Geography Project Mekong River Yu Qi Xian, Angel 4A(38)

 Location starts in the Tibetan Plateau and the river runs through China's Yunnan province, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam world's 12th-longest river,2,600 miles. largest river in Southeast Asia

 Map

 Background  the heart and soul of mainland Southeast Asia  one of the world’s most diverse fisheries supporter  provider of food, water, transport and many other aspects for local people The Mekong River is…

 Hydrology Lower Basin 1)below the border between Myanmar and Laos 2)1,485 miles in length  Sources of channel flow: -Seasonal precipitation caused by monsoon winds  Climate -Warm(usually around 23º C to 32º C)

 Hydrology Upper Basin 1)long, narrow valley comprises roughly 1/4of the total area 2)cuts through the mountains and plateaus of China.  Sources of channel flow -From the Ang and Cha streams at local

 Natural resources  mineral resources  gold, copper, lead, zinc, phosphate, potash, oil and gas, coal and gemstone  Non-timber forest  important source of income for rural people supply markets with a vast array of plant and animal products

 Natural Resources  Wetlands  productive environment for 1)agriculture, 2)aquaculture, 3)capture fisheries, 4)non-fish aquatic goods, 5)tourism revenue

 Threats The Mekong River system suffers from… a. Deforestation  changed runoff patterns  increased sedimentation b. Destroy the ecosystem  Lead to extinct of numerous fish species

 Threats c. Overfishing  the increased use of poisons d. Pollution  Largely untreated urban, industrial, and agricultural pollution.

 Development  Hydropower meet the growing needs of energy services focus on overall effectiveness of projects within a basin-wide perspective.

 Development  Giant Dams  Ecosystem of the river and a way of life are threatened by a proposal to construct a massive dam in Laos.

 Inspector  Mekong River Commission  set up in 1995 promote and coordinate sustainable management development of water and related resources for the countries' mutual benefit

 Measures Basin Planning Lower Mekong Basin:  economic growth, industrialisation and urbanisation. Water Quality Management  maintain good quality water for locals’ daily life

 Measures National Mekong Committee  better cooperation for maintaining Mekong’s water quality and implement procedure.

 Landscapes Fishermen and farmers are selling their products in the Mekong Market. Children enjoy swimming in the Mekong River. A fisherman is fishing in the Mekong.

 Landscapes

Reflection  Protect the environment Personally: -reduce water using -encourage other people -fix the leak pipes

Reflection  Protect the environment Government: -inspect the discharge of industrial pollutes -set up laws to watch over pollution fountainhead -establish international cooperation committee -educate the public

Reference tm mekong-giant-catfish.html Google