AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM LAO PDR. Consultancy Report

CLASSIFICATION AND INVENTORY OF WETLAND /AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM LAO PDR Consultancy Report By Saleumsy PHITTAYAPHONE National Wetland Specialist Vienti...
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CLASSIFICATION AND INVENTORY OF WETLAND /AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM LAO PDR

Consultancy Report

By

Saleumsy PHITTAYAPHONE National Wetland Specialist

Vientiane October 2003

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CONTENT I

INTRODUCTION

II

METHODOLOGY

III

ANALYSIS OF DATA AND INFORMATION

III.1

Existing Wetland Areas

III.2

Current Status of Wetland Areas in Lao PDR

III.2.1 National Institutions Related to Wetlands III.2.2 Threat to Wetland III.2.3 The Changes of Wetland Areas III.3

Important Wetland Type

III.3.1 Wetland Type classified by the Important in Lao PDR III.3.2 List of Important Wetland Type classified by the Sites in Lao PDR III.3.3 Selection of Monitoring Site for monitoring changes of people’s livelihood and aquatic ecosystems IV

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

V

REFERENCE

VI

ANNEXES

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List of Acronyms Used ADB BMP CPAWM DFRC CPAWM DFRC DAFO DoA DoF DLF MAF NBCA PA PAFO PFO MRC IRC LARReC IUCN Lao PDR WBSJ LNMC WCS WWF STEA NARC FRC NOFIP MIH IED EIA MCTPC MT NUOL

Asian Development Bank Best Management Practice Center for Protected Areas and Watershed Management Division of Forest Resources Conservation Center for Protected Areas and Watershed Management Division of Forest Resources Conservation District Agriculture and Forestry Office Department of Agriculture Department of Forestry Department of Livestock and Fishery Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry National Biodiversity Conservation Areas Protected Areas Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office Provincial Forestry Office Mekong River Commission Integrated Research Center Living Aquatic Research Center International Lao People Democratic Republic Wild Bird Society of Japan Lao National Mekong Committee Wildlife Conservation Society World Wild Fund for Nature Conservation Science Technology and Environment Office National Agriculture Research Center Forestry Research Center The National Office for Forest Inventory and Planning Ministry of Industry and Handicraft Industrial Environment Division Environment Impact Assessment Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction Ministry of Trade The National University of Lao

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I

INTRODUCTION

This report has been written for the Mekong River Commission (MRC) by the wetland specialist, to gather and collect data and information concerned to the purpose of Component A2 of the Environment program of the Mekong River Commission - People and Aquatic Ecosystems is to provide timely information on trends and change in dynamics of aquatic habitats to prevent or minimize harmful effects particularly on the rural poor who are highly dependant on the Basin’s aquatic productivity, including review of issues relating to the wetland/aquatic ecosystem is essential for monitoring and policy development. I.1

Scope and Objectives

Principle of the report is compilation of data and information on wetland/aquatic ecosystem with particular reference to wetland importance, types, functions, values, ecology, threats and economic valuation of wetland types.

I.2

History of Wetland in Lao PDR

The Wetland Organization in Lao PDR is mainly under Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) since 1990 (According to the Water and Water Resources Law, Year 1996). However, its structure has been changed for many time, first established in 1990 was the Wetland Management Project, under the Integrated Research Centre (IRC) from 1990 to 1992, which then changed into many names in order such as the Center for Protected Areas and Watershed Management (CPAWM) from 1992 to 1996, and the Division of Forest Resources Conservation (DFRC) from 1996 to 1999, those named organization is under Department of Forestry. The latest reorganization, the wetland project has been transferred to the Living Aquatic Resource Research Centre (LARReC) since 1999. The Lao Government launched its Wetland Management Programme in 1990, supported by the MRC, with the implementation were not continuously and divided into two phases: phase I from 1990 to 1996 for an inventory and site selection and demonstration at Nong Chanh Marsh and That Luang Swamp, the Urban wetlands in Vientiane Prefecture and phase II from 1998 to1999 for a monitoring of those wetland areas, which all aiming to develop comprehensive guidelines for the sustainable longterm management of the country’s wetlands. In additional, with the collaboration between CPAWM (now’s call DFRC) staff and the IUCN specialist, together carried out an inventory of wetland at almost in whole country wetland areas in 1993, with all data and information of this inventory were compiled as a book of Wetland Inventory in Lao PDR, Claridge 1996. With the total number of 30 sites mainly in the central and southern parts of Lao PDR, are covered by the goals of the international Ramsar Conservation definition. Another concerned Wetland Projects, included the Initial Survey in Xepian Wetland Project (from 1997 to 1999), Attapeu province, in the south part of Lao PDR, supported

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by the Wild Bird Society of Japan (WBSJ), aimed to collect data and information for a planning of Management Project Proposal, due to the high value of biodiversity of the area, particularly the crocodiles and upgraded the skill and knowledge of staff, by provided the training course on “ Rapid Assessment on Wetland Ecosystem”. The “Community Fishery and Irrawady Dolphin Protection Project” (from 1993 to 1996) funded by the Earth Irelands, Canada Fund. And the project namely “Environmental Protection and Community Development in Siphandon Wetland, Champasack province”, in the south part of Lao PDR (from 1997 to 1998,and extent to 1999) supported by CESVI ( the International Cooperation and Development Organization of Italy), which these two projects aimed to find the way of management based on local participatory to improve the people livelihood and sustainable fishery and Conservation of Dolphin in the Mekong River. The survey project in Attapeu province in 2000, supported by ADB. I.3

Meaning of Wetland to Lao

Wetlands play a very important role in the lives of the Lao people. With a population of 4.5 million, the majority of the people live in the wetland-rich Mekong basin and is dependent on wetland for their daily subsistence and income generation. The meaning of “Wetland” in Lao’s perspective is still among confused, the wetland is under intense and extensive use by the local inhabitants, another society views wetlands are important wildlife habitat areas, it lead to a complicated identification of the areas by the users and between the conservation and management aspect. However, most of Lao people are relied on wetlands for their daily subsistence. So, combination of conservation for sustainable use, are an option based on the Lao government strategy for the wetland management.

Source: wetland Inventory, Claridge (1996)

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II

METHODOLOGY

II.1

Compilation of Existing Data and Information

The existing Data and information are available and compiled by the team ( list of the documents available is attached) II.2

Negotiation/Discussion/ Interview

Visit to some key concerned agencies, (which their role and responsibilities are described in III.2.1): • • • • • • •

II.3

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (particularly the Biodiversity Project) Department of Forestry (Division for Forest Resources Conservation) Department of Livestock and Fishery National Agriculture and Forestry Institution (LARReC) STEA (Department of Environment) Town Planning Research Institution (Vientiane Municipality Improvement Project) Some National, International Organizations/NGO’s: LNMC, IUCN, WCS, WWF Collection of Additional Data/Information

Some Data/information were additional collection from the agencies/organizations and some are collected directly from the field. II.4

line

concerned

Field Observation in some Wetlands Areas

The Field observation are used mainly in the easier access wetland such as the Nong Chanh Marsh and That Luang Swamp in Vientiane Prefecture, another were in Nong Bo Wetland in Vientiane Province, about 50 kilometers by road far from Vientiane Prefecture.

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II

ANALYSIS/RESULTS OF DATA AND INFORMATION

III.1

Existing Wetland Areas

Source: wetland Inventory, Claridge (1996) III.1.1 Data Analysis As we already known, There are 30 sites of wetland areas in Lao PDR or about 968,180 hectares mainly in the central and southern parts of Lao PDR were surveyed only important wetland type (see annex 2 and 4). However, those areas are not including all wetland areas in whole country, more important areas in the north are not yet surveyed and not much data and information were additional collected, there were only several wetlands had been collected more data and information such as Nong Chanh Marsh, That Luang Swamp, Xepian wetland and Siphandon wetland (Khone fall). The wetlands of Lao PDR are of outstanding international importance (Claridge 1996, Thewlis et al. 1998). The Ramsar Convention defines wetlands as ‘areas of marsh, fen, peat-land, or water, whether natural or artificial, permanent or temporary, with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or salt, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed six meters’. Many of the habitats included do not occur in Lao PDR (e.g. all salt, brackish and tidal wetlands), and some habitats provided for under this definition which do occur in Lao PDR are of minimal biodiversity conservation

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importance; following Claridge (1996), rice paddies and aquaculture ponds are omitted from further consideration, In contrast to Claridge, however, rivers, even including small forest streams, are retained in the definition, different from MRC definition. The wetland management Project, under Department of Forestry had been digitized and produced the Wetland Mekong Corridor map from the topographic map and satellite imagery, as scale 1:250,000 in 1995, and scale 1:100,000 in 1996. The wetland Classification were also defined as shown in the annex 3. III.1.2 Results and Discussion The Lao wetland inventory is needed to continue survey as an appropriated system within whole country, particularly the extension survey to the north part. In additional the existing wetland areas are also necessary to continue monitoring and collect more detail data and information on their richness of biodiversity and ecosystem. The survey format should be adopted as a network including trans-boundary survey and official demarcation, for both on the map and the ground. The Definition of wetland in Lao PDR is identified referred to the RAMSAR definition. However, Lao wetland definition are not included all salt, brackish and tidal wetlands, In contrast to Claridge, rice paddies and aquaculture ponds are considered as the important type as they are related closely to the Lao farmer livelihood. As the wetland existing sites of Lao PDR are covered by the goals of the international Ramsar Conservation definition, however, those existing wetland areas are not prioritized within the national country, where the only one site is under interested and unofficial considered by some International organization such as the RAMSAR Secretariat and IUCN as a highest priority for RAMSAR Convention site in Siphandon Wetland (Khone Fall wetland). Consequence, the existing wetland areas are required to consider and develop the priority sites by the GOL as well as the Wetland Strategy and Action Plan. MAF in the collaboration with IUCN, were carried out the data collection in Attapeu province for writing a project proposal, which are a component of the Mekong Basin and funding accepted by many donors such as France, USA, EU during the Riparian Country Workshop on Wetland held in Vientiane at the end of 2002. Although the Wetland Mekong Corridor map were produced, but many time of wetland structure re-organization in Lao PDR and problems on the data base management are made difficulty for the collection and compilation of data base and map. However, all those data and map have been sent to MRCs and believed that they still available at MRCs data base/GIS Unit.

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III.2

Current Status of Wetland in Lao PDR

III.2.1

National Institutions Related to Wetlands

III.2.1.1.

Data Analysis

There are several organizations are responsible for wetland issues at the national, provincial and district level. The responsibility of institutions can be summarized, as follows: National level Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) MAF is relatively well established organization, and the main executing, regulatory and advisor agency to the government with agriculture, forestry, wetlands, and conservation. MAF, furthermore, plays a central role as inspection authority for all activities carried out forestland and is the main authorizing agency for conversion and management of forests and forest lands. In line with the decentralization policy, MAF primarily responsible as a provider of overall strategies and frameworks, under which provincial and district level staff can operate. Relevant Departments at the national level includes: Department of Agriculture (DOA) DOA which is among the main departments responsible for implementation of an agricultural strategy. This is done in close cooperation with the Department of Livestock and Fisheries and Department of Irrigation.

