Are trees buffering ecosystems and livelihoods in agricultural landscapes of the Lower Mekong Basin? Consequences for climate-change adaptation

People and ecosystems in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) are vulnerable owing to the
interaction between unsustainable land-use practices and climate change. This review
analyzes 1)) the impacts of continuing land-use and climate changes in the LMB region; and
2) the potential role of increased use of trees in agricultural landscapes to reduce the negative
impact of land-use changes. The analysis was based on a review of peer-reviewed literature
identified by a keyword search and related unpublished data of the World Agroforestry
Centre Thailand. The study confirms that natural resources and ecosystem services—
particularly water, soil and biodiversity—are degrading in the LMB. However, trees outside
forests, including agroforests, can help buffer both ecosystems and local livelihoods in
agricultural landscapes, thereby enhancing their resilience. Several remaining challenges are
discussed according to their links to technical, policy and social capital-building issues.
Combining local knowledge and scientific knowledge in selecting optimal combinations and
spatial arrangements of suitable trees and agroforestry practices is necessary in order to
maximize synergies and reduce trade-offs among different ecosystem services, between
ecosystem benefits and economic benefits, and between climate-change adaptation and
mitigation purposes. Policy recommendations centre on strategies for participatory
approaches, on enhancing agroforestry advocacy and on co-interest incentive schemes at farm
scale to help address sustainability of agricultural landscapes. Further research is
recommended on suitable trees and agroforestry practices to address identified transboundary
issues, using a holistic landscape approach with high levels of participation and a
nested framework for ecosystem management and monitoring.