The salinization of the Mekong Delta: major drivers, coping strategies, and new hopes from ecosystem-based approaches

Abstract

The Vietnamese Mekong Delta (VMD) best represents Earth’s deltas in the Anthropocene, with rapid development under constant environmental pressures. Among these, salinity intrusion (SI) is one of the most critical, yet invisible, disturbing freshwater ecosystems and agriculture. We review 50 studies to synthesize the main drivers of SI in the VMD, coping strategies, and the potential of ecosystem-based approaches. The drivers span global to local scales: (i) climate change, (ii) hydropower dams, (iii) riverbed mining, and (iv) groundwater extraction. Coping strategies include water diplomacy and national initiatives. Finally, three EbA models are recommended: (i) agriculture–aquaculture integration, (ii) crop–livestock–forest systems, and (iii) integrated multitrophic aquaculture. Although focused on the VMD, the findings are relevant to other river deltas facing similar environmental challenges.