive wetland inventories, low levels of restoration efforts, and the establishment of robust policies and legal frameworks (Ramsar, 2019).

Improving policies and incentives for wetland conservation is crucial, as it requires community support alongside technical expertise (Stelk & Christie, 2016) Recommended actions include securing funding for coastal wetland conservation and research, enhancing education, and fostering international cooperation (Sun et al., 2015) The co-management model has demonstrated effectiveness in wetland management, particularly through the introduction and implementation of functional zoning to ensure sustainable practices.

Wetland degradation in Vietnam is intensifying due to human activities and the effects of global climate change (VEA, 2020) Key challenges in wetland conservation and management include resource overexploitation, absence of a comprehensive management plan, environmental pollution, insufficient policies and enforcement regarding wetland management, and limitations within management institutions (MONRE, 2020) Additionally, raising public awareness is crucial for the sustainable use of natural resources, particularly wetlands.

Numerous domestic initiatives have been implemented to promote the sustainable use and management of wetland resources, particularly through co-management models Successful examples include the mangrove co-management and restoration efforts in Soc Trang province (Schmitt, 2009), community-based mangrove management in the Mekong River Delta (Trung & Thuy, 2019), and collaborative mangrove management in Xuan Thuy National Park, Da Loc commune in Thanh Hoa province, and Mui Ca Mau National Park in Ca Mau province (Jhaveri et al., 2018).

In Quang Ninh province, the community-driven model for sustainable mangrove resource exploitation in Dong Hai and Dai Binh communes has garnered significant local engagement (Giang, 2009) Additionally, recommendations have been made to enhance stakeholder awareness and involvement in the sustainable use and conservation of wetland resources (Dung & Nga, 2013).

Frameworks for assessment of impacts on wetlands

Wetlands are facing significant degradation and loss due to human activities, including agricultural land demand, population growth, river flow regulation, socio-economic development, the introduction of invasive species, and pollution To better understand and predict the impacts on these vital ecosystems, as well as to improve wetland management, numerous studies have been conducted.

Figure 1-2: Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Conceptual Framework (Alcamo et al.,

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, developed by the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Secretariat, is a widely recognized framework for evaluating human impacts on wetlands This comprehensive approach examines the intricate relationship between humans and ecosystems, highlighting both direct and indirect drivers of change that affect ecosystem services.

Human and natural factors significantly influence wetland resources, as highlighted by Ramsar Key human impacts include land area alteration, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, and water resource depletion In contrast, natural factors such as climate change, severe weather events, and geological occurrences also play a crucial role in affecting these vital ecosystems.

Table 1-3: Derivation of criteria and indicators of sustainability for inland wetland systems (Moctezuma-Malagón et al., 2008)

Productivity Harvested biomass yield Yield per species Env.

Gross income Income from sold Eco. produce

Stability, Biodiversity/income Number of useful Env., Eco. resilience, and options species/products adaptability Env.

Soil conservation Area affected by fire

Stability and adaptability Number of independent Env., Eco. production subsystems

Self-reliance Natural regeneration Species replacement Env.

Env., Eco Participation in design Internal inputs

Social and monitoring Number of participants

Equity Beneficiaries Number of gender and Social age

A study by Moctezuma-Malagón et al (2008) assessed the sustainability of the High Lerma River Basin wetlands in Central Mexico, examining various dimensions including environmental, economic, and social aspects The research focused on systemic attributes such as productivity, stability, resilience, self-reliance, and equity of the resources However, it is noteworthy that the climate change dimension was not considered in the analysis.

Lately, the application of the Pressure - State - Response (PSR), and Driver - Pressure

The DPSIR (Driving Forces, Pressures, State, Impact, Response) framework has gained traction in environmental and wetland impact assessments Researchers such as Wang et al (2011), Saadati et al (2013), and Geijzendorffer et al (2019) have employed this approach to develop assessment indicators for wetland management, highlighting its effectiveness in evaluating environmental conditions and guiding sustainable practices.

Table 1-4: The Pressure-status-response model for wetland assessment (Wang et al.,

Target layer Sub-target Rule layer Indicator layer layer

Sustainability Ecological Wetland area Area of Conservation Site of wetland Environment Wetland type Diversity of Wetland types resource Hydrology Annual Average Precipitation

Water quality Soil Is it typical wetland soil Vegetation types?

Wetland health Changing ratio of wetland patch numbers (10yrs) Biodiversity Landscape connectivity index Imminent danger The incidence of disasters degree

Wetland Complexity degree of the ecosystem significance Plant species richness

Animal species richness Has national dangerous species or not International significant wetland or not?

Safeguard Wetland policy If established wetland protection

System policy at the municipal level?

Wetland Has wetland protect institution institution If harmony between inter institutions?

The technician ratio plays a crucial role in determining the financial investment density required for effective area protection Public protection relies on a dedicated financial commitment for each unit, emphasizing the importance of community awareness in safeguarding resources A reasonable land use structure is essential for optimizing land utilization, while effectively addressing potential threats to ensure safety and sustainability.

Wetland Area decreasing Threaten situation status Area decreasing status

Economic Economic benefit Percentage of GDP from wetland System Local economical Per capital annul net income of rural index households

Engel coefficient of rural households

Social- Population index Population density cultural Cultural index Average length of education

System Population natural increasing rate

International important culture heritage or not

International important research/ educational area or not

Annual tourist amount per hm 2

Table 1-5: The ―DPSIR‖ indicators for sustainable management of the Hamoun

DPSIR DPSIR component Indicators framework

Driving High temperature and low Standardized Precipitation Index forces precipitation (SPI) (McKee et al., 1993)

Pressures Restricting the Hirmand River Annual Hirmand River inflow inflow by Afghan government

Introducing exotic fish species Number of introduced exotic fish species

State Desertification and wind Wetland economic value erosion Extinction of fish and bird Annual number of wintering species waterbirds (EEA, 2000)

Number of species listed on the IUCN red list

Number of species listed in the CITES appendices

Number of protected species under the regulation of the Iranian Department of Environment (Behrouzi rad, 2006)

Proportion of fish stocks within safe biological limits (UN-MDG, 2012)

Soil salinity Proportion of saline soil area to total arable area

Impacts Growth of unemployment and Regional unemployment rate smuggling

The migration from rural to urban areas has significantly impacted the proportion of farmers within the total employed population in rural regions This shift has also led to a rise in both mental and physical health issues, with an annual increase in reported cases of respiratory diseases.

Response Stabilization of sand in the Annual number of projects

Sistan Plain implemented for sand stabilizationGenerating jobs for unemployed Annual number of newly generated people jobs

Negotiations between the Afghan government and Iranian authorities focus on adhering to international agreements regarding water rights The discussions aim to establish a mutually beneficial agreement on water usage, ensuring both nations respect their political commitments and foster cooperation in managing shared water resources.

