Quantitative Study on Morphological Change Characteristics of Tonle Sap Lake Based on DEM

Lake is an important part of the natural ecosystem, and its morphological characteristics reflect the capacity of lake regulation and storage, the strength of material migration, and the characteristics of shoreline development. In most existing studies, remote sensing images are used to quantify the morphological characteristics of lakes. However, the extraction accuracy of lake water is greatly affected by cloud cover and vegetation cover, and the inversion accuracy of lake elevation data is poor, which cannot accurately describe the response relationship of lake landscape morphology with water level change. Therefore, this paper takes Tonle Sap Lake as the research object, which is the largest natural freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. DEM is constructed based on high-resolution measured topographic data, and morphological indicators such as lake area, lake shoreline length, perimeter area ratio, longest axis length, maximum width, shoreline development index, lake shape complexity, compactness ratio and form ratio are adopted to researching the evolution law of high water overflows and low water outbursts quantitatively, and clarifying the variation characteristics of landscape morphology with water level gradient in Tonle Sap Lake. The research results have important theoretical significance for the scientific utilization of Tonle Sap Lake water resources and the protection of the lake ecosystem.

Depositional Environment of Sediments in Tonle Sap Sedimentary Basin, Western Part of Cambodia: Insights from Field and Geochemical Studies

Tonle Sap sedimentary basin was considered a favorable geological condition for hydrocarbon accumulation in the onshore Cambodia. Two exposure outcrops in Battambang province, called Somlout and Takream, were selected to represent sediments in this basin. The sedimentology and geochemistry studies provide insights into the depositional environment of sediments using field investigation, lithological, sedimentological, paleontological, and geochemical analysis. The redox condition, water column, and depositional setting were analyzed by plotting the ratio of V vs. Cr, Uauthigenic vs. V/Cr, Sr vs. Ba, Ca vs. (Fe + Ca), and Fe2O3/TiO2 vs. Al2O3/(Al2O3 + Fe2O3) diagram. Moreover, these diagrams can be used to predict depositional conditions as well. Based on the results, Somlout and Takream comprise calcareous shale and limestone facies. The geochemical analysis showed that Somlout calcareous shale samples were deposited in the dysoxic freshwater of the lake setting during the regression, while Somlout limestones and Takream were deposited in high salinity seawater, oxic condition of shallow-marine water. In addition, Somlout limestones consist of fragmental fusulinid foraminifera, bivalve shelve, and bryozoan, which suggest a barrier environment. Meanwhile, Teakream consists of fine-grained calcareous shale, and lime-mudstone, which are presented to form in the quiet marine setting of the lagoon environment. Therefore, the Tonle Sap basin sediments were deposited in the Somlout area’s barrier and lake environment, and the lagoon environment for Takream.

Using Artificial Neural Network to Estimate Sediment Load in Ungauged Catchments of the Tonle Sap River Basin, Cambodia

Concern on alteration of sediment natural flow caused by developments of water resources system, has been addressed in many river basins around the world especially in developing and remote regions where sediment data are poorly gauged or ungauged. Since suspended sediment load (SSL) is predominant, the objectives of this research are to: 1) simulate monthly average SSL (SSLm) of four catchments using artificial neural network (ANN);2) assess the application of the calibrated ANN (Cal-ANN) models in three ungauged catchment representatives (UCR) before using them to predict SSLm of three actual ungauged catchments (AUC) in the Tonle Sap River Basin;and 3) estimate annual SSL (SSLA) of each AUC for the case of with and without dam-reservoirs. The model performance for total load (SSLT) prediction was also investigated because it is important for dam-reservoir management. For model simulation, ANN yielded very satisfactory results with determination coefficient (R2) ranging from 0.81 to 0.94 in calibration stage and 0.63 to 0.87 in validation stage. The Cal-ANN models also performed well in UCRs with R2 ranging from 0.59 to 0.64. From the result of this study, one can estimate SSLm and SSLT of ungauged catchments with an accuracy of 0.61 in term of R2 and 34.06% in term of absolute percentage bias, respectively. SSLA of the AUCs was found between 159,281 and 723,580 t/year. In combination with Brune’s method, the impact of dam-reservoirs could reduce SSLA between 47% and 68%. This result is key information for sustainable development of such infrastructures.

Morphological Characteristics of Cambodia Mekong Delta and Tonle Sap Lake and Its Response to River-Lake Water Exchange Pattern

