Temporal variability of nitrate transport through hydrological response during flood events within a large agricultural catchment in south-west France

The temporal variability of nitrate transport was monitored continuously in a large agricultural catchment, the 1110 km2 Save catchment in south-west France, from January 2007 to June 2009. The overall aim was to analyse the temporal transport of nitrate through hydrological response during flood events in the catchment. Nitrate loads and hysteresis were also analysed and the relationships between nitrate and hydro-climatological variables within flood events were determined. During the study period, 19 flood events were analysed using extensive datasets obtained by manual and automatic sampling. ThemaximumNO3 − concentration during flood varied from 8.2 mg l−1 to 41.1 mg l−1 with flood discharge from 6.75 m3 s−1 to 112.60 m3 s−1. The annual NO3 − loads in 2007 and 2008 amounted to 2514 t and 3047 t, respectively, with average specific yield of 2.5 tkm−12 yr−1. The temporal transport of nitrate loads during different seasonal flood events varied from 12 t to 909 t. Nitrate transport during flood events amounted to 1600 t (64% of annual load; 16% of annual duration) in 2007 and 1872 t (62% of annual load; 20% of annual duration) in 2008. The level of peak discharge during flood events did not control peak nitrate concentrations, since similar nitrate peaks were produced by different peak discharges. Statistically strong correlations were found between nitrate transport and total precipitation, flood duration, peak discharge and total water yield. These four variables may be the main factors controlling nitrate export from the Save catchment. The relationship between nitrate and discharge (hysteresis patterns) investigated through flood events in this study was mainly dominated by anticlockwise behaviour

Assessment of hydrology, sediment and particulate organic carbon yield in a large agricultural catchment using the SWAT model

The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT, 2005) was used to simulate discharge and sediment transport at daily time steps within the intensively farmed Save catchment in south-west France (1110 km2). The SWAT model was applied to evaluate catchment hydrology and sediment and associated particulate organic carbon yield using historical flow and meteorological data for a 10-years (January 1999–March 2009). Daily data on sediment (27 months, January 2007–March 2009) and particular organic carbon (15 months, January 2008–March 2009) were used to calibrate the model. Data on management practices (crop rotation, planting date, fertiliser quantity and irrigation) were included in the model during the simulation period of 10 years. Simulated daily discharge, sediment and particulate carbon values matched the observed values satisfactorily. The model predicted that mean annual catchment precipitation for the total study period (726 mm) was partitioned into evapotranspiration (78.3%), percolation/groundwater recharge (14.1%) and abstraction losses (0.5%), yielding 7.1% surface runoff. Simulated mean total water yield for the whole simulation period amounted to 138 mm, comparable to the observed value of 136 mm. Simulated annual sediment yield ranged from 4.3 t km−2 y−1 to 110 t km−2 y−1 (annual mean of 48 t km−2 y−1). Annual yield of particulate organic carbon ranged from 0.1 t km−2 y−1 to 2.8 t km−2 y−1 (annual mean of 1.2 t km−2 y−1). Thus, the highest annual sediment and particulate carbon yield represented 25 times the minimum annual yield. However, the highest annual water yield represented five times the minimum (222 mm and 51 mm, respectively). An empirical correlation between annual water yield and annual sediment and organic carbon yield was developed for this agricultural catchment. Potential source areas of erosion were also identified with the model. The range of the annual contributing erosive zones varied spatially from 0.1 to 6 t ha−1 according to the slope and agricultural practices at the catchment scale

Dynamics of Nitrogen loads in surface water of an agricultural watershed by modelling approach, the Save, Southwest France.

