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1 June 2010 Fish Migration, Dams, and Loss of Ecosystem Services in the Mekong Basin
Patrick J. Dugan, Chris Barlow, Angelo A. Agostinho, Eric Baran, Glenn F. Cada, Daqing Chen, Ian G. Cowx, John W. Ferguson, Tuantong Jutagate, Martin Mallen-Cooper, Gerd Marmulla, John Nestler, Miguel Petrere, Robin L. Welcomme, Kirk O. Winemiller
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Abstract

The past decade has seen increased international recognition of the importance of the services provided by natural ecosystems. It is unclear however whether such international awareness will lead to improved environmental management in many regions. We explore this issue by examining the specific case of fish migration and dams on the Mekong river. We determine that dams on the Mekong mainstem and major tributaries will have a major impact on the basin's fisheries and the people who depend upon them for food and income. We find no evidence that current moves towards dam construction will stop, and consider two scenarios for the future of the fisheries and other ecosystems of the basin. We conclude that major investment is required in innovative technology to reduce the loss of ecosystem services, and alternative livelihood strategies to cope with the losses that do occur.

© Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences 2010 www.kva.se/en
Patrick J. Dugan, Chris Barlow, Angelo A. Agostinho, Eric Baran, Glenn F. Cada, Daqing Chen, Ian G. Cowx, John W. Ferguson, Tuantong Jutagate, Martin Mallen-Cooper, Gerd Marmulla, John Nestler, Miguel Petrere, Robin L. Welcomme, and Kirk O. Winemiller "Fish Migration, Dams, and Loss of Ecosystem Services in the Mekong Basin," AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment 39(4), 344-348, (1 June 2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-010-0036-1
Received: 24 January 2010; Accepted: 3 February 2010; Published: 1 June 2010
JOURNAL ARTICLE
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KEYWORDS
dams
ecosystem services
fish migration
inland fisheries
Mekong
River development
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