Table 1-5: Overview of the identified overall trend in the Mediterranean wetlands

5 Wetlands surface area 12.Flood regulation

8 Exploitation of water resources Governance response

9 Water demand 14.Surface of Ramsar sites

Vietnam's coastal wetlands are vital for their rich ecosystems and essential services, significantly contributing to the country's development However, these wetlands face vulnerability due to human activities and climate change, leading to habitat degradation, environmental pollution, and a decline in biological resources Consequently, there has been a noticeable reduction in natural wetlands alongside a rise in manmade alternatives.

Climate change, characterized by temperature fluctuations, altered precipitation patterns, increased storm frequency, and sea level rise, alongside human activities such as aquaculture, land use changes, overexploitation, and water pollution, significantly exacerbate the detrimental effects on mangrove forests, which are the predominant type of wetland.

In 2015, it was noted that the adaptive capacity and vulnerability of wetland resources to climate change is moderate, leading to a decline in the livelihoods of stakeholders The alterations in the wetlands of Tien Yen and Dam Ha have led to significant biodiversity loss, including reductions in waterbirds, fish, and shrimp populations, ultimately jeopardizing the sustainability and growth of the mangrove ecosystem.

Numerous studies have been conducted on wetland vulnerability; however, there is a notable lack of research on the sustainability of wetland resources in Vietnam These studies predominantly examine the effects of human activities on wetlands For instance, Tran Dinh Lan et al (2014) employed the DPSIR framework to assess mangroves in Hai Phong city, while Do Thi Thu Huong et al applied the same approach to evaluate sandy beaches along the northeast coast.

2014 identifies CC dimension as a driving force (Figure 1-4).

Figure 1-3: DPSIR approach for mangrove assessment (Tran Dinh Lan et al, 2014)

Figure 1-4: DPSIR approach for assessment of sandy beach in the northeast coast (Nguyen Thi Thu Huong et al., 2014)

MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGIES 25 2.1 Overview of the study site 25 2.1.1 Physical features

Socio-economic features

Total population of Dong Rui commune in 2020 is 2,821 people, the density in Dong

Rui is a small commune with a population density of 810 households, significantly lower than the coastal zone's 373 people/km² and Quang Ninh province's 214 people/km² It is home to 11 ethnic groups, with minority groups representing 15% of the population, primarily residing in Bon village The commune boasts a poverty rate of just 0.25%, well below the national average of 2.75%.

Research analytical framework 26 2.3 Approaches 28 2.3.1 Systematic approach

The research is executed following the below framework (Figure 2-2):

Research on sustainable coastal wetland resource management in the face of climate change encompasses various dimensions, including ecosystems, socio-economic systems, and policy responses It emphasizes the need for diverse approaches to effectively address the interactions among these systems within the context of climate change.

Wetland resources are integral to the natural system, interacting with the environment and societal components A holistic approach to wetland resources is essential for understanding their interconnectedness with these elements By employing a systematic perspective, researchers can conduct comprehensive assessments of wetland ecosystems and develop sustainable solutions for their utilization in the context of climate change.

The coastal wetland in the Dong Rui area of Tien Yen district is a fragile ecosystem significantly affected by human activities, natural processes, and climate change To ensure sustainable resource use, it is crucial to preserve the ecosystem's core values and functions, meaning that any exploitation must remain within the ecosystem's resilience capacity Therefore, adopting an ecosystem-based approach is vital for developing sustainable resource management solutions.

Coastal wetlands exhibit common features of wetland resources, but their unique values differ across regions In the Dong Rui area of Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh Province, wetland resources are shaped by various natural, socio-economic, and human factors, along with local governance and community institutions To effectively understand and manage these resources, a bottom-up approach is essential, focusing on the investigation of local conditions, governance, and the active involvement of the local population.

As abovementioned, Dong Rui’s coastal wetland resources is a distinctive and

This research adopts a transdisciplinary approach to explore the intricate interactions between the environment, society, and climate change (CC) By integrating insights from various fields, including environmental and earth sciences, economics, and sociology, the study aims to address the complexities of these interconnected systems.

Humanity has made remarkable socio-economic advancements, yet the rapid pace of human activities driven by climate change has adversely impacted natural ecosystems, particularly in coastal regions To address these challenges, a sustainable development approach is essential for proposing effective solutions that ensure the sustainability of wetland resources and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the study area.

Data collection 29 2.5 Methods 30 2.5.1 Desk research

The research uses different types of data as below (Table 2-1).

Table 2-1: Data used in the research

Secondary Socio-economic conditions Available data Natural condition (topography, documents, records; reports, and previous geomorphology) scientific researches Biodiversity

Environmental indicator Climate Change expressions, CC scenario

Primary Socio-economic data, like: Household survey, data - Incomes, economic values from in-depth interview wetland-related activities

- Recognition of CC in-depth interview

- Human activities on wetland Interview

- Current policies and its efficiency

In the research, various methods for data collection, data processing, and assessment are applied, details as below (Table 2-

Method typeCode ofName of method Purpose Note method

Data M1 Desk research Collect and inherit available data and results from historical researches for: CC, collection

SD, sustainability of coastal zone, theoretical framework, and other related data.

Related activities: Data collection, analysis, synthesis, and assessment.

M2 Social survey Investigate socio-economic data from two subjects: local people (household survey using questionnaire form), and local staff (using in-depth interview).

Sample selected randomly, considering diversity in sex, age, livelihood, and resident area.

In-depth interview with local staff for general information of the study site, awareness, policy, and orientation concerning wetland resources.

M3 Field survey Survey on distribution of wetland resource; production, business, service and exploitation activities on wetland; observed impacts from natural and human activities, CC on wetland; wetland management.

Data M4 Statistical Collected data are processed and coded for analysis Statistical analysis processing analysis software: Excel Analysis will be used.

M5 Mapping QGIS software version 3.16.4 is used to create related maps.

M6 Expert Consult with experts in SD, CC, having qualification and knowledge about consultation wetland resources during the development of the assessment indicators and proposal.

The M7 Indicator serves as a foundational framework for developing a comprehensive set of indicators aimed at assessing the sustainability of coastal wetlands By applying these assessment indicators specifically to the Dong Rui area, we can effectively evaluate the sustainability of its coastal wetland ecosystems.

Tien Yen District, Quang Ninh Province.

The desk review method is utilized to gather relevant data on climate change variables, scenarios, biodiversity, and the natural conditions of the study site, alongside environmental indexes and socio-economic factors such as population density, natural population growth rate, and economic growth from diverse sources.

