Besides, both limited management capacity and inadequate sectoral approaches
resulted in an inappropriate fire and hydrological management. Building the capacity
of the staff plays a crucial role in the effective and efficient management of the
protected areas and in achieving conservation objectives.
29.3.1.3 Lack of Systematic Research and Information on Peatlands
and their Values
Better management of peatland requires better knowledge of the distribution, structure, function, and values of peatlands. In Vietnam, prior to the 1990s, researches on
peatlands often focused on the sedimental formation process and on assessing peat as
a type of mineral. They neglected other functions and values of peatlands. There was
a lack of systematic research on peatlands to establish information based on which
management actions can be formulated (NAP 2015).
Insufficient access to information on peatland functions and values also limited
the knowledge and information sharing among various sectors results in a lack of
suitable management of peatland resources at central and local levels. Perhaps that
was reason for many unwise decisions about peatland management. The conversion
of peatland into other land-use types, mainly for agricultural land, or peat mining
was due to their functions and ecological values being overlooked in land evaluation.
Besides, the inappropriate management of fire and water caused degradation of
peatlands functions and ecological values.
The weak management capacity of local staff mainly resulted from a lack of
peatland information and knowledge that can be enhanced through training courses
(APFP and SEApeat 2015a, b).
29.3.1.4 Over Dependency on Peatland Resources of Poor Local
Communities
Before 1975, very few people lived permanently in the peat-swamps due to difficulties in traveling and farming. After the war, the Vietnamese government began
programs to expand agricultural land as well as land for resettling displaced communities from other areas (STC 1990; VCM 1980). As available agricultural land
became scarce, the poor began to settle in and around the peatlands. The land-use
plans (SPC 1985) and supports given to land reclamation of the poor have resulted in
the conversion of large areas of peatlands in the margin of the U Minh swamp and in
Long Xuyen Quadrangle to agricultural land.
Poverty and the dependency on peatland resources of local communities living in
and around peatland areas have contributed significantly to peatland degradation and
loss. These communities having long-term needs for production lands have
converted large areas of peatlands into agricultural land. Peatland ecosystems are
very rich in resources that meet the daily needs of people. However, when population pressure in the area is high, overexploitation of resources from peatland may
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Q. P. Le and T. X. Le
resulted in an inappropriate fire and hydrological management. Building the capacity
of the staff plays a crucial role in the effective and efficient management of the
protected areas and in achieving conservation objectives.
29.3.1.3 Lack of Systematic Research and Information on Peatlands
and their Values
Better management of peatland requires better knowledge of the distribution, structure, function, and values of peatlands. In Vietnam, prior to the 1990s, researches on
peatlands often focused on the sedimental formation process and on assessing peat as
a type of mineral. They neglected other functions and values of peatlands. There was
a lack of systematic research on peatlands to establish information based on which
management actions can be formulated (NAP 2015).
Insufficient access to information on peatland functions and values also limited
the knowledge and information sharing among various sectors results in a lack of
suitable management of peatland resources at central and local levels. Perhaps that
was reason for many unwise decisions about peatland management. The conversion
of peatland into other land-use types, mainly for agricultural land, or peat mining
was due to their functions and ecological values being overlooked in land evaluation.
Besides, the inappropriate management of fire and water caused degradation of
peatlands functions and ecological values.
The weak management capacity of local staff mainly resulted from a lack of
peatland information and knowledge that can be enhanced through training courses
(APFP and SEApeat 2015a, b).
29.3.1.4 Over Dependency on Peatland Resources of Poor Local
Communities
Before 1975, very few people lived permanently in the peat-swamps due to difficulties in traveling and farming. After the war, the Vietnamese government began
programs to expand agricultural land as well as land for resettling displaced communities from other areas (STC 1990; VCM 1980). As available agricultural land
became scarce, the poor began to settle in and around the peatlands. The land-use
plans (SPC 1985) and supports given to land reclamation of the poor have resulted in
the conversion of large areas of peatlands in the margin of the U Minh swamp and in
Long Xuyen Quadrangle to agricultural land.
Poverty and the dependency on peatland resources of local communities living in
and around peatland areas have contributed significantly to peatland degradation and
loss. These communities having long-term needs for production lands have
converted large areas of peatlands into agricultural land. Peatland ecosystems are
very rich in resources that meet the daily needs of people. However, when population pressure in the area is high, overexploitation of resources from peatland may
786
Q. P. Le and T. X. Le