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Population dynamics, delta vulnerability and environmental change: comparison of the Mekong, Ganges–Brahmaputra and Amazon delta regions

Population dynamics, delta vulnerability and environmental change: comparison of the Mekong, Ganges–Brahmaputra and Amazon delta regions
Population dynamics, delta vulnerability and environmental change: comparison of the Mekong, Ganges–Brahmaputra and Amazon delta regions
Tropical delta regions are at risk of multiple threats including relative sea level rise and human alterations, making them more and more vulnerable to extreme floods, storms, surges, salinity intrusion, and other hazards which could also increase in magnitude and frequency with a changing climate. Given the environmental vulnerability of tropical deltas, understanding the interlinkages between population dynamics and environmental change in these regions is crucial for ensuring efficient policy planning and progress toward social and ecological sustainability. Here, we provide an overview of population trends and dynamics in the Ganges–Brahmaputra, Mekong and Amazon deltas. Using multiple data sources, including census data and Demographic and Health Surveys, a discussion regarding the components of population change is undertaken in the context of environmental factors affecting the demographic landscape of the three delta regions. We find that the demographic trends in all cases are broadly reflective of national trends, although important differences exist within and across the study areas. Moreover, all three delta regions have been experiencing shifts in population structures resulting in aging populations, the latter being most rapid in the Mekong delta. The environmental impacts on the different components of population change are important, and more extensive research is required to effectively quantify the underlying relationships. The paper concludes by discussing selected policy implications in the context of sustainable development of delta regions and beyond.
1862-4065
539-554
Szabo, S.
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Brondizio, E.
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Renaud, F.G.
fcfbaadb-6d29-45ac-baf0-073863636548
Hetrick, S.
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Nicholls, R.
4ce1e355-cc5d-4702-8124-820932c57076
Matthews, Z.
ebaee878-8cb8-415f-8aa1-3af2c3856f55
Tessler, Z
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Tejedor, A
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Sebesvari, Z
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Foufoula-Georgiou, E
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da Costa, S
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Dearing, J.A.
dff37300-b8a6-4406-ad84-89aa01de03d7
Szabo, S.
01d6bb83-2775-4470-aa2b-b6afbf936187
Brondizio, E.
7042ad34-f228-4b49-8c88-313fd4850bd8
Renaud, F.G.
fcfbaadb-6d29-45ac-baf0-073863636548
Hetrick, S.
41441778-7e2a-4a19-b088-6b692db54a49
Nicholls, R.
4ce1e355-cc5d-4702-8124-820932c57076
Matthews, Z.
ebaee878-8cb8-415f-8aa1-3af2c3856f55
Tessler, Z
f56bb70e-d23e-44b0-b08b-b261dcb726a4
Tejedor, A
e0bdaf4c-46e1-4ce0-8161-2c830e0b9bf4
Sebesvari, Z
4f7b83d0-2360-4d54-b621-0764a7575d22
Foufoula-Georgiou, E
b200baa1-8fd8-43d5-ba84-7d613a8a4a94
da Costa, S
f61db11d-37bf-40df-bc46-a1bcef9ffdfe
Dearing, J.A.
dff37300-b8a6-4406-ad84-89aa01de03d7

Szabo, S., Brondizio, E., Renaud, F.G., Hetrick, S., Nicholls, R., Matthews, Z., Tessler, Z, Tejedor, A, Sebesvari, Z, Foufoula-Georgiou, E, da Costa, S and Dearing, J.A. (2016) Population dynamics, delta vulnerability and environmental change: comparison of the Mekong, Ganges–Brahmaputra and Amazon delta regions. [in special issue: Overview Article Sustainable Deltas: Livelihoods, Ecosystem Services, and Policy Implications] Sustainability Science, 11 (4), 539-554. (doi:10.1007/s11625-016-0372-6).

Record type: Article

Abstract

Tropical delta regions are at risk of multiple threats including relative sea level rise and human alterations, making them more and more vulnerable to extreme floods, storms, surges, salinity intrusion, and other hazards which could also increase in magnitude and frequency with a changing climate. Given the environmental vulnerability of tropical deltas, understanding the interlinkages between population dynamics and environmental change in these regions is crucial for ensuring efficient policy planning and progress toward social and ecological sustainability. Here, we provide an overview of population trends and dynamics in the Ganges–Brahmaputra, Mekong and Amazon deltas. Using multiple data sources, including census data and Demographic and Health Surveys, a discussion regarding the components of population change is undertaken in the context of environmental factors affecting the demographic landscape of the three delta regions. We find that the demographic trends in all cases are broadly reflective of national trends, although important differences exist within and across the study areas. Moreover, all three delta regions have been experiencing shifts in population structures resulting in aging populations, the latter being most rapid in the Mekong delta. The environmental impacts on the different components of population change are important, and more extensive research is required to effectively quantify the underlying relationships. The paper concludes by discussing selected policy implications in the context of sustainable development of delta regions and beyond.

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Accepted/In Press date: 3 May 2016
e-pub ahead of print date: 26 May 2016
Published date: July 2016
Organisations: Social Statistics & Demography

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Local EPrints ID: 396910
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/396910
ISSN: 1862-4065
PURE UUID: 7475e333-84f5-45a2-bb8f-d9e9217b8fe7
ORCID for R. Nicholls: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-9715-1109
ORCID for Z. Matthews: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-1533-6618
ORCID for J.A. Dearing: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-1466-9640

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Date deposited: 16 Jun 2016 13:53
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 03:19

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Contributors

Author: S. Szabo
Author: E. Brondizio
Author: F.G. Renaud
Author: S. Hetrick
Author: R. Nicholls ORCID iD
Author: Z. Matthews ORCID iD
Author: Z Tessler
Author: A Tejedor
Author: Z Sebesvari
Author: E Foufoula-Georgiou
Author: S da Costa
Author: J.A. Dearing ORCID iD

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