Researching hybrid nature-based solutions for the Mekong Delta coastal area

Land subsidence resulting from groundwater extraction for aquaculture, the severe decline in sediment flow from the upper Mekong River, and climate change are all having an increasingly detrimental effect on the Mekong Delta, particularly in coastal regions. The Southern Institute of Water Resources Planning (SIWRP) conducted this evaluation in response to the region's increasing environmental and resource challenges.

Furthermore, coastal ecosystems are experiencing significant stress due to environmental pollution and degradation, which are consequences of unsustainable aquaculture practices, particularly intensive farming models that fail to manage effluent adequately.

Consequently, the loss of mangrove forests and coastal erosion have become more severe, resulting in the loss of hundreds of hectares of land and forest annually.

The SIWRP, in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Vietnam, conducted field surveys and consultations in five coastal provinces from April 7 to 11: Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, and Bac Lieu.

The survey results showed that the Mekong Delta is facing a range of pressing issues. Despite the expansion of numerous sea dike systems, numerous segments remain incomplete. The efficacy of coastal protection structures is inconsistent, despite their varied forms.

The severe degradation of coastal protection forests is particularly alarming. Efforts to restore these forests continue to encounter significant difficulties, and in numerous regions, the mangrove belts are too narrow to effectively shield the sea embankment.

Additionally, the ecological environment and extant disaster prevention systems are further burdened by the absence of widespread sustainable aquaculture models in the region.

These ongoing issues underscore the urgent need for integrated, comprehensive solutions that incorporate both technical engineering approaches and nature-based solutions at both the central and local levels.

Mr. Do Duc Dung, Director of the Southern Institute of Water Resources Planning, has stated that the institute will focus on identifying strategic directions and proposing research to enhance management mechanisms and policies. Assisting in the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta, the objective is to identify gaps and requirements that necessitate resolution.

Mr. Dung also emphasized the importance of future solutions that encompass the evaluation and assessment of the current state of sea dike systems and protective infrastructure, as well as the identification of necessary strategies and requirements for developing mangrove belts outside the dikes to enhance their resilience to extreme weather events.

He emphasized the significance of assessing the potential of hybrid nature-based solutions (Hybrid NbS) for coastal protection. These methods not only enhance the efficacy of coastal defense but also present opportunities to integrate with adaptive livelihood models, capitalize on the economic potential of coastal ecosystems, and access emerging markets, such as carbon credits.