title: Fish migration, dams, and loss of ecosystem services in the Mekong basin.
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.
authors.affiliation: WorldFish Center, Penang, Malaysia. p.dugan@cgiar.org
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dugan
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barlow
authors.forename: Angelo A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Agostinho
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baran
authors.forename: Glenn F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Cada
authors.forename: Daqing
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ian G
authors.initials: IG
authors.lastname: Cowx
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ferguson
authors.forename: Tuantong
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jutagate
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mallen-Cooper
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marmulla
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nestler
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petrere
authors.forename: Robin L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Welcomme
authors.forename: Kirk O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Winemiller
mesh_terms: D025041:Animal Migration; D000818:Animals; D001210:Asia, Southeastern; D017753:Ecosystem; D005398:Fisheries; D005399:Fishes; D007221:Industry; D045483:Rivers
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