- Report on the results of the implementation of socio-economic development tasks in 2020, and the orientation & tasks for socio-economic development in

2021, by the People’s Committee of Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province, 2020

- Explanatory report on current land use map in 2019 of Dong Rui commune by the People’s Committee of Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province, 2020

- Report on the results of land inventory in 2019 of Dong Rui commune by the

People’s Committee of Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province, 2020

- Current Environmental Status in Tien Yen District, Quang Ninh Province, by Dinh Hong Duyen, Nguyen The Binh, & Nguyen Xuan Hoa, published on Science and Technology Development Journal, 2014

- Synthesized report on establishment of Dong Rui Wetland Reserve, by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Quang Ninh province, 2018

A research initiative, funded by the National Program on Science and Technology for Climate Change Response, Natural Resource Management, and Environment from 2016 to 2020, aimed to develop criteria for assessing the sustainability of coastal areas in Vietnam.

Both interview with local people and in-depth interview with local staff were carried out.

Figure 2-3: Map of the surveyed households

- Purpose: investigate socio-economic situation, wetland-related activities on wetlands, benefits taken from wetland resources, opinion about current wetland management work, and awareness and willingness toward wetland conservation.

- Time of social survey: 6 days (from 20-25 Jan 2021) with details as follows: Table 2-3: Social survey activities

Date Number of respondents Location Remark

Jan 20 th , 2021 2 Mangrove forest Combination with

Jan 21 st , 2021 2 Mangrove forest Combination with

- Number of interviewed households & Sample size: 76/810 households

(statistics in 2020), margin error e = 0.011 (following the Slovin's formula:

The distribution of interview households was strategically planned to reflect population density, with 25 respondents from Ha village, the most populated area of the commune, and 17, 18, and 16 respondents from Trung village, Bon village, and Thuong village, respectively, as illustrated in Figure 2-3.

The sample selection method utilized a random approach, ensuring diversity across various factors such as sex, with 36 males and 49 females, different livelihoods including agriculture, aquaculture, small businesses, wage earners, and government staff Participants varied in total years of residence, ranging from less than 10 to over 50 years, and were drawn from all four villages within the commune.

The rationale behind using random sample selection in social surveys is to eliminate bias and simplify the process, while incorporating diversity in the sample reinforces this objective by addressing key factors that influence respondents' answers Specifically, ensuring sex diversity is crucial to prevent bias related to gender role attitudes.

+ Livelihood form diversity: to reflect the diversity in livelihood activities in the commune; and the diversity in opinion of local people of different livelihood forms.

+ Diversity in residential area: to avoid bias of group of people living in the same area, ensuring the objectivity of interview results.

Over the past 30 years, the wetlands in Dong Rui commune have undergone significant changes, highlighting the importance of recognizing and raising awareness about these vital resources Ensuring diversity in perspectives and opinions regarding wetland resources is crucial for effective management and conservation efforts.

Photo 2-1: Interview with the local people in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district,

The questionnaire incorporated multiple-choice and open-ended questions to investigate three key areas: recognition of climate change and its impacts, human activities affecting wetlands, and local awareness of wetland values and opinions on conservation efforts.

● In-depth interview with local staff

To gain insights into the policies, directions, and current status of wetland utilization and conservation, five comprehensive interviews were conducted with local personnel, including general officers, cadastral staff, and grassroots officials.

Photo 2-2: Working with the staff of Dong Rui People’s Committee

- Time of field survey: 6 days from Jan 20 th – 25 th , 2021, including 2 full days and 4 days in combination with social survey (Table 2-4).

- Purpose: explore wetland’s ecosystem & biodiversity, and human activities on the wetlands in the study site (Table 2-4).

- Location: inner wetland area along the sea-dyke, and outer wetland area along the Ba Che river (Figure 2-4).

Figure 2-4: Map of the observation sites and route

Jan 20 th , 2021 Field survey in Investigate wetland’s ecosystem and mangrove forests in biodiversity outside the sea dyke

Jan 21 st , 2021 Field survey by boat Investigate wetland’s ecosystem and biodiversity in the outside layer of the commune (along the Ba Che river)

Jan 22 nd , Observation in Observe local people activities on the

2021 combination with social wetland area of Ha village (along the sea survey dyke)

Jan 23 rd , 2021 Observation in Observe local people activities along the combination with social wetland area of Thuong village (along the survey sea dyke)

Jan 24 th , 2021 Observation in Observe local people activities along the combination with social wetland area of Bon village (along the survey sea dyke)

Jan 25 th , 2021 Observation in Observe local people activities along the combination with social wetland area of Trung village (along the survey sea dyke)

- Data analysis software: Microsoft Excel (2019 version).

- Type of data: both quantitative (CC data, local people’s social-economic data, etc.…), and qualitative (degree of impact, dependency, or efficiency, etc.…).

The procedure involved coding and inputting raw data from a social survey into Microsoft Excel Following this, appropriate functions and commands were applied to process the data Finally, based on the intended use of the data, the relevant tools, such as charts or forecast sheets, were utilized to effectively illustrate the designated statistics.

+ Map of the study site (Figure 2-1)

+ Map of the social survey locations (Figure 2-3)

+ Map of the observation sites and route (Figure 2-4)

Data collection involved recording the coordinates of surveyed households and locations using Google Earth during the survey period Additionally, Vietnam's base map at the commune level was sourced from available resources.

+ Data processing and mapping: the KML file of surveyed households and locations was imported from Google Earth to create new layers on QGIS software.

 Layers for producing the maps included: base map of Vietnam (at commune level), surveyed households/locations, and Google's base map tiles.

To effectively create and manage your map, utilize key commands such as "Add layer" to incorporate additional data layers, "New virtual layer" for sketching the surveyed route, "Vector Geoprocessing" for clipping the selected study area, and "Print layout" to include essential elements for producing your final map output.

- Activity: The research use expert consultation to consult with experts in SD,

CC, having qualification and knowledge about wetland resources.

+ Prof Dr Mai Trong Nhuan - Director of VNU Key Laboratory of Geoenvironment and Climate Change Response (GEOCRE), Director of VJU Master’s program in Climate Change and Development (MCCD).

+ Dr Luu Viet Dung - Lecturer of VNU University of Science.

- The expert consultation method was applied for comment and recommendation about:

+ Self-evaluation of some qualitative indicators.

+ Proposing solutions for SU of coastal wetland resources.

● Basis for developing assessment indicators

To evaluate the sustainability of wetland resources, it is essential to create a comprehensive assessment tool that encompasses all relevant factors and stakeholders, as well as the interactions between these elements and wetland resources within the context of climate change.

The Driving force – Pressure – State – Impact – Response (DPSIR) framework is extensively utilized by researchers and organizations, including the European Environment Agency (EEA), the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the United Nations (UN), for effective environmental assessment and management This model offers a holistic perspective on environmental issues by outlining the causal relationships that begin with driving forces, which create pressures, leading to changes in state and impacts, ultimately necessitating a societal response.

For such reason, the DPSIR model is adopted to develop a set of assessment indicators, taking into account all components that have influence on the wetland

39 resources Following such framework, indicators are categorized into 5 groups (Figure 2-5):

- Driving force: based on the objective of this study, CC and human dimension are considered driving forces that lead to.

