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Mekong delta much lower than previously assumed in sea-level rise impact assessments

Author

Listed:
  • P. S. J. Minderhoud

    (Utrecht University
    Deltares Research Institute)

  • L. Coumou

    (Utrecht University)

  • G. Erkens

    (Utrecht University
    Deltares Research Institute)

  • H. Middelkoop

    (Utrecht University)

  • E. Stouthamer

    (Utrecht University)

Abstract

Deltas are low-relief landforms that are extremely vulnerable to sea-level rise. Impact assessments of relative sea-level rise in deltas primarily depend on elevation data accuracy and how well the vertical datum matches local sea level. Unfortunately, many major deltas are located in data-sparse regions, forcing researchers and policy makers to use low-resolution, global elevation data obtained from satellite platforms. Using a new, high-accuracy elevation model of the Vietnamese Mekong delta, we show that quality of global elevation data is insufficient and underscore the cruciality to convert to local tidal datum, which is often neglected. The novel elevation model shows that the Mekong delta has an extremely low mean elevation of ~0.8 m above sea level, dramatically lower than the earlier assumed ~2.6 m. Our results imply major uncertainties in sea-level rise impact assessments for the Mekong delta and deltas worldwide, with errors potentially larger than a century of sea-level rise.

Suggested Citation

  • P. S. J. Minderhoud & L. Coumou & G. Erkens & H. Middelkoop & E. Stouthamer, 2019. "Mekong delta much lower than previously assumed in sea-level rise impact assessments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:10:y:2019:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-019-11602-1
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-11602-1
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    Cited by:

    1. Thanh Viet Nguyen & Tuyen Quang Tran & Dewan Ahsan, 2022. "Aquaculture Farmers' Economic Risks Due to Climate Change: Evidence from Vietnam," European Journal of Business Science and Technology, Mendel University in Brno, Faculty of Business and Economics, vol. 8(1), pages 42-53.
    2. Nong, Duy & Mason-D’Croz, Daniel & Lu, Yingying & Marcos Martinez, Raymundo & Palmer, Jeda, 2021. "An introduction of GTEM-Food: A baseline calibration with a focus on food," Conference papers 333304, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    3. Pham Thi Oanh & Makoto Tamura & Naoko Kumano & Quang Van Nguyen, 2020. "Cost-Benefit Analysis of Mixing Gray and Green Infrastructures to Adapt to Sea Level Rise in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-19, December.
    4. Minerva Singh & Luitgard Schwendenmann & Gang Wang & Maria Fernanda Adame & Luís Junior Comissario Mandlate, 2022. "Changes in Mangrove Carbon Stocks and Exposure to Sea Level Rise (SLR) under Future Climate Scenarios," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-17, March.
    5. Kaveney, Brooke & Barrett-Lennard, Edward & Chau Minh, Khoi & Dang Duy, Minh & Nguyen Thi, Kim Phuong & Kristiansen, Paul & Orgill, Susan & Stewart-Koster, Ben & Condon, Jason, 2023. "Inland dry season saline intrusion in the Vietnamese Mekong River Delta is driving the identification and implementation of alternative crops to rice," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    6. Leon HAUSER & Roberta BONI & Philip S.J. MINDERHOUD & Pietro TEATINI & Marie-Noëlle WOILLEZ & Rafael ALMAR & Selasi Yao AVORNYO & Kwasi APPEANING ADDO, 2023. "A scoping study on coastal vulnerability to relative sealevel rise in the Gulf of Guinea," Working Paper da6cc701-670f-4e44-bf9c-c, Agence française de développement.
    7. Do, Huu-Luat & Ho, Thong Quoc, 2022. "Climate change adaptation strategies and shrimp aquaculture: Empirical evidence from the Mekong Delta of Vietnam," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    8. Vo Hong Tu & Steven W. Kopp & Nguyen Thuy Trang & Andreas Kontoleon & Mitsuyasu Yabe, 2021. "UK Consumers’ Preferences for Ethical Attributes of Floating Rice: Implications for Environmentally Friendly Agriculture in Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-27, July.
    9. Le, Hanh-My & Ludwig, Markus, 2022. "The Salinization of Agricultural Hubs: Impacts and Adjustments to Intensifying Saltwater Intrusion in the Mekong Delta," VfS Annual Conference 2022 (Basel): Big Data in Economics 264102, Verein für Socialpolitik / German Economic Association.

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