Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation

Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation Ba Be National Park site description and conservaion evaluation

Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research REPORT 10 Ba Be National Park Site Description and Conservation Evaluation Frontier Vietnam 1997 Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 Ba Be National Park Site Description and Conservation Evaluation Hill, M., Hallam, D. and Bradley, J.(eds) Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development Forest Protection Department Frontier-Vietnam Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources Society for Environmental Exploration Hanoi 1997 Ba Be National Park 1997 Frontier-Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 i Technical report citation: Frontier Vietnam (1997) Hill, M., Hallam, D. and Bradley, J. (eds) Ba Be National Park: Site Description and Conservation Evaluation. Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10. Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi. Section citations: Hill, M., Hallam, D. and Bradley, J. (1997) Description of the Ba Be National Park In Ba Be National Park: Site Description and Conservation Evaluation. pp. 4-12. Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi. Hill, M., Hallam, D. and Bradley, J. (1997) Vegetation survey In Ba Be National Park: Site Description and Conservation Evaluation. pp. 13-22. Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi. Hill, M., Hallam, D. and Bradley, J. (1997) Insects (excluding Lepidoptera) In Ba Be National Park: Site Description and Conservation Evaluation. pp. 23-26. Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi. Hill, M., Hallam, D. and Bradley, J. (1997) Butterflies In Ba Be National Park: Site Description and Conservation Evaluation. pp. 27-30. Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi. Hill, M., Hallam, D. and Bradley, J. (1997) Birds In Ba Be National Park: Site Description and Conservation Evaluation. pp. 31-34. Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi. Hill, M., Hallam, D. and Bradley, J. (1997) Mammals In Ba Be National Park: Site Description and Conservation Evaluation. pp. 35-39. Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi. Hill, M., Hallam, D. and Bradley, J. (1997) Socio-economics In Ba Be National Park: Site Description and Conservation Evaluation. pp. 40-47. Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi. Hill, M., Hallam, D. and Bradley, J. (1997) Tourism In Ba Be National Park: Site Description and Conservation Evaluation. pp. 48-53. Frontier Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 Society for Environmental Exploration, UK and Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Hanoi. © Frontier Vietnam ISSN 1479-117X Ba Be National Park 1997 Frontier-Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 ii FOR MORE INFORMATION Forestry Protection Department Block A3, 2 Ngoc Ha, Hanoi, VIETNAM Tel: +84 (0) 4 733 5676 Fax: +84 (0) 4 7335685 E-mail: cites_vn@fpt.vn Frontier-Vietnam PO Box 242, GPO Hanoi, 75 Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: +84 (0) 4 868 3701 Fax: +84 (0) 4 869 1883 E-mail: frontier@netnam.vn Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources Nghia Do, Cau Giay, Hanoi, Vietnam Tel: +84 (0) 4 786 2133 Fax: +84 (0) 4 736 1196 E-mail: Lxcanh@ncst.ac.vn Society for Environmental Exploration 50-52 Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3QP. U.K. Tel: +44 20 76 13 24 22 Fax: +44 20 76 13 29 92 E-mail: info@frontier.ac.uk Internet: www.frontier.ac.uk Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) The Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR) was founded by decision HDBT 65/CT of the Council of Ministers dated 5 March 1990. As part of the National Center for Natural Science and Technology, IEBR’s objectives are to study the flora and fauna of Vietnam; to inventory and evaluate Vietnam’s biological resources; to research typical ecosystems in Vietnam; to develop technology for environmentally-sustainable development; and to train scientists in ecology and biology. IEBR is Frontier's principal partner in Vietnam, jointly co-ordinating the Frontier-Vietnam Forest Research Programme. In the field, IEBR scientists work in conjunction with Frontier, providing expertise to strengthen the research programme. The Society for Environmental Exploration (SEE) The Society is a non-profit making company limited by guarantee and was formed in 1989. The Society’s objectives are to advance field research into environmental issues and implement practical projects contributing to the conservation of natural resources. Projects organised by The