Group 3: Eastern Plains Dry ForestsLocation: Roberto

• 1. Ms. Amalia Maling• 2. Mr. Masphal Kry• 3. Mr. Nick Cox• 4. Mr. Simon Mahood• 5. Mr. Sovanny Chhum• 6. Dr. Sovuthy Pheav• 7. Mr. Warren Brockelman

Facilitators:

• 1. Mr. David Emmet• 2. Mr. Jonathan Cook

Lower Mekong Dry Forests: Eastern Cambodia

21 July 2009

Core Values (1)Critically endangered/threatened species:– Giant and white-shouldered ibis; adjutants– Slender-billed, white rumped, red-headed vulture– Asian elephant– Wild cattle (banteng, gaur)– Wild cats (tiger, clouded leopard)– Primates (e.g. yellow-cheeked gibbon)

Core Values (2)Important range of habitats:• Largest contiguous block of deciduous/dry

dipterocarp forest in SE Asia• Dry/seasonal evergreen forest• Seasonal wetlands• Open grasslands• Riparian forests• Upland evergreen forests (dry season refugia)

Core Values (3)

Broad range of ecosystem services:• Carbon sequestration• Watershed regulation for Mekong tributaries• Ecotourism• Cultural/traditional values• Livelihoods for local communities, e.g.– Food (agriculture), NTFPs, timber, fisheries, etc.

Development and Other Non-Climate Changes (Present/Planned)

• Mining (small and large-scale, gold/bauxite)

• Economic land concessions• Agriculture (large-scale: rubber,

biofuels; small-scale: rice, cassava)• Roads (+ secondary effects such as

forest clearance, wildlife trade, invasive species)

• Hydropower (2 major dams planned)• Migration (expected from lowland

areas )

Potential Impacts from Climate Change

• Increased temperatures throughout year• Longer dry season• Greater variability in timing of rainfall• More extreme events (droughts/floods)• Potential changes in fire regimes

Potential Indicators for Monitoring Impacts of Climate Change (1)

• Species– Gibbons [range] – extent of evergreen forest– Ibis and stork [presence/absence] – extent of

seasonal wetlands– Carnivores, e.g. dhole/leopard [range] – overall

ecosystem stability and impacts on prey species– Other, e.g. amphibians/invertebrates – shorter-

term fluctuations (population explosions)

Potential Indicators for Monitoring Impacts of Climate Change (2)

• Habitats– Forests

• Dry dipterocarp, semi-evergreen, evergreen• Monitor extent and type through remote sensing• Monitor tree mortality, recruitment, and growth through

permanent plots on elevational transects– Permanent waterholes

• Map location• Monitor annual changes

– Fire monitoring• Dry season duration• Rainfall fluctuation

Potential Indicators for Monitoring Impacts of Climate Change (3)

• Ecosystem services– Human livelihoods for local communities• Crop yields• Planting times• Location/extent of agricultural land in existing villages• Changing importance/values of different NTFPs [e.g.

fish/frogs/honey/resin/bamboo]• Local market surveys at set times of year

– Watershed regulation• Flow regimes for small rivers within watershed

ADAPTATION STRATEGIES – DRY FORESTS

• 1. Review of national protected areas to assess viability and coverage of conservation values when taking climate change into account

• CI document for Cardamoms – can be replicated and expanded – partners include REDD team in FA, government adaptation team in MoE, WWF, WCS, development NGOs,

• 2. Review suitability of land, taking climate change into account – develop a diverse climate resilient landscape, e.g., for agriculture, including new crops.

• Potential for WWF to expand existing work

• 3. Ensure the permanence of wetlands across the landscape – review locations and permanence of wetlands, expand wetlands if necessary to ensure they remain permanent even in times of reduced rainfall and longer dry seasons

• WWF, WCS, Birdlife, FA, MoE• 4. Assess potential for adaptation by local

communities – conduct studies to assess existing adaptation strategies used by local communities.

• WWF, WCS, FA, other

• 5. Ensure dry season refugia for wildlife (evergreen forests) are protected and accessible to wildlife – increased protection, reduced logging, maintain/develop corridors

• FA, MoE, WWF, WCS, Birdlife• 6. Fire management in an effort to reduce

forest loss – pilot study, assessment of positive and negative effects, expand to protected areas as appropriate

• 7. Ensure effective management of freshwater for livelihood needs throughout the year – ensure water access during dry season by expanding existing small reservoirs, improving irrigation, water containers, diverse and intensified crops and livelihoods – integrate into existing commune-level planning processes

• Development NGO, other