Protect and sustain well-connected wetlands

The wetland area that is worth protecting is characterized by its healthy system, which can be indicated by:

  • Unobstructed water flow

  • Well-vegetated floodplain wetlands

  • Areas providing habitat for species with high conservation value

  • Spawning areas for commercially important fish species

  • Habitat corridors connecting to other wetlands (overland and via water)

  • Fishing zones and natural resource utilization areas

For instance, the Goot Ting Marsh in Nong Khai Province (Thailand) is pivotal in supporting an extensive wetland marsh complex. This site harbours over 120 freshwater fish species, including the endangered Giant Golden Barb, underscoring its remarkable biodiversity. With its high biodiversity, the site has been recognised as a site of international conservation and merits designation as a Ramsar site.

Despite its ecological importance, the Goot Ting Marsh is under threat from the development of hydropower dams upstream. This development disrupts the natural river flow, exacerbating the marsh's drying even at the end of the rainy season. This alteration in the natural flood-drought cycle and sediment transport adversely impacts the ecosystem, posing a serious threat to fisheries productivity, which is essential for the livelihood of the surrounding communities.[1].

Approximately 23,000 villagers across 40 communities depend on the Goot Ting Marsh for their primary livelihood. A 2006 survey revealed that these communities collected 33,541 kilograms of fish, along with substantial amounts of shrimp and edible marine plants, from the marsh for sustenance[2]. Most families rely on the marsh for income in the three largest villages – Nong Fang Daeng, Don Ho, and Huay Kam Phaeng. It's crucial to maintain a healthy marsh system to ensure the continued productivity of fisheries in the Mekong River and protect the livelihoods of these communities.

[1] https://www.benarnews.org/english/news/thai/thailand-china-02192020175528.html

[2] https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?124240/A-Watershed-for-Conservation-WWF-and-Thailand-Celebrate-World-Wetlands-Day-with-a-New-Protected-Site

Map of conservation area around Goot Ting Marsh, indicated by red circle (source: https://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?124240/A-Watershed-for-Conservation-WWF-and-Thailand-Celebrate-World-Wetlands-Day-with-a-New-Protected-Site)