Agriculture is known to have a great impact of nutrients enrichment on continental water resources. In south-West of France (Gascogne region), water resource are essentially surface water and shallow aquifer. Nitrogen dynamic in river is complex and highly variable throughout season and year, depending on hydrology, landuse, removal in stream. In this context, agricultural impacts on nitrogen concentration are a matter of concern for agricultural decision-maker. In order to introduce sustainable land use concepts in this hilly, clayey and agricultural shallow soil context, the hydrological simulation model SWAT2005 has been tested as a valuable tool to evaluate the consequences of such land use changes on water and nutrient balance components. This semi-distributed hydrological model coupled with agronomical model EPIC is able to simulate the impact of each agricultural landuse at the outlet of the Save catchment (1100 km2). Hydrological parameters model are calibrated based on 14-year historical record (1994–2008). Nitrogen losses have been measured during 2 years (2006-2008) at the outlet and are used to validate the model calibration. Agricultural data at communal scale coupled with Spot image analyses have been used to evaluate agricultural distribution and pressure in SWAT. The aim of this modelling exercise is to simulate nitrogen cycle in whole agricultural Hydrological Response Units (HRU), depending on plant growth and culture rotation, to simulate accurately nitrate load in river. The ability of SWAT to reproduce nitrogen transfert and transformation at this scale and in this agricultural context will be evaluated by a discussion of importance of each nitrogen cycle process in nitrogen losses. SWAT could be a useful tool to test agricultural scenario to improve the nitrogen management in river

Organisational Baseline Study: Overview report for Pailom CSV, LAO PDR(LA02)

Savannakhet Province has a total area of 21,774 square kilometers, and in 2000 it had an estimated population of 757,950, with an average population density of 35 persons per square kilometer (DoP 2000). Agricultural production is the primary activity in the province and rice is the main crop being produce in the rural areas. Existing data suggest that Savannakhet Province has an estimated 116,809 hectares of rain-fed rice fields and approximately 19,801 hectares are irrigated rice fields. The number of livestock production has been recorded to be increasing and, at present, there are 79 pig farms, 19 poultry farms 15,924 man-made fish ponds, and 259 natural fish ponds (PAFO 2002). In terms of resources, Savannakhet is also rich in forest resources; in 2000 it still had 70 percent forest cover and included three national biodiversity conservation areas (NBCA), Phou Xang He (109,900 hectares), Dong Phou Vieng (197,000 hectares), and Xe Bang Noun (150,000 hectares). Economy wise, there are two state production forests in the province: Dong Ka Pho (9,600 hectares) and Dong Si Thounh (212,000 hectares) (MAF 2001 cited in Chanthavong, 2004). In partnership with IRRI, NAFRI and the District Agriculture and Forestry (DAFO), CCAFS has selected potential site for Climate-Smart Villages in Ban Phailom, Champone District. A 30km commute from Savannakhet town center on a poorly maintained road. Recent statistic suggests that Phailom Village has approximately 100 households. The population is mainly dominated by women about 430 and men are relatively smaller in proportion, only 269 individuals and 90% are involve in rice farming. At the village setting, rice paddy is estimated to be 222.59 hectares account for the majority of farmland landscape while only 7.82 hectares are considered irrigated land. The terrain in Phailom is classified into 2 terrain types, the Upper Phailom and Lower Phailom. Although the greater part of Ban Phailom is rain-fed rice farming, the lower area has reasonable access to irrigation but only confined to10 households. At a glance, it is evident that access to irrigation among rice farmers is a priority to enhance cropping system and overall farming productivity. As a whole, Savannakhet Province is thought to contain rich in natural resources and immense traditional agriculture production system (rain-fed rice production, aquaculture and small livestock raising) but pressure of change in weather pattern specially prolonged dry season will have a consequential impacts in the dynamics of farming communities undermining food security and livelihoods. The establishment of a CSV pilot site in Savannakhet particularly in Phailom Village is crucial to address the looming food insecurity brought about by changing weather patterns. Goal of Organizational Baseline Study are to: - Distinguish entry point for potential partnership and work synergy scheme with other organizations currently operating in the selected CCAFS CSV sites. - Provision of indicators that allows us to monitor changes in behaviors and practices of relevant local organization overtime. - Understand of the current status of provision of information/services at the local level that informs farmers’ decision making about their livelihood strategies in response to climate change. In order to collect the necessary information, the CSV team conducted a survey focusing on organization that was recorded during the second day of Village Baseline Survey with men and women discussion group. Information collected includes agriculture-related decision making, natural resources management, food security, food crisis, climate change perception and organization service activities

Satisfaction Level of the Students on the Quality of Services Provided by Build Bright University, Siem Reap Campus

