Talk:Planting Design 2013 Working Group 24 - Case Study A

Case Study A - Afforestation in Ca Mau, Vietnam

Extremely interesting case study. It has a very intense natural dynamic vs. cultural dynamic and it’s very rich in terms of historical, economic, social and ecological context.

You have done interesting and useful reflections, specially about:

(1) The use of vegetation and the importance of its good application (“I started realizing that nature soon takes over our country. I believe cautiously interacting with nature, using plants as critical materials”). Yes, we agree that it’s certainly important to use the right type of plants, in the right places and in the right amounts. Nature is unpredictable and the more we respect the existing/original ecosystems the more chances of successful interventions we have.

(2) The dependent relations between economic, social and ecological aspects of your case study: due to recent interventions economic and social factors are improving (increasing production) but ecological and other social aspects are decreasing (social disparities – poverty; lower water quality, biodiversity and access to water). The challenge, we think, is to discover how to balance those factors.

Questions maybe you could reflect on:

(1) Were the trees used in the process of forestation the right ones? Did they respect the previous existing species of vegetation? You say that nature is taking over the South part of the country. Why is that happening? When you say this “invasion” is occurring it’s a bad thing because of:

a) Natural dynamics (those places on the South shouldn’t have trees);

b) Cultural dynamics (the growth of vegetation in those places is affecting people and the economy);

c) Both.

d) Other reasons.

(2) What future do you see to this scenario? How do you think balance between economic, social and ecological aspects can be achieved? Do you think the existing legal tools of protection applied to the delta are efficient?

Liked your work! :)