Threats to Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta
Rural communities in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta are experiencing a loss of traditional ecological knowledge due to climate change, agricultural modernization, and migration, which are transforming local livelihoods.
Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is a dynamic body of knowledge that develops through experimentation, learning, and interaction with the environment, playing a crucial role in supporting resource-based livelihoods in rural communities.
TEK shapes ways of life, norms, values, and the ‘living with floods’ cultures of rural communities.
Despite its value, some argue that TEK may be less relevant in the context of changing waterscapes and technological advancements in the Mekong region.
- Climate change affects local ecosystems and resource availability.
- Agricultural modernization alters traditional farming practices.
- Migration leads to the loss of traditional knowledge and skills.
However, in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta, TEK is considered a valuable shared asset, as seen in local practices such as fish trap making, which illustrates the evolution of TEK through community interactions with water environments.
Author's summary: Traditional ecological knowledge is under threat in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta due to climate change and modernization.