Society are joint initiatives developed in collaboration with national research agencies in co-operating countries. Frontier-Vietnam Frontier-Vietnam is a collaboration of the Society for Environmental Exploration (SEE), UK and Vietnamese institutions, that has been undertaking joint research and education projects within the protected areas network of Vietnam since 1993. The majority of projects concentrate on biodiversity and conservation evaluation and are conducted through the Frontier-Vietnam Forest Research Programme. The scope of Frontier-Vienam project activities have expanded from biodiversity surveys and conservation evaluation to encompass sustainable cultivation of medicinal plants, certified training and environmental education . Projects are developed in partnership with Government departments (most recently the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources and the Institute of Oceanography) and national research agencies. Partnerships are governed by memoranda of understanding and ratified by the National Centre for Natural Science and Technology. Ba Be National Park 1997 Frontier-Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures v Executive Summary vi Acknowledgements viii 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Project aims 3 3.0 Description of the Ba Be National Park 3.1 General description 3.1.1 Location 3.1.2 History and status 3.1.3 Previous studies 3.2 Physical environment 3.2.1 Climate 3.2.2 Topography 3.2.3 Geology 3.2.4 Hydrology and catchment protection 4 4 4 9 10 10 11 11 12 4.0 Vegetation survey 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Methods 4.2.1 Vegetation mapping 4.2.2 Vegetation transects 4.2.3 Botanical collection 4.3 Results 4.3.1 Vegetation mapping 4.3.2 Vegetation transects 4.3.3 Species list 4.4 Description of forest transect sites 4.4.1 Forest Transect 4.4.2 Forest Transect 4.4.3 Forest Transect 4.4.4 Forest Transect 4.4.5 Forest Transect 4.5 Discussion 4.5.1 Forest types 4.5.2 Rare species 4.5.3 Threats to the forest flora 13 13 13 13 14 16 16 16 17 18 18 18 19 20 20 21 21 21 22 5.0 Insecrs (excluding lepidoptera) 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Methods 5.2.1 Sweep-netting 5.2.2 Pitfall trapping 5.3 Results 5.3.1 Sweep-netting 5.3.2 Pitfall trapping 5.4 Discussion 5.4.1 Insects of the herb layers 5.4.2 Ground-dwelling insects 23 23 23 23 24 24 24 25 25 26 6.0 Butterflies 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Methods 6.2.1 Butterfly transects 6.2.2 Opportunistic collection 6.2.3 Butterfly trapping 6.3 Results 6.3.1 Species-richness 6.3.2 Butterfly communities in different habitats 6.4 Discussion 27 27 27 27 28 28 28 28 29 Ba Be National Park 1997 Frontier-Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 iv 6.4.1 Species-richness 6.4.2 Species of interest 6.4.3 Butterfly communities in different habitats 29 30 30 7.0 Birds 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Methods 7.3 Results 7.4 Discussion 7.4.1 Range extensions 7.4.2 Altitude reductions 7.4.3 Rare species 31 31 32 32 33 33 34 8.0 Mammals 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Methods 8.2.1 Mammal trapping 8.2.2 Bat netting 8.2.3 Observation 8.3 Results 8.3.1 Mammal trapping 8.3.2 Bat netting 8.3.3 Observation 8.4 Discussion 8.4.1 Small mammals 8.4.2 Bats 8.4.3 Larger mammals and primates 35 35 35 35 36 36 36 37 37 38 38 38 38 9.0 Socio-economics 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Methods 9.3 Results 9.3.1 The people and place 9.3.2 Economic activities 9.3.3 Land tenure 9.3.4 Use of, and dependence upon, the forest 9.3.5 Forestry protection authorities (Kiem Lam) 9.4 Discussion 40 40 40 40 43 44 45 46 47 10.0 Tourism 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Methods 10.3 Results 10.3.1 Present facilities 10.3.2 Plans for development 10.3.3 Tourist profile 10.3.4 Interaction of tourists with environment, culture, economy 10.4 Discussion 48 48 48 48 49 50 51 53 11.0 Conclusions 54 12.0 References 57 13.0 Appendices Appendix 1: Plants Appendix 2: Vegetation transect data Appendix 3: Forest transect diagrams Appendix 4: Butterflies Appendix 5: Birds Appendix 6: Mammals Appendix 7: Medicinal plants used in Ba Be Appendix 8: Specimens Ba Be National Park 1997 Frontier-Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 v LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1 Map showing geographic position of Ba Be National Park 5 Figure 2 Ba Be National Park, showing boundaries 6 Figure 3 Ba Be National Park 7 Figure 4 Ba Be National Park, showing study sites 8 Figure 5 Number of taxa in major biological groups identified in earlier surveys 9 Figure 6 Climate data for Cho Ra 10 Figure 7 Topography of Ba Be National