Summary (En) | Gift

This book with 33 chapters divided into five parts is a compendium of selected papers from the conference that can be broadly categorized as land and water management, fisheries and aquaculture and rice-based agriculture systems. Intensification of aquaculture and rice-based agriculture frequently produces negative effects that range from environmental degradation to social conflict; managing these impacts in a sustainable manner is imperative to protect the social and ecological foundations of tropical deltaic systems. New approaches to the intensification and diversification of rice-based production systems are presented in this book, which could impact positively on the livelihoods of millions who inhabit the deltaic areas of South, South East and East Asia if implemented on a large scale. More importantly, these innovations could begin to reverse man's current exploitive behaviour and ensure the preservation of critical ecosystems. A significant section of the compendium is devoted to the intensification of marine shrimp aquaculture production. Negative impacts associated with shrimp production are well recognized, and several innovative approaches to waste management are presented. Further critical questions are raised over the introduction of exotic shrimp species and the long-term impact this could have on native species, which suggests a cautionary approach to future development. A clear consensus emerged from the conference that highlighted the importance of social mobilization and the role of communities in decision making.

Dam development improves water, food, and energy security but often with negative impacts on human health. The transmission of dam-related diseases persists in many dammed catchments despite treatment campaigns. On the Senegal River Basin, the transmission of Schistosoma spp. parasites has been elevated since the construction of dams in the late 1980's. We use narrative analysis and qualitative content analysis of archival documents from this setting to examine health as a component of the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus and understand priorities and trade-offs between sectors across the policy-to-practice continuum. We find that health is recognized as an important component of river basin development, but that priorities articulated at the policy level are not translated into management practices. Incorporating health as a management objective is possible without imposing substantial trade-offs to FEW resources. Coordinated research and surveillance across transboundary jurisdictions will be necessary to inform decision-making on how to operate dams in ways that mitigate their negative health impacts.