Adaptation of Communes to Climate Change Impacts on Livelihoods in Lung Ngoc Hoang Natural Reserve, Phung Hiep District, Hau Giang province, Vietnam

Abstract

This study aims to investigate climate change impact on livelihoods of the community living within the surroundings of Lung Ngoc Hoang Natural Reserve, Hau Giang province, Vietnam. Three communes located in the buffer zone, administrative service zone, and ecological restoration zone, respectively were selected for the investigation. At each site, the managers and residents including both men and women, were invited to attend and discuss the resources use and daily livelihood activities. The participatory tools were used to assess the link between resource use and climate change impacts including resource ratings, resource distribution mapping, seasonal calendars, climate history and coping strategies used by the community. It was found that the livelihoods of people in the study areas were mainly rice-fish farming, growing fruit trees and participating in agricultural and non-agricultural hired labor. Local community also heavily rely on the natural resources provided by wetlands for income. In the past, the livelihoods of people in the adjacent areas were mainly affected by drought and floods and their coping ability was limited. Currently, rice and water are the two most important wetland resources. The residents are now experiencing the impacts of climate change, manifesting as poor water quality due to drought and floods, directly affecting quality of life. However, coping climate impact strategies of the community have not been very effective, and therefore must continue to explore other options, especially as climate impacts exacerbate the situation. Development of policies to support local people and increase investment in economic development to limit pressures on natural resources in the reserve is urgently needed.