- Pressure: which is Land-use and Resource-use, and eventually affects.

- State: of the environment, ecosystem, and biodiversity of the wetlands.

- Impact: expressed through the productivity of wetland-related activities.

- Societal Response: demonstrating the current practice of toward wetland protection and conservation.

Photo 2-4: DPSIR model for wetland sustainability assessment

- Reflect the attributes of socio-economic (human activities), nature/environment, and CC components as factors affecting the wetland resources.

- Reflect the interaction among socio-economic (human activities), nature/environment, and CC components.

- Visualize the objective and vision necessary for achieving sustainable use of wetland resources.

- Provide methods for collecting and quantifying indicators, index, criteria.

- Comply with laws, policies, planning, socio-economic development orientation towards sustainability and sustainable development.

- To be applied in the study site, and improved for application in other coastal wetland ecosystems.

● The assessment indicators, standards and method to quantify sustainability level

A set of indicators (including 14 indicators) was developed to assess sustainability of wetland resources in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province (Table 2-4)

Standard for assessment of each indicator varies based on the available standards, norms, indexes, etc.

The calculation process consists of four key steps Initially, raw data from social surveys and inheritance is processed and normalized to a [0-1] measurement scale Next, indicators are classified into five levels using the DPSIR framework, followed by component normalization based on attribute indicator results Finally, the sustainability index is established by calculating the mean values of its five components.

Data normalization is necessary to convert the value of each indicator to the same measurement system [0-1], in which closer to 0 means less sustainability and closer to

Since the degree of sustainability depends on the five components “Driving Force”,

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 51 3.1 Climate Change and Climate Change impact 51 3.1.1 Climate Change manifestation

Climate Change impacts – the driving force

Climate change (CC) impacts wetlands in two primary ways: directly and indirectly Wetlands are particularly vulnerable to alterations in hydrological conditions, primarily driven by changes in precipitation patterns Additionally, CC intensifies human pressures on these ecosystems, leading to increased reliance on wetland resources for enhancing livelihoods.

Others fo rm Wage earner & worker

Fishing Hand collector Extensive farming method

Figure 3-8: Livelihoods in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

In Dong Rui commune, cultivation/husbandry (97.37%), wage earner/worker

Climate conditions significantly influence the primary livelihood activities of local communities, with 71.05% engaged in cultivation and 50% in hand collection Social surveys indicate that climate change impacts all aspects of these livelihoods, particularly affecting human health, daily life, and agricultural practices.

Intensive Extensive Hand Health & daily Other farming farming collection life activities method method & fishing

Figure 3-9: CC impact on human activities in Dong Rui commune, Tien

Yen district, Quang Ninh province

(% ) HO USE H OLD S IM PA CT ED O F P ER C EN TA G E

Cultivation Husbandry Intensive farming Extensive farming Hand collection Health & daily life Other activities method method & fishing

Very low impact Low impact Medium impact Strong impact Very strong impact Total impacted family

Figure 3-10: Degree of temperature change impact in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

Temperature change, characterized by extended heat during summer and prolonged cold in winter, significantly affects various activities Aquaculture, despite involving a limited number of households, is particularly vulnerable to these temperature fluctuations Among the two primary aquaculture farming methods, intensive farming demonstrates a greater sensitivity to temperature change.

In Dong Rui commune, the rising frequency and severity of droughts highlight significant changes in precipitation patterns While husbandry and daily life remain relatively unaffected, most local families experience adverse effects on cultivation, aquaculture, and fishing activities due to these shifts in precipitation.

HO US EH OL DS 100%

Cultivation Husbandry Intensive farming Extensive farming Hand collection Health & daily life Other activities method method & fishing

Very low impact Low impact Medium impact Strong impact Very strong impact Total impacted family

Figure 3-11: Degree of precipitation change impact in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

● Impact of typhoons & other climate induced hazards

In addition to changes in precipitation and temperature, local communities encounter challenges from typhoons and other climate-related hazards, which disrupt their daily activities While these extreme weather events do not significantly impact the productivity of local aquaculture farming compared to precipitation and temperature shifts, they still hinder the residents' ability to carry out their regular tasks.

(% ) HO US EH OL DS IM PA CT ED O F PE RC EN TA GE

Cultivation Husbandry Intensive farming Extensive farming Hand collection Health & daily life Other activities method method & fishing

Very low impact Low impact Medium impact Strong impact Very strong impact Total impacted family

Figure 3-12: Degree of impact of typhoon and other climate-induced hazards in Dong

Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

To assess the effects of climate change on human activities, impact factors are categorized into three groups The affected activities are primarily divided into Agriculture & Forestry, Aquaculture & Fishing, and Health, Daily Life & Other Activities.

Activity Agriculture & Aquaculture & Fishing Health, daily life

CC CultivationHusbandry Intensive Extensive Hand Health & Other farming farming collection daily life activities method method

The impact of climate change on human activity is assessed on a scale from 0 to 5, where 0 indicates no impact and 5 signifies very high impact This metric serves as a negative indicator, reflecting the degree of climate change effects based on respondents' perceptions The scale categorizes impacts as very low (1), low (2), medium (3), and high (4), with the maximum value being 5 and the minimum value being 0.

The assessment of the effects of popular climate change manifestations on human activities reveals a substantial influence on local populations, with an indicator result of 0.649 (Table 3-3).

Human driving force and pressure on wetland resources 60 1 The human driving forces

Dong Rui commune, rich in biodiversity and economically valuable species, has greatly benefited from aquaculture and fishing, with fishery production reaching 63.8 billion VND in 2020—over 2.3 times the contribution of agriculture Additionally, the rise of ecotourism has positively impacted the local economy, as more visitors are drawn to Dong Rui, particularly to Long Vang beach, which is gaining recognition as a premier ecotourism destination.

Photo 3-1: Benefits from wetland resources, Dong Rui Commune, Tien Yen District,

In Dong Rui commune, approximately 67.11% of the local population leverages the abundant natural resources of wetland areas to enhance their livelihoods Key wetland-related activities include mangrove nursery cultivation, duck raising, aquaculture farming, and the collection and trade of natural aquatic products Notably, around 27.63% of local families rely on these wetland activities as their primary source of income.

1 Agriculture (excl activities on wetlands)

Figure 3-13: Main income sources of local households in Dong Rui commune, Tien

Yen district, Quang Ninh province

The social survey investigates how much local communities rely on wetland resources for their livelihoods, highlighting that this dependency motivates their participation in wetland-related activities This reliance serves as a crucial indicator of the importance of these resources in enhancing the livelihoods of local residents.

