MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION ---o0o--- THI HONG NHUNG NGUYEN AN INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN BUILDING ECOLOGICAL ECONOMIC M
Trang 1MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING HANOI NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION
-o0o -
THI HONG NHUNG NGUYEN
AN INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN BUILDING ECOLOGICAL
ECONOMIC MODELS IN THE BASIN OF
Trang 2The scientific guideline:
Asstociate Prof Doctor of Science Ngoc Khanh Nguyen
Objection 1: Professor, Doctor of science Hoang Hai Pham
Institute of geography
Objection 2: Associate Professor Ph.D Hieu Nguyen
VNU University of Science
Objection 3: Associate Professor Ph.D Viet Khanh Tran
Thai Nguyen University of Sciences
The thesis will be protected at Hanoi National University
of Education
on month 2019
Thesis can be found at:
National Library, Ha Noi
Library of Hanoi National University of Education
Trang 3INTRODUCTION
1 Rationale
Three provinces on the watershed of Da river basin (in Vietnamese territory), Son La, Lai Chau and Dien Bien, have outstanding advantages in energy To exploit that potential source, three major ladders have been operated, in addition, a large number of small to medium hydropower projects
in tributaries will be activated This operation not only affects natural conditions and resources of the basin, but also brings serious consequences for thousands household, causes a long-term social effects, which requires a careful consideration In this context, selecting an ecological economic model (EEM) that meets the demands is a must It is expected to be apposite for life-style and cultivating habits of local communities, and also be decisive in long-term planning of local authorities
Based on the development of modern geography, it is necessary to conduct fully researches on natural conditions and resources under economic approach, that ensure the economic feature, ecological adatation and social feature Characteristic analysis and landscape differentiation are considered the basic factors in assessing the production in general and traditional production in particular Therefore, how and where the research will be conducted is the major concern which requires a fully solution together with harmony between natural components, economic elements and humanities In each stage, a careful and effective investigation is the key point in building highly feasibile productive models
To perform the resolution of the Congress of the Party Committee of Son
La, Lai Chau and Dien Bien provinces; to perform one of the key tasks in
highlighted program, "mobilizing resources, focusing on building socio-economic
infrastructure; regional economic development forming dynamic economic zones along the national highway system; focus on producing food, fruit trees, planting tea aquaculture, developing community tourism; economic areas of agriculture, forestry and Da river ecology according to household size and farms, protection and development of protection forests developing areas with strong tourism potential ", it is necessary to offer EEMs in different sizes that
suitable the reality of North – West mountainous provinces
Trang 4Above mentions are the reasons for conductiong this thesis “An integrated assessment of natural resources in building the ecological economic models in the basin of Son La hydropower”
2 Objectives and contents of the thesis
2.1 Objectives
The aim of this study is to establish scientific bases and propose an EEM under landscape ecological assessment approach; to find a method to raise the livelihood diversity and living standard together with enviromental protection for the basin of Son La Hydropower
2.2 Contents of the thesis
To achieve above objectives, the research focus on:
- Selecting theoretical framework for ecoeconomy, EEM;
- Building a map of landscape in the basin of Son La Hydropower based
on the diversity of forming elements;
- Assessing ecological adaptation of agricultural and forestry groups based on landscape elements; then considering the economical effectiveness and enviromental stable factors to build a suitable EEM;
- Studing current EEMs;
- Proposing new EEMs in household and cooperative size under the orientation of transforming into agricultural commodity productive structure
3 Subjects and scope of the study
3.1 Research subjects
The research subjects are natural conditions, natural resources, human conditions for EEMs to widen the diversity of livelihood for residents in the basin
3.2 Scope of the study
3.2.1 Spatial scope: including hydropower complex and a reservoir with
an area of 315.850 ha
3.2.2 Scientific scope: the research focus on
1/ Identifying scientific basis related to research subjects
