Hydropower dams provide renewable energy, but they also have significant negative impacts on freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity. This has food security implications for tens of millions of people across the Mekong, which has the world’s largest freshwater fisheries. Join us for a discussion with Ratha Sor and Sarah Null for a discussion on one of the first empirical studies showing how hydropower development and river fragmentation has negatively impacted fish biodiversity in the lower Mekong. The highlighted study was supported by USAID through the Wonders of the Mekong Project.
This is the fifth in a monthly Mekong data seminar series featuring presentations of recent studies and papers by authors with an interactive discussion about the data and why it matters.
Featured Speakers
Dr. Ratha Sor, Director of Graduate School, National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear
Ratha Sor is the Director of Graduate School, National University of Cheasim Kamchaymear. He received his double PhD degree from Ghent University (Belgium) and the University of Paul Sabatier – Toulouse III (France) in 2017. He conducts research in an array of disciplines: Ecology, Tradeoff Dams and Biodiversity, Species Distribution Modelling, Biological Invasions, Fisheries, Water Quality Assessment, Ecological Restoration and Management.
Sarah Null, Associate Professor, Watershed Sciences Department at Utah State University
Dr. Sarah Null uses her background in water resources systems analysis and physical geography to monitor and mathematically model processes and interactions of built and natural water resources systems. She uses systems analysis, mathematical modeling and field studies to improve understanding and explore solutions. Dr. Null has a bachelor’s degree in Economics from University of California in Los Angeles, and master’s and doctorate degrees in Geography from University of California in Davis.
Discussants
Sinsamout Ounboundisane, Mekong Director and Fisheries Biologist, FISHBIO
Mr. Sinsamout Ounboundisane is a fisheries biologist with more than 20 years of experience in research and community development projects in the Mekong region in relation to aquatic resources management and conservation. He holds a master’s degree in aquaculture and aquatic resources management from the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand. His expertise includes participatory research and management methods, fish surveys, and establishing Fish Conservation Zones.
Dr. Binh Dang Thuy, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Institute for Biotechnology and Environment at Nha Trang University
Dr. Binh Thuy Dang is a senior lecturer and researcher, and leader of the Biodiversity and Conservation group at the Institute for Biotechnology and Environment, Nha Trang University, Vietnam. She teaches marine biodiversity and ecology, marine conservation, and bioinformatics. Her research led to the establishment of a genomics laboratory at Nha Trang University. Dr. Binh has more than 25 years’ experience working in molecular ecology and fisheries research. Her research interests include evolution, marine ecology, aquatic biodiversity, and the conservation of aquatic organisms. She has extensive expertise conducting research projects in the greater Mekong region.
Moderators
Brian Eyler, Southeast Asia Program Director, The Stimson Center
Courtney Weatherby, Southeast Asia Deputy Director
Courtney Weatherby’s research focuses on sustainable infrastructure and energy development challenges in Southeast Asia and the Indo-Pacific, particularly at the nexus of issues in food, water, and energy in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Weatherby was lead author on a range of technical and policy studies on system-scale planning for hydropower and cross-border electricity trade. She supports the development and management of the Mekong Dam Monitor and Mekong Infrastructure Tracker.