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Department of Forestry (DOF) DOF holds the main responsibility as a central coordinator and Technical leader, coordinate directly to the Provincial Forestry Offices (PFOs), or through the PAFOs for the conservation and management concerning natural resources including the forestry resources, particularly the National Protected Areas (the Lao official name for NBCA), and others include protection forest, watershed, and wetland, which assistance directly form the Division of Forest Resources Conservation (DFRC) and the National Office for Forest Inventory and Planning (NOFIP) is the main agency for data collection and methods development within land use planning and land allocation, including the development of participatory methods for National Land Allocation Program. DOF is also responsible for develop, monitor and evaluation of the Forestry Law and other concerned laws and regulations for example the regulation on management of protected areas, wild and aquatic animal…and the aquatic and wild animal law is under initial drafting so far, which its components are supported and related to the CITES. National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) The National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) was established in 1999 by bringing together nine agriculture and forestry research centers formally under individual MAF departments. NAFRI holds Department status in MAF with the mandate to carry out the technical research activities on agriculture, forestry, meteorology and hydrology. Among the nine research centers are the National Agriculture Research Center (NARC) and Forestry Research Center (FRC), both undertaking survey, methods development and data generation on behalf of MAF departments. Living Aquatic Resources Research Center (LARReC) Living Aquatic Resources Research Center under NAFRI is responsible for research and advisory services within captive fisheries, aquaculture and wetland issues. A wetland unit has been established in LARReC in 1999, and the institution furthermore plays a central role in the Wetland Working Group within NAFRI. At the moment, LARReC is in the process of improvement of its wetland organization at the provincial and district levels in order to conduct the protection and management of wetlands in Lao PDR. Therefore, there is a need to improve the capacity building of different institutions, particularly at district level. Other National Level Concerned Science, Technology and Environment Agency (STEA) STEA is attached to the Prime Minister Office as a central organization equivalent to a sub-ministry. The agency acts as a coordinating body within environmental planning and management across all sector, and look in to the development of regulations and guidelines for environmental protection and conservation. STEA chairs the Water Resources Coordinating Committee and furthermore heads a national level Inter-Ministerial Working Group establish cross-sectoral advice, collaboration and recommendation on environmental issues. The agency is furthermore

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responsible for evaluation and approval of environmental impact assessments for major development projects, as well as activities related to selected international conventions. The general scope of the STEA mandate is however rather unclear, and legal base of the organization is not clarified yet. Other line ministries relevant to natural resource management include the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft (MIH), which includes the Industrial Environment Division (IED), charged with regulation of pollution and water as well as various EIA functions, The Ministry of Communication, Transport, Post and Construction (MCTPC) has a small section responsible for Environmental Impact Assessments, based on a set of guidelines developed through donor assistance. Tourism development is under the responsibility of the Ministry of Trade (MT), with which the National Authority develops strategies and plans for increasing tourism. The National University of Lao (NUOL) was established in 1996 to give Bachelor Degree within forestry, agriculture and Biology as well as range of other discipline. NUOL has formed a small multi-disciplinary Environmental working Group. Provincial Level The Provincial Agriculture and Forestry Office (PAFO) comprises sectoral provincial level departments equal to those at the national level. PAFO plays the role in providing specific technical support and backup to district staff through the development of subject matter specialist. District and Village Level The District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO) are currently being reorganized from a sector oriented set up towards a more adaptive and outreach oriented organization. The new set up will focus on two technical sections devoted to (A) farming and forest extension with current staff retrained as generalist with multi-sectorial skills, and responsible for individual group of villages, and (B) technical backup, supervision and coordination of extension activities. DAFOs are envisage the actual nucleus of MAF interaction with farmer, cooperating closely with other district authorities and serving as the anchor of the village level implementation. The latter takes place through village task force in close cooperation with village community and headmen and ideally also through the mass organizations and the national front for construction. III.2.1.2.

Results and discussion

Changing/reorganizing of the wetland organization seem to be limited progressive of wetland management in Lao PDR, due to the movement of offices, and staff who had been attended the training courses and already understand mainly on wetland aspect. So, furthermore the Term of Reference of authorities responsible for wetland are needed to be clarified, as well as the supports from some international or NGO’s should be related to the policy and strategy of GOL.

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The Wetland Working Group under NAFRI is needed to be more active and involve more members among Departments under Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and other concerned national and international agencies. Strengthen capacity of Institutions is necessary and should be considered focusing on a specific subject, time, degrees and skill. The Training need assessment is may be an important advanced step for this component. Improvements of coordinated system between the line agencies and with the International organizations are necessary. III.2.2

Threats to Wetland

III.2.2.1

Data Analysis

Some main threats to wetland are classified as following: Destruction and degradation of wetland habitats Armed conflict on geographic inaccessibility have limited economic development in the region for the past half century but recently much has changed this. Per capita GDP growth is projected to be one of the highest in South East Asia in 1999. This is resulting in increasing national pressure on natural resources in Lao PDR. Drainage and reclamation: The conversion of wetlands through drainage and reclamation for urban use is occurring throughout the Lower Mekong Basin, included the Nong Chan Marsh and That Luang Swamp in Vientiane Prefecture, which the the sewage system were developed in the areas. Modification of land-use: The population density in Lao PDR is between 20 people per km2. The current estimates for population growth in Lao PDR are over 2.5% per year; Since 80% of the population in Lao PDR are engaged in agriculture, demand for the modification of wetlands to agricultural land will continue to increase placing additional pressure on the wetlands and their fisheries stocks. Much of this agricultural development is taking place in areas that have substantial amounts of inundated forest, producing a trade off between the values of the system for fish for which it is a major nursery, wetland products and the more generalized benefits of wetlands. Inappropriate wetland management: typically occurs when wetlands are managed according to single sectoral objectives. For example, water is often pumped from wetlands for dry-season crop irrigation or is subject to swidden agriculture disturbing the structure of wetland vegetation. Even the management of wetlands as commercial fishing lots does little to conserve biodiversity as the owners often seek to maximize returns by harvesting all aquatic species including turtles and amphibians.

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Loss of wetland ecosystem integrity Alteration of the hydrological regime: The wetland systems of the Lower Mekong Basin are dependent upon the annual inundation of the wet season water flow; their productivity being dependent upon the height and duration of inundation. The flooding inundates the forest around the Mekong Basin in Lao, releasing nutrients and creating exceptionally productive nursery grounds for numerous fish species. Changes to flood height and duration may result in some seasonal wetlands not filling, or in previously permanent wetlands drying out thereby diminishing wetland productivity. There are a number of existing and proposed developments that may result in reduced peak flows and increases in dry season flow, the cumulative effects of which upon the biodiversity of the Basin’s wetlands are unknown. These include: ¾

Hydropower dams: The Mekong River of Lao is viewed widely as a great potential source of hydroelectric power. The Nam Ngum Dam in Lao is already in operation. Lao PDR has 22 planned hydropower dams with a total expected output of 7,500 MW,

¾

Irrigation: Many areas in the whole country of Lao now grow two rice crops per year with an annual yield of up to 5 tones/ha, while in Lao will invest heavily over the next few years in developing irrigation infrastructure to increase rice production thereby raising demand for water from the Mekong River.

¾

Flood management: Some areas of the Lower Mekong basin, particularly the Mekong Basin and other tributary in Lao are affected occasionally by flooding. Recent water management efforts, including canals and dikes, have resulted in an increased area of land available for agriculture together with an increased settlement of people on the floodplain. However, these areas are still subject to periodic flooding, hence more plans are being developed to modify the river flow and ensure that these periodic events do not affect crops and settlements. This has reduced the availability of wetlands in the Mekong to provide basic wetland benefits

Pollution: The rapid industrialisation of the Lower Mekong Basin is increasing the pollution load in the waters of the Mekong River which in the absence of government measures will continue to increase. The sources of the pollution include: ¾

Industrial waste: Increasing industrialization is leading to an increase in pollution loads from factories. Spills of waste from industries processing many kind of productivity in Thailand that connected to the border of Lao have resulted in large aquatic resources kills in the Mekong River in recent years.

¾

Pesticide agricultural run-off: The use of herbicides and pesticides is increasing throughout the Lower Mekong Basin. Often, due to a lack of understanding and a wish to increase crop production, excessive doses are applied. These toxins run off into water bodies to be absorbed by aquatic organisms. Bioaccumulation of these in many higher-level animals lead to high concentrations of toxic products

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¾ ¾

¾

making them unsafe for human consumption and causing death and sub-lethal effects such as reduced reproductive capability. Fertilizer: Increasing use of fertilizer is causing high nutrient run-off causing eutrophication, oxygen depletion, and raising the potential for toxic algal blooms. Acid sulphate: The expansion in the Mekong of both the canal network and rice cultivation have resulted in the disturbance and oxidation of sulphate-rich soils which, on exposure to air, produces acid. On occasions, particularly in the dry season Domestic sewage: Total outputs of sewage are increasing and many large towns release untreated or partially-treated domestic waste directly into the wetlands of the Mekong system. Although the absorption capacity of the Mekong system is large, public health issues and the incidence of toxic algal blooms from increased nutrient loads particularly at times of low water flow is of concern.

Sedimentation: Substantial logging activities are occurring in many parts of the Lower Mekong Basin reportedly causing increased sedimentation throughout the wetlands of the Basin. Increased sediment loads reduce the light available to aquatic plants, cause smothering of plants and respiratory problems for aquatic animals. Depletion of species abundance and diversity Over-harvesting of plant and animal products: In Lao PDR, most animal protein consumed in rural households comes from captured wildlife. In Lao PDR, water birds, mostly migratory waders, are reportedly hunted heavily in the wetlands bordering the Mekong in Savannakhet and Champasak provinces (see annex 1) In addition to subsistence use, various wildlife species are sold as food, medicine, pets, and for a variety of decorative purposes. This has increased in the past 15 years with the increasing affluence of the destination countries. It is estimated that in 1996, 3.5 tones of wildlife were brought to Hanoi every week, mainly from the south of the country and from Lao PDR and Cambodia. The most valuable products now, along with tiger bones, are certain turtles. Enforcement of existing laws in Lao PDR is hampered by a number of factors applicable in whole or part to all four countries - ambiguity and conflict between statutes, low manpower, a basic communications network, and a perceived low priority by various government bodies. Extreme hunting pressure has reduced the populations and diversity of wildlife in even lightly populated areas, but trade-driven hunting is the major factor pushing wildlife populations to the brink of extinction. In Lao PDR reptiles sought specifically for international trade are in steep decline and national extinction appears inevitable for many species. The situation is little different elsewhere in the region. Destructive harvesting practices: A number of resource harvesting practices are destructive to biodiversity, through their destruction of non-target species. Practices include:

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¾ Fish bombing: where explosives are used to collect all the fish from a specific area. In Southern part of Lao border to Cambodia, there were reported to be over explosions per day in the Mekong River. Although this practice is decreasing, bombing poses a severe threat to dolphin ¾ Electro-fishing: is the use of an electric charge to kill all aquatic organisms within a selected range. This practice is wide-spread in the region with sometimes hundreds of sets of gear in one village. This is particularly destructive when used on dry season refuges for important breeding species. ¾ Small-mesh nets: are often used to block streams and small rivers flowing from wetlands into the larger rivers at the end of the wet season. This removes both adult breeding stock and young fingerlings from the populations reducing the possibilities of future breeding and recruitment from the areas. ¾ Tree-felling: Trees are often felled to remove arboreal wildlife, and trees with promising-looking crevices may be felled speculatively. Trees are also often felled to allow easy gathering of fruit. Change in indigenous species composition: is being caused in the Lower Mekong Basin through the spread of existing alien invasive species, and by the introduction of new ones. ¾ Spread of existing alien invasive species: Several alien invasive species are problematic in the Mekong Basin. Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes), present in the Mekong Basin for many years, is widespread and is assumed to have altered the ecosystems of the river to some extent. Mimosa pigra, introduced to stabilize river banks and flood control structures, is a major invasive problem in wetlands, particularly disturbed habitats, throughout the Region. It is believed to reduce the amount of habitat available as fish breeding and nursery grounds. No quantitative data exists for its distribution and impact within the Lower Mekong Basin. Mimosa eradication programmes are being attempted in North Australia by Government agencies but these programs are expensive and need a coordinated approach to be successful. ¾ Introduction of new alien species: Introductions of exotic species are considered as one of the prime factors responsible for over 68% of fish extinctions in North America; the introduction of Nile Perch in Lake Victoria in Africa decimated endemic fish populations. At least 10 non-native fish species are present in the Mekong Basin in Northern Laos. Other species of particular concern include Tilapia sp., which is used widely for aquaculture in the Lower Mekong Basin; Common carp Cyprinus carpio and European Carp have been introduced to the Lower Mekong Basin through aquaculture, but it is as yet unknown whether these species are invasive; Clarias gariepinus from Africa which has also been introduced in Lao PDR and has hybridized with local Clarias spp.. Additionally, various crocodile farms have hybrids between the endangered Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis and the introduced Cuban Crocodile C. rhombifer.