2/ Analysing diversity of arrangement of landscape in the basin of Son La Hydropower
Trang 53/ Assessing ecological adaptation level of the landscape in agricultural and forestry development related to livelihoods and previous knowledge of local peoples to propose suitable EEMs which follow agricultural commodity productive orientation
4 Theoretical points to protect
4.1 Theoretical point 1:
There is a wide diversity in the typical landscape of moutainous area in the basin of Son La Hydropower; including 3 layers; 4 sub-layers; 1 type; 5 sub-types and 146 different types of landscape These elements are suffered hardly from technical affects from Son La Hydropower Project that changed the normal structures development of EEMs
4.2 Theoretical point 2:
Assessing landscape-level units for agricutural, forestry and fishery purposes related to local people’s previous productive knowledge to propose EEMs in larger size
5 New points in the research
- Integrated assessment on natural resources in the basin conducted based
on both landscape and humanilty demensions has contributed in identifying the space for EEMs in term of landscape-level
- Proposing an EEM in household and farmland size based on: the assessing results of adaptive ability of landscape in the basin; current existing models; local social and economic development policy
6 Scientific and practical meaning
6.1 Scientific meaning: to contribute literature of assessing method of
eco-landscape related to eco-humanity to propose a new trend in developing EEM
in the basin of hydropower
6.2 Practical meaning: research results can be considered as reference to
orientate natural resources using and enviromental protection towards stable development, as well as to combine and select suitable EESM with landscape assessment in order to assure stable livelihood for local peoples in general and ethinic peoples in particular in the basin of Son La Hydropower
Trang 67 References
- Scientific references: inculding scientific reports, research paper,
scientific journals, reseach projects related to the theme and research area
- Source of map: 1:200,000 geological map by Son Phan (editor); Dinh
Thuc Dao; Viet Thang Nguyen; Van Ty Tran; geological map; 1: 100,000 climate map
- Researcher’s works and articles; servey results; filed-servey results related to the research theme
8 Research structure
This dissertation consists of the introduction, three chapters of the dissertation’s main body, the conclusions, the list of references and the appendix Three chapters of the thesis are as follows:
Chapter 1: Theoretical foundation and research methodology of assessing natural resources used for developing eco-economic model in the basin of hydropower
Chapter 2: Structural characteristics of landscape in the basin of Son la Hydropower
Chapter 3: Intergrated assessment of natural resources and oriented development of eco-economic model in the basin of Son La Hydropower
CHAPTER 1 THEORETICAL FOUNDATION AND RESEARCH METHODOLOGY OF ASSESSING NATURAL RESOURCES USED FOR DEVELOPING ECO-ECONOMIC MODEL
IN THE BASIN OF HYDROPOWER
1.1 Literature revew
1.1.1 Previous research on eco-economic system and eco-economic model
Eco-economic system, together with with EEMs originated in Soviet Union, first appeared in the 80s of the 20th century Q.A Pham (1995) made the initial use of the EEM term in his eco-landscape research Pham (1995) stated a model with 3 main components: nature, economy and society and their
Trang 7relationship under human’s control Other researchers, such as: Trung Thuan Dang, Quang Hai Truong, Quang My Nguyen, Van Truong Nguyen, Phap Nguyen, Van Bao Nguyen, etc, showed interests in this field However, researches in EEM has not reach an agreement, it still requires further investigation in both theoretical and practical points
1.1.2 Previous research on general assessing natural resources
In the 60s and 70s of the 20th century, researches on listing natural resources, and ones on general intergrated assessment natural potential of selected landscape were conducted in different contries in the world When agriculture was identified as the subject of applying these researches, V.V Docusanev was the first researcher to prove that there is a must in completed consideration the natural resources in agricultural activities in all level [61] In Vietnam, there are more and more researchers developing this theory pursuit a stable development for different parts in Vietnam The results has contributed for the basis and suggested new directions that follow Vietnamese economic and social conditions
1.1.3 Previous research on landscape and landscape assessment