Park 11 Figure 8 Vegetation map of Ba Be National Park 15 Figure 9 Summary data for vegetation plots 16 Figure 10 Ground flora data for vegetation plots 17 Figure 11 Ground flora species in ecological groups 17 Figure 12 Summary of sweep-net data for five sites 24 Figure 13 Summary of pitfall trap data for six sites 24 Figure 14 Pitfall fauna in major invertebrate groups 25 Figure 15 Distribution of butterfly species between families 28 Figure 16 Summary statistics for butterfly transects 29 Figure 17 Percentage of total number of butterfly individuals in each family 29 Figure 18 Bird species outside their normal altitude range 33 Figure 19 Results of small-mammal trapping 36 Figure 20 Mark-release-recapture data for small mammals 37 Figure 21 Population of Ba Be district 41 Figure 22 Changing demography of Ba Be National Park 41 Figure 23 Map showing villages, markets and subdistricts of the National Park 42 Figure 24 Ethnic groups of Ba Be 43 Ba Be National Park 1997 Frontier-Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 vi EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report describes a biodiversity survey of the Ba Be National Park, Cao Bang province, Vietnam, conducted as a part of the Society for Environmental Exploration (SEE) Vietnam Forest Research Programme in October-December 1996. The Ba Be National Park is 7,611ha in area, and is centred on Ba Be lake, Vietnam’s only significant mountain lake. Surrounding the lake, limestone hills support a mosaic of tropical forest vegetation types and cleared areas used by local people for grazing livestock. The SEE survey at Ba Be involved the study of forest ecosystems, and biodiversity of plants, butterflies, birds and mammals. In addition, the socio-economic conditions of the resident human populations were investigated, and the growing tourist industry of the area studied. Five forest plots were studied in detail, in various locations around the lake and at a variety of altitudes. Most of the sites showed some signs of human disturbance, and in places this was intense. The forests studied fell into two main types. Those on bare limestone slopes showed a low tree species diversity and were dominated by the trees Streblus tonkinensis and Burretiodendron hsienmu. The herb layer of these forests on limestone contained few herbaceous species. In localities where deeper layers of soil had built up, such as at the base of slopes and the top of ridges, the forest contained a greater diversity of trees, and a more developed field layer containing several herbaceous species. Of the plant species identified, nine are endangered within Vietnam (they are listed in the Red Data Book for Vietnam Volume 2, Plants; RDB, 1995). The endangered species are mainly valuable timber trees or herbs used in traditional medicine. The butterfly fauna of two secondary forest areas and grassland beside the River Nang were compared using transect methods. The highest diversity of butterflies was recorded in one of the transects located in woodland, although by far the greatest numbers of butterflies were recorded in the open site. Overall, 167 butterfly species were collected at Ba Be. The bird fauna of Ba Be was studied by observation. Overall, 189 species of bird were recorded. Thirteen of these species were observed well below their normal known altitude ranges. Two species recorded are endangered within Vietnam, and eight ‘near-threatened’ internationally. Mammals were studied by observation, small-mammal trapping, and bat-netting. Overall a list of 22 mammal species was produced. Three of the species recorded (slow loris, Francois’ leaf monkey and Owston’s palm civet) are vulnerable to extinction internationally. Socio-economic surveys were carried out by interview with the ethnic minority inhabitants of the area. Most of the local people belong to the Tay minority, and are Ba Be National Park 1997 Frontier-Vietnam Environmental Research Report 10 vii heavily reliant on agriculture as a source of income. Hunting is common in the forest, and local people fish the lake using explosives. Both of these activities are banned in the National Park but still continue; dynamite fishing in particular is widespread and obvious. Ba Be National Park is developing as a tourist destination, both for domestic and overseas tourists. Visitors to the Park were interviewed to assess their impact on the local ecology and economy and to gather their views on the Park. The tourist industry currently has little effect on the lifestyles of local inhabitants, and the ecological effects of tourism have been slight, when compared with the impact that hunting, timber removal and agriculture have on the forest areas. Ba Be is a landscape of national importance within Vietnam, and its forests support populations of certain endangered species. Its designation as a National Park has reduced, but not eliminated, the major problems common to most Vietnamese protected areas; hunting, fishing, timber exploitation and clearance for agriculture. However, the natural beauty of the area and its relative accessibility from Hanoi has encouraged tourism at Ba Be. If the development of the tourism industry is managed effectively and sustainably, involving local people, then the National Park has the potential to generate income and reduce some of these problems. [...]