Asian giant delta regions are very productive and also important in human activities. Recently, coastal environmental issues have become very serious problems. Especially, seashore erosion and eco-system loss are very severe along the coastline. This project aims to describe these problems quantitatively and also to make the proper management strategy of coastal environment.

         Prior to this project, the mapping project of seashore erosion near the Chaophraya river mouth was initiated.  Topographic map and satellite remote sensing data have been used to quantify the seashore recession along the coastline. Based on this study, the seashore erosion rate of some other giant river mouths in CCOP countries will be quantified.  The most recent satellite data and the old air-photographs taken in 1970s will also be used in the first stage of this project.  The ecological dynamics of mangroves relating to the seashore variation will be clarified by the analysis of multi-spectral features of satellite remote sensing data.

            In the second stage, human induced influences such as shrimp farm abandonment, soil pollution and land use change will be studied with various geophysical exploration tools as well as satellite land use data.

            In the final stage, the strategy and scenario for the coastal environment management system in the CCOP countries will be proposed.

Objectives

·         To  describe quantitatively the problems on seashore erosion and eco-system loss

·         To make the proper management strategy of coastal environment.

Activities:  Field survey, Data analysis, Strategy, and Scenario building and organization of Workshop

Phase deployment:

Phase 1 (3 years): Study on coastal environment and eco-system dynamics in the CCOP area.
Phase 2 (3 years): Analysis of human induced environmental impacts in the CCOP giant deltas.
Phase 3 (2 years): Strategy building of giant river basin management system in the CCOP countries.

Products:

·         Accurate seashore recession rate in last 30 years.

·         Ecological dynamics of mangrove corresponding to the seashore environmental change

·         Preliminary proposal for the environmental management program in Thai Chaophraya delta

·         To make the proper management strategy of coastal environment.

·         Sustainable development and management strategy in the giant deltas in CCOP countries.

Last Update: 6 Sept 2004