Ecosystem Impact

Reinforcing Tonle Sap’s Natural Resilience

The Tonle Sap ecosystem revolves around fluctuating water levels that nurture forests, grasslands, and aquatic life. When these cycles function smoothly, the lake absorbs seasonal floods, supports abundant fish stocks, and hosts diverse flora and fauna. However, upstream damming, unsustainable land use, and wildfire damage have eroded the lake’s natural defenses. The Our Tonle Sap project addressed these threats with targeted restoration, expanded patrols, and tighter cooperation between government agencies and local communities. Monitoring data shows a measurable rebound in the floodplain’s health, although external pressures still challenge the region’s long-term stability.

Reforested Floodplains Stabilize Habitats

Planting native trees in critical zones helped rebuild protective buffers around the lake. Local nurseries propagated over 115,000 saplings, and community members planted these in areas most prone to soil erosion and deforestation.

  • 192 Hectares Revived

Project teams transformed 192 hectares of previously cleared or burned floodplains into reforested sites, plus an additional 283 hectares under assisted regeneration.

  • Improved Forest Coverage

Reports confirmed healthier young trees in these reforested plots, which contribute to better floodplain habitat for local wildlife.

Community volunteers patrolled these young forests to deter illegal cutting, and firebreaks reduced the frequency of uncontrolled burns that threaten new saplings.

Flood Pulse Sustains Aquatic Diversity

The Tonle Sap flood pulse—water surging in and out with the monsoon—drives nutrient-rich habitats for fish, birds, and amphibians. Project interventions bolstered these cycles through fisheries regulations and better-managed wetlands.

  • Recovering Fish Stocks

Communities in several pilot areas noted more consistent catches once illegal gear was confiscated. Patrols eliminated destructive nets, allowing fish populations to stabilize or rebound.

  • Healthier Flooded Forests

Restored forest margins and inundated groves provided deeper refuge for juvenile fish, supporting local biodiversity. Field teams documented greater vegetation density, which improved feeding and shelter sites.

While water levels remain unpredictable, local resilience measures—like seasonal no-fishing zones—helped preserve the ecological benefits of the flood pulse.

Reduced Fires Protect Grassland and Soil

Wildfires harm both grassland species (including ground-nesting birds) and the soil’s capacity to store nutrients. The project prioritized community firefighting teams, risk mapping, and structured response plans.

Community members reported fewer incidents of major scorch damage, which preserves cover for wildlife and maintaining healthier topsoil.

Evaluations show a clear drop in uncontrolled burns in pilot communes after trained volunteers established firebreaks and used mobile alerts to respond quickly.

Fewer Large-Scale Fires
Safer Grasslands

credited the shift to real-time reporting via Telegram groups and structured firebreak installations, which together minimized extensive damage.

Local leaders

Local Leadership Spurs Lasting Changes

Strong ecosystem health relies on active governance and community buy-in. District officials, commune councils, and NGOs collaborated to frame local rules that back up restoration efforts with legal clout.

  • Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)

More than 30 CBOs integrated ecosystem goals into policies on reforestation, fishing seasons, and water use. Communities and local authorities then worked to align budgets with these measures.

  • Data-Driven Decisions

Field teams used satellite imagery, flood modeling, and fishery surveys to guide resource planning. Residents who took part in workshops gained access to simplified dashboards tracking forest growth or species sightings.

Continued support for these institutional frameworks will be crucial, as external factors—like upstream development—can undermine local gains.

Future Prospects and Ongoing Vulnerabilities

Ecosystem revival around Tonle Sap is underway, with reforested floodplains, improved fish habitats, and safer grasslands as proof of concept. Yet water levels remain erratic, upstream infrastructure can alter flows, and farmland expansion continues to threaten young forests. Project stakeholders underscore the need to keep refining local oversight, fund rapid-response teams, and update regulations as conditions evolve.

Scaling Up

Plans include extending reforestation to additional hectares and strengthening fish breeding zones, building on lessons from existing pilot sites.

Resilience Investments

Government offices, local donors, and regional partners have begun discussing long-term funding for patrols and nursery expansions that uphold ecological boundaries.

Future Prospects and Ongoing Vulnerabilities

Ecosystem revival around Tonle Sap is underway, with reforested floodplains, improved fish habitats, and safer grasslands as proof of concept. Yet water levels remain erratic, upstream infrastructure can alter flows, and farmland expansion continues to threaten young forests. Project stakeholders underscore the need to keep refining local oversight, fund rapid-response teams, and update regulations as conditions evolve.

Scaling Up

Plans include extending reforestation to additional hectares and strengthening fish breeding zones, building on lessons from existing pilot sites.

Resilience Investments

Government offices, local donors, and regional partners have begun discussing long-term funding for patrols and nursery expansions that uphold ecological boundaries.


Learn More

Birdlife Impact:
Ecosystem Impact:
Project Timeline
How reforestation and nest-guard programs influenced key species like Bengal Florican and Painted Stork.
Shows how local leadership, women-led cooperatives, and youth engagement shaped livelihoods.
Month-by-month milestones charting community training, regulatory changes, and new livelihood initiatives.

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