... 4 Ba Be National Park 1997 Figure 1 Map showing the geographic position of Ba Be National Park Frontier-Vietnam Environment Research Report 10 5 Ba Be National Park 1997 Figure 2 Map showing the boundaries of Ba Be National Park Frontier-Vietnam Environment Research Report 10 6 Ba Be National Park 1997 Figure 3 Ba Be National Park Frontier-Vietnam Environment Research Report 10 7 Ba Be National Park. .. Environment Research Report 10 3 Ba Be National Park 1997 3.0 DESCRIPTION OF BA BE NATIONAL PARK 3.1 General description 3.1.1 Location Ba Be National Park is located in Nam Mau commune, Cao Bang Province, northern Vietnam, co-ordinates 22o24'N by 105o37'E (see Figure 1) It is 254km from Hanoi, and 18km South-West of the town of Cho Ra In the centre of the National Park is Ba Be lake, the only significant... Be National Park 1997 Figure 4 Ba Be National Park, showing study sites Frontier-Vietnam Environment Research Report 10 8 Ba Be National Park 1997 3.1.3 Previous studies of the National Park Previous studies of the biodiversity of the Ba Be National Park have included a survey by Vietnamese scientists in 1990 (FIPI, unpublished), which formed the basis for the National Park management plan A later study... (1,517m, 11.5km from the lake), and Pu Sam Sao (1,175m, 11km from the lake) (SCEMMA, 1992) The topography and geological features of Ba Be National Park are shown in Figure 3 The majority of the land area of the National Park is made up of steep limestone slopes and cliffs, and the only flat land occurs beside the River Nang and in some places beside the lake All of this land has been converted to agricultural... occurring between rock outcrops Where soils have built up, they are alkaline and clay-rich (Kemp et al., 1994) Frontier-Vietnam Environment Research Report 10 10 Ba Be National Park 1997 Figure 7 Topography of Ba Be Frontier-Vietnam Environment Research Report 10 National Park and extension zone 11 Ba Be National Park 1997 3.2.4 Hydrology and catchment protection The lake is 7.5km long, and 200m-800m... 1994) has proposed that the management of the Ba Be National Park and the Na Hang Nature Reserve, 30km away in Tuyen Quang province, be integrated Under this plan, which has yet to be implemented, the reserves would be extended and 'forest corridors' between the two areas protected The National Park will now be extended in 1997 to a total of 49,000ha, taking in land to the South of the existing protected... Cayco Viet Nam (Pham Hoang Ho, 1993) For species which could not be identified in the field, herbarium specimens were collected for later identification Frontier-Vietnam Environment Research Report 10 14 Ba Be National Park 1997 Figure 8 Vegetation types of Ba Be National Park Frontier-Vietnam Environment Research Report 10 15 Ba Be National Park 1997 4.3 Results 4.3.1 Vegetation mapping A vegetation map... Research Report 10 18 Ba Be National Park 1997 the ground flora than at FT1, reflecting the greater diversity of forest trees at this site The only herbs represented were a fern and Laportea sp (Urticaceae) Climbers included Stephania rotunda (Menispermaceae), Entada phaseoloides (Fabaceae), and Pothos sp (Araceae) 4.4.3 Forest Transect 3 FT3 was situated in the buffer zone of Ba Be National Park, to the North... brachyandra (Menispermaceae) and Smilax glabra (Smilacaceae) (RDB, 1994) Others are threatened by forest loss, in combination with collection as ornamental plants (in the case of, for example, Cycas balansae; Nguyen Kim Dao, pers comm.) Frontier-Vietnam Environment Research Report 10 21 Ba Be National Park 1997 4.5.3 Threats to the forest flora of Ba Be National Park Much of the forest in the park is... 4.2.2.1 Site selection Vegetation transect studies were carried out at five sites Sites were selected to represent the altitudinal range found in the National Park, and were spread around the lake (see Figure 4), in order to include the main forest types in the area At each of the sites FT1-FT5, data were gathered on the trees and ground flora Frontier-Vietnam Environment Research Report 10 13 Ba Be National