Biodiversity in Con Dao awaits conservation

Information about two rare species that have never appeared in Vietnam has been found in Con Dao has increased the mystery of the mangrove forest here.

Mangroves at Con Dao National Park have been proposed by the Forest Science Institute as one of ten mangrove forests in Vietnam that need to be strictly protected.

The tree species are not available

Con Dao mangrove forest is located in Con Dao National Park area, covering an area of ​​over 30 hectares. Mangroves are scattered in many different areas with an area not large but diverse, the largest area is about 5.9ha, the smallest is about 0.5ha.

According to the latest survey and survey results of Mr. Tran Dinh Hue, Deputy Director of Con Dao National Park, at the end of 2008, Con Dao mangrove forest is mainly distributed on the ground of dead coral, soft sand and clay. . This is also the difference of Con Dao mangrove forest, so when the tidal water recedes, it is still easy to travel in the forest without being swamped like other places.

The red tree is named in the Vietnam Red Book.

Currently, plants in Con Dao mangrove forest have about 46 species of tree species identified, including 35 species of woody plants, five species of shrubs, and 6 species of vines. Most must mention the Rhizophora family with 9 species, Bang family of three species, Legume family of three species with an average density of 2099 trees per hectare. Among them are three species listed in the Vietnam Red Book: Double Rhizophora, Red Toad, Water Melaleuca. Mr. Hue said, Con Dao mangrove forest is one of the rare primeval forests of Vietnam, so we need to preserve them strictly.

Recently, while implementing the research topic of woody plant diversity in Con Dao and Ba Ria - Vung Tau mangrove forests, Hue's research team has also found two more rare species first found in Vietnam. Men like hainessi parrots, Xu rumphii. Mr. Hue added that the two species are mainly present in Singapore, the Philippines is still new to Vietnam. Parrot hainessi is about 15m high with elbow-shaped roots, brown and gray bark, oval leaves, rhombus, flowers often bloom in buds.

Currently in the mangrove forest, Con Dao National Park has only five trees. In addition, there are a number of rare species in Vietnam and Con Dao such as Bang phi, Wild melon, Sea shell, White toad, White balm, Rhizophora.

In particular, the Bang phi tree is a transitional indicator between three mangrove ecosystems, seagrass and coral. However, this tree is now facing extinction in Southeast Asia due to being exploited as a bonsai tree.

Keep the forest for the next life

With many years of experience attached to Con Dao National Park, always concern for the mangrove ecosystem, natural creatures here are preserved for the next life. Mr. Hue and his colleagues at the garden have identified the distribution area of ​​rare and precious species in Con Dao such as Bo Dam - Bai Duong area with many double Rhizophores and Bang phi.

In Dam Quoc - Dam The, there are many hainesii and Red Toad parrots. Dam Trau area - Ong Cau, besides the red toad, also has white toad and water. Dam Tre area is more affectionate. Bang phi, White toad. "After grasping the distribution characteristics of species, we will take measures to protect and develop these rare and precious species , " Hue said.

In Con Dao mangrove forest, there are endemic animals where there is no such thing as Crab tank

What he has long wondered is that mangroves play a very important role in the conservation and rearing of some species such as shrimp, fish turtles . so it is necessary to conduct in-depth research on properties. ecology, use value of the species of hainesii and Xu rumphii and some other rare and precious species to ensure the long-term and diversified existence of the mangrove forest here.

In addition, it is necessary to study genetic diversity of a number of species such as Double Rhizophora, Red Toad, and Quao water to spread and multiply. Besides, Mr. Hue also expected that the above result would build a data bank on species diversity, mangrove timber plantations in Con Dao National Park, and propose solutions. Mangrove conservation provides the best results.

Conservation of mangrove forests

Con Dao National Park is currently taking many measures to preserve precious mangrove forests here such as zoning of communities with rare and precious species to enhance protection. Then the awareness of the community should be raised about the importance and significance of biodiversity, strengthening patrols in protected areas.

In addition, Con Dao National Park is considering to propagate by seeds, by cuttings or through culture, tissue culture of precious and rare species with a small number of individuals such as Red Toad, Hainessi, Xu rumphii to grow widely. area in areas in the Garden. At the same time, move to grow in some areas of Vietnam's mangrove forest that previously had this species but now extinct.