Recent scientific studies have confirmed high biodiversity of Khanh Hoa forest...
Recent scientific studies have confirmed high biodiversity of Khanh Hoa forest, thus conservation and development measures have been suggested.
The high biodiversity of Khanh Hoa forest was mentioned in the research themed “Building biodiversity database of Khanh Hoa forest” presided over by the Department of Natural Resources & Environment and conducted by Southern Institute of Ecology (Ho Chi Minh City ) in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture & Rural Development for two years, from 2012 to 2013.
According to the research, Khanh Hoa ecosystem is characterized as tropical and subtropical with abundant and diverse flora species. Besides, dry forest ecosystems and mangroves are found. Khanh Hoa forest has 2,142 flora species, including newly found species. Apart from Aquilaria crassna, Khanh Hoa is also well-known for Paphiopedilum delenatii, a rare orchid species which has been discovered in Khanh Vinh District.
Vanilla species in Khanh Hoa accounts for 5/6 of those in Vietnam. Cam Ranh Peninsula has 2 unique genetic resources, namely Shorea falcata and Hopea cordata.
Pinus krempfii, is a rare species of pine, has been found to grow in Khanh Hoa. A habitat of Tenasserim pine found in Hon Heo is recognized to bear many differences compared to the Pinus population in Ba Cum ( Khanh Son ). This is a rare genetic resource that should be researched and developed.
About 50 typical genetic resources named after geographic names in Khanh Hoa include orchid Yangbay Hung, Oak Yersin, etc. Especially, 5 out of 8 newly found species confirmed by local and international researchers are in Hon Ba natural Reserve. They include Gie, Giom, Minh Dien, Nam Tinh and so on.
Besides, there are 507 fauna of 112 families, including 9 rare species. Researches show that Pygathrix nigripes are distributed in most of areas in Khanh Hoa Province. Nomascus gabriellae is also recorded in some locations in Khanh Hoa.
According to PhD Vu Ngoc Long, Director of the Institute of Ecology South, socio-economic planning and hydropower development will significantly influence resources and the biodiversity of Khanh Hoa forest. Therefore, solutions to the forest preservation and development are required.
Engineer Tran Gioi, Forestry Branch, Department of Agriculture & Rural Development, says the pivotal objective is to review and supplement the planning of special-use forests and recommends turning two potential areas of high biodiversity (Son Thai, Giang Ly) into natural reserves, Hon Heo into a habitat conservation area; restoring and developing mangroves, etc.
N.T
