Some rare plant species found in Cam Ranh Peninsula and Thuy Trieu Swamp (Cam Ranh City and Cam Lam District, Khanh Hoa Province) are at risk of extinction...
Some rare plant species found in Cam Ranh Peninsula and Thuy Trieu Swamp (Cam Ranh City and Cam Lam District, Khanh Hoa Province) are at risk of extinction. The preservation of the rare species is urgent.
Some years ago, Cam Ranh Peninsula used to be known for biodiversity with many species, including shorea falcata, hopea cordata, dipterocarpus condorensis, sindora maritima, lumnitzera littorea and so on.
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| The dipterocarpus condorensis community in Tan Hai, Cam Duc Town, Cam Lam District, Khanh Hoa Province. |
Thuy Trieu Swamp used to be home to mangrove forests covering hundred thousands of hectares. A recent study has shown many rare plant species in Cam Ranh Peninsula and Thuy Trieu Swamp.
Engineer Tran Gioi, an official at Khanh Hoa Forestry Division, says Cam Ranh is identified as a biodiversity hotspot by the Conservation International (CI).
However, forest destruction and aquaculture practices have put some rare species at risk of extinction.
The 5 species of plant namely shorea falcata, hopea cordata, dipterocarpus condorensis, sindora maritima and lumnitzera littorea found in Cam Ranh Peninsula and Thuy Trieu Swamp are in need of preservation.
According to Engineer Gioi, the shorea falcata and hopea cordata, mostly found in Cam Ranh, are endemic to Vietnam. They are included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species 2012.
The sindora maritima found mainly in central provinces is classified as "Lower risk" in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
1,300 lumnitzera littorea and 30 dipterocarpus condorensis individuals found in this area are classified as "near threatened", likely to become endangered in the near future in Vietnam Red Book.
Le Duc Vinh, Khanh Hoa Provincial Standing Committee member, Provincial People’s Committee Deputy Chairman says it is urgent to protect the rare and endemic species in Cam Ranh Peninsula and Thuy Trieu Swamp.
The Departments of Agriculture & Rural Development and Natural Resources & Environment need to have conservation plans, including planting the imperiled species in parks in Cam Ranh peninsula tourist site.
Rare plants in the project areas are required to be protected. Cam Ranh City and Cam Lam District People’s Committees need to raise public awareness of the conservation of the rare species through propaganda.
In early 2013, Khanh Hoa Provincial forestry sector will conduct a survey in some areas of Cam Ranh Peninsula and Thuy Trieu Swamp to evaluate the plant population and existing development for suitable conservation.
Hopefully, the joint effort in conservation through extensive field investigations, research and management activities will protect the rare plant species from extinction for the benefit of the natural environment and humans.
N.T
