Multidisciplinary research of mangrove conservation and reforestation
Executed for the Mekong Delta’s Living Lab
E.M. van Bemmelen (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)
J.J.B. Buysschaert (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
C.D.C. van Eeuwijk (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
S.S. Maingay (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)
T. Pennock (TU Delft - Civil Engineering & Geosciences)
N.A.M. ter Avest (TU Delft - Technology, Policy and Management)
DS Van Maren – Mentor (TU Delft - Environmental Fluid Mechanics)
E. Minkman – Mentor (TU Delft - Organisation & Governance)
Dr. ir. Johan Ninan – Mentor (TU Delft - Integral Design & Management)
L.S. Schwidder – Mentor (TU Delft - Projects I&IC)
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Abstract
The Mekong Delta in Vietnam, one of the world’s most fertile and ecologically rich deltas, faces environmental challenges that threaten its biodiversity and local communities. Historically, the delta’s extensive mangrove forests provided natural coastal protection, but in recent decades, agricultural expansion, aquaculture, and infrastructure developments have degraded these ecosystems.
This research focuses on Bac Liêu, a region acutely affected by these changes. With diminishing mangrove buffers, local vulnerabilities to environmental hazards have increased, putting pressure on sea defenses. In response, the Dutch government and Vietnamese partners have introduced the “Mekong Living Lab,” an initiative for in-field research that promotes mangrove restoration and sustainable coastal management.
Conducted by TU Delft students, this study contributes to the Living Lab’s goals by exploring the causes of mangrove decline in Bac Liêu. Combining interviews with local residents and field data on coastal profiles, this multidisciplinary approach seeks to safeguard the ecological and economic future of the Mekong Delta.
The study suggests an integrated approach within the Living Lab framework, emphasizing research, showcasing, and education to bridge hydraulic, ecological, and socio-economic perspectives. Priority recommendations include continuous cross-sectional measurements, sediment retention analysis, stakeholder engagement strategies, and further interdisciplinary studies on mangrove viability. These initiatives aim to align technical insights with stakeholder needs, advancing observation-driven solutions for Bac Liêu’s mangrove ecosystems.