1. The Lower Mekong River Basin in Cambodia Mekong River Basin Cambodia Sky Dominguez

2. Cambodia

3. General Information Mekong Basin is 800,000 km 2 Cambodia is 181,535 km 2 Consumes 80% of the Cambodia - (145,228 km 2 ) 20% being permanent wetlands - (36,307 km 2) 80% Khmer livelihood relies on the Basin

5. Climate Monsoon driven causing annual flooding of the Mekong River and the Tonle Sap Basin Annual rainfall is 190 cm (74.8 inches) 80% annual rainfall is in the wet season (May-October)

6. Tonle Sap Most prominent feature of the River Basin Stabilizes 20% of the whole Mekong River with unique hydrological properties Ranges from 2,500 km 2, dry season, to 15,000 km 2 in the wet season No net sedimentation Very well oxygenated

7. Along the Tonle Sap

8. Along the Tonle Sap Cont.

9. Vegetation Field crops have increased from 518 km 2 in 1973 to 5,229 km 2 in 1992 1970 - 1980 29% decrease in evergreen forest with additional 894 km 2 by 1992 Deciduous forest declined by 4917km 2

10. Vegetation Cont. Increase of 29,000 km 2 of paddy fields since 1980 (gross underestimation) Flooded forests around the Tonle Sap have decreased from 9,379 km 2 in 1970 to 3,707 km 2 in 1992 (still continues with no estimations)

11. Agriculture 50% of the countries economy 80-85% of the labor force (includes fisheries and forestry) 22% of the country is cultivated 2/3 of the arable land flooding annually 3 out of 5 cultivation techniques make up 99% of all rice ag.

12. Rice Cultivation Techniques Rainfed low land rice: 85% of cropland 1.3 tons/ha Flat plains surrounding Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassak River Dry Season Flood recession: 8% crop land 2.7 tons/ha Areas directly impacted by siltation of the Mekong River Floating Rice: 6% crop land 1.2 tons/ha Delta around the Tonle Sap

14. Rice Field Examples

15. Fisheries 4 th largest freshwater capture in the world 300,000 – 400,000 tons annually Fish provide 80% protein consumption 60% of the 80% from the Tonle Sap Range of Inland water catch from 1994-1997 (Degen, P., et al)

16. Biodiversity 1,200 fish species with 500 being endemic to Mekong River catch area Largest amount of large fish species 225 birds species with 7 rare and endangered species 42 reptile (19 of global significance) 15 mammal species (10 of global significance)

17. Biodiversity cont. Giant Ibis Spotted Pelican Greater Adjutants Giant Catfish

18. Conclusion Lower Mekong River Basin in Cambodia has so much science to explored Ensure sustainability - physically and economical People need to be educated Please consider helping!!!