area of U Minh peat-swamps reported by Moormann (1961). However, the areas of
actual peatland in these two peat-swamps have been greatly reduced (Quoi 2010a, b,
2014b). Most of the remaining peatlands were situated within the national parks, at
the center of the swamps. The edge of the peat-swamp, previously classified as
peatlands, forms only a thin peat layer, less than 40 cm thick, in soil surface horizon
(Fig. 29.2) (Quoi 2010a, 2014b, 2016). This may indicate that the edge of the present
peat-swamps is an approximate historical range of the former U Minh peatlands.
Table 29.1 summarizes the areas of peatlands in the U Minh peat-swamps, in the past
and at the present. The reduction in peatland area was due to the conversion of
peatlands to agricultural lands and other uses (e.g. organic fertilizers, fuels) and to
fires (Sanders 2002; RFA 2002; Safford et al. 2009; Buckton and Safford 2004; Quoi
2010a, 2014b).
29.3 Peatland Management
Previously, for land-use planning, peatlands were only classified as one of the soil
types containing high organic content. It also was considered a mineral type to be
used in industrial production.
The management has many shortcomings because there is no unified legal
framework for the sustainable management of peatland resources in Vietnam. This
has resulted in broad ranges of different ministries and agencies responsible for
peatland resources management. There has not been a single agency coordinating all
the interested sectors. Moreover, peatlands also have been managed differently
between local and central governments.
29.3.1 Management Issues Related to Loss of Peatlands
Although peatlands have been concerned under specific management to restore and
sustainably use peatlands in ASEAN countries, there have been many problems
resulting in peatland degradation and biodiversity. In Vietnam, peatlands are in a
similar situation. The problems caused by inappropriate management have resulted
in peatland degradation and loss of biodiversity and ecosystem, which in turn, have
led to the loss of ecological support services. The land conversions for agricultural
and forestry productions and peat extraction have not only destroyed peatland
resources and its associated biodiversity, but have also had affected on remaining
peatlands through drainage, fire, and loss of ecological services (NAP 2015). Causes
responsible for the loss of peatlands in Vietnam are illustrated in Fig. 29.3.
All of the problems above are in turns due to the following four root causes:
• Uncoordinated sectoral approach and lack of inter-sectoral cooperation, in landuse planning in general, and in peatland use in particular.
782
Q. P. Le and T. X. Le
actual peatland in these two peat-swamps have been greatly reduced (Quoi 2010a, b,
2014b). Most of the remaining peatlands were situated within the national parks, at
the center of the swamps. The edge of the peat-swamp, previously classified as
peatlands, forms only a thin peat layer, less than 40 cm thick, in soil surface horizon
(Fig. 29.2) (Quoi 2010a, 2014b, 2016). This may indicate that the edge of the present
peat-swamps is an approximate historical range of the former U Minh peatlands.
Table 29.1 summarizes the areas of peatlands in the U Minh peat-swamps, in the past
and at the present. The reduction in peatland area was due to the conversion of
peatlands to agricultural lands and other uses (e.g. organic fertilizers, fuels) and to
fires (Sanders 2002; RFA 2002; Safford et al. 2009; Buckton and Safford 2004; Quoi
2010a, 2014b).
29.3 Peatland Management
Previously, for land-use planning, peatlands were only classified as one of the soil
types containing high organic content. It also was considered a mineral type to be
used in industrial production.
The management has many shortcomings because there is no unified legal
framework for the sustainable management of peatland resources in Vietnam. This
has resulted in broad ranges of different ministries and agencies responsible for
peatland resources management. There has not been a single agency coordinating all
the interested sectors. Moreover, peatlands also have been managed differently
between local and central governments.
29.3.1 Management Issues Related to Loss of Peatlands
Although peatlands have been concerned under specific management to restore and
sustainably use peatlands in ASEAN countries, there have been many problems
resulting in peatland degradation and biodiversity. In Vietnam, peatlands are in a
similar situation. The problems caused by inappropriate management have resulted
in peatland degradation and loss of biodiversity and ecosystem, which in turn, have
led to the loss of ecological support services. The land conversions for agricultural
and forestry productions and peat extraction have not only destroyed peatland
resources and its associated biodiversity, but have also had affected on remaining
peatlands through drainage, fire, and loss of ecological services (NAP 2015). Causes
responsible for the loss of peatlands in Vietnam are illustrated in Fig. 29.3.
All of the problems above are in turns due to the following four root causes:
• Uncoordinated sectoral approach and lack of inter-sectoral cooperation, in landuse planning in general, and in peatland use in particular.
782
Q. P. Le and T. X. Le