Landscaped is a natural system that defined as geographic basis for studying the eco-economis systems Since the 20s and 30s of the 20th century, theories of landscape have been concentrated on differential between structures and functions of landscape After 1980s, the combination between landscape and ecology became a new study-trend called eco-landscape This term was addressed in a large number of researches conducted in Western Europe and North America with advance quantitative methods such as remote sensing technology GIS and spatial statistics [11] In Vietnam, since the 80s of the 20th century, researches on eco-landscape application have been done using clarification system of Tu Lap Vu and et el Following this direction, Vietnamese geographers, known as Ba Thao Le, Tu La Vu, Duc Chinh Nguyen, Quang Anh Pham, Van Vinh Nguyen, Cao Huan Nguyen,etc., have been applied landscape in different fields, especially in landscape structure analysis
1.1.4 Previous research on north-west area and the basin of Son La Hydropower
In general, researches on north-west area mainly develop both the assessment of agvantages of this land and natural disaters and suggested
Trang 8prevention Ones on Son la Hydropower focus on assessing enviroment and resettement for local people Each mentioned reseach has different aim, however, they all limit in providing an overview on missing models
1.2 Theorical basis for modeling an eco-economic system applied on research area
1.2.1 Eco-economic system
The eco-economic system consists of 3 sub-systems: nature, social and production As a rusult, study eco-economic system, on one hand, must follow eco-economic principles, assure economic features and protect ecological resources and environment On the other hand, there must be a balance between social-economy and ecological enviroment
1.2.2 Eco-economic model: clasification, princples, proposed principles, model orientaion
Normally, an EEM is clasified based on productive structure, productive scale and income In Vietnam, the research on proposing a model follows 2 rules and 4 principles The assessing processes an EEM is performed under stated processes of Nguyen (2005) including assessing ecological resources level, environmental stainability level, economic effectiveness and social stainability
1.2.3 Natural resources and assessing natural resources
Natural resources are defined as physical subtance that directly supports human’s daily life and also contributes to the economic development To the mountainous peoples, in particular, in this stage of the transition to commodity economy, natural resources is considered as residential livelihood
Assessing natural resources is the estimation the value or the role of research subjects or identify the suitability levels of natural resources to meet the socia and economic demands The nature of assessment in geography is identifying the suitability levels in different fields and economic activities; in social matter such as population distribution, administrative organizations, etc
As a result, it is essential to fully assess natural conditions and natural resources
to select, exploit, use and protect natural resources suitably
Trang 91.2.4 Landscape and assessing landscape to develope eco-economic model
The study of landscape a geographic research orientation which is becoming popular all over the world by its highly applicable level in solving current social requirements This research orientation is used as an effective tool for territory using, in which the ecological features of the landscape and the relation between the land-using – the land-users and the environment get fully attention from researchers It is stated that assessing natural resources based on ecological resouces of landscape is the basis for economic management and development
This dissertation applies the viewpoint by ecological economy and the strong tie between nature – economy – humanity in analysing landscape classification and assessing natural resources for further uses In addition, this research analyses economical effectiveness, environment, main features of livelihood, local residents’ experience, etc in order to identify the most suitable ecological economic models in the basin of Son La Hydropower
1.3 Research perspective, research direction and research method
Trang 101.3.3 Research methodology
The thesis used traditional and modern geographic methods such as data collection, data analysis and data processing; maps, charts; approach system; fieldwork, rural rapid assessment methods, hierarchical analysis methods; of building slices methods and cost-benefit analysis
1.3.4 Some models used in the thesis: the thesis uses SWOT analysis model
and sustainable livelihood model of DFID
CHAPTER 2 STRUCTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LANDSCAPE
IN THE BASIN OF SON LA
2.1 Groups of natural factors created landscape
2.1.1 Factors related to geographic location