0: not at all dependent 1: slightly dependent

2: moderately dependent 3: largely dependent 4: completely dependent 22% 12%

Figure 3-14: The degree of dependency on wetland resources for livelihoods in Dong

Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

The dependency levels on wetland resources are categorized into five distinct grades: 0 for no dependency, 1 for slight dependency, 2 for moderate dependency, 3 for high dependency, and 4 for complete dependency A higher dependency level indicates an increased threat to the sustainability of these vital wetland resources.

The survey results reveal that the majority of local people are dependent on the wetland resources from slightly (12%), moderately (22%), to largely (20%), and completely important (Figure 3-14).

Degree Explanation Number of households

0 Not at all dependent 25 Min = 0

The application of the max-min equation for the negative indicator yields a score of 0.605 for PSR04, based on responses from all participants, with a maximum value of 4 and a minimum value of 0, as illustrated in Table 3-4.

3.2.2 The human pressure on wetlands

As an island commune, Dong Rui is taking huge advantage from fishery industry In

In 2020, approximately 85 households engaged in aquaculture through diverse farming techniques, including intensive, semi-intensive, extensive, semi-extensive, and industrial methods Additionally, local residents actively participated in fishing activities, utilizing boats and hand collection to gather natural aquatic products.

Figure 3-15: Wetland resource-use by percentage in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

Human impact on wetlands is primarily driven by resource use, which significantly influences both the quality and quantity of these ecosystems and their sustainability The methods of exploitation directly affect the health of wetland resources, highlighting the need for sustainable practices.

Table 3-5: Self-evaluation on resource-use pressure on the wetlands

No Activity Assessment Normalization type (self- evaluation)

1 No activity No impact on the resource 1

2 Cultivation generate less pressure on wetlands Potential 0.7

& threats from cultivation/husbandry on wetlands husbandry are: use of fertilizer/ pesticides/ chemicals, land- use change, water consumption.

Intensive shrimp farming, particularly through pond-based methods, poses significant sustainability challenges This approach is often linked to deforestation for pond construction and contributes to water pollution from untreated effluent Additionally, the success of intensive farming is heavily reliant on climate conditions, making it vulnerable to environmental changes.

4 Extensive Generate less pressure on wetlands Disadvantages 0.7 farming of the method are: low productivity and profit method while requiring large farming area and long time.

Sustainable farming methods, particularly hand collection, are accessible and beneficial for communities This natural collection approach minimizes pressure on aquatic wetlands, as local individuals utilize simple tools like rakes to gather aquatic products, ensuring low levels of exploitation.

Potential threat is: increased number of hand collectors on wetlands

Fishing activities can significantly impact wetlands, as fishers often use boats to access these areas and employ fishing nets to gather aquatic products However, this practice poses potential threats, including overproduction, the use of small nets, and destructive methods such as electric shock fishing, which can lead to the degradation of wetland ecosystems.

Based on the above self-evaluation, the “current method on use of wetlands” indicator is calculated as below:

Table 3-6: Indicator PSR06 score Activity type Number of Activity Indicator households value score

1 Cultivation & husbandry 5 0.7 (Applying the arithmetic

2.1 Intensive farming method 6 0.25 mean formula)

3.1 Hand collection of natural 38 0.75 aquatic products

Photo 3-2: Hand collection of natural aquatic products

Photo 3-3: Fishing and aquaculture activities

Photo 3-3: Water pollution discharged from shrimp ponds Photo 3-4: Using small net to catch natural aquatic products

Figure 3-16: Map of Dong Rui's land use in 2019 Source: Dong Rui People’s Committee

Field surveys indicate that deforestation and land use changes for aquaculture development significantly threaten wetland resources The expansion of aquaculture activities leads to increased exploitation, resulting in potential risks to these vital ecosystems Observations during the surveys reveal that mangrove deforestation is primarily driven by the need for land for aquaculture farming, highlighting that larger areas dedicated to aquaculture exacerbate the negative impacts on wetlands Consequently, the "total area of wetlands used for aquaculture" has been identified as a key assessment indicator.

The People's Committee of Quang Ninh province, in Decision no 2540/QD-UBND dated June 25, 2019, allocated 620.16 hectares of land for aquaculture in Dong Rui commune, representing 12.29% of the area's total land structure.

The land utilization of Dong Rui commune is analyzed in relation to Hai Lang commune in Tien Yen district and Cong Hoa commune in Cam Pha district, both of which share the valuable Dong Rui wetland resources Additionally, comparisons are drawn with Dai Xuyen and Binh Dan communes of Van district to provide a comprehensive overview of land management practices in the region.

Don district are not considered because of different natural conditions Accordingly, the result of the indicator is 0.369 (Table 3-7).

Commune Total natural land Land for Percentage in land aquaculture structure

Data source: Decision no 2540/QD-UBND dated 25/6/2019, 2540/QD-UBND dated 25/6/2019, and 2844/QD-UBND dated 12/72019 by the People's Committee of Quang Ninh province

Photo 3-5: Deforestation for aquaculture farming

The state and impact of the wetland resources 67 1 The state of environmental quality

3.3.1 The state of environmental quality

The environmental quality of the Dong Rui area is assessed through the analysis of seawater, marine sediment, and soil quality This evaluation is grounded in established national standards that guide the assessment of soil, water, and marine sediment quality in the region.

- QCVN 10-MT:2015/BTNMT for sea water

- QCVN 03-MT:2015/BTNMT for soil

- QCVN 43:2017/BTNMT for marine sediment.

The results of seawater, marine sediment, and soil quality parameters are inherited from the experiment results of sea water, marine sediment, and soil samples of Tien

The author participated as a project team member in the Project BDKH, which focused on researching and establishing criteria to evaluate the sustainability of coastal areas in Vietnam, as outlined in MONRE's 2020 report.

Parameter Fe Cd Cu Mn Pb Zn As Hg

No of samples meet the standard 26/27 27/27 27/27 27/27 27/27 27/27 27/27 27/27

No of samples do not meet the standard 1/27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Parameter As Cd Pb Cu Zn

No of samples meet the standard 17/20 18/20 20/20 20/20 20/20

No of samples do not meet the standard 3/20 2/20 0 0 0

Parameter As Cd Pb Zn Hg Cu

No of samples meet the standard 8 8 8 8 8 8

No of samples do not meet the standard 0/28 0/28 0/28 0/28 0/28 0/28

In general, in Dong Rui area, the sea water, marine sediment, and soil quality are in good state, meeting the quality standards regulated by the Laws (Table 3-8, 3-9, 3-10,Figure 3-17).

Figure 3-17: Dong Rui's environmental quality

3.3.2 The state of ecosystem of Dong Rui wetlands

Figure 3-18: Map of distribution of wetland ecosystems in Tien Yen district (Dang et al., 2020)

Dong Rui commune is home to a significant portion of natural land characterized by various wetland types, as classified by Ramsar These include shallow marine waters, marine subtidal aquatic beds, sandy and pebbly shores, estuarine waters, intertidal forested wetlands, and lagoons.

