Country Evidence/Brunei Darussalam/2023
Impact of Climate Change on Water Resources in the Context of Brunei Darussalam: IWRM Perspectives
Peer-Reviewed
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This 2023 conference paper by Shahriar Shams, presented at the SRICOENV conference, examines the impact of climate change on water resources in Brunei Darussalam from an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) perspective. The study documents rising temperatures and increasing rainfall intensity, together with sea-level rise of about 5.5 millimetres per year, and analyses how these changes affect the country’s rivers and freshwater supply. A key finding is that tidal-surge backwater flow is pushing saltwater further upstream, with a recorded 2.6 percent rise in upstream salinity. This salinity intrusion harms freshwater aquaculture and aquatic biodiversity, threatening fish ponds and the ecological health of river systems. The author recommends adopting IWRM to coordinate water use, protect freshwater sources and manage climate risks across sectors. Classed as direct evidence under Vulnerability and Risk Assessment, this paper is notable as the only direct Brunei aquaculture-salinity evidence located in the matrix. It is useful for filling a significant country-coverage gap, for informing water and aquaculture planning in Brunei, and for illustrating how salinity intrusion, a widespread issue in Southeast Asian deltas and estuaries, can affect freshwater aquaculture even in smaller countries with limited production.
Additional Details
- Author(s)
- Shahriar Shams
- Type
- Conference proceedings (SRICOENV)
- Aquaculture / Fisheries Dimension
- Freshwater aquaculture and aquatic biodiversity affected by upstream salinity increase
- Relevance to Climate Aquaculture
- Direct
- Thematic Area
- Vulnerability & Risk Assessment
- Climate Issue
- Rising temperature and rainfall intensity; tidal-surge salinity intrusion; sea-level rise (5.5 mm/yr)
- Adaptation / Key Contribution
- Documents a 2.6% rise in upstream salinity from tidal backwater flow harming freshwater aquaculture; recommends Integrated Water Resources Management
- How to Use / Notes
- Only direct Brunei aquaculture–salinity evidence located