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III.2.2.2

Results and Discussion

Trend of threat seem to be continue increasing softly in the future, due to wetland resources are at risk from loss of ecosystem integrity, habitats, diversity from the unsustainable practice in the wetland areas. Traditional knowledge and activities of local communities as well as all staff level concerned to the wetland are identified as a factor supported to the sustain or changing in wetland ecosystem. So raising awareness on wetlands are needed to get involve the base-root participatory on wetland planning and management. Reduction of threat to wetland are requested an integrated system, include the integrated conservation and development to improve the farewell of people life in a focused areas, with restrict enforcement and improvement of laws/regulations e.g. regulation on management of protected areas wild and aquatic animal…and development of new law e.g. law on wild and aquatic animal, which will be drafted soon should be related and achieved the goals and objectives of the national strategy especially concerning to the poverty reduction and the international law/regulation for example: the CITES. The GOL has been permitted the country to be a membership of Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), which will be an important mechanism to solve problem on illegal trade along the trans-border wetlands areas. Ramsar Convention is also still under considered by the GOL. It seems that the meaning and the benefit of this convention are not clear for Lao yet. Raising awareness on this matter is needed to clarify the understanding particularly to the decision makers. e.g. there are needed to produce a Lao version statement and easy description on the objectives, benefits and (²ñ-ê½) of the Ramsar Convention for all level as necessary. III.2.3. The Changes of Wetland Areas III. 2.3.1. Data analysis The wetland areas in Lao PDR have been changed for many purposes, mainly for the development such as a settlement areas, conversion of the areas into the paddy land areas, the irrigated system, weirs, hydropower and urban development. The output of wetland workshop in 1996 held on DOF in Vientiane, agreed that Nong Chanh mash and That Luang swamp are appropriated for reduce flooding and waste water treatment useful for the capital city of Vientiane municipality. The Nong ChanhThat Luang Improvement project was established. This project were constructed the concrete canal at Nong Chanh marsh connect to lagoon pond at That Luang swamp, from 1997 to 2000, funded by DANIDA and EU. The drainage system now has been facing severe non-point source i.e. automotive oils, and other contaminants by storm water. However, to solve overload problems and the pollution of recipient, the trend now is to control storm water from the source by using the Best Management Practice (BMP).

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Some peat soil are collected as a raw material to make the natural fertilizer. There are still illegal trade to some rare and endangered species of wildlife in the wetland areas, which impact to the diversity reduction. III. 2.3.2. Result and discussion The change of wetland in Lao PDR, are believed that to occur in the whole country because people are dependent on wetland for their daily subsistence. According to the case study of Multi-purpose channels in urban flood control Vientiane Lao PDR by Vought, Lena B.-M; Lacoursiere, Jean O.; Larsson Rolf Dept Ecology/Limnology, Lund University, Sweden. Now the sewage system are fully by the nutrient increasing than they occurred before in the natural system, this problems is required to solve by multiactivities, such as let some spaces as between the sewage to treat the water as naturally, or another option, the planning before constructing. Urban wetland area has been changed into another form, for example Nong chanh Marsh and That Luang swamp areas are additional constructing houses, super market and landfill etc, due to the GOL development plan, to improve the farewell of people livelihood and poverty reduction. However, some other areas can still be the rice paddy field as it was before. Wetland ecosystem changed has reduced in number of wetland form, productivities biodiversities and the availability of wetlands to provide basic wetland benefits, developing irrigation infrastructure to increase rice production thereby raising demand for water from the Mekong River. The flood management is difficulty, in ThaT Luang Swamp has been getting impact from the flood during the rainy season, followed by disease occurrence by the waste water from the Nong Chanh sewage, Crop Productive are decreased, as well as the impact from alien species changed the native species, for example: some species are introduced from USA such as the turtle (Tao kem deng), bult frog and Cuban Crocodile C. rhombifer, which suspect that already changed the native specie of Siamese crocodile. Changing of Wetland are also impact to the various wetland species, because of the wetland habitat loss and the unsustainable use and practice of wetland biodiversities, for example the results of final report of the Lower Mekong Basin UNDP-GEF project (May 2000) reported that the number of Siamese crocodiles, Sirus crane, soft turtle and others are decreasing.

III. 3. Important Wetland Type The wetland types of International classification are as follows:

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1. Permanent and seasonal flooded forest (swamp) 2. Large pools in river (RR1a) 3. Mangrove swamps (M12d+M12dm+E12d+E12dm) 4. Perennial River (RR1) 5. Seasonal River (RR2) 6. Permanent Lakes (LL1n) 7. Permanent dam/Resevoir (LL1m) 8. Permanent Ponds (PL1n) 9. Pasture/ Grass Marsh 10. Rice Fields 11. Aquaculture III. 3.1. The Wetland Sites in Lao PDR are prioritized as 5 important type as following: N o 1

Wetlands Type Permanent and seasonal flooded forest (swamp)

Economic Low

Important Ecology high

Social Medium

2

Large pools in river (RR1a)

high

high

Medium

3

Perennial River (RR1)

high

Medium

Medium

4

Permanent dam/Resevoir (LL1m)

high

Medium

Medium

5 Rice Fields high Medium High Source: the results of wetland meeting on an inventory of wetland and aquatic in LNMC Vientiane, March 7, 2003

III. 3.2.List of Important Wetland Type Sites, classified by MRC system in Lao PDR No

1

Name of Important Wetland Type Nam Ngum Reservoir

Location/ Province

Geographic coordinate

Vientiane Vientiane Prefecture

& 18°12’N -102°48’E

Areas (km2)

250

2

That Luang Swamp

Vientiane Prefecture

17º56’N- 102º39’ E

20

3

Nong Chanh Nam Theun Nongluang Wetland Group Xe Champhon

Vientiane Prefecture Khammuane

17º56’N-02º37’30” E

23

17º45’N -105º10’ E

50

Savannakhet

16º15’N -105º22’ E

4-90

Savannakhet

16º 35’N - 16º18’N 105º12’E -105º18’E

240

4 5

6

Type of Wetland

LL1, LP1, LL1m, RR1 RR2, PPb, RF1ma PPb, LP1ma, PSa, PSc, LL1, RF1ma, LP1ma LL1, RR1bm LP1

LL1,RF5, RF1ma,PSa RR1b,RR2b RR1b,RR2b, PPb,PSb,PSc

Important Level

National

National Regional Regional National Regional National National

National

19 LL1,LP1,LL2 LL2m, PScm, RF1ma,RF2m RR1,RR2, PPb,LP1, PSa

7

Dong Hua Sao

Champasack

14º58’N -106º06’ E

300

8

Bung Nong Ngom Wetland Group Seephando n Wetland

Champasack

14º46’N-06º3’30”E

8

PPb,LL1LP2RF 1ma,PSa, RF2,

Regional National

Champasack

14º 56’N- 14º40’N 105º59’E-106º 06’E

60

Xe Kong Plain Xe pian-Xe hampho Nong FA

Champasack Attapeu Attapeu

14º 27’N - 14º 39’E 106º17’N-106º29’E 14º 44’N-106º 24’E

350

Attapeu

Vang Tat Wetland

SekongAttapeu

15º6’30” N107º25’20”E 15º2’30” N107º28’E

RR1/b/c/dRR2b ,RB,RF2, RF1ma RR1,PPb, LL1,LP1 LL1,LP1PPb PSa, LL1

Global Regional National Regional National Regional National Regional National Regional National

9

10 11 12 13

20 1 1

LL1,LP1, PPb

Regional National

III.3.3. Selection of Monitoring Site for monitoring changes of people’s livelihood and aquatic ecosystems Some wetlands are needed to be maintained because of one of the three following Reasons: -

It is of great value; It provides a benefit to be maintained; It is part of a group of wetlands which collectively provide a benefit to be maintained.

-

Trans-boundary significance (see annex 5)

The following sites are proposed as Sites for monitoring changes of people’s livelihood and aquatic ecosystems: ¾ Nong Chanh Mash and That Luang Swamp (Urban Wetland) ¾

Siphandone Wetland

¾ Xe Pian Wetland

IV.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION -

-

Identification of wetland benefits are needed for many wetland site. Clarification of the benefit and the definition of wetland, particularly in term of conservation are important to clear understand in equality among all level. EIA of any development proposal is necessary. Development of Wetland Strategy and Action Plan are necessary.

20

-

-

-

-

-

-

The future program should be covered an inventory of wetland in the northern part of Lao PDR. The additional surveys are needed to identify in detail the benefit/values of the wetland areas, potential threats and set priorities for effective sustainable management action. Establishing laws/regulations for legal protection of rare and endangered habitat and their bio-diversity in the Important Wetland Areas, together with Conducting community activities to improve agricultural production, with minimum or without degrading the ecosystems. Clarification of the Training Need Assessment is needed to prioritize the qualification of existing human resources and/or local experts concern to wetland management. Educational activities such as staff training at all levels and Wetland Awareness such as production posters, books, guideline… for public distribution are necessary. Linking Wetland program with other concern projects seem to be the way of implementing alternative, those projects such as the Rural Development, Watershed Management, Poverty Reduction, Protected Areas Management, Integrated Conservation and Development Project…etc. Enforcement of existing laws in Lao PDR is hampered by a number of factors applicable in whole or part to all four countries - ambiguity and conflict between statutes, low manpower, a basic communications network, and a perceived low priority by various government bodies. Extreme hunting pressure has reduced the populations and diversity of wildlife in even lightly populated areas, but trade-driven hunting is the major factor pushing wildlife populations to the brink of extinction. In Lao PDR reptiles sought specifically for international trade are in steep decline and national extinction appears inevitable for many species. The situation is little different elsewhere in the region.

21

V. REFERENCES 1 2 3

Lao-DANIDA. (2000)..Ministry of Foreign Affair Improvement of the Vientiane Urban Environment Project Document, Lao PDR. Laos Mekong Secretariat, 1990. Report on Start up workshop on wetland Management Programme (Pattaya 13-20 August 1990) Laos Mekong Secretariat, 1992. Study of formulate plans for the management of wetland in Lower Mekong Basin. Progress Report No. 2 (Jul. 91-June 92)

4 5

Laos Sansanee Shoowaew, 1992. Appraisal of the Lao Wetland Programme Consultant’s report. Laos SETA, 1993. Waste Water management of That Luang Marshes, Vientiane, Laos (Final Report, October 1993)

6

Laos Lena. B.M.Petersen and Jean. O. Lacoursiere, 1990. Project Completed Activities and Recommendation to the Mekong Secretariat, Consultancy Report No. 8.

7

Laos Mekong Secretariat, 1991. Study to Formulate Plans for the Management of the Wetlands in the Lower Mekong Basin. Consultant’s report number 4 for wetland management programme activities during period 19/3/91-1/5/91 by Robert C. Petersen . 10/6/91, and Report No.6. by Anders Hergeby University of Lund, SWEDEN.

8

Patrick. J. Dugan, 1990. Wetland Conservation. A Review of Current Issues and Required Action. (IUCN). Gordon C., 1996. An Inventory of wetlands of the Lao PDR (English and Lao language (IUCN Wetlands Programme)) Rungjarat et al. 1992. Overview Concept & Integrated Approach to Wetland Ecosystem Analysis & Management. Training Course materials in wetland ecosystem and management (University Salaya Nakhorn Phathom, Thailand 16/3/92-23/4/91). MRC, 1997. Inventory and management of wetlands in Lower Mekong Basin phase I. (Review and Assessment Report Phase I 1990-97).

9 10

11 12

MRC, 1997. Inventory and management of wetland in Lower Mekong Basin Phase II, (draft project document prepared by Environment Unit Secretariat Bangkok Thailand August 1997).

13

Wetland Project, Laos Department of Forestry, 1999. Report on the Inventory of wetland Management in Nong Chanh and That Luang marshes in 98-99. First phase (Lao Version).

14

Wetland Project, Laos Department of Forestry, 1996. Report on Meeting on Wetland Management in Lao PDR on 27/7/91 (Lao Version) Wetland Project, Laos Department of Meteorology, 1998. Report on Cooperation between DOF and DOM on Wetland Management Project in Lao PDR Samuelsson T, Osterling L. (2000). Inventory of Wetland In Vientiane, Lao PDR, Research Paper [67p], Kristianstad University, School of Engineering, Sweden

15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Vought et al. 2000. Multi-purpose Channels in Urban Flood Control, Vientiane, Lao PDR [10p]. Case Study, Lund University, Sweden. [email protected] Viravong S., et al. 1998. Assessment of Mekong Fisheries Project, DoLF. A Study of Fish Migration and Spawning in Nam Ngum River and Part of Mekong River in Lao PDR. Daconto, G. 1999. Final Report. Environmental Protection and Community Development in Siphandone, Champassak Province, Lao PDR. CESVI, 1998. Interim Report. Envirom\nmental Assessment of Siphandone Wetlan CESVI, Baird I., 1998. Technical Report No.9. The Potential for Ecological Classification as Tool for Establishing and Monitoring Fish Conservation Zones in the Mekong River. IDRC, 1998. Final Summary Report. Indigenous Fisheries in Southern Lao PDR CESVI, Baird I., 1999. Fishes and Forest: Fish Foods and the Importance of Seasonally Flooded

22

24 25 26 27

28 29 30 31 32 33 34

Riverine Habitats for Mekong River Fish. CESVI, 1998. Interim Report. Environmental Protection and Community Development in Siphandone Wetland, Champassk Province, Lao PDR. Baird, Ian et.al. 1999. The indigenous fishes of southern Laos CESVI, Baird I., 1998. Technical Report. Preliminary Fishery Stock Assessment Results from Ban Hang Khone, Khong District, Champassak Province, Southern Lao PDR. CESVI, Baird I., 1998. Interim Report. Preliminary Catch-per-unit-Effort (CPUE) results from Ban Hang Khone, a rural fishing community on an island in the middle of the Mekong River just below the Great Khone Water falls, Khong District, Champassak Province, Southern Lao PDR. CESVI, Baird I., et al. 1999. Observation of the Vocalisations of Spawning Mekong River Gold fin Tinfoil barb Hypsibarbus macolmi ( Smith 1945) in Southern Lao PDR below the Khone falls. CESVI, Junio Fabrizio Borsani, 1999. Technical Report No. 22. The Irrawady Dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris, Gray 1866) of Lao PDR. A Visual-Acoustic Survey. Baird I., 1999. The Co-Management of Mekong River Inland Aquatic Resources in Southern Lao PDR. Noraseng, P. et al. 1997. Final Report, Technical Report No. 6. Report Incidence of 44 key Fish Species in 85 Villages of Sanasomboun District, Champassak Province, Lao PDR. Gupta. (2000). Modagugu Review of Aquaculture Support to Lao PDR during 1975-2000 , Kottelat, M. 2001. Fishes of Laos Welcome,R.L. 2002. A report presenting the Impact of the Introduction of Exotic Fish (Lao Version)

35

Michelson, Daniel. (1991). Land Use Mapping of the That Luang-Salakham Wetland, Lao PDR, Usinf Landsat TM-Data.

