occur. Illegal poaching activities have also increased fire risk and wildlife degradation in peatlands
29.3.2 Loss and Degradation of Peatlands
A lack of knowledge of peatlands functions and values resulted in their severe
overexploitation and degradation. Activities including drainage, agricultural conversion, burning, mining for organic fertilizer and fuel, dominated land management in
peatlands.
29.3.2.1 Inappropriate Fire and Hydrological Management in Peatlands
In the MRD, canal networks used for drainage, irrigation, and navigation have been
built for centuries and have increased significantly since the 1800s (Biggs 2005).
Before the war, there were no drainage canals in the Melaleuca peat forests. The
network of canals increased significantly in the wetlands, including in peatlands,
after the end of the war (after 1975; Sanders 2002; Biggs 2005).
The maintenance of peat requires the appropriate management of hydrology.
Limited knowledge of peatland functions has led to inappropriate hydrological
management practices that increased risks of fire and sped up the oxidation and
decomposition processes by exposing the peat to air. The construction of many
canals was to facilitate navigation and transport in peat-swamps and to provide a
source of water for fire fighting in the dry season (UMTNP 2012; UMHNP 2016).
Sanders (2002) agreed that the canals also facilitate easy access for fire crews and
provide a potential source of water for fire control, but this alone does not justify
keeping the canals, because other access options are available that can be less
damaging to the hydrologic cycles of the area.
A common misconception is that canals constructed would help better manage
fire in the U Minh peatland. In practice, the canals in peat-swamps have lowered
groundwater levels and escalated water loss from the peatlands, leading to increased
forest fire risks and peat oxidation in the dry season (UMTNP 2012; Quoi 2014b).
29.3.2.2 Conversion of Peatlands into Agricultural Land
In the post-war period, since 1975, there was an increased demand for agricultural
land. Vietnam’s government started to expand agricultural production, and the land
was needed to cultivate crops and resettle displaced communities. Such a situation
has forced some areas of peatland to be converted into other land-use types, at least
initially to satisfy short-term needs. Considerable areas of peatlands have been
converted to agricultural land in the U Minh region included UMH (Ca Mau
Province) (Fig. 29.4) and UMT (Kien Giang Province), and districts of Hon Dat,
29 Management of Peatland in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam
787
29.3.2 Loss and Degradation of Peatlands
A lack of knowledge of peatlands functions and values resulted in their severe
overexploitation and degradation. Activities including drainage, agricultural conversion, burning, mining for organic fertilizer and fuel, dominated land management in
peatlands.
29.3.2.1 Inappropriate Fire and Hydrological Management in Peatlands
In the MRD, canal networks used for drainage, irrigation, and navigation have been
built for centuries and have increased significantly since the 1800s (Biggs 2005).
Before the war, there were no drainage canals in the Melaleuca peat forests. The
network of canals increased significantly in the wetlands, including in peatlands,
after the end of the war (after 1975; Sanders 2002; Biggs 2005).
The maintenance of peat requires the appropriate management of hydrology.
Limited knowledge of peatland functions has led to inappropriate hydrological
management practices that increased risks of fire and sped up the oxidation and
decomposition processes by exposing the peat to air. The construction of many
canals was to facilitate navigation and transport in peat-swamps and to provide a
source of water for fire fighting in the dry season (UMTNP 2012; UMHNP 2016).
Sanders (2002) agreed that the canals also facilitate easy access for fire crews and
provide a potential source of water for fire control, but this alone does not justify
keeping the canals, because other access options are available that can be less
damaging to the hydrologic cycles of the area.
A common misconception is that canals constructed would help better manage
fire in the U Minh peatland. In practice, the canals in peat-swamps have lowered
groundwater levels and escalated water loss from the peatlands, leading to increased
forest fire risks and peat oxidation in the dry season (UMTNP 2012; Quoi 2014b).
29.3.2.2 Conversion of Peatlands into Agricultural Land
In the post-war period, since 1975, there was an increased demand for agricultural
land. Vietnam’s government started to expand agricultural production, and the land
was needed to cultivate crops and resettle displaced communities. Such a situation
has forced some areas of peatland to be converted into other land-use types, at least
initially to satisfy short-term needs. Considerable areas of peatlands have been
converted to agricultural land in the U Minh region included UMH (Ca Mau
Province) (Fig. 29.4) and UMT (Kien Giang Province), and districts of Hon Dat,
29 Management of Peatland in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam
787