Tonle Sap Lake is the largest river-connected lake, buffer area and ecological zone of Mekong River, which plays a huge role in dispelling flood peak and compensating water, and the conservation of biological diversity. The river-lake relationship between Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake is unique and has always been a major focus in the international community. The land terrain and under-water topography were used to analyze the morphological characteristics of Cambodia Mekong Delta and Tonle Sap Lake. Long series of hydrological data of river-lake controlling stations were used to analyze the water level variation characteristics and water volume exchange pattern between Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake, and the response relationship to river-lake morphological characteristics were also researched. The results show that: Cambodia Mekong Delta and Tonle Sap Lake Area is low-lying and flat with gentle channel gradient and water surface gradient, making the relationship between water level and area (or volume) smooth. The channel storage capacity of Mekong River and Tonle Sap River is not enough compared to the inflow, so vast flooding plain is extremely prone to be inundated, making the flood relationships between the left and right banks become very complicated. Tonle Sap Lake is a seasonal freshwater lake with water flowing in and flowing out, and the timing and intensity of water exchange with Mekong River are closely related to the water flow resistance at the exit section of Tonle Sap Lake and the cross-sectional area of Tonle Sap River, which can be reflected by the river-lake water level difference and the water level of Tonle Sap River. Affected by the river-lake morphological characteristics, the water exchange intensity between Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake is great. Tonle Sap Lake not only stores 14.4% of flood volume (39.7 billion m3) from the Mekong River every year, but also supplies 29.7% of dry water (69.4 billion m3) to the Mekong River. Influenced by the adjustment of the floodplain, the water level fluctuation of Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake is slow, and the rising and droop rates of water level are positively correlated with the floodplain storage area. The research results will help to understand the relationship mechanism between Mekong River and Tonle Sap Lake and provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive governance of Cambodia Mekong Delta and Tonle Sap Lake Area.

Co-management of small-scale fishery in the Tonle Sap Lake,Cambodia

In Cambodia,fishery co-management is an important process to transfer authority and ownership to the communities along the Tonle Sap Lake to manage fishery.This paper aims to determine why the co-management of small-scale fishery has not been implemented satisfactorily in the Tonle Sap Lake of Cambodia.The research was primarily based on a household survey among 404 house-holds for quantitative data,equally divided between the Cham(202 households)and Khmer(202 households).Participatory process was also applied to collect qualitative data from key stake-holders.We found that limited interaction among the involved stakeholders,i.e.,unequal distribution of authority and resources co-management,has impeded implementation.The engagement of fisherfolk was influenced by dependence on fishery,law enforcement,and events organized by the communities.While the Khmer had better opportunities to participate in planning at the provincial and district levels,the Cham were only engaged in local development activities initiated by their people.However,the latter evinced a higher rate of satisfaction due to their access tofishery resources and to a large quantity of fishing gear.In the future,efforts should be made to:(1)improve resource and authority sharing among all key stakeholders;(2)urgently resolve issues pertinent to capacity building,insufficient budgets for commune councils(CoCs)and community fishery(CFi);and(3)urge law enforcement regarding illegal fishing.

基于FUI模型的柬埔寨洞里萨湖水体颜色研究

洞里萨湖(Tonle Sap Lake)是东南亚最大的淡水湖泊,研究其水体颜色的时空分布能够为评估洞里萨湖水质综合状态的变化提供重要信息.该研究使用2000年-2018年间中分辨率成像光谱仪MODIS的地表反射率数据,在水体颜色指数FUI模型的基础上,定量分析了洞里萨湖色调角的年际变化和年内差异、色调角与水面面积的关系、水体颜色变化率的空间分布特征、以及富营养化状态的逐年变化.结果表明:1)洞里萨湖的水体颜色在19年间呈现由黄向绿的转变,但不显著,2014年-2016年的年内差异明显减小并出现了短暂的稳定;2)不同月份色调角的逐年变化趋势存在明显差异,有8个月的色调角与面积存在显著的相关关系,最强的正/负相关关系分别出现在雨季6月(R=0.72)和旱季12月(R=-0.86);3)在雨季、旱季的代表月份6月、12月,色调角年际变化率的空间分布差异较大,12月的逐年变化幅度明显高于6月,但变化趋势呈现显著性的区域较少;4)19年间,洞里萨湖的营养化状态在雨季6月以“富营养”状态为主,在旱季12月存在明显差异.研究结果量化了近20年来洞里萨湖水体颜色或水质综合状态、富营养化程度的演变程度及空间分布,为该湖泊的水质监测与治理提供基础数据支持.

近30年来洞里萨湖沿岸土地覆被变化及其对水位的响应

The transboundary influence of environmental change is a critical issue in the Lancang-Mekong region.As the largest river-connected lake in the lower Mekong,the ecological change and influence of Tonle Sap Lake have received widespread attention and discussion,especially after 2008,when the hydrological regime of the Lancang-Mekong River mainstream underwent distinct changes.However,the linkage and coupling mechanism between the lake riparian environment and mainstream water level change are still unclear.In this study,the interannual spatiotemporal changes in land cover in the Tonle Sap Lake riparian zone(TSLRZ)and their relationship with mainstream water levels were analysed.The results showed that the expansion of farmland was the most notable change in 1988–2020.After 2008,the land cover changes intensified,manifested as accelerated farmland expansion,intensified woodland fragmentation and significant water body shrinkage.Furthermore,the responses of the water body,degraded land,wasteland and grassland areas to the mainstream water levels weakened after 2008.Evidently,the land cover changes in the TSLRZ in the last 30 years were less related to the mainstream water level change than to local reclamation and logging.These results can offer a new scientific basis for the transboundary influence analysis of hydrological change.