According to Decision no 1093/QĐ-TCMT issued by the Vietnam Environment Administration under MONRE, the Dong Rui wetlands have been classified into six distinct types: (1) sea areas with depths not exceeding 6 meters at low tide, (2) sea-grass beds, (3) intertidal mud regions including mud flats, sand bars, spits, and sandy islets, (4) estuarine waters, (5) both natural and man-made mangrove forests, and (6) lagoons.

No Wetland type Vietnam's Ramsar's Dong Rui code code

1 Sea areas of a depth not exceeding 6 Vbn A Yes meters at the lowest tide level

2 Sea-grass beds Tcb B Yes

4 Rocky marine shores; includes rocky Bvd D No offshore islands, sea cliffs.

5 Intertidal mud, including mud flat, Bgt E, G Yes sand bars, spits and sandy islets

7 Mangrove forest (both natural and Rnm I Yes man-made forest)

9 Karst and other coastal and Cvb Zk(a) No subterranean hydrological systems

Source: Coastal Wetland Classification with Deep U-Net Convolutional Networks and

Sentinel-2 Imagery: A Case Study at the Tien Yen Estuary of Vietnam (Dang et al., 2020)

The mangrove forest is the most prominent type of wetland, covering around 2,300 hectares in the Dong Rui wetlands as of 2017, according to the Forestry Data Sharing System Notably, the Dong Rui mangrove forest represents the only primary mangrove ecosystem in Vietnam.

The distribution of wetland types is associated with the offshore-onshore pattern, sediment distribution law, and salinity level of sea water (Quang Ninh’s DONRE,

In river-sea alluvial areas, the outer layer consists of liquid mud with tidal inundation depths exceeding 100 cm Beneath this, the second layer features river mouth sediment, characterized by less liquid mud and tidal inundation depths of 60-80 cm, supporting the growth of natural mangrove trees The innermost layer is composed of sea or marsh alluvial mud or soft clay, where both natural and planted mixed mangrove forests thrive.

The application of the max-min equation for a positive indicator, where the maximum value is 9 and the minimum value is 1, reveals that the Dong Rui wetland, which encompasses 6 out of 9 wetland types, achieves a PSR10 score of 0.625 for the "Degree of Wetland Type Diversity."

3.3.3 The state of biodiversity of coastal species of Dong Rui wetlands

Biodiversity, or biological diversity, encompasses three key categories: genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity This study highlights genetic diversity through the lens of rare and valuable species, which significantly contribute to genetic resources Consequently, the evaluation of biodiversity in the Dong Rui wetlands focuses on the dimensions of rare species, overall species diversity, and ecosystem diversity.

Dong Rui wetlands, located within Tien Yen Bay, boast an impressive array of wetland resources, featuring five distinct ecosystem types: the Ba Che - Tien Yen estuary ecosystem, intertidal ecosystem, mangrove ecosystem, aquaculture pond ecosystem, and freshwater aquatic ecosystems.

Aquaculture pond ecosystem Intertidal ecosystem

Photo 3-6: Various wetland ecosystem types in Dong Rui

The Dong Rui wetlands are rich in biodiversity, showcasing a high degree of species diversity, including rare and precious species, as well as diverse ecosystems This remarkable biodiversity is reflected in a PSR11 score of 0.833, highlighting the ecological significance of the Dong Rui wetland resources.

A total of 67 species are classified as "rare and precious," representing significant genetic resources Among these, 34 species are deemed precious, while 21 are included in the IUCN Red List and Vietnam's Red Book, highlighting their conservation importance.

Flora: 29 Vascular plants listed in VN's

Red book, IUCN Red list

+ Insect: Nannophya pygmaea Rambur (only found in Phu Quoc and Dong Rui) + Fish: 5 species are listed in the Red Book

+ Amphibian & Reptile: 11 species are listed in VN's Red book, IUCN Red list

+ Bird: 7 species are listed in VN's

Red book, IUCN Red list

+ Mammal: 6 species are listed in VN's Red book, IUCN Red list

Species 1,227 species of 798 genera, 427 Self-evaluation 0.750 diversity families of different classes (Compared to

Ecosystem 5 types of ecosystems, dominant by Self-evaluation 0.750 diversity mangrove ecosystem

Data source: Synthesis report on Establishment of Dong Rui Wetland Reserve - Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh Province (Quang Ninh’s DONRE, 2018)

3.3.4 The impact: change in productivity of wetland-related activities

Recent trends indicate a significant decline in productivity across various fishing activities, with 100% of fishers reporting a sharp decrease in fishing production in recent years Additionally, 79% of hand collectors noted a reduction in the quantity of natural aquatic species, including crab, shrimp, clams, and peanut worms The primary factors contributing to this decline are changing climate conditions and an increasing number of collectors and fishers.

The comparison of production trends between intensive and extensive farming methods reveals that intensive aquaculture is more vulnerable to productivity loss due to its reliance on aquatic products that are highly sensitive to climate conditions.

[CATE GORY NAME ]s [PERC ENTA GE]

Extensive farming no chang decrea e se 33%

GORY NAME ]s [PERC ENTA GE]

Figure 3-19: Productivity change of wetland-related activities in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

In response to potential ongoing declines in productivity, 6.58% of respondents plan to cease their current activities, while 28.95% intend to reduce their efforts in search of alternative livelihoods Conversely, 39.47% of participants will maintain their current level of activity, and 25% aim to increase their engagement.

P e rc e n ta ge o f h o u se h o ld s (% )

Stop the current Reduce current Continue to operate Continue to operate Others activity activity the activity at the the activity at the same frequency higher frequency

Figure 3-20: Action when facing productivity reduction in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

The PSR12 indicator is determined using a max-min equation, where "increase" is classified as positive, "decrease" as negative, and other trends as neutral The degree of change is measured on a scale from 1 to 5, representing very small to very high levels of change Currently, the PSR12 score stands at 0.455, as shown in Table 3-13.

Trend No very small moderate high very high scaling small

The societal response toward wetlands 76 1 Local people’s awareness and willingness toward wetlands

3.4.1 Local people’s awareness and willingness toward wetlands

Local communities understand the crucial role wetlands play in their lives, particularly in enhancing livelihoods and reducing disaster risks The significance of wetland resources is widely acknowledged and valued by these populations.

A significant 72% of respondents recognize the vital role wetlands play in enhancing the livelihoods of local communities, largely due to their abundant aquacultural resources Many locals are actively utilizing these resources from wetlands to support their daily lives.

Mangrove forests, the primary wetland type in Dong Rui, are valued by 82% of local residents for their crucial role in disaster risk reduction These ecosystems are particularly effective in mitigating the effects of typhoons, erosion, and storm surges, as well as preventing saline intrusion.