36 37

IUCN, WCS, CPAWM. (1999). Wildlife in Lao PDR, Status Report. UNDP-GEF(2000), Mekong River Basin Wetland Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use Programme, Project brief final draft

38

CESVI, Baird, Ian et al. Technical report, A Rapid Fisheries Survey in Khong Distric, Champasak Province, Southern Lao PDR (1998)

39

Baird, Ian (2001).Cesvi, Daconto, G. Siphandone Wetlands

40

Baird, Ian .(1999).List of Plant Species collected from Siphandone Wetland

41

Baird, Ian et al. (2000). Technical report, Rhythms of the River: Lunar Phase and Small Cyprinids Migration in the Mekong River

42

Baird, Ian. (2000). Integrating Community-Base Fisheries Co-Management and Protected Area Management in Lao PDR. Opportunities for Advancement and Obstracles to Implementation

43

IUCN.( ) Protected Area Fact-Sheets. Annex 3 to the mid-1995 Status Report on Protected Area System Planing and Management in Lao PDR.

44

DANIDA.(1999).Project document. Nutural Resources and Environment Programme Lao PDR/DANIDA. Integrated Watershed Management in Xiengkhuong and Huophan Provinces

45

Coat, D. (

46

Kottelat, M. ( ) Draft-strictly not for circulation or quotation ecoregions and fish diversity in the indochinese area

47

Anders F. Poulsen, et al, 2001: A SURVEY USING LOCAL KNOWLEDGE (BASINWIDE. FISH MIGRATIONS AND SPAWNING HABITS IN THE MEKONG MAINSTREAM), Baird,Ian. LARReC (2001)Technical Report No. 0007 ISSN 1608-5612. LARReC Medium Term Research Plan 2000-2005 LOCAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SMALL-SCALE

48

) Biodiversity and Fisheries Management Opportunities in the Mekong River Basin.

23

49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57

FRESHWATER FISHERIES MANAGEMENT IN THE MEKONG RIVER IN SOUTHERN LAOS Baird, Ian. (1999) Technical Report Towards Sustainable Co-Management of Mekong River Inland Aquatic Resources, including Fisheries, in Southern Lao PDR Final Report, (1999). Integrating Conservation and Development in Dong Khanthung, LA 002001/008, Mounlapamok district, Champassak province, Lao PDR. IUCN, WCPA. (1999). The World Commission on Protected Area 2nd Southeast Asia Regional Forum, Pakse Lao PDR, Vol. 2. Lao-Swedish Forestry Programme. (2001). Manual Land Use Planning and Management Practices in NBCA’s Lao-Swedish Forestry Programme. (2001). Report Review of the National Protected Area System in Lao PDR K. Berkmüller, V. Pradith, V. Vilawong.( ) Results of rules consultations in villages near the Dong Hua Sao National Biodiversity Conservation Area WB, Status for Dialooque. (2001). Lao PDR Production Forestry Policy, Vol.1 Main report Claridge, G., 1996. Inventory of Wetlands in Lao PDR. (Lao Version) Claridge, G., 1996. Inventory of Wetlands in Lao PDR. (English Version)

24

VI. ANNEXES Annex 1. Protected Areas Protected Areas Containing Significant Wetland Nakai-Namtheun

Nam Kading NBCA

Xe Bang Nouan

Dong Hua Sao NBCA

Xe Kham Pho PPA

Xe Pian NBCA

Threat - Degradation of wetland - Hunting with guns, fires and snare, and fishing are serious problem - Village inside and near of the protected area are continue to undertake expansion of rice field. Generally rather small scale and localized, site in the north are being cleared rapidly - 2 hydroelectric project with will affect water flows inside and/or inundate significant sections of valley bottom - Large hunting parties pose a serious threats mainly in the western parts - Shifting cultivation - security is reported as a persistent problem especially in the northwest - forest degradation as a result of dammar collection and the attendant clearing and fire - Intensive fishing with indigenous poison of virtually all accessible streams - fishing of explosive - grazing and livestock prediction and tiger and the result conflict - Rapid settlement within the heart of DHS. Ban Nongkhe village, with appeared to be temporary base for a few people in 1992 had by mid 1993 become a permanence settlement - Clearing for coffee plantation , especially on the plateau: the forest boundary has retreated approximately 8 km within the past decade, and plantation threaten to cut the plateau forests into two district sections. - Intensive fishing of pond and stream - Heavy hunting by part from as far as Pakse province - Continue logging of the lowland evergreen and mixed deciduous forest - Diversion of the Xe Pian headwater to a hydropower plateau and possible resettlement of displaced villages in the protected areas - Fishing exploisive - Degradation of wetlands - Hunting with guns, fire and snare, and fishing are serious problems, particularly for large water birds. Intensive hunting of other along the Xe Piane River for sale in neighboring countries has been reliably reported ,as has occasional killing of Dolphins. - village inside and near protected area continue to undertake expansion of rice field in the north as cleared rapidly

25

Dong Amphan NBCA

- The hydropower project on the Xe Kaman would flood some , the Xe Sou project would flood most of the reserve’s valley bottom land, Salvage logging may begin soon and may illegally extend beyond the inundation zone into the protected area Protected Areas Containing Significant Wetland

Source: IUCN, 1995 There is a proposed to reduce the deep flooding and irrigate areas in some basin areas, during the dry season, would b likely to have substantial advice impacts on wetland in the area, including impacts on crocodile population. The present list is given for guidance in anticipation that future field surveys will rectify the present imbalance. Species are classified with respect to the strength of their association with wetlands. Many species in addition to those listed here also occur in wetlands but as they occur widely and as commonly in other habitats they are not here considered to be wetland species. Attention is given to four categories of marginal wetlands (narrow forest streams; pools amid otherwise dry land; rocky rivers; and those converted to cultivation). Species occurring widely in these are distinguished as (i) they have been relatively well recorded by recent surveys and their wetland microhabitats are potentially well protected within the existing protected area network, (ii) these habitats are not universally considered wetlands and therefore (iii) are not and should not be foci for wetland conservation efforts to supplement the NBCA system. Consequently, the species they support may not necessarily be considered as conservation priorities within wetland conservation efforts outside the NBCA system. Additionally, many species of wetland birds are merely non-breeding visitors in small and often irregular numbers; their centre of range and / or habitat lies outside Lao PDR. Although rare or scarce in Lao PDR, these species merit little consideration in wetland conservation planning activities as their occurrence in the country is merely marginal. Taking into account the foregoing factors, species considered to be indicators of wetland quality and meriting consideration in wetland conservation management action in addition to NBCA-based activities are placed in bold face. Major concentrations of numbers of the other species may also merit attention. The information given in this table is a first attempt at presenting species conservation priorities of wetlands in Lao PDR. The lack of recent survey work in most types of wetlands means that some arbitrariness has been necessary in assigning categories for each species. This tentativeness emphazises the need for a structured survey programme of the birds and mammals of wetlands across Lao PDR, concentrating on medium-sized and large marshes and other non-flowing wetlands, and wide lowland rivers.

26

Annex 2. Important Wetland Type Khone Falls (Siphandone) Wetland Province: Champasack

Geographic coordinate:

From 14 • 56’ N, 105 • 59’ To 14 • 40’ N, 106 • 06’

Areas/size (ha): Siphandone Wetlands located in the southern province of Champasack. After crossing fertile plains, the Mekong river breaks here into countless channels, water- falls, rapids, and forms a large number of islands. Translated from Lao, Siphandone means “ Four Thousand islands”. This part of the Mekong river corridor just north of the border to Cambodian stretches about 40 km in length, with the river banks up to 10 km apart. An unique landscape like this has fascinated visitors ever since. Some large islands are densely populated and dotted with more than one hundred villages, some of them even reveal witness of ancient settlements. Rice, the main crop, is grown on these fertile allvial lands. the total areas about sixty square kilometres (does not include the part north of the southern end of Don Khong), the similar wetland areas in Cambodiaf suspect that larger than in Lao PDR.

27

Wetland types: Perennial and seasonal river channels, rapid and waterfalls, river banks, beaches and bars, seasonal flooded forest, rain-fed rice paddy. Fish fauna There are 4oo species of fish, which 178 species in 34 families were identified as the frequency species catches by local people in June 1993 (Tyson Roberts). Local people reported that there are some following fish in the areas, such as: saw fish, stingrays, brackish water eel-like catfish and giant catfish, Irrawaddy Dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris), Fish provides an essential supplement to the diet and also support significant trade to people livelihood, While rice is the staple food for the people of Siphandone as everywhere in the country. Reptile The record from Hangkhon village, there are two species of turtle there: Pelochelys biboni and Dogania suprana. Birds Other wildlife Some species are also described to be in the areas such as shrimp, crabs, and molluscs. Fishery: Among the islands of Siphandon areas, deep channels are fished with variety of nets and traps by over 60,000 inhabitants. The channels of the river are heavily utilised for fishing; Large number of fish are caught during the migration season: probarbus jullieni, pangasids, Cirrhinus microlepis, pangasid catfishes, cyprinids. Flora The result of survey during the Environmental Protection and Community Development in 1999, reported that the 645 species of vegetation are identified in the areas, which most of these spacemen are kept in the Herbarium of the National University of Lao PDR and one set are kept in the Herbarium of University of Xiang Mai, Thailand. The life cycles of many species of fish and aquatic species in the areas are related closely to the important areas of flooded forest habitat, which include the species of mainly monsoon forest/evergreen forest. Vegetation of 34 species were identified by fish eaten in the areas.Tree and shrubs are adapted to the extreme variations of water level are found in the wetland here, often bent by the strong river current which submerges them during the flood season.

28

Value of site: The site are identified as an important global conservation, due to their endemic, it were recommended to propose as a world heritage Areas and the RAMSAR site. The area has also a very high potential for recreation and tourist, because of its high scenic values and the diversity of environments. There is a high level of retention of traditional culture among the local people. •

Landscape and aesthetic value



Wilderness value



Historical value



Site for scientific research

Function. Water Supply • Extraction for Domestic, agriculture and industry uses •

Groundwater Recharge

Protection from Natural Forces Source of Natural Products • On-site •

Off-site Conservation (Maintenance of Biodiversity)



Habitat for life cycle stage of plant and animal species (inc. wildlife corridor)….



Habitat for rare elements of the natural environment…… Maintenance of Existing Processes and Natural System

Cultural and religious value People in the areas are often scared by “ ghosts in the forest and in the deep river”

29

Management status: •

The irrawaddy Dolphin is classified as a prohibited specie under Forestry Law of Lao PDR.



This areas was considered as a important site for RAMSAR Convention.



