Mega-deltas of Asia Geological Evolution and Human Impact

Author: Zhongyuan Chen, Yoshiki Saito & Steven L.Goodbred Jr.
Language: English
ISBN/ISSN: 7502763422
Published on: 2005-01
Hardcover

As the outcome of the two-year (April 2003-March 2005) APN project ‘Mega-deltas of Asia: conceptual model and its application to future delta vulnerability’, this proceedings project. Involved countries are: Austrlia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Canada, China, Finland, India, France, Iran, Japan, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, United Kingdom, The United States and Vietnam. This river-delta research result symbolizes the great effort by multinational earth scientists with different specialty background, but all with close interaction.
Through the project, we have approached: (1) establishing a comprehensive conceptual model for Asian mega deltas, where unique geologic conditions play a critical role for delta response to natural and anthropogenic forcings; (2) an improved understanding of the dynamic responses to human activities, natural variability, and global climate change, in order to provide useful information for future coastal vulnerability assessments; and (3) the significance of No. 1-2 above for the sustainable development of this densely-populated region.
Also, it is the great value of the project that capacity networks as 4-working group: East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and Oceania have been channelized, especially for those from developing countries. This has certainly provided a healthy and effective venue for all involved scientist and policy-marker/government administrator, to address all necessities relative to delta model and coastal vulnerability. This will exert a long-term effectiveness for upgrading public awareness of environmental conservation, leading to the sustainable development strategy in the recent future.

This conference proceedings supported financially by APN/START (Asia-Pacific Net-works for Global Change Research and Global Change SysTem for Analysis, Research and Training; Grant No. 2004-06-CMY), and #211 key Project of China National Education Ministry.