Delimitating inland aqua-ecological zones under different climate conditions in the Mekong Delta region, Vietnam

Climate change (CC) increases saltwater intrusion, changes water flow and alters the ecological characteristics that lead to significant impact on the farming activities in delta areas. This study defines inland aqua-ecological zones (AEZ) for CC conditions in the Mekong delta region, Vietnam. The hydraulic model Vietnam River Systems and Plains (VRSAP) was used to create maps of salinity and flood depth for three baseline scenarios (1998, 2000 and 2004) and their 2030 projection in the national CC scenarios. Zoning was then implemented in two levels. Level one delimitated the basic zone for inland aquaculture. Level two zoned for the purpose of adaptive aquaculture to CC. The results of the study identified seven sub-zones for ecological aquaculture of each baseline scenarios and their projection by 2030. In the context of CC, salinity intrusion area increases 1,442,228, 1,534,381, and 1,929,793 ha corresponded to the baseline scenarios years 2000, 2004, and 1998, respectively. The results of this study are the combination of the ecological boundary approach and hydraulic model and then AEZ for aquaculture was delimitated and spatially distributed. Thereby, their functions and structures of AEZ are identified in order to meet the demands of managers and planners for reducing the effects of salinity intrusion in Mekong Delta.