This research investigates the key factors influencing student satisfaction with the quality of services provided at Build Bright University (BBU), Siem Reap Campus, Cambodia. The study aims to evaluate the benefits of maintaining and enhancing service quality to attract and retain students, assess overall student satisfaction levels, and examine strategies used to promote professional development among students. A quantitative research design, utilizing descriptive statistics and a survey-based methodology, was employed to gather data from 438 first-year students enrolled in the Foundation Year program. The findings highlight that students express high satisfaction with accreditation, the formal recognition of the university’s academic standards, curriculum alignment, the extent to which the academic programs meet national and international educational standards, teacher resources, the availability of qualified instructors, teaching materials, and instructional strategies, and professional staff, administrative and support staff who contribute to a positive academic environment. However, areas such as course materials, textbooks, reading materials, and online resources, learning resources, additional materials and tools that enhance learning, and campus facilities, physical infrastructure such as classrooms, laboratories, and study spaces, need improvement. Based on these results, the study provides recommendations to enhance service quality, including updating course materials, upgrading campus infrastructure, strengthening faculty development programs, and improving student support services. This research offers valuable in-sights into the factors shaping student satisfaction in Cambodian higher education institutions and highlights strategies for improving student retention and success

Village Baseline Study: Site Analysis Report for Pailom village Champone district, Savannakhet province, Lao PDR (LA02)

Data collection for the village baseline study of Pailom village located in Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR, took place from 17th -19th Oct, 2014. Focus group discussions were conducted separately for men and women. The village experienced yearly food shortage leading to hunger and malnutrition. Contributory factors included the frequent drought and crop damage from pests and diseases, poor irrigation facilities benefiting only very few farms, high concentration of salt in soil that limits crop diversification in certain areas of arable land, and increasing population that reduces the land area per person. Rice production was the main livelihood in the village but only limited during the wet season because it is mostly rainfall dependant. During the dry season, fields are left to fallow and used for livestock grazing. The government has provided emergency food aid such as rice and corn powder at subsidized cost during food shortage. , Villagers were temporarily migrating to Thailand to work as labourers in factories and in other farms. Few organizations were operating in the village, particularly working on food security and food crisis issues. Information networking for agricultural activities was mainly by individual (farmer to farmer) interaction rather than media. There was poor dissemination of agricultural information or technical support from agriculture extension workers and responsible agencies. Identified priorities in Pailom village include strengthening and promoting agricultural research extension to gather information on fertilizer management, sustainable agricultural production techniques, pest and disease management

Designing Tourism Policies for Tourism Growth and Poverty Reduction: The Case of Cambodia

doctoral thesi

Victim Assistance: Response from a Socio-Economic Perspective

World Vision International has been helping the disabled in Cambodia since the early 1970s. The author emphasizes that a focus on a socio-economic approach to victim assistance is important to ensure successful rehabilitation of the disabled

Summary of Baseline Household Survey Results: Phonghong district Vientiane province Lao PDR

This report summarizes the results of the household baseline survey conducted in Ekxang Climate-Smart Village and six surrounding villages in Phonghong district, Vientiane province, Lao PDR. The survey was implemented with participation of 140 randomly selected households using pre-prepared tablet-based questionnaires. The majority of the households were male-headed. On average, each household had six members and most of the members were between 5 and 60 years old. The household size and labor force in the target region are similar to national average. The main source of food and income of the households were from on-farm agriculture production, which was mostly contributed by cultivation and livestock. Agriculture production was mainly for self-sufficient purpose as most of products were consumed within the household. Farm size mostly ranged between 1 and 5 hectares and households still can expand land for crops from existing pasture or fallow land. Besides their own land, households were also allowed access to communal land for food crops, vegetables, and other products. With the availability of arable land, food production was enough for the household demand throughout the year. Considering a “typical food year”, food shortage was only experienced by 3% of the households in June, July and October. Few households experienced food crisis in last five years. Although climate change is widely mentioned by the community, it was not perceived as a main factor that led to changes in farming practices. About 80% of the households changed their crops following market price and preference of consumer and availability of labor over the last 10 years. Rain water was often available for farming during rainy season. During the dry season, due to limited capacity of irrigation system, farmers often use water from ponds and boreholes for surrounding crop fields. Regarding information sources, households received climate and weather information from television and individuals, such as friends, relatives or neighbors. Most of the households owned television (97.9%) and mobile phone (95.7%). Information about extreme events and short term (2-3 days) weather forecast were available, but not the long term weather forecast or early warning of pest and disease outbreak. It seems that government organizations did not pay much attention to providing climate information to farmers as only one out of 129 households reported that they receive the information from government staffs