ECOLOGICAL SERVICES AND AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM IN THE SUSTAINABILITY-ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT AT THE BORDER ZONE BETWEEN VIETNAM AND LAOS (Case Study of Bo Y Commune, Kon Tum Province, and Son Kim 1 Commune, Ha Tinh Province)

Abstract

Based on the approach of human ecology, the paper provides explanations on the current state of the farming system based on the analysis of ecological services in Bo Y (Kon Tum) and Son Kim 1 (Ha Tinh) on the border of Vietnam - Laos. This issue is considered in the context of complex interaction between farming system and the socio-economic development process as well as the policy mechanism in natural resource management. The paper adopted quantitative 200 households survey and in-depth interviews, and analyzed spatial image to assess land cover as reflection of ecological services. The findings show that Bo Y has a homogeneous farming system, focusing on intensive industrial crops but ecological services is poor and limited of stability; Son Kim 1, on the other hand, has a higher diverse agricultural system, but strictly controlled by forest conservation policies, thereby contributing to stabilize the ecological services and ensure biodiversity.