As the human population of the areas grows rapidly, so does the concern for sustainable management of local resources. Together with preserving their longterm subsistence base, flood hazards, poor health conditions, limited infrastructures and income diversification options are among many.



the Environmental Protection and Community Development Project (1997-1999), were continued implementing researched and planned for the Management Plan of the areas, which The roots of this project were seeded by the earlier Lao Fisheries Community and Dolphin Conservation Project (1993-97), which successfully supported the establishment of village-based management systems of fisheries and other aquatic resources. Involving more than 40 communities throughout the areas, a complex set of regulation has been created to control unsustainable fishing and harvesting methods. The project promotes the sustainable management of the natural resources in close cooperation with the local authorities and people. The Objectives of the project are: Promoting the conservation and sustainable co-management of fisheries and other Mekong riverine aquatic resources. Improving the quality of living and developing human resources in the project areas in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner. With Project Output: Consolidation of the early experiences in the local aquatic resource management pilot phase by Linking traditional and scientific knowledge Enabling the people to understand and sustainably manage their own natural resources. Fostering a sense of custodianship Contributing to scientific research on the Mekong river ecology Opening options nature-based tourism, which is seen as an opportunity for better income generation and which in turn will benefit the management of this complex ecosystem and the ecosystem themselves.

30

Xepian-Xe Khampho Wetland Province

Attapeu

Geographic coordinate

14°44’N - 106°24’E

Areas/size (ha) The wetland occur in an area of some 300 square kilometres, but total wetland areas is probably less than twenty square kilometres.

Wetland types Freshwater lakes and ponds, freshwater marsh, seasonally flooded grassland.

Fauna Reptile Siamensis Crocodile Birds Syrus Crane, Greater adjutant, Woolly-necked Storks,……

Flora Grassland, open deciduous forest, light bamboo. Limited areas of aquatic vegatation.

31

Value and Function of site Source of Natural Products • On-site People catch fish from the wetland areas •

Off-site, e.g., through nutrient export

Conservation (Maintenance of Biodiversity) • Habitat for life cycle stage of plant and animal species (inc. wildlife corridor) Further surveys are needed to determine the fauna and flora, and to identify species which breed in the areas. •

Habitat for rare elements of the natural environment Woolly-necked Storks, which are probably a threatened species throughout Southeast Asia, have been record in the dry season. Syrus Crane are also found in the areas. The siamensis Crocodile occurs all year.

Treat to wetland Low levels of grazing by domestic buffolo occur Management status • Some areas under /outside the National Protected Areas, are managed by the PAFO of Champasack and Attapeu province, since 1996 ?. •

Richard Salter visited the areas in 1992 and carried out a reconnaissance aerial overflight in 1992.



Initial wetland Survey project, were carried out in 1998 by the staff of DoF and PAFO of Champasack and Attapeu, supported by the Wild Bird Society of Japan; the training course on “ Rapid Assessment on Wetland” were also support to all provincial staff in Vientiane during the project.



Wildlife survey were carried out in the areas during 199 ?, by , support by WCS.



The Siamensis Crocodile are protected under the Lao Forestry Law as a prohibited species, as well as their habitat in the area are also considered to protect.

32

Nong Chanh Province Vientiane Municipality

Geographic coordinate

17.78°10’ 30” N

-

102.37°26’ E

Areas/size (ha) Nong Chan is an Urban Wetland compared to the 9 main existing Urban wetlands in Vientiane, Lao PDR.The total areas of Nong Chan are about twelve hectares during the dry season, and 23 hectares during the rainy season. Wetland types Nong Chanh has identified mainly as a freshwater lake areas, but some part that lack rooted vegetation, thus partly freshwater pond. In 2000, some part of the area have been changed as a Perennial Concreat- drainage canal by the Project of Improvement of the Vientiane Urban Environment ?

Fish fauna

Eleven species of fish are present in Nong Chan wetland, when most people complain that fish from this areas smell bad and have poor taste, however some people have to eat, while some try to avoid to buy or eat it. The fish species in Nong chanh are as following: Lao Name

English Name

Pa Duk Pa kadeut Pa khaona

Broadhead catfish Threespot gourami Swamp barb

33

Pa kheng Pa kho Pa min Pa nai Pa nin Pa salid Pa sieu Ean

Climbing perch Chevron snakehead Elephant ear gourami Common carp Tilapia Snakeskin gorami Striped flying barb Asiatic swamp eel

Amphibians and reptiles There are five species of snake in Nong Chanh. One unidentified species of duck also found there.

Flora There are some nine species of vegetation are present in Nong Chan wetland such as; Lao Name

Scientific Name

Pham Phak tob Phak bong Bon, Bon whan Nay hang heunh Boua Phak ven Phak kan chong Phak kantan

Lemna sp. Sprirodelia sp. Eichornia sp. Ipomea aquatica Colocasia sp. Azolla sp. Nelumbo nucifera Marsilea sp. limnocharis flava Sandropus androgenus

Value of site Site for Scientific Research /Education Nong Chanh had been selected as a pilot project of the Wetland Program from 1990 to 1999. This site is important as a study areas for Ecosystem and the life cycle of aquatic animal and plant, including the drainage and natural treatment of water from Vientiane Communities, since there were some students from the LUND university of Sweden made and completed their thesis. Source of Natural production • On-site Nong Chanh is a rich source of natural products in the form of aquatic vegetables, fish, snail and frogs. Source-cultural Significance • Landscape and aesthetic values

34

As an open space with water and vegetation Nong Chanh makes an aesthetic contribution to the quality of life in Vientiane. This is particularly the case with views from the Boulevarde Circulaire and from some of the laneways in Dong Palane. Research and Education •



Site for scientific research As a multiple-use wetland within easy reach of research and resource management institution in Vientiane this wetland has high potential as a research site. Site for education

Function Water supply • Extraction for domestic, agricultural uses Some part of the areas are still used as an agriculture such as for growing Ipomea aquatica, Lemna sp. And Eichhonia. •

Groundwater Recharge It is probably that Nong Chanh wetland contribute to recharge of ground water levels in the vicinity, and thus contribute to the maintenance of well water supplies. • Supply to another wetland Nong Chanh discharge to the That Luang wetland Flood Control and Flow Regulation • Flood hight reduction Toxicant Reduction The altering of the drainage system has together with back filling and an increasing pollutant laod remarkably affected the hydrological and chemical condition Nutrient Retention Almost all nutrient is present as NH4-N. The concentration of NH4-N is approximately five times higher and Tot-P two times than the beginning of the 1990’s(Country report, wetland Management Programme in the Lao PDR, 1992)

Cultural value As prior of Laos to being colonized by the French, the city was named “ Nong Chanh”, after a prominent wetland in the centre of present Vientiane.

Management status

35

-

Green areas is a program that to serve as recreational resources for the urban population and habitat for birds, other animals and plants. Nong Chanh is a part of green areas in Vientiane.

-

The Project of Improvement of the Vientiane Urban Environment, started built up the concreat-canal in some part of the areas. Another activity of this project is to carry out resettlement of the households occupying the Nong Chanh protected wetland area according to the Government policy, which includes payment of compensation.

-

Minor drainage systems within the villages are developed taking into consideration the need for recharge of wetlands.

-

Birds in Nong chanh wetland areas can be observed that increased in number than before.

That Luang- Salakham Marsh Province

Vientiane Municipality

Geographic coordinate

17° 56’ N – 102° 39’ E

Areas/size (ha) That Luang/Salakham marsh is one of the largest wetland in urban-Vientiane, comprising of the basin 68 square kilometres, That Luang Marsh itself used to be approximately twenty square kilometres and is one of several depressions in the 500 kilometers Houay Mak Hiao catchment and tributary, which are flooded during the rainy season. In the southern part of That Luang, the Houay Mak Hiao meanders for 53 kilometres before it flows into the Mekong river. In 1986 a drainage canal was constructed through the swamp, with the purpose of avoiding floods in the centre of the city. Before the water had drained southwards via Casier Sud and Houay Deua to the Mekong river. Instead the water is now conveyed north to join Hong Xeng, which is a tributary to Houa Khoua that falls into the Mekong river 64 kilometres southeast of Vientiane. Wetland types Seasonal freshwater marsh, aquaculture ponds, seasonal flooded grassland/shrubland, irrigated floodplain-wet rice. Fish fauna That Luang wetland is one of the source of food supply to the local Vientiane inhabitats, mainly are fish. Fish farming occurs on a commercial and a subsistence level, the fishery have been carried out at the major wetland areas and some with ponds ,which locate on

36

the margin of the wetland. It has been estimated that some 15,000 people are involved in fish-related activities in the wetland areas. Fisherman using castnets or liftnets, often line popular fishing spot at the Houa Khoua Bridge or the outlet of the Hong Ke Channel. The main channel is sealed by a kind of fishing nets, which are opened in the daytime and closed at night. In the dry season, the outlet oh Hong Ke is permanent sealed. The comprehensive fishing has led to a small everage size of the catch. Small fish are used to make salted-fish (Pa Dek), a traditional dish, where some raw fish are for fermented. Larger fish are sold mainly in the That Luang market. Fishpond are made scattered in the paddy fields. They are filled up with water and fish during the field are inundated in the wet season and some fish will stay and grow in the pond after the water fall down. Fishing in paddy field and pond give a significant contribution to the total fish catch, in 1989 it was estimated at 108 ton from 1,500 hectares. Approximately 28 species of fish are presented in the That Luang Wetland, as following: Lao Name Indigenous: Pa Douk Pa Duk Pa kin nha Pa kangeeng Pa khao Pa lot Pa mat Pa souam Pa kadeuth Pa khao na Pa kang Pa kat Pa ket lap Pa kheng Pa Pa ko Pa pak Pa salid Pa sieu Ean Pa kot Pa sout Pa sathong Pa yen Pa khapkhong Pa kagen Pa tong

English Name

Walking catfish Broadhead catfish Grass carp Great white sheatfish Eel Croaking gourami Glass catfish Threespot gourami Swamp barb Asiatic snakehead Fighting fish silver carp climbing perch Chevron snakehead Common silver barb snakeskin gourami striped flying barb Asiatic swamp eel. Mystus numurus Hampala macrolepridota

Mystus rhegma Notopterus chitala

37

Pa it Exotic: Pa nai Pa nin

Common carp Tilapia

Flora All aquatic vegetation have decreased with decreasing wetland areas, but is much more obvious in the wet season, such as Eichhornia sp. , Ipomea aquatica, Marsilea sp. Jussiaea sp., Limnocharis flava, nelumbo sp. Nymphaea sp. , Salvinia sp. , Phragmites sp and the most obvious aquatic vegetation in the wet season are members of the Cyperaceae Family. Reptile There are some turtles found in the areas, Some record reported that thirty years ago, the Siamensis Crocodile was found at the site. Other animal Some snail, crabs, shrimps and insects are presented in the areas.

Value of site Source of Natural Products • On-site Reportedly an important source of snail and aquatic macrophytes used for human and animal foods. •

Fish are harvested from the areas.

Research and Education • Site for scientific research As a multiple-use wetland within easy reach of research and resource management

Function Threat to wetland The heavy fishing pressure in That Luang wetland are continued. The construction of the canal seems to be a cause of decreasing of wildlife in the -

area. A Fish disease occurs every year in March, the symptoms are sores over the skin. Some of the effected fish seem to survive and release back if caught effected species are eel (Macrognatus sp.), chevron snakehead (Channa striata) and the asiatic swamp eel (Monopterus albus)

38

Management status A gun hand-over program of the GOL introduced in 1996, lead to increasing of bird population in the areas.

