Accounting for the ecosystem services of different land uses: a case study of the ecological zones in the Mekong Delta Region, Vietnam

This study analyzed the physical changes of ecosystems and measured the value of ecosystem services (ESV) in a subregion of Vietnam. The results showed that cropland accounted for the majority of the natural area with 85%, while urban land area increased by 5% from 1990 to 2020. Water and aquaculture accounted for a significant proportion, while the remaining land groups, such as grassland, barren land, and forest, accounted for insignificant proportions. Can Tho, serving as the socio-economic center of the region, showed the most obvious contrast between the growth of urban land and the decline of cropland when both had a change of 8%. Meanwhile, An Giang showed growth in both types of land use in the period 1990–2005, but this locality had a decrease in crop land in the period 2005–2020. Land use change impacted on ESV during the study period. This value decreased from 1990 to 2005 by 43.36 million US$/year, then increased by 462.37 million US$/year from 2005 to 2020. However, the rate of change in ESV by locality showed different values. Hau Giang is the province that shows the strongest growth by 8%, followed by Vinh Long and An Giang bothwith growth rates of over 7.6%. Dong Thap was the only province that witnessed a decrease in ESV after 30 years. The research aimed to support policymakers to have more background information as a basis for building strategies to ensure sustainable development to combat climate change and environmental change in the study sub-region in particular and inVietnam in general.