P er ce n ta ge o f re co gn iti o n ( % ) 100% 82%

Maintaining and Reducing Creating better Carbon storage Others improving impacts of landscape livelihoods climate-induced hazards

Figure 3-21: Local people's awareness about wetland values in Dong Rui commune,

Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

● Willingness toward wetland protection and conservation of stakeholders

Together with a good understanding of wetland values, local people also show high degree of willingness to participate in wetlands protection and conservation (Figure 3- 22).

D eg re e o f W ill in gn es s

Agree and willing to support

Agree Neutral Agree with conditions

Figure 3-22: Local people's willingness to participate in wetland conservation in Dong

Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

A significant 70% of respondents support wetland conservation, with 24% willing to actively participate by patrolling and supervising, contributing to conservation funds as per regulatory guidelines, engaging in advocacy efforts, and exploring various other means of support based on practical circumstances.

Value Opinion Number of votes

4 Agree and willing to support 18

As a positive parameter for sustainability of the wetland resource, the indicator score is calculated using the max-min equation with positive function; in which max value is 4,

77 min value is 0, indicator values range from 2-4 upon answer from respondents. Accordingly, the PSR13 score is 0/740 (Table 3-14).

3.4.2 The efficiency of the wetland safeguard system

The evaluation of the wetland safeguard system's efficiency is conducted across three key dimensions: wetland policy, wetland institution, and resource-use management This assessment utilizes a scale ranging from 0, indicating no or minimal efficiency, to 4, representing high efficiency.

Numerous policies on wetland protection and conservation have been issued in Vietnam, setting the foundation and basis for work on wetland conservation, namely:

- Decree no.: 66/2019/NĐ-CP dated July 29, 2019 on Preservation and

- Circular no 07/2020/TT-BTNMT dated August 30, 2020 on elaborating point c clause 1 article 31 of government’s decree no 66/2019/ND-CP dated July 29, 2019 on preservation and sustainable use of wetlands;

- Decree no.: 109/2003/ND-CP dated August 23, 2002 on the Conservation and Sustainable Development of Wetland areas;

- Law on Biodiversity 20/2008/QH12 dated: November 13, 2008;

- Decree no 27/2018/TT-BTNMT dated December 14, 2018 regarding regulations on statistics, land inventory and mapping of current land use;

Besides, the authority of Quang Ninh province and Tien Yen district issued a number of policies and documents aiming at natural resource protection and biodiversity conservation.

In Dong Rui commune, the municipal wetland policy is limited; however, the People's Committee's decision no 368/QD-UB, dated May 10, 2006, plays a crucial role in local wetland management This decision effectively allocated 1,756.81 hectares of mangrove forests to village residential communities for their management and development, serving as a significant legal framework for wetland conservation in the area.

78 the regulation on operation of community forest management boards was introduced and came into full force.

Effective management of wetland resources requires localized policies that align with the specific circumstances and capabilities of each commune Without tailored mechanisms and policies, optimal management cannot be achieved In Dong Rui commune, the self-evaluation of the wetland policy's effectiveness is rated as "medium," with a dimension score of 0.500.

In the commune, wetlands are managed by local authorities in collaboration with village communities According to evaluations from residents, most believe the wetland institution operates with "relatively high" to "high efficiency," while only a small percentage rate its efficiency as "low" or "very little."

The institution plays a crucial role in wetland protection and has made notable progress in mangrove conservation Nevertheless, challenges remain due to factors such as the qualifications of the personnel in charge and a shortage of human resources, which hinder effective management.

Table 3-15: Evaluation of the local people on the efficiency of the wetland institution in

Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

Scale Degree of efficiency Number of votes %

0 No or very little efficiency 0 0.00%

Max value: 4; Min value: 0; Indicator value: ranging from 0-4 based on answer from 76 respondents

The community forest management board has established regulations governing the operation of mangrove exploitation, which include guidelines for usage and penalties for violations These rules aim to ensure sustainable management and protection of mangrove resources.

- Exploitation of mangrove leaves/fruits and dead mangrove trees must be approved by the management board

- Use of electricity shock, explosives, toxic chemical, etc is prohibited; Only exploitation of aquatic products meeting the commercial standards

- Husbandry and grazing on mangrove forests.

- The size of aquatic products meeting the commercial standards

- List of aquatic products that are allowed and not allowed to exploit

- Exploitation of resources in other wetland ecosystems.

A recent social survey indicates that management of resource use by the board is inadequate, leading to non-compliance with regulations among local residents This has resulted in ongoing destructive exploitation of mangrove forests and wetlands, which remain open-access resources, allowing exploiters to freely access and deplete these vital ecosystems without consistent oversight.

Overall, the resource-use management is rated as “medium”, making the self- evaluation score for the dimension at: 0.500.

● Result of the efficiency of the wetland safeguard system

The wetland safeguard system in Dong Rui commune demonstrates an upper-medium efficiency level, reflected by a PSR14 score of 0.568 To enhance this system, it is essential to improve existing wetland policies and resource management practices Additionally, boosting qualifications and supplementing human resources will contribute to strengthening the current safeguard framework.

(0: No or very little efficiency; 1: low efficiency; 2: medium; 3: relatively high efficiency; 4 high efficiency)

Wetland institution Based on evaluation made by local 0.704

Data source: social survey and inheritance

Overall assessment of the sustainability of the wetland resources in Dong Rui Commune, Tien yen District, Quang Ninh Province 82 3.6 Solutions for sustainable use of wetland resources 85 3.6.1 The bottom-up & systematic approach in sustainable use of wetland

Rui Commune, Tien yen District, Quang Ninh Province

Table 3-17: The sustainability assessment score by component

Component Indicator Indicator code normalization

PSR01 Driving Force Degree of CC impacts on human

PSR02 Driving Force Relative SLR (RPC4.5) 0.489

PSR03 Driving Force Average number of typhoons affect

The degree of dependency of local

PSR04 Driving Force people on wetland resources for 0.605 their livelihoods

PSR05 Pressure Total area of wetlands used for

PSR06 Pressure Current method on use of wetlands 0.778

PSR09 State Marine sediment quality 1.000

PSR10 State Degree of wetland type diversity 0.625

PSR11 State Degree of biodiversity of coastal

PSR12 Impact Change in productivity of wetland-

PSR13 Societal Willingness toward wetland

PSR14 Societal Efficiency of the wetland safeguard

Figure 3-23: The sustainability indicator score

Climate and human drivers significantly impact wetland resources, with land-use and resource-use exerting considerable pressure In Dong Rui commune, intensive aquaculture farming emerges as a major threat, contributing to environmental pollution and mangrove deforestation Moreover, resource-use further strains these vital ecosystems.

The results indicate that "State" ranks highest due to its rich natural ecosystem and biodiversity However, there is a noticeable decline in the productivity of wetland-related activities, highlighting the effects of wetland sustainability issues In Dong Rui commune, local residents are witnessing a downward trend in nearly all wetland-related activities.

