Skip to main content

Prehistoric pathways to Anthropocene adaptation: Evidence from the Red River Delta, Vietnam.

Rabett, R. J., Morimoto, R., Kahlert, T., Stimpson, C. M., O'Donnell, S., Mai Huong, N. T., Van Manh, B., Holmes, R., Sinh Khánh, P., Tan Van, T. and Coward, F., 2023. Prehistoric pathways to Anthropocene adaptation: Evidence from the Red River Delta, Vietnam. PLoS One, 18 (2), 1-42.

Full text available as:

[img]
Preview
PDF
journal.pone.0280126.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial.

12MB

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0280126

Abstract

Over the past twenty years, government advisory bodies have placed increasing emphasis on the need for adaptive measures in response to the effects of human-induced climate change. Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), which incorporate macroeconomic and climate variables, feature prominently in advisory content, though they rarely draw on data from outside strictly constrained hypothetical systems. This has led to assertions that they are not well-suited to approximate complex systemic human-environment processes. Modular, interdisciplinary approaches have offered a way to address this shortcoming; however, beyond climate records, prehistoric data continue to be under-utilised in developing such models. In this paper we highlight the contribution that archaeology and palaeoecology can make to the development of the next generation IAMs that are expected to enhance provision for more local and pro-active adaptations to future climate change. We present data from one of Southeast Asia’s most heavily developed river deltas: the Red River (Song Hong) Delta, in Vietnam and localised analysis from the Tràng An Landscape Complex World Heritage Site, on the delta’s southern margin. Comparison is made between Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSP) 5–8.5 and SSP2–4.5 emission projection models and the Mid-Holocene inundation of the Red River Basin. We highlight the value to taking a scientific long view of coastal evolution through an illustrative set of eight research foci where palaeo-data can bring new and localised empirical data to bear on future risk management planning. We proceed to demonstrate the applicability of palaeoenvironmental, zooarchaeological and historical evidence to management and the development of sustainable conservation strategies using Tràng An as a case study. In so doing, we further highlight the importance of knowledge exchange between scientific, corporate, non-governmental, local, and state stakeholders to achieve tangible results on the ground.

Item Type:Article
ISSN:1932-6203
Additional Information:Funding sources: Global Challenges Research Funded (GCRF) grant from the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council to RR (AH/N005902/1) (URL: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=AH%2FN005902%2F1); UKRI Global Challenges Research Fund – Global Impact Acceleration Award to RJR (GCRF-GIAA18-19/Rabett); UKRI Covid-19 Grant Extension Allocation Fund to RJR; project support funding to RJR from the Xuan Truong Construction Enterprise. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Group:Faculty of Science & Technology
ID Code:38225
Deposited By: Symplectic RT2
Deposited On:07 Mar 2023 16:21
Last Modified:07 Mar 2023 16:21

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

More statistics for this item...
Repository Staff Only -