Annex 3 WETLAND CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FROM THE Lower

Mekong Basin (from MRC Environment Programme Aug. 1997)

Referred to the U.S. Fish and wildlife Services scheme for classifying wetland and deep water habitats is a hierarchical scheme containing five level of classification: system and subsystem, classes and subclasses, and dominance types. Here’s how this system would classify three familiar wetland habitats: Level of classification System Class Subclass Dominance

Freshwater Marsh Palustrine Emergent Persistent Cattail

Sandy Ocean Beach Marine Unconsolidated Cobble-gravel Acorn-barnacle

Salt Marsh

Emergent Persistent Cord-grass

The real number of the wetlands classified for fresh water as following:



Fresh water (-Õ-¥õ©))

RIVERINE RIVER

R

-Á´È--Õ, ®ö--Á´È--Õ,áÉ-Á´È--Õ Á´È--Õ

RR RR1 RR1a RR1b RRIb RR1bm RR1c RR1d

Á´È-Õ ê†´ó--Õ-ª½-ͺ©-¯ó -¸ñ¤-Õ ê†-µøÈÃ--Á´È--Õ ª½-ͺ©¯ó ¦¾¨--Õ-Ĺì-æÈ-Á´È--Õê†-´ó-ª½-¹ìº©-¯ó ¦¾¨--Õ-ê¿-´½-§¾©´ó-Õª½-¹º©¯ó£º¤-Õ -ꆴó--Õ-ª½-ͺ©¯ó -Õ-ÄÍ-ĸ-ª½-ͺ©¯ó --Õ-ªö¡ê†-´ó--Õ-ª½-¹ìº©-¯ó

(a)Pool in Seasonal River (b)Channel in seasonal River - Natural Channel in Seasonal River - Seasonal Canal (c)With seasonal Rapid (d)With Seasonal Waterfall

RR2 RR2a RR2b RR2b RR2bm RR2c RR2d

Á´È--Õ ì½-©ø-¡¾¸ñ¤-Á´È--Õ--ì½-©ø-¡¾¦¾¨--Õ, £º¤--ÕÃ--Á´È--Õ-ì½-©ø-¡¾¦¾¨--Õ-ê¿-´½-§¾©-Ã--Á´È-Õ-ì½-©ø¡¾-£º¤--Õ-ê†-´ó--Õ®¾¤-ì½-©ø-¡¾-----Õ-ÄÍĸª¾´-ì½-©ø-¡¾--Õ-ªö¡ê†-´ó--Õ-Ĺ쪾´ì½-©ø-¡¾-

RIVERINE BANKS/BEACHES/ BARS

RB

1. Perennial River (a) Pool in Perennial River (b) Channel in Perennial River - Natural Channel in perennial River - Perennial Canal (c) With Perennial Rapid (d) --With Perennial Waterfall

2. Seasonal River

Á£´-±„¤-Á´È--Õ / ¹¾©-§¾¨ / -À¢©(¹¾©-§¾¨-ªñ©-¯¾¡--Õ)

39

Riverine Floodplain RF 1.Flood plain Grassland RF1 Natural Flood plain Grassland RF1 Man--------- Œ-- mad Flood plain Grassland Flood plain Wet Rice RF1ma Other Flood plain Crops RF1mb 2.Flood plain Trees/Shrubs RF2 Natural Seasonally Flooded Trees / ShrubsRF2 ManŒmade Seasonally Flooded Crops/Orchards RF2m 3.Seasonal Flooded plain Lake RF3 4.Seasonal Flood plain Pond RF4 5.Seasonal Backswamp / Marsh RF5 Natural Seasonal Backswamp/Marsh RF5 Man-Œ-made Seasonal Backswamp/Marsh - -RF5m ì½-©ø¡¾-Wet Rice in Seasonal Backswamp/Marsh RF5ma ©ø--

ꉤ-----Õ-«É¸´-Á£´--Õ ê‰¤-¹¨É¾--Õ-«É¸´ -ꉤ¹¨É¾ê¿-´½-§¾©-Õ-«É¸´ RF1m -¦¸--ê†-«õ¡--Õ-«É¸´-ꉤ--¾-Õ-«É¸´ ꉤ-Õ-«É¸´¦¿-ìñ®--²õ©---ºˆ-Šꉤ-¯È¾-Ä´É / ¯È¾-²÷È´-Õ-«É¸´ ¯È¾-ê¾´, ê¿-´½-§¾©ê†-«õ¡--Õ-«É¸´-¦É¾¤-¢œ-ùÉ--Õ-«É¸´-²õ©-ª¾´-콩ø-¡¾®ô¤-իɸ´-®¾¤-ì½-©ø-¡¾Îº¤-Õ-«É¸´ª¾´-ì½-©ø-¡¾®ô¤ê†´ó--Õ--Õ-«É¸´À¯ñ--ì½-©ø-¡¾®ô¤ê¿-´½-§¾© ®ô¤-,κ¤ê†-£ö--¦É¾¤-´ó--Õ-®¾¤ê‰¤--¾À¢©-®ô¤, κ¤-ê-†-´ó--Õ-®¾¤-ì½-

LACUSTRINE

L

£÷--ìñ¡-¦½--½-¢º¤-κ¤

Lake > 8 ha 1. Permanent Lake

LL LL1 LL1 LL1m LL2 LL2

κ¤-ù¨È-¡È-¸¾ 8 À»ñ¡-ª¾ κ¤- «¾-¸ºÎº¤--Õ-¥õ©ê¿-´½-§¾© ºÈ¾¤-À¡ñ®--Õ-«¾-¸º-ê†-£ö--¦É¾¤-¢œÎº¤-®¾¤ì½-©ø-¡¾Îº¤--Õ¥õ©ê¿-´½-§¾©®¾¤--ì½-©ø-¡¾ºÈ¾¤-À¡ñ®--Õ-®¾¤-ì½-©ø-¡¾--

Natural Permanent Freshwater Lake Man Œ-- Made Permanent Reservoir

-

2. Seasonal Lake Natural Seasonal Freshwater Lake man Œ-- made Seasonal Reservoir £ö--¦É¾¤-¢œ-

-

LL2m

POND < 8 HA

LP

κ¤--ɺ¨-¡È-¸¾ 8 À»ñ¡-ª¾

1. Permanent Pond

LP1 LP1 LP1m

κ¤-«¾-¸ºÎº¤--Õ-¥õ©ê¿-´½-§¾©-«¾-¸ºÎº¤«¾-¸º---ê†-£ö-¦É¾¤-¢œ-

--LP1m --LP1ma LP1md LP1md PP1me LP1mf

κ¤ìɼ¤¯¾ºÈ¾¤-®¿-®ñ©--Õ-À¦ñ¨ ---¾-κ¤ κ¤--Õ-ºº¡-®Ò ²œ-ê†-ê¿-¡¾--¢÷©£ -®Ò-Á»È Áì½-ºˆ-Å

LP2 LP2 LP2m

κ¤-®¾¤-ì½-©ø-¡¾Îº-¤-Õ-¥õ©ê¿-´½-§¾©®¾¤ì½-©ø-¡¾-

Natural Permanent Freshwater Pond Man Œ-- made Permanent Pond

-

(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

Freshwater Aquaculture Pond Sewage Treatment Pond Farm Pond Cooling Pond Borrow Pit, Excavated Pond Others

2.Seasonal Pond -

Natural Seasonal Freshwater Pond Man Œ-- Made Seasonal Pond

PALUSTRINE

P PP 1. Permanent Palustrine (a) Permanently Flooded Grassland PPa (b) Permanent Freshwater Marsh, withTrees/Shrub PPb PS 2. Seasonal Palustrine (a) Seasonally Flooded Grassland PSa - Natural Seasonally Flooded Grassland PSa - Man Œ-- made Seasonally Flooded Plantation PSam «õ¡--Õ-«É¸´-

¦¸---Õ-«É¸´-ª¾´-ì½-©ø-¡¾-ê†-£ö--¦É¾¤-¢œ-

²œ--ꆮð-ì-ò-À¸----Õ-«É¸´-À«ò¤ À¢©-ê†-«É¸´-«¾-¸º--²œ--ê†ê‰¤--¹¨É¾--Õ-«É¸´-«¾-¸º®ô¤-ꆯ½-¡º®-©É¸¨-Ĵɲ÷È´, ª --Ä´É-À¢©--ê†-Õ-«É¸´À«ò¤-®¾¤-ì½-©ø-¡¾²œ--ê†-ꉤ¹¨É¾-Õ-«É¸´ ª¾´-ì½-©ø-¡¾²œ--ê†-ꉤ-¹¨É¾ê¿-´½-§¾©--Õ-«É¸´ --°ö--°½-ìò©ê†-£ö--¦É¾¤-¢œ--

40 (b) Seasonally Freshwater Marsh, with sedges PSb (c) Seasonally Freshwater Swamp withTrees/Shrubs PSc -

Natural Seasonally Flooded Swamp PSc Man Œ-- made Seasonally Flooded Plantation PScm ¦É¾¤-¢œ-

Annex 4 List of Important Wetland type Nam Ngum Reservoir

²œ--ê†-ê‰-¤¹¨É¾-Õ--«É¸´ -ª¾´-ì½-©ø¡¾®ô¤-ê†-´ó -ª -Ä´É-,ĴɲøÈ´ª¾´-ì½-©ø¡¾®ô¤, À®õº´ê†-Õ-«É¸´ -ª¾´-ì½-©ø-¡¾²œ--ê†-Õ-«É¸´-°ö--°½-ìò©-ê†-£ö--

41

Location 18012’-18047’N, 102048’-102055’E, on the Nam Ngum River, 60 km north of Vientiane, Muong keo Udon and Muong Hom, Vientiane Province. • Area: 45,000 ha at maximum water level; 23,000 ha at minimum of water level • Altitude: 196-121 • Geographical Province: 4.10.4 • Wetland type: 17 • Description of site Nam Ngum Reservoir is the largest water impoundment in Lao PDR; it was created in 1971 by the construction of a dam 75 km in height across the Nam Ngum River, about three km upstream from its confluence with the Nam Lik. The reservoir was conceived primarily for the production of hydro-electric power and flood control. It is fed by five rivers the Nam Ngum, Nam Sane, Nam Ke, Nam Pat and Nam Xi. It overflows into the NAm Ngum River, which joint the Mekong River about 60 km to the Southeast. The average depth at high water level reaching its maximum in September or October and minimum in April to July. The average drawdown is about 10m and the Maximum 16m. Surface water temperature range from about 240C to 300C or more; a low of 900C has been recorded at a depth of 47m dear the dam. The water is soft and generally has low tur5budity, with an average Secchi disc reading of 4.7. The pH exceeds 7.0 in the surface water, and decreases to 6.5 with deepth. A pH of 9.0 has been recorded in sheltered areas with a abundant growth of aquatic vegetation •

Climatic condition: Tropical monsoonal climate, dominated by the wet southwest monsoon from mid May to early October and the cool, dry northeast monsoon from early November to mid-March. The annual rainfall is 2,000-2,600 mm, over 38% of which falls during the five months from to September. The main daily temperature for the whole year is about 250C; the maximum at the hottest time of the year in March and April averages 330C and the minimum of the cool season about 170C. •

Pricipal vegetation: There are occasional dense growth of floating vegetation such as Azolla, Pistia, Eichhornia and Salvinia. The submerged aquatic plant Hydrilla verticillata grows abundantly in shallow waters three to five metres from the shore and to adepth of four metres. Grasses appear on the exposed shoreline at low water levels. Some island support good tropical lowland forest dominated by bamboos and species of Depterocarpus, anisoptern, Lagerstroemia, Irvingia, Dialium and Walsura •

Land use: Generation of electricity, flood control, water supply for irrigation and fishing. Since the completion of the reservoir in 1971, a number of people have immigrated into the area to look for new occupation opportunities. In 1981 the reservoir area had a population of 9,560 people in 31 village (Mekong cmmittee, 1982c). In 1980/81, there were some 2,350 fishermen using the reservoir (Mekong committee, 1982c). The major crop grow in surrounding areas are rice, corn, vegetables and fruit. •

Treats: The forested island will be flooded in Phase 3 of the Nam Ngum project as also will apart of the mountain area as Phou Khao Kouay reserved forest in the catchment area. The catchment area is affected by serious erosion problem, due to deforestation and land reclamation by inappropriate agriculture practices. The estimated rate of soil erosion in this area is 16 tone/ha/yr. The eroded soil is transported by rivers and surface runoff to the reservoir, causing a serious salutation problem and endangering •

42

the viability of the reservoir, not only for hydropower generation but also for fisheries production Fauna: At least 66 species of fish have been recorded in the commercial catches (Mekong Committee, 1982c). The most important are Channa micropeltes, Hampala macrolepidota, Mystus nemurus, Notopterus notopterus. Pristolepis fasciatus, Oxphronemus gorami, Puntioplitie proctozysron, Osteochilus melanopleura, O. hasselti, Morulius chrysophekadion and Puntius schwanenfeldii. Several exotic specie have been introduced •

Bung Nong Ngom Location 14038’N, 106013’E; Pha Pho Sub-district, about 68 km southeast of Pakse, some 35 km east of the Mekong River and 30 km west of the Kong Island, Champassack Province. • Area 1,000 ha at maximum flooding • Altitude 200m. • Geographical province: 4.10.4 • Wetland type 15&21 • Description of site: An area of fresh water marshes (600 ha) and surrounding seasonally flooded forest. The mashes have an average depth of about 2 m and retain water throughout the year, The pH is 7.00. During the rainy season (May to October), up ot 400 ha of the surrounding forest are flooded. • Climate condition: The site lies in the tropical wet and dry zone of the Lower Mekong Basin. The average annual rainfall in 2,000 mm, almost 94% of which occurs during the southeast monsoon, from May to October. The mean annual temperature is 26.40C (max. 39.7oC, Min. 7.0oC). •

Vegetation: The aquatic vegetation is dominated by Cissus repens (submerged), Monochoria hastaefolia, Echinochloa stagnina (flooting), and Cyperus spp.(emergent). The mashes are surrounded by tropical moist deciduous forest. •

Land use: Local villagers use the wetland for fishing and hunting. The state Government is exploiting the timber the resources in the forests to the north. •

Value: Wetland supports a productive fishery and has considerable potential for research, conservation education, recreation and tourism. It is one of the few natural wetland of its type in Lao and as such is a genetic resources. •

Treats: The area has been subjected to heavy hunting pressure in the past, and hunting, trapping and collecting of birds’ eggs continue to pose a treats of wildlife population. •

• Fauna: The wetland supports a rich fish fauna including representatives of the following families: Clariidae, Cyprinidae, Channidae, Siluridae, Pangasiidae, Akusidae, Sisoridae, Cobitidae, Belontidae, Anabantidae, Osphronemidae, Nandidae and Eleotridae. The area is know to be important for a wide variety of resident and migratory waterfowl notably Phalacrocorax spp. Anhniga melanogaster, several herons and egrets

43

(Ardeidae), storks (Ciconiidae), ibises (Threskiornithidae) and ducks (Anatidae), but no details are available. Cranes (Grus sp) are reported to occur on migration.

