In Cambodia, a large portion of the population engages in primary sector
production such as agriculture, forestry and fishery, and the people’s livelihoods are
directly dependent upon the availability of natural resources. The natural environment,
however, has been undergoing severe deterioration for several decades. Similar challenges
are being faced in many different countries and it is therefore of global importance to
explore ways to conserve the environment while allowing people’s livelihoods to develop.
In this context, the term socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS)
was coined to refer to areas shaped by production activities characterised by harmonious
human-nature interactions. The aim of this study is to deepen the understanding of
Cambodian production landscapes using three different perspectives drawing on the
SEPLS concept: structure, benefits and changes. Based on a literature review, key
characteristics of SEPLS were identified including their mosaic structure and the diverse
benefits they provide. Further study is needed to understand the significance of SEPLS in
Cambodia in terms of the biodiversity and environmental benefits they provide.