Group 3: Eastern Plains Dry Forests Location: Roberto 1. Ms. Amalia Maling 2. Mr. Masphal Kry 3. Mr. Nick Cox 4. Mr. Simon Mahood 5. Mr. Sovanny Chhum 6. Dr. Sovuthy Pheav 7. Mr. Warren Brockelman Facilitators: 1. Mr. David Emmet 2. Mr. Jonathan Cook

Lower Mekong Dry Forests: Eastern Cambodia 21 July 2009

Core Values (1) Critically endangered/threatened species: – Giant and white-shouldered ibis; adjutants – Slender-billed, white rumped, red-headed vulture – Asian elephant – Wild cattle (banteng, gaur) – Wild cats (tiger, clouded leopard) – Primates (e.g. yellow-cheeked gibbon)

Core Values (2) Important range of habitats: Largest contiguous block of deciduous/dry dipterocarp forest in SE Asia Dry/seasonal evergreen forest Seasonal wetlands Open grasslands Riparian forests Upland evergreen forests (dry season refugia)

Core Values (3) Broad range of ecosystem services: Carbon sequestration Watershed regulation for Mekong tributaries Ecotourism Cultural/traditional values Livelihoods for local communities, e.g. – Food (agriculture), NTFPs, timber, fisheries, etc.

Development and Other Non-Climate Changes (Present/Planned) Mining (small and large-scale, gold/bauxite) Economic land concessions Agriculture (large-scale: rubber, biofuels; small-scale: rice, cassava) Roads (+ secondary effects such as forest clearance, wildlife trade, invasive species) Hydropower (2 major dams planned) Migration (expected from lowland areas )

Potential Impacts from Climate Change Increased temperatures throughout year Longer dry season Greater variability in timing of rainfall More extreme events (droughts/floods) Potential changes in fire regimes

Potential Indicators for Monitoring Impacts of Climate Change (1) Species – Gibbons [range] – extent of evergreen forest – Ibis and stork [presence/absence] – extent of seasonal wetlands – Carnivores, e.g. dhole/leopard [range] – overall ecosystem stability and impacts on prey species – Other, e.g. amphibians/invertebrates – shorter- term fluctuations (population explosions)

Potential Indicators for Monitoring Impacts of Climate Change (2) Habitats – Forests Dry dipterocarp, semi-evergreen, evergreen Monitor extent and type through remote sensing Monitor tree mortality, recruitment, and growth through permanent plots on elevational transects – Permanent waterholes Map location Monitor annual changes – Fire monitoring Dry season duration Rainfall fluctuation

Potential Indicators for Monitoring Impacts of Climate Change (3) Ecosystem services – Human livelihoods for local communities Crop yields Planting times Location/extent of agricultural land in existing villages Changing importance/values of different NTFPs [e.g. fish/frogs/honey/resin/bamboo] Local market surveys at set times of year – Watershed regulation Flow regimes for small rivers within watershed

ADAPTATION STRATEGIES – DRY FORESTS 1. Review of national protected areas to assess viability and coverage of conservation values when taking climate change into account CI document for Cardamoms – can be replicated and expanded – partners include REDD team in FA, government adaptation team in MoE, WWF, WCS, development NGOs, 2. Review suitability of land, taking climate change into account – develop a diverse climate resilient landscape, e.g., for agriculture, including new crops. Potential for WWF to expand existing work

3. Ensure the permanence of wetlands across the landscape – review locations and permanence of wetlands, expand wetlands if necessary to ensure they remain permanent even in times of reduced rainfall and longer dry seasons WWF, WCS, Birdlife, FA, MoE 4. Assess potential for adaptation by local communities – conduct studies to assess existing adaptation strategies used by local communities. WWF, WCS, FA, other

5. Ensure dry season refugia for wildlife (evergreen forests) are protected and accessible to wildlife – increased protection, reduced logging, maintain/develop corridors FA, MoE, WWF, WCS, Birdlife 6. Fire management in an effort to reduce forest loss – pilot study, assessment of positive and negative effects, expand to protected areas as appropriate

7. Ensure effective management of freshwater for livelihood needs throughout the year – ensure water access during dry season by expanding existing small reservoirs, improving irrigation, water containers, diverse and intensified crops and livelihoods – integrate into existing commune-level planning processes Development NGO, other