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The Mekong Delta System pp 293–313Cite as

Biodiversity of the Mekong Delta

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Abstract

Although the Mekong Delta has been substantially modified by humans, primarily to support rice-based agriculture, it still supports a diverse biota, albeit a small fraction of what must have been there prior to human settlement. While there only two mammals of conservation significance, the Hairy-nosed Otter and the Dugong, remaining in the delta there are at least 37 species of birds of conservation significance and 470 species of fish have been recorded, of which 28 are endemic to the Mekong and 4 are known only from the delta. The delta also contains a number of distinct vegetation communities although most are now reduced to small remnants. The aquatic invertebrate fauna of the delta has been substantially impacted by humans, with the littoral fauna of the main channels particularly species poor, probably reflecting the intensity of human impact in those locations. National Parks and conservation reserves in the Delta are very small, but they play an extremely important role in maintaining biodiversity. Threats to the biodiversity of the delta include growing human populations and intensification of agriculture, with increasing use of fertilizers and pesticides and poldering altering flood water levels during the high flow season. Water quality is poor and will probably decline further, almost entirely due to human activities in Viet Nam rather than impacts from upstream countries. Fishing is intense in the Delta, as it is elsewhere in the Mekong Basin and the pressure will grow in future. Dams on the Mekong will alter flow patterns within the delta, increasing dry season flows and decreasing wet season flows, blocking fish passage and probably decreasing sediment delivery, which in turn may lead to shoreline erosion. Finally, the greatest long term threat to the Mekong Delta is undoubtedly climate change. An increase in sea level of 65 cm would lead to a loss of about 5,200 km2 or 13% of land area within the Delta, with very serious consequences not only for the biodiversity of the Delta, but also for the economy of Viet Nam.

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Acknowledgement

Thanks to Doan Trang Nguyen for assistance with translating some Vietnamese material.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biological Sciences, Monash University and Principal River Scientist (GHD), Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, 3000, Australia

    Ian C. Campbell

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  1. Ian C. Campbell
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Correspondence to Ian C. Campbell .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. , Institute for Environment and Human, United Nations University, Hermann-Ehlers-Str. 10, Bonn, 53113, Germany

    Fabrice G. Renaud

  2. , Earth Observation Center, EOC, German Aerospace Center, DLR, ---, Oberpfaffenhofen, Wessling, 82234, Germany

    Claudia Kuenzer

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Campbell, I.C. (2012). Biodiversity of the Mekong Delta. In: Renaud, F., Kuenzer, C. (eds) The Mekong Delta System. Springer Environmental Science and Engineering. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-3962-8_11

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