Mammals know to occur in the area include Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Tiger Panthera tigris, Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa and deer (Cervus sp.). A small number of Kouprey Bos sauveli still survive in the Xe Pian area to the southwest, and a few individuals occasionally visit the wetland. The endangered Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis is said to occur, along with freshwater turtles Nam Theun The Namthern area is characterized by rugged steep mountain, narrow high terraces along the river banks, with only a few areas of flat land close to the river, as exists near Ban Phiengdon on the Nam Gnouang. The Namthern valley that falls within the project area in Borikhamxay province is separated from the Nam Hai valley by the Phu Hai mountain range to the South-west by the Annamite mountain chain which riche towards the Vietnamese border. Climate The climate corresponds to tropical monsoon pattern with distinct wet and dry seasons. An average temperature range from 16.4 oC in January to 31oC in August Annual rainfall was 2141 mm per year. 1996 when the Namthern river rose more than 14 metres. Namthern

Fishery resources There is a small market place at Ban Thabak (at the bridge crossing the Nam Thern river) which the local people and the middle traders from Lack Sao use the trade various consumer goods, agricultural communities, fish and even petrol. It is unknown exactly in what year this market was established. Recently, some middle fish traders have come using boats and iceboxes to buy fish from the fishermen at the village. Most of the fish are sent to Lack Sao market, but some villagers’ report that the traders buy the catfish for the Thai market. The local villagers sell the catfish to additional income. The small carp are processed as smoked fish, pasted fish and fermented fish in order to preserve them for household consumption Agriculture The livelihood systems in the Nam Thern area are based on the Production of rainfed rice; and paddy rice in the Nam Hai plain. The main goal of the farmers is to secure enough rice for home consumption each year. More and more farmers are finding that rice production has to be supported by sales of cash crop (such as chilies), forest product (such as resins, wild animal and rattan), and off farm labor.

44

Livestock Livestock, especially cattle and buffalo, signify the accumulated wealth of the family, which can be easily, trades for cash when it is needed. Large livestock are not as important as fish as a source of dietary protein as they are only killed for eating on special accessions. Even though livestock are so important to the household economies, they are raised naturally, receive no supplementary food ar vaccinations, and the death rate is high, representing a large financial loss.

ANNEX 5

Trans-boundary significance National significance/priority-Government support Key Biodiversity at the Demonstration Sites Sites were selected by national governments according to a set of criteria approved at the first project steering committee meeting: ⇒ Outlines the process for the selection of demonstration sites; ⇒ Highlights globally significant biodiversity of each site; ⇒ Describes each site; • Outlines the threats to the biodiversity of each site; and • Identifies the root causes of the threats at each site and proposes remedial action.

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⇒ Process of selection of the demonstration sites ⇒ Sites selected for demonstration activities ⇒ A summary of key biodiversity values

Regional and global Significance/important The Government of Lao has not yet ratified the Ramsar Convention. The Ramsar Convention or officially the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance Especially as Waterfowl Habitat was created specifically to address wetlands issues. While originally designed to protect bird habitats as wetlands sites of international importance, the Convention now promotes the “Wise Use of Wetlands” concept. This implies sustainable use as well as protection.

Extent (measurement/qualification of threats) The wetlands of the Lower Mekong Basin support almost 100 species classified as Globally Threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near-Threatened and Data Deficient). This reflects the vital contribution of the Lower Mekong Basin to global wetland biodiversity. However, it warns of the grave threats confronting many of these species in this region. Comprehensive information on all the biodiversity of the Lower Mekong Basin is not available. Large mammals and birds are quite well documented, while other groups are less so. Thus of necessity, this review will focus on documented taxa, e.g. mammals and birds, and will consider those groups whose information base is increasing, e.g. fish and reptiles. Little information exists for groups such as amphibians and invertebrates:

Mammals The wetlands of the Lower Mekong Basin are vitally important for many mammals. These mammal species fall into two groups, namely: • •

Permanent wetland residents Seasonally wetlands species, particularly reliant on wetlands with permanent water in the dry season.

Permanently wetland-dependant residents Almost all mammals that permanently associate with wetlands are now severely threatened. Species of particular concern are: The Critically Endangered Irrawaddy Dolphin Orcaella brevirostris – see below.

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The Endangered Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee was reported in southern Laos earlier this century. It is now believed to be close to extinction in the Mekong River Basin as the result of disturbance and hunting (horns are sold and used for traditional medicine). The Endangered Lowe’s Otter Civet Cynogale lowei is endemic to the region. This species is known from one skin only collected in Tomkin. It is reported to be found in Vietnam, Yunnan and North-eastern Thailand and may still be present in Laos or Cambodia. The Hairy-nosed Otter Lutra sumatrana and Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata are both classified as Globally Vulnerable (CITES Appendix II). Reported from smaller rivers and relatively undisturbed habitats, both species are believed to be in serious decline due to hunting. However, there are reports of viable populations in some localities in the Lower Mekong Basin. Seasonally wetland-dependant species Many mammal species including elephant, deer, gaur and other wild cattle species are dependant on wetlands for water during the dry season. Particularly important are those small wetlands called a nong or traepeang (see section 2.3.2.1) found mainly in dry Dipterocarp and semi-evergreen forest. Many of these species form congregations at sites of permanent water in the dry season and protection of these large mammal species will require adequate protection of these dry season refuges. A list of endangered and threatened mammals with dry season associations to wetlands is provided in Table 1. It is uncertain whether all of these species still occur in the Lower Mekong Basin. Of particular concern are the Kouprey and the Lesser-one horned Rhinoceros.

Irrawaddy Dolphin The Irrawaddy Dolphin Orcaella brevirostris inhabits coastal and larger river systems in the Indo-Malayan realm. It is believed to be Critically Endangered locally, but is classified as Data Deficient (CITES Appendix II). The former range of the Mekong population of the Irrawaddy Dolphin was from Vietnam to the Khone Falls, including Lake Tonle Sap and the Xe Kong in Attepeu Province to 200 km into Laos. Today, the population is estimated to be less than 100 individuals, which are mainly confined to Kratie and Stoeng Treng Provinces in Cambodia with occasional wet season reports from the Xe Kong. The dry season is critical for this species when the dolphins retreat to pools with a depth greater than 8 meters. Traditional beliefs of local indigenous people in Cambodia and Laos protect dolphins, believed to be reincarnated human spirits.

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However, dolphins from Stoeng Treng and Lake Tonle Sap were hunted during the Khmer Rouge Regime in Cambodia (1975-79) for oil to operate machine engines. In recent years, although dolphins are rarely targeted, they are affected by human use of the river. Over the last 10 years more than 40 dolphins have been found dead in the Mekong and its tributaries north of Kampung Cham. Of these, over 50% were entangled in large mesh gill nets. Other deaths were attributed to explosions and shooting (by outsiders). Some boat engines are also known to confuse dolphins. Globally-threatened mammals associated with wetlands during the dry season Common name Species name Status Habitat Lesser-one horned Lowland dense forest with significant Rhinoceros sondaicus GTRhinoceros Crit wetlands Kouprey GTGrass plains/ Evergreen / deciduous Bos sauveli Crit forest mosaic Asian Elephant GT-En Including evergreen / deciduous Elephas maximus forest mosaic Banteng GT-En Semi-evergreen / deciduous forest Bos javanicus mosaic Tiger GT-En Lowland dense forest with significant Panthera tigris wetlands Dhole-Asian Wild Dog GT-V Evergreen / deciduous forest mosaic Cuon alpinus Eld’s Deer GT-V Semi-evergreen / deciduous forest Cervus eldii mosaic Gaur GT-V Lowland dense forest with significant Bos gaurus wetlands Fishing cat Prionailurus viverrinus G-NT Evergreen forest, adjacent to river courses Long tailed macaque G-NT Riverine forests Macca fascicularis Pileated gibbon G-NT Evergreen forest, adjacent to river Hylobates pileatus courses Rhesus macaque G-NT Adjacent to water courses Macaca mulatta Silvered langur G-NT Evergreen forest, adjacent to river Semnopithecus courses cristatus Small Asian Mongoose Herpestes javanicus Dry dipterocarp forest Small Indian Civet Semi-evergreen / deciduous forest Viverricula indica mosaic Hog deer C:Ap I Water associated with water Axis porcinus Jungle Cat C:Ap II Semi-evergreen / deciduous forest Felix chaus mosaic Sambar Lowland dense forest with significant Cervus unicolor wetlands

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Birds The Lower Mekong Basin is critically important for a number of globally-threatened waterbird species. These wetlands are believed to support one Globally Critically Endangered species, 4 Globally Endangered species and 10 species classified as Vulnerable. Over 20 species are listed on various Appendices of CITES. Ranked by geopolitical units (210) according to the number of threatened species, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia are ranked as 10th, 12th, 27th and 37th most important countries for bird conservation in the world, although not all such species are wetland species. Globally important endangered species The Critically Endangered Giant Ibis Pseudibis gigantea, long thought to be extinct, was rediscovered in 1993 along the Xe Kong floodplain in southern Laos. Small nongs and traepangs, along the Xe Kong in Attepeu Province in southern Laos and near the Se San and Srepok Rivers in Stoeng Treng, are vitally important for this species. The total world population of this species may be less than 100 individuals. The population of the Globally Endangered White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata in southern Lao and northern Cambodia is one of the largest remaining in the world. The Globally Endangered Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius and White-shouldered Ibis Pseudibis davisoni occur in the dipterocarp forest and wetland mosaic of northern Cambodian and southern Lao PDR. These areas are also vital for the Globally Vulnerable Green Peafowl Pavo muticus. The Globally Endangered Bengal Florican Houbaropsis bengalensis is found in Tram Chim on the Plain of Reeds and in the seasonally flooded grasslands of Lake Tonle Sap. Similar habitats are important for Globally Threatened -Vulnerable Sarus Crane Grus antigone, which in the wet season migrates to northern Cambodia and southern Lao to seek out non-flooded grasslands. Globally Vulnerable species relying on the riverine habitats of the Mekong and its larger tributaries include the Indian Skimmer Rynchops albicollis and Black-bellied Tern Sterna acuticauda. Other Globally Vulnerable species depending on a variety of wetland habitats in the Lower Mekong Basin include the Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata, Pallas's Fish-Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea and the Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus. A list of endangered, threatened bird and protected bird species reliant on wetlands is provided below: Globally threatened species of birds dependant upon wetlands in the Lower Mekong Basin English Name