The basin of Son La Hydropower located from 21028’28’’N to 22028’44’’W, from 103016’38’’E to 10400’34’’S Its total length is about 134.8 km with a width of 25 km The basin area includes a hydropower factory,
a reservoir and direct tributaries It lies in the territory of 3 provinces, 6 districts and 48 communes.This geographic location is the reason of the diversification
of natural resources which is one of deternimed elements in the formation of landscape
2.1.2 Factors related to solid ground of the landscape
- Geological tectonic feature: Son La Hydropower lies in a geological
fold in the north west of Vietnam This place has 32 strata,10 intrusive unstratified igneous (magmatic) formations and a number of igneous penetration circuits In research area, the Black River fault and Nam Pia River fault are the largest ones in the system which partly form techtonic structure of the area Geology and tectonic activities play important roles in forming terrain
to the basin They are also considered the bases for the formation and development of landscape in the basin
- Topographic feature: typical mountains in this area are low and average,
most of them are limestone These mountains are divided vertically and allocated
Trang 11mostly in the North – West and North – East There are 3 main types of topography in the basin The natural differentiation base on the height of topograhy is used as criterion in classify layers and sub-layers in landscape system
2.1.3 Factors related to wet temperature
- Climate characteristics: the basin of Son La Hydropower has tropical
monsoon with cold winter There are more unique climate features than other oarts in the North of Vietnam The annual average temperature is about 22.50 to 23.30C; The average rainfall is 1,500 to 2,000mm The climate, which has 2 distinct seasons with many special weather phenomena, is divided into 5 types
of bio-climate Climate has a strong influence on other natural forming factors The wet temperature brings the area an unique feature of the tropical wet evergreen forest with cold, dry winters The differentiation of climate together with the diversity of bio-climate types is a premise to create the variety of vegetation, and landscape types
- Hydrological characteristics: The lake basin includes the entire area of water supply to the third level tributary that supplies water to the lake The network of rivers and streams in the lake is underdeveloped, averaging 0.5 km per square kilometer, unevenly distributed, the tributaries flow into the Da River and the main lake is concentrated mainly on the left bank of the river and limestone areas (the North of Sin Ho district, Tua Chua district, the West of Quynh Nhai district, Thuan Chau district); in addition, the network of rivers and streams is sparse In the reservoir basin, there are 34 level 1 tributaries, of which 16 tributaries directly pour into the lake The flow regime of the river in the basin depends closely on the rain regime: the flood season is relatively similar to the rainy season (VI - X); The dry season lasts from November to May next year
2.1.4 Factors related to organic material elements
- Soil characteristics: including 4 soil groups, 16 main soil types The
total area is 273,673 ha, accounting for 86.64% of natural area The soild here mainly is acrisol and humic acrisol which are favorable for agriculture and forestry development
Trang 12- Vegetation characteristics: vegetation system of the research area is
divided into three groups: natural vegetation, artificial vegetation and vegetation
on limestone mountains with 6 basic vegetation types: secondary forest, shrub grassland, plantation forest, perennials, annual trees and rice These vegetation are scattered in different types of terrain, depending on the topographical characteristics, bio-climate, soil types and dominated vegetation The relationship between vegetation and soil is the basis for dividing landscape types
2.2 Some of the main natural resources in research area
The basin has quite diverse natural resources, but they are scattered and encountered many difficulties in the exploitation process Many resources in the state of depletion, the value of decline (forest resources, organisms) Therefore, it
is necessary to have a long-term strategic plan to maintain appropriate indigenous production methods, set up eco-economic models corresponding to natural advantages of each region without exceeding the limit of nature
2.3 Groups of socio-economic factors
- Population and ethnic characteristics: This area has a population of about
233,291 people (2015); unevenly distributed, concentrated mainly in Chieng Lao,
It Ong, Pi Toong, Chieng Khay, Chieng Khoang, Muong Gion, Muong Giang and
Bo Muoi communes Population consists of 10 main ethnic groups, mainly Thai people, H'Mong, Kinh, Dao, etc Each ethnic group still maintains their own experience in production and using available natural resources
