Local biodiversity monitoring methods: a case of Boeng Tonle Chhmar core area of Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, Cambodia | |
| Author | Seak Sophat |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.NR-12-03 |
| Subject(s) | Biodiversity conservation--Cambodia--Boeng Tonle Chhmar Boeng Tonle Chhmar (Cambodia) |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Resource Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. NR-12-03 |
| Abstract | Tonle Sap is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia, and is very rich in biodiversity, especially capture fisheries resources. The lake is also home to critically endangered and threatened species of fish, birds, reptiles, mammals and aquatic vegetation. Furthermore, the lake is the main source of livelihoods for more than two million people inhabiting the area. Because of its importance for freshwater capture fisheries and other important economic activities, and because there is no immediate and appropriate management measure in place, the biodiversity of the lake is degrading at a high rate. One of the missing management structures clearly recognized is an active monitoring system that is able to provide regular and timely data on trends and conditions of biodiversity in the lake, which are then communicated up the management hierarchy. Though, monitoring systems run by government officials (rangers and fisheries officers) exist in the area, the process is inefficient and it is ineffective for the local context as local knowledge systems of fishers have not been integrated. Therefore, there is an inextricable need to enhance locally based monitoring methods and management interventions, which are apparently specific and affordable for the local context and practice. This research focused on four interconnected parts. The first part concentrated on exploring the local monitoring methods being practiced by local inhabitants in the study site of Boeng Tonle Chhmar Lake, including a comparative assessment of each method with well-defined criteria from the perspective of methodological rigour, perceived cost, ease of use (user friendliness), compatibility with existing day-to-day activities, and efficiency of intervention. Based on this analysis, each method has had its own unique characteristics with regard to biodiversity features from which the data is generated, and the person who carries out the monitoring. The second part looked at the application of local monitoring methods in order to participatorily evaluate the status and condition of five features of biodiversity - namely fish, bird, reptile, mammal and vegetation. The data derived from this exercise were used to validate each method against the data collected by professional experts in the study area. The comparative analysis concluded that many of local methods specific to biodiversity features are able to produce more reliable data than those that are generated by professional methods. The third part focused on local management interventions directly linking to monitoring methods from which the management interventions are generated. What managers should do with the data generated by the respective monitoring methods is to convert the data into real and efficient actions on the ground. By employing the participatory approach, approximately ten local and modern interventions were identified. The modern management interventions are being practiced by government agencies, namely rangers and fisheries officers, whilst the local ones are being conducted by the local community. The local interventions were considered for further improvement to have effective and efficient applications suitable to the local context with an attempt to build capacity of the local community actively engaged in the monitoring of their resources. ivThe forth and final part covered the institutional arrangement and stakeholders’ capacity assessment which are comparatively important to undertake the monitoring program and apply the suggested management interventions on the ground. It also included the review of existing legal frameworks and institutional arrangements at the local levels ranging from ranger, fisheries officer, and local authority to community people, and NGOs were working actively in the area providing both technical and financial support. Moreover, discussion on general knowledge of stakeholders involved in carrying out the monitoring program and executing management measures in the study area was also highlighted. Several modalities were proposed for capacity development, both for monitoring methods and management interventions of concerned stakeholders, which can meet the goal of biodiversity conservation in the study area and beyond. However, the local community really needs outsider support (university researcher, ranger, fisheries officer, and NGO staff) to begin the initiatives including standardization of local methods and management interventions, and to coach them on this application during a specified period. The results from this study can be replicated to other parts of Cambodia encountering similar issues. |
| Year | 2012 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. NR-12-03 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Schmidt-Vogt, Dietrich;Thapa, Gopal Bahadur; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shrestha, Rajendra Prasad;Schroll, Henning;Brockelman, Warren Y.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA);USEPAM Project; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2012 |