Reference no: EM133405130

Question: The European Bank of Economic Development, the World Bank and other institutions have proposed to partially fund the expansion of the Vietnamese railway system, which runs 1,160 kilometres between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The railway also connects the coastal cities of Hue, Danang and Nha Trang. Currently, the railway is single track and trains can only run at around 50-60kph meaning that journeys are long and slow. The project will involve partial electrification, widening to allow the building of an additional track, and various other civil engineering works that will raise line speeds in places in excess of 100kph. There will also be the construction of new stations and other supporting infrastructure. The railway will pass through urban areas, coastal lowlands used for agricultural purposes, as well as environmentally sensitive coastal rainforest, saltmarsh and the fringes of mangrove swamps. i. The railway will result in significant land-use change through the construction of tracks, access roads, stations and freight management facilities. How will these works impact ecosystem services? Break down your answer into impacts on provisioning, regulating and cultural services. Provide examples of both positive and negative impacts where possible.