Despite local awareness of the importance of wetlands and a willingness to engage in conservation efforts, the existing wetland protection system is hindered by several challenges, including the moderate effectiveness of wetland policies and resource management practices.

Figure 3-24: Sustainability of Dong Rui wetlands

The sustainability assessment score for Dong Rui wetland resources is determined using the arithmetic mean of the DPSIR framework components, resulting in a final score of 0.624 According to the sustainability rating scale, this indicates that the wetland resources are at an "upper medium level of sustainability."

3.6 Solutions for sustainable use of wetland resources

3.6.1 The bottom-up & systematic approach in sustainable use of wetland resources

Figure 3-25: The bottom-up & systematic approaches in identification of challenges in sustainable use of wetland resources in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang

This study employs a combination of bottom-up and systematic approaches to identify challenges in the sustainable use of wetland resources, utilizing the DPSIR model for sustainability assessment It highlights that local human demand and climate change impacts are primary driving forces affecting both human activities and wetland resources, ultimately influencing resource and land use Effective solutions for sustainable wetland resource management must begin with a thorough understanding of local circumstances and the intricate interactions among natural, environmental, and societal components By adhering to these principles, the study aims to address current sustainability challenges while enhancing the potential of the community.

The sustainability assessment results show the below as challenges for the sustainable use the wetland resources of Dong Rui Commune in the CC context (Table 3-18).

Table 3-18: Challenges for sustainable use of wetland resources in Dong Rui commune, Tien Yen district, Quang Ninh province

The degradation of productivity in regional economic activities, particularly in sectors sensitive to weather conditions such as agriculture, livestock, and aquaculture, is significantly influenced by Driving Force CC This decline adversely affects the behavior related to resource exploitation and usage.

Human driver The reliance/dependency on wetland Local activity drives the intensity and scale of activity participation.

Pressure Land-use The expansion of land use for Local aquaculture (outside the dyke) narrows the wetland area.

Loose management over water discharge from aquaculture farming.

Resource-use Loose management and control over Local exploitation of aquatic products.

Societal Policy Lack of policies on wetland use and

Response wetland conservation at local level.

Institution Limitations in qualification of person- Local in-charge.

Lack of specialized division-in-charge for wetland conservation and management.

3.6.2 Solutions to deal with the driving forces

The sustainability assessment indicates that both climate change and human activities are key factors contributing to the degradation of wetland resources However, Dong Rui commune is home to diverse and valuable wetland resources, particularly its intact mangrove forest It is essential to implement appropriate solutions that address these driving forces while leveraging the benefits of the natural ecosystem.

Table 3-19: Some solutions to deal with the driving forces

- CC impacts - Rich natural Enhancement of Stakeholders: on wetland resources for adaptive capacity:

- CC impacts livelihood forms; on local - Rich mangrove

- Raising local - Research people ecosystem institutions; people’s awareness functions and

- High and preparedness - Investors. services dependency

- … Resource: on wetland- - Beautiful related landscapes Ecosystem-based - Finance activities for solution:

- Restoration of technology mangrove forests;

3.6.3 Solutions to deal with the pressure

Table 3-20: Some solutions to deal with the pressure

- Land-use Intensive farming Enhancement and Stakeholders:

+ deforestation is less sensitive to reinforcement of law and

CC impacts, policies: for aquaculture causes fewer - Local people;

- Promote extensive negative impacts farming method; Resource: on wetlands

- Re-structure the land- - Policy

- Resource-use: use master plan;

+ Pollution - Functional zoning; technology caused

Require strict intensive - compliance to aquaculture available laws farming concerning use of method; wetland resources,

+ Use of aquaculture farming, electricity especially the shock, small- regulation on water net for catching discharge; natural aquatic

Strengthen inspection products; - of activities on

+ Increased wetlands number of hand collectors

3.6.4 Solutions to enhance societal response

Table 3-21: Some solutions to enhance societal response

Challenge Potential Recommendation Stakeholders and resource

- Loose Good level of management; understanding of

- Inadequate wetland values; policy at local

High level of level; consensus on No

Willingness to contribute to wetland conservation

- Set up specialized division under the management of qualified staff;

- Implement wetland inventories and modelling using remote sensing data and digitized data;

- Develop digital system for wetland management;

- Regulate instruction and regulation on use of wetland resources;

- Enhance supervision and inspection work over use of wetlands

- Build a transparent mechanism promoting the active participation of all local people

To achieve sustainable use of wetland resources amid climate change, it is essential to integrate institutions and policies with science, technology, and finance Enhancing stakeholder participation and fostering international collaboration are also crucial components for effective capacity development.

The Dong Rui wetlands boast a rich diversity of wetland types and ecosystems, playing a crucial role in climate change (CC) mitigation and adaptation through their valuable ecosystem functions and services However, these vital wetland resources are highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change due to their integral position within the coastal natural system.

1 Empirical data and future scenarios show that CC has occurred and will intensify in the region CC are expressed through its various manifestations (increased annual temperature, prolonged heat/coldness; decreased precipitation and irregular precipitation regime; seasonal shifting; increase and unexpected change of extreme weather conditions; and SLR) Due to the complex interaction among CC, human and the wetland resources, CC affects the wetlands in both direct and indirect ways As wetlands are very sensitive to climate conditions, especially to the changing hydrological regime, CC directly influences the wetland resources On the other hand, CC, through its various manifestations, affects human activities and their behaviors toward wetland use CC is and will continue to be a threat to sustainability of the wetland resources by degrading the resources and challenging almost all types of activities of local people.

2 The sustainability assessment results show that the Dong Rui wetlands is at medium-level of sustainability.

3 Solutions for sustainable use of wetland resources of Dong Rui Commune in the context of climate are as follows: (i) promotion of nature ecosystem-based solution, (ii) functional zoning for sustainable resource-use and land-use; (iii) enhancement of the societal response; (iv) application of science - technology in wetland management;

(v) capacity enhancement for CC response which require the integration and synergy of institution and policy, science and technology, finance, capacity development and participation enhancement for stakeholders, and international collaboration.

Wetland inventory is needed for wetland management, however, there still lacks a database at local level It is recommended that there should develop a simplified tool for wetland inventory.

Due to time constraints, the use of remote sensing and satellite data for wetland inventory was not feasible Consequently, it is advisable to utilize GIS applications to effectively monitor changes in wetland areas over time.

The temporal changes in biodiversity serve as a key indicator of wetland resource sustainability Unfortunately, the lack of access to biodiversity databases hindered the use of this important indicator in the current research.

Due to time and resource constraints, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, the author was unable to conduct social and field surveys at additional locations to compare the sustainability of wetland resources A comparative assessment across various wetland sites would enhance the persuasiveness of the findings.

In addition, research on sustainability assessment remains limited, therefore, it was difficult for the author to make adequate references in constructing the assessment indicators.

To effectively address climate change and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is essential to implement the proposed solutions for the sustainable use of wetland resources.

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