Platform for Aquatic Ecosystem Research

Welcome to PAER

Platform for Aquatic Ecosystem Research (PAER) is a research platform launched in Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC) as an outcome of the project entitled "Establishment of Environmental Conservation Platform of Tonle Sap Lake". The platform was initiated to continue the mission of the project and other additional goals.

The principle roles and responsibilities of PAER Committees are subjected to make decision and give advice on the following issues:

• Preparing of overall implementation plan of PAER at ITC including a long-term vision of curriculums with PAER

• Collaboration with MOE, TSA, and MOWRAM by enhancing and supporting evidence-based environmental management policy to the related governmental agencies

• Serving as a hub (i.e. liaison) for connecting individuals and organizations regarding research, technical supports and management on Tonle Sap water environment

• Publishing research report/journal in a regular basis (i.e., Tropical Limnology, Tropical Lake)

• Maintaining the environmental database about Tonle Sap Lake

• Holding regular academic meeting/conference

• Library with relevant books, journal papers, proceedings and movies

• Other issues necessary for establishment of PAER

Introduction to a SATREPS in Cambodia

Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) is a Japanese government program that promotes international joint research targeting global issues. The program is a collaboration between two Japanese government agencies: the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In Cambodia, the project “Establishment of Environmental Conservation Platform of Tonle Sap Lake” started under SATREPS program, which is a 5-year project starting from April 2016 to March 2021 and has a satellite office located in Institute of Technology of Cambodia (ITC). The main institutions of the projects are: (1) Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, and (2) Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Cambodia.

Fig. 1: Tonle Sap Lake basin, Cambodia

Target

The project aims to develop a water environment analytical tool for Tonle Sap Lake (TSL) and establish an environmental conservation platform through the elucidation of the lake and the tool development.

The long-term project objectives (for the next 10 years, until 2025) are as follows:

1. To establish state-of-the-art research-oriented structures and facilities in ITC

2. To promote science-based management to the government of Cambodia

3. To develop the Tonle Sap Water Environmental Platform (TSWEP) and make it one of the benchmarks in freshwater ecology and management studies in Southeast Asia

Outcomes for the Societies

1. Development of Analysis Tool of Water Environments of TSL

2. Creation of Tonle Sap Water Environmental Platform

3. Promotion of Science and Engineering

4. Quantification of environmental impacts on TSL and its marginal regions

5. Quantification of the impact of global climate change in the region

6. Support the establishment of environmental quality standards of the lake

7. Support the establishment of surface water standard

Capacity Building

1. Training including joint field survey, chemical analysis, modelling, QAQC, and data sharing through an establishment of analytical lab and exchange of engineers and researchers between Cambodia and Japan

2. Regular meetings between stakeholders, including workshops, seminars and symposiums.

3. Establishing graduate programs in the field of environmental science and engineering

4. Jointly developing educational programs for increasing environmental awareness and understanding

5. Promoting human resource development and disseminating technologies into ongoing management practices

PAER Policy Guide
Sustainable and Resilient Tonle Sap Lake: A Progressive Scenario for Policy Action

Please access this book with the link

Proceeding of the 6th International Symposium on Conservation and Management of Tropical Lakes
Environment Conservation Platform For Tropical Inland Water: Science, Policy, and Impact

Please access this book with the link

Beneficiaries