Climate Change Challenges for Sustainable Coastal Wetland Management in Xuan Thuy Ramsar Site, Vietnam

Climate change has been recognized as a global threat and is already affecting ecosystems such as coastal wetlands. With more than 3,200 km of coastline, wetlands are the dominant ecosystem in Vietnam. This country is considered to be one of the most seriously affected by climate change in the world. Hence, coastal wetlands are vulnerable. This study applied the Drivers - Pressures - State - Impacts - Responses approach to discuss and analyze the main challenges induced by climate change and its potential consequences for Xuan Thuy Ramsar site in the Red River delta, Vietnam. In this research we used both observed and predicted data on the impacts of climate change issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam, including changes in temperature and rainfall, and sea level rise. The results illustrated numerous potential impacts and pressures associated with climate change on the study site. Understanding the effect of these potential impacts on wetland ecosystems is very important for managers and policy-makers because current conservation programs in Xuan Thuy Ramsar site have not included climate change issues. In addition, the complexity of synthesis impacts associated with global climate change is also a big challenge for local stakeholders. Our review suggests that a long-term conservation planning to response to climate change is crucial rule towards sustainable management of Xuan Thuy Ramsar site.