Email: lehanhchi@gmail.com

Affiliation: Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Vietnam National University

Nationality: Vietnamese

Impact of Heat on Peasantry' Livelihoods in the Buffer zone of Nui Chua World Biosphere Reserve, Ninh Thuan province, Viet Nam

Abstract

World Biosphere Reserve (BR) is a title recognized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for protected areas with unique, rich and diverse fauna and flora. In Vietnam, Nui Chua World Biosphere Reserve, Ninh Thuan province was recognized by UNESCO in 2021 because it possesses many values of forests and seas with a variety of rare flora and fauna; diverse natural landscapes with unique characteristics of the dry coastal climate of Ninh Thuan province and the South Central region of Vietnam. With an area of over 106,646.45 hectares, the Nui Chua BR comprises a core zone of over 16,417 hectares, a buffer zone of more than 48,014 hectares, and a transition zone of approximately 42,131 hectares. It serves three primary functions: conservation; development and research support; education and culture. The Nui Chua BR is assessed by scientists as the place with the harshest climate in Vietnam with an average annual rainfall ranging from 700 - 800 mm, hot weather all year round. Climate change has been affecting all aspects of economic, social life and living environment, especially in Nui Chua World Biosphere Reserve, Ninh Thuan province. The people in the areas most affected by climate change will suffer the most significant health, economic and development losses. Peasants in the Nui Chua BR (including farmers, herders, fishermen and others who rely on agriculture and natural resources for their livelihoods) are among the most affected. They already face greater constraints on production (due to weather, capital, production capacity and production arrangements), and face some of the risks to their fragile livelihoods those impacts them as a driver of rising inequality and poverty.

This study investigates the impact of heat waves on the livelihoods of local communities within the Nui Chua World Biosphere Reserve. The study focuses on surveying peasantry' livelihoods with two economic types (i) Agriculture, forestry and fisheries; (ii) Services in three communes in the buffer zone of Nui Chua World Biosphere Reserve, namely Phuoc Thang commune and My Son commune (the two communes in the area with high and average temperature rise zone) and Vinh Hai commune (a commune with mangrove forests and a commune in the area with low temperature rise zone). These data will help assess the impact of heat waves (intensity and degree of heat wave influence) on the peasantry' livelihoods and propose adaptation solutions for the local community in the Nui Chua World Biosphere Reserve, Ninh Thuan. Understanding these impacts will help propose adaptive strategies for local communities, enabling them to better manage the challenges posed by extreme temperatures. The results of this study will serve as an essential resource for both local policymakers and broader climate resilience efforts, aiming to safeguard the livelihoods of peasantry in Nui Chua and promote sustainable adaptation to climate change.

Bio

Ms. Le Hanh Chi is a dedicated researcher at the Institute of Ecology and Works Protection, where she has gained nearly 20 years of experience in the fields of environmental management, natural resource conservation, and sustainable development. Throughout her career, she has contributed to a range of research projects aimed at understanding and addressing the complex environmental challenges in Vietnam.

Her current research focuses on the impacts of climate change, particularly its effects on biodiversity and the livelihoods of local communities. She aims to understand how climate change is affecting ecosystems and the vulnerability of populations that rely on natural resources for their survival. She has been involved in several projects addressing the complex issues caused by climate change, such as droughts and heatwaves, which affect both natural habitats and rural communities.

Ms. Le has co-authored two articles on climate-related phenomena, which have been published in domestic scientific journals in Vietnam. These publications contribute knowledge on climate change and its socio-economic impacts in the region.

In order to deepen her expertise in the field, Ms. Le is currently pursuing a PhD in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Development at the Central Institute for Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, Vietnam National University (VNU-CRES). This academic pursuit allows her to further develop her research on climate change and its impact on Vietnam's environment and communities. Through her research and studies, Ms. Le aims to make significant contributions to the understanding of climate change and to support sustainable development for local people in Vietnam.