Species

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Giant Ibis

Pseudibis gigantea

Greater Adjutant

Leptoptilos dubius

White-shouldered Ibis

Pseudibis papillosa davisoni

White-winged Duck

Cairina scutulata

Bengal Florican

Houbaropsis bengalensis

Nordmann's Greenshank

Tringa guttifer

Spot-billed Pelican

Pelecanus philippensis

Milky Stork

Mycteria cinerea

Lesser Adjutant

Leptoptilos javanicus

Greater Spotted Eagle

Aquila clanga

Green Peafowl

Pavo muticus

Masked Finfoot

Heliopais personata

Black-bellied Tern

Sterna acuticauda

Indian Skimmer

Rynchops albicollis

Oriental Darter

Anhinga melanogaster

Great-billed Heron

Ardea sumatrana

Painted Stork

Mycteria leucocephala

Asian Openbill

Anastomus oscitans

Black-headed Ibis

Threskiornis melanocephalus

Grey-headed Fish-Eagle

Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus

Sarus Crane

Grus antigone

Grey-headed Lapwing

Vanellus cinereus

Asian Dowitcher

Limnodromus semipalmatus

Malaysian Plover

Charadrius peronii

Asian Golden Weaver

Ploceus hypoxanthus

Comb Duck

Sarkidiornis melanotos

Brahminy Kite

Haliastur indus

Greater Flamingo

Phoenicopterus ruber

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

Black Kite

Milvus migrans lineatus

White-bellied Sea-Eagle

Haliaeetus leucogaster

Black-shouldered Kite

Elanus caeruleus

Western Marsh Harrier

Circus aeruginosus

50

Pied Harrier

Circus melanoleucos

Brown Fish Owl

Ketupa zeylonensis

Buffy Fish Owl

Ketupa ketupu

Reptiles Crocodiles The Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis is Critically Endangered and listed on Appendix I of CITES. It was formerly widespread throughout the Lower Mekong River Basin, but has declined drastically due to excessive hunting and habitat destruction. This species is now very rare and believed to be extinct in the wild in Vietnam and Thailand. The small numbers confined to the south of Lao PDR and Cambodia are of extreme global importance as the last wild populations but they still face a number of threats. These include hunting, habitat destruction and harvesting of the young for crocodile farms. The natural genetic stock is also under threat from cross-breeding with both the Cuban Crocodile Crocodylus rhombifer and the Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylsus porosus encouraged by crocodile farms in the region. Local, but unconfirmed, reports from the Stoeng Sen northern Cambodia exist for the presence of the False Gharial Tomistoma schlegelii, listed as Data Deficient, but probably Globally Critically Endangered. Globally threatened crocodiles from the Lower Mekong Basin Specific name Common name Siamese crocodile Crocodylus siamensis Gharial Gavialis gangeticus False gharial Tomistoma schlegelii Salt water crocodile Crocodylus porosus Turtles and terrapins Over 20 species of turtles and terrapins occur in the Lower Mekong Basin, ten of which are listed in the Red Data Book. The Chinese three-striped box turtle Cuora trifasciata and River Terrapin Batagur baska are Critically Endangered. Seven other species are listed as Globally Threatened - Vulnerable. The populations of all species of turtle and terrapin in the Lower Mekong Basin are thought to be in rapid decline. Many hundreds of tonnes of turtles, i.e. millions of individuals, are exported from the countries of the Lower Mekong Basin annually, many destined for the food markets of East Asia and for use in traditional medicines. At a workshop in Phnom Penh (Dec. 1999) on the turtle and terrapin trade, delegates recommended stronger protection measures for all turtle and terrapin species of the Lower Mekong Basin. As a result of the discussions, a proposal to list all species of Asian

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Box turtle Cuora spp. This will assist in the protection of C. galbinifrons, C. amboinensis and other Cuora species in the Lower Mekong Basin. Globally threatened turtles from the Lower Mekong Basin Specific name Common name River terrapin Batagur baska Chinese-three striped box turtle Cuora trifasciata Elongated tortoise Indotetudo elongata Impressed tortoise Manouria impressa Asian giant tortoise Manouria emys Asian giant softshell turtle Pelochelys bibroni (cantori) Yellow-headed temple turtle Hieremys annandalii Four-eyed turtle Sacalia quadriocellata Asiatic softshell turtle Amyda cartilaginea Malayan box turtle Cuora amboinensis Indochinese box turtle Cuora galbinifrons Giant asian pond turtle Hoesemys grandis Big-headed turtle Platysternon megacephalum Malayan snail eating turtle Malayemys subtrijuga Keeled box turtle Pyxidea mouhotii Black marsh turtle Siebenrockiella crassicollos Asian leaf turtle Cyclemys dentata Striped necked turtle Cyclemys tcheponensis Other reptiles Two species of monitor are found associated with the wetlands of the Lower Mekong Basin. These are the Bengal monitor Varanus bengalensis and Varanus salvator. Both are subjected to heavy hunting pressures. Amphibians There have been few systematic studies of the amphibians of the Lower Mekong Basin. Over 100 species of frogs are reported from Laos. Fish Mekong fish diversity and endemism A recent IUCN study lists the Mekong River as one of the nine richest watersheds in the world for fish. Of some 1,300 fish species proposed to occur in the Mekong system (including estuarine and deltas species), over 850 have been suggested to occur in the Lower Mekong Basin. This figure is a little controversial, since not all species have been taxonomically verified. In comparison, Kotellat’s (Kotellat 2000) taxonomic studies have recorded 456 species of freshwater fish species in the Lower Mekong Basin, of these 179

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(40%) are known to be endemic and 53 species (11%) are known from only a single subbasin, illustrating the high level of local endemism. The total number of fish species in the Lower Mekong Basin probably lies between these two figures. In recent geological times, the Lower Mekong Basin has been through a number of dramatic changes. During the last ice age, the Mekong River may have been associated with the now submerged North Sunda River, which linked with the Chao Prya River and rivers of the eastern Malaya Peninsula. Thus, the fish species of the main channels and floodplains, although exhibiting a great diversity, have much in common with the rivers of the former system and do not exhibit high amounts of endemism. The fish of Lake Tonle Sap and the main channels of the Mekong River are well known, reflecting the high fishing pressure and the economic importance of these species. Relatively few endemic species occur in these areas. The greatest numbers of endemic and undescribed species are found in the tributaries, head waters, rapids, caves and peat swamps. Each new taxonomic survey of a tributary identifies undescribed, often endemic, fish species. This is demonstrated by a recent survey of the Nam Thuen in areas above Geng Wang Fang. Eighty-seven species of fish were identified, of which 33 (38%) were tentatively classified as new species, most probably endemic to the Lower Mekong Basin. Additional surveys of limestone caves, rapids, peat swamps and waterfalls will add to the known fish species of the Lower Mekong Basin. Cyprinids are the dominant species in the Lower Mekong Basin, reported to comprise 50% of all fish species in the lower areas, increasing to 60% of all species in the middle reaches of the Lower Mekong Basin. The diversity of the Lower Mekong Basin fish is illustrated by some of its more interesting fish species: ¾ Boraras micros, the world’s second smallest fish at less than 12mm long, inhabits swamps of the Mekong inundated plain. ¾ Fruit eating fish: Thirty-four species of fish are reported to feed on the fruits of the inundated forest. In some parts of the Mekong fishers bait hooks with fruit and leaves to catch certain species. ¾ Stingrays: Three species of large fresh-water stingrays are found in the Lower Mekong Basin. These include the giant Himantura chaophraya – which has a diameter of up to 2.5metres, Dasyatis laoensis and Himantura oxyrhynchus (both up to 1m). ¾ Sawfish and Sharks: Sawfish, including Pristis clavate, Pristis microdon and Pristis pectinata, occur in the Lower Mekong Basin. They are becoming less common as the snout is easily ensnared in fishing gear. Freshwater sharks also occur including Carcharhinus leucas. ¾ Fish that eats monkeys: Luciocyprinus striolatus, an endemic species, which can weigh up to 60 kg, is purported by local people to have been seen taking smaller monkey close to riverine channels and associated vegetation. Found Nam Theun and other tributaries, it is not known from the larger mainstream channels.

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Threatened and endangered species of fish in the Lower Mekong Basin Table 5 provides a list of fish species from the Lower Mekong Basin listed in the IUCN Red List of Threatened and Endangered species. Two are regarded as Globally Critically Endangered in the Lower Mekong Basin – Leaping Barb Chela caeruleostigmata and Dwarf Botia Botia sidthimunki. Of the remainder, the Giant Catfish Pangasianodon gigas is probably the best known. There are known to be two discrete populations of Giant Catfish. One is believed to migrate many hundreds of kilometres each year from the mainstream Mekong north of the Khone Falls, to stretches of the Mekong upstream of Vientiane where it is believed to spawn. The second population is below Khone Falls in Cambodia and Viet Nam. Although this population is also known to undergo seasonal migrations, the location of the breeding sites is not known. Globally threatened fish species from the Lower Mekong Basin Species Common name Leaping Barb Chela caeruleostigmata Dwarf Botia Botia sidthimunki Golden Arowana Scleropages formosus Endemic freshwater Herring Tenualosa thibaudeaui Jullien’s Carp Probarbus jullieni Giant Catfish Pangasianodon gigas Royal Featherback Chitala blanci Aaptosyax grypus Thick-Lip Barb Probarbus labeamajor Thin-lip Barb Probarbus labeaminor Trey po pruy Pangasius sanitwongsei It is certain that a number of additional species should be added to this list. However, due to the lack of a broad-based understanding of fish diversity, fish life histories, and an evaluation of threats to species, only a superficial analysis can be made. There is currently insufficient information to make useful and comprehensive decisions related to fish biodiversity conservation in the Lower Mekong Basin. In the last 10 years there has been a dramatic increase in fishing effort, combined with an increase in the use of modern gears and destructive fishing practices. This has placed severe pressure on some fish species. Of grave concern, is the use of illegal fishing methods, i.e. electro-fishing and fish bombing, in sensitive habitats such as small ponds and deeper pools, which act as dry season refuges for many species. Although fish bombing is decreasing, electro-fishing is still occurring in a number of wetlands. Fish species populations reported to be decreasing sharply in numbers, or in some cases reported as locally extinct, include (Kotellat 2000): Balantiochelius melenopterus Macrochirchthys macrochirus Cirrhinus microlepis Neobraynotus microlepis Luciocyprinus striolatus Pangasius hypopthalmus Luciosoma bleekeri Boesemania microlepis

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Invertebrates The wetlands of the Lower Mekong Basin also contain a wealth of diversity of invertebrate groups. However, there have been only very limited surveys of these taxa: Insects : There have been few detailed studies of the insects of the Lower Mekong Basin. Crustacea : The giant fresh water prawn Macrobrachium rosenbergi undertakes an impressive migration. Adults live in the freshwater areas of the Mekong including tributaries, natural lakes, rice fields and ditches. On maturing the prawns migrate towards the estuary to spawn in saline water. After 2-6 months in the estuary, juveniles migrate back into freshwater areas. Adults can be found up to 200 km from the estuary. Molluscs : An example of invertebrate diversity can be seen from the limited surveys for molluscs. A survey of only 500 km of the Mekong River in Thailand and Laos identified 160 mollusc species. Of these, 116 (72%) species were endemic. Full surveys are certain to identify additional species. Coelenterates : It is urgent that further studies of all water bodies of the Lower Mekong Basin be conducted to determine the status of invertebrates. An as yet unidentified freshwater jellyfish Moerisia sp. has been found just south of Khone Falls, and a diverse assemblage of invertebrate fauna, including sponges, are expected to be found. The result of the workshop on an Inventory of wetland and aquatic in LNMC, Vientiane municipality, March 7, 2003. Mr. Boriboun SANASISAN Director LNMC president of the worshop Extended 29 participators in the workshop from different agency as LNMC, Department of Forestry, Department Livestock and Fishery, Department of Irrigation, National of Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute, 4 provincial officer and other Workshop objectives • Present the finding by national wetland expert • Ordering the important of wetland types in Lao PDR . • Responsibility of line agency for resettlement GIS of wetland in Lao PDR. Discussion outcome Reference from Mr. Hans Guttman - MRCS Environment Coordinator requested for the wetland Functions and Value as following: 12. Flora and Fauna 13. Hydrology 14. Water Quality 15. Erosion Wetland Types of International classification:

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1. Permanent and seasonal flooded forest (swamp) 2. Large pools in rivers (RR1a) 3. Mangrove swamps (M12d+M12dm+E12d+E12dm) 4. Perennial River (RR1) 5. Seasonal River(RR2) 6. Permanent Lakes (LL1n) 7. Permanent Dam/Reservoir (LL1m) 8. Permanent Ponds (PL1n) 9. Pasture / Grass Marsh 10. Rice fields 11. Aquaculture In Lao PDR is selected 5 types of wetland by Mr. Hans Guttman- MRCS Environment Coordinator as such: 1. Permanent and seasonal flooded forest (swamp) 2. Large pools in rivers (RR1a) 3. Perennial River (RR1) 4. Permanent Dam/Reservoir (LL1m) 5. Rice fields The future plan of MRC has a specifically objective of the types wetland and would be resettlement new team collaboration from line agency, the agreement of the workshop: • Finalize a map (focal point, requirement and scale) • Review and collate existing information (focal point, team, format MRCS to provide) • Field data collection (what type, where, who? time? and format AWI “Asian Wetland Inventory)