- Current status of agricultural, forestry and fishery production;
hydropower and tourism exploitation: the current main economic activities of
people in the basin of reservoirs are mainly cultivation, rasing cattle, aquaculture on the lake bed, which might be shifted Besides, it can be said that the key economic sector is the strength of this region in the near future, focusing on exploiting the potential of hydropower and tourism As a result, it
is necessary to have detailed orientation, detailed planning and continue to accelerate the structural shift: step by step shifting from self-reliant agriculture
to commodity agriculture in large-scale; exploit well the potential of the reservoir area especially in the tourism field and always pay attention on preserving and protecting the ecological environment
Trang 132.4 Landscape characteristics of Son La hydropower reservoir basin
2.4.1 Landscape classification system: The thesis selects a classification system
of 7 levels: system – sub-system - layer – sub-layer - type – sub-type - piece
2.4.2 Landscape map of Son La hydropower reservoir scale of 1:100,000:
landscape classification results include 1system – 1 sub-system - 3 layers - 4 sub-layers 1 type – 5 sub-types - 146 pieces The thesis has built 2 landscape slices A – B and C - D
2.4.3 Landscape structure of Son La hydropower reservoir basin
2.4.3.1 Horizontal structure characteristics:
a Landscape system and subsystem: The basin of Son La Hydropower
reservoir lies in landscape system of tropical wet monsoon, the average temperature is 22.50C - 23.30C, the rainfall is 1,500 - 2,000mm Due to the influence of the topography, the lake basin is not directly affected by the polar zone, however, in the winter, the temperature in some mountain areas is below 180C and the length of the cold season is less than 3 months Therefore, with the characteristic of heat - humidity, the number of cold - dry months has stipulated the landscape in the basin of Son La Hydropwer belongs to the landscape of tropical wet monsoon with dry cold winter
b Landscape layers: including 3 layers (mountain, valley, hill)
- Mountain landscape layer: includes low mountain area and medium mountain with 108 landscape types, divided into two sub-layers Ribbing processes take place strongly, mainly invasion, erosion, landslides, and flash floods At a height of more than 1,000m, most are Humic Acrisols, but due to the relative slope, the soil layer is thin, and strongly leached; the vegetation is mainly secondary forest, shrub grassland At an height of 500 to 1,000m, the acrisols takes the dominant part; the role of vegetation, plantation forest, perennial plant and annual plant is becoming more and more obvious
- Valley landscape layer: has an area of 62.302,26ha (accounting for 19.73%) The absolute altitude is less than 200m, the depth is less than 250m/km2, erosion and leaching are replaced by material accumulation from the slopes This landscape layer consists of 27 types (from no 109 to 135)
- Hill landscape layer: has an area of 20.396,27ha (accounting for 6.46%), divided into 9 types of landscape
Trang 14c Landscape sub-class: consists of 4 landscape sublayers: low mountain,
average mountain, valley and hill
Figure 2.1: Area of landscape sub-layers in the basin of Son La
Hydropower
No Landscape
Sub-layer Height (m)
Depth (m/km2)
d Landscape type: the coefficient of moist thermal correlation in the
basin is 2.6 (about 2.01-3: humidity), therefore, the tropical wet evergreen forest type was formed
e Landscape sub-type: including 5 subtypes: long cold season and short
dry season (IVA4a), slightly long cold season and average dry season (IIIB3b), average cold season and short dry season (IIA2a), average cold season and average dry season (IIB2b), short cold season and average dry season (IB1b)
f Piece of landscape: the lowest level of hierarchy, including 146 pieces
of landscape - this is the basis for assessing ecological adaptation of agricultural and forestry trees
2.4.3.2 Rhythmic season and landscape function
- Rhythmic season: is clearly expressed in sensitive natural elements such
asvegetation, hydrology and soil, especially after a reservoir is formed
- Landscape functions: is protective function and environmental
protection (most of the landscape types formed on medium and low mountain such as landscape 1, 4, 6, 11, 16, 19, 21, 26, 31, 36, 40, 43, 45, 49, 52, 58, 68); the function of economic exploitation focuses on the functions of forestry production, agro-forestry, functions of agricultural production and settlements and functions of service (landscape No 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 44, 46, 47, 51, 53,
54, 59, 60, 62, 69, 70, 109, 110, 111, 115, 117, 119 )