The Lower Mekong River Basin in Cambodia Mekong

The Lower Mekong River Basin in Cambodia Mekong River Basin Cambodia Sky Dominguez

Cambodia

General Information • Mekong Basin is 800, 000 km 2 • Cambodia is 181, 535 km 2 • Consumes 80% of the Cambodia (145, 228 km 2) • 20% being permanent wetlands (36, 307 km 2) • 80% Khmer livelihood relies on the Basin

Climate • Monsoon driven causing annual flooding of the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap Basin • Annual rainfall is 190 cm (74. 8 inches) • 80% annual rainfall is in the wet season (May-October)

Tonle Sap • Most prominent feature of the River Basin • Stabilizes 20% of the whole Mekong River with unique hydrological properties • Ranges from 2, 500 km 2, dry season, to 15, 000 km 2 in the wet season • No net sedimentation • Very well oxygenated

Along the Tonle Sap

Along the Tonle Sap Cont.

Vegetation • Field crops have increased from 518 km 2 in 1973 to 5, 229 km 2 in 1992 • 1970 - 1980 29% decrease in evergreen forest with additional 894 km 2 by 1992 • Deciduous forest declined by 4917 km 2

Vegetation Cont. • Increase of 29, 000 km 2 of paddy fields since 1980 (gross underestimation) • Flooded forests around the Tonle Sap have decreased from 9, 379 km 2 in 1970 to 3, 707 km 2 in 1992 (still continues with no estimations)

Agriculture • 50% of the countries economy • 80 -85% of the labor force (includes fisheries and forestry) • 22% of the country is cultivated • 2/3 of the arable land flooding annually • 3 out of 5 cultivation techniques make up 99% of all rice ag.

Rice Cultivation Techniques • Rainfed low land rice: 85% of cropland • 1. 3 tons/ha • Flat plains surrounding Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassak River • Dry Season Flood recession: 8% crop land • 2. 7 tons/ha • Areas directly impacted by siltation of the Mekong River • Floating Rice: 6% crop land • 1. 2 tons/ha • Delta around the Tonle Sap

Rice Field Examples

Fisheries • • 4 th largest freshwater capture in the world 300, 000 – 400, 000 tons annually Fish provide 80% protein consumption 60% of the 80% from the Tonle Sap Range of Inland water catch from 1994 -1997 (Degen, P. , et al)

Biodiversity • 1, 200 fish species with 500 being endemic to Mekong River catch area • Largest amount of large fish species • 225 birds species with 7 rare and endangered species • 42 reptile (19 of global significance) • 15 mammal species (10 of global significance)

Biodiversity cont. Giant Ibis Giant Catfish Greater Adjutants Spotted Pelican Giant Catfish

Conclusion • Lower Mekong River Basin in Cambodia has so much science to explored • Ensure sustainability - physically and economical • People need to be educated • Please consider helping!!!