Wetland changes and their impacts on livelihoods in Chiang Saen Valley, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand

This study aims to classify and quantify the levels of change in the Wiang Nong Lom and Nong Luang wetlands (Chiang Saen Valley, Chiang Rai Province, Thailand) and their impact on local livelihoods. Primary data and key informant survey, group interviews, descriptive statistics, and t-tests were used. Importance-performance analysis was used to prioritize those issues that deserve most attention. The 448 households located in these wetland areas were surveyed and additional information was obtained through key informants and group interviews. Our results showed that both natural occurrences and human activity can cause wetland changes. Sedimentation is the main natural cause of wetland damage (62.2%). Use of agricultural technology (81.9%) is the most significant force driving wetland changes. More than 90% of the survey respondents agreed that during the last 30 years changes occurred in the community economy, socio-cultural tradition, and wetland ecology. More than 85% of the respondents reported that their livelihoods had been affected by those changes, whereas 94.2% of them claimed that the wetland ecology has changed. Changes that had a “high” impact on livelihoods included poor water quality, a decline in fishery and livestock grazing areas, an influx of immigrant workers, a decline in species, and number of fish and aquatic animals. There was a significant difference in the perceptions regarding the impact of changes in community economy and the wetland ecosystem of intensive and non-intensive users. It is recommended that volunteer monitoring programs can bring together communities with environmental and local government staff to monitor wetland quality.