Ecosystem in upper Mekong Delta – Vietnam is currently degrading. There are many causes for this problem. The main causes are the construction of dykes to develop three-crop rice, the overuse of fertilizers and chemicals in farming, and inappropriate water management, which have caused the ecosystem to deteriorate and become exhausted.

In that context, agricultural activities adapted to the flood season are considered as a suitable and sustainable nature-based adaptation solution (NbS), which is encouraged by the government and international organizations to be applied in agricultural cultivation. NbS models are believed to be environmentally friendly, support biodiversity development, improve soil-water quality, and restore ecosystems.

With that belief, IUCN has been implementing many suitable livelihood models in three upstream provinces of the Mekong Delta. Among them, lotus cultivation is a priority subject to be considered and applied.

As a component of the project, IUCN seeks to contract an eligible consultant entity with the appropriate experience and expertise to perform the assignment of tasks mentioned above.

Objectives

The overall objectives of the tasks are to restore the regional ecosystem and develop sustainable agricultural livelihoods through NbS models, in which environmental quality will be improved and developed in a positive direction.

To conduct biodiversity assessment in project areas in order to:

• Assess biodiversity in farming models related to adaptive agriculture based on flood season.
• Identify optimal farming models that are beneficial for biodiversity development in the area.
• Provide appropriate recommendations for agricultural activities in the upper delta to satisfy the balance of socio-economic and environmental factors.

Tasks
Desk Study

• Collect and list out context of flood-based agriculture in the Upper Mekong Delta, which is considered as Natural Based-Solutions (NbS).

Field Study

Conduct field data collection on related models in project sites, including:

• Intensive lotus;
• Lotus-rice;
• Three-crop rice inside and outside of ring dikes at different times (dry season and flood season) in the focal provinces.

Indicators of the Field Survey

• Water quality, soil quality.
• Zooplankton, phytoplankton, plants.
• Benthic animals, aquatic species, amphibians, reptiles, and related basic indicators in biodiversity assessment activities.
• Measure the total amount of carbon absorbed and stored on each farming model.
• Analyze factors that can potentially impact (negatively and positively) the amount of carbon absorbed and stored on each model.
• Analyze the ecosystem services created by each livelihood model (such as water regulation services like water storage and supply, sedimentation accumulation, etc.).
• Based on reliable historical data, assess the environmental, economic, and social changes of each livelihood model.

Reporting

Prepare a comprehensive final report and present findings at a consultancy workshop.

Expected Results

• Biodiversity information of project areas is assessed and analyzed with related indicators.
• Optimal farming models that are beneficial for biodiversity development in the area are identified.
• A full report with appropriate recommendations for agricultural activities in the upper delta to satisfy the balance of socio-economic and environmental factors is completed.
  

Consultant Qualifications

• Education: Relevant degree in ecology, environmental science, agriculture, or related fields.
• Experience: Proven track record in biodiversity assessments and naturebased solutions (NbS).
• Skills: Data collection, analysis, and reporting on environmental indicators.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Experience working with local communities and stakeholders.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in Vietnamese and/or English.