Found precious spruce species in Lung Cu

Recently, the Center for Biodiversity and Safety has obtained a sample of 3 conifer trees near the foot of Lung Cu flagpole (Dong Van district, Ha Giang province) at an altitude of 1616m. Each individual has a height of about 5m, a diameter of 20cm.

From the morphological characteristics of the specimen obtained, compared with the characteristics in the identification key, Biodiversity and Biosafety Center identified, this is a spruce species . However, at that time, the above comments were not confirmed. Recently, Prof. Dr. Phan Ke Loc, who had many research projects on conifer trees in Vietnam, after obtaining a full specimen (with cones) of conifer species at the foot of Lung Cu flagpole, he affirmed, 3 individuals of bare grains at the base of Lung Cu flagpole are spruce.

Spruce will contribute to creating a high scientific and aesthetic value for the Global Geopark.

Information from the Center for Diversity and Biosafety shows that spruce (Abies delavayi Franch, fansipangensis (QPXiang & al.) Rushforth is endemic, a source of rare and unique genes in Vietnam. Owls and spruce have very narrow distribution areas, only met at an altitude of 2,600-3,000m of the Phanxipang mountain area, Sa Pa (Lao Cai), interspersed with rocky mountains and some broad-leaved trees on the mountainside granite, forming landscapes of high scientific and aesthetic value, Phanxipang spruce, maximum height of 30m, diameter of meters, spiral leaves, thick, erect, strip-shaped, long 1- 3cm, about 1mm wide.

It is known that spruce is in danger of extinction due to small populations, limited distribution. The Vietnam Red Book (2007) ranks spruce in the Vulnerable Group (VU). Spruce is also included in the list of rare and endangered rare and precious forest flora and fauna (Group I) of the Government Decree No. 32/2006 / ND-CP, prohibiting exploitation and use for commercial purposes. .

Thus, Lung Cu is the second place in the country, after Phan Thiet's Sapa (Lao Cai province), discovered spruce. The presence of spruce in Lung Cu, on the one hand, has increased the scientific value of the Global Geopark, on the other hand, also contributed to the attraction of tourists. From now on, those who love nature and want to see the spruce on their own do not need to reach the height of more than 2000m in Phan Thiet, but they can be admired by Lung Cu flagpole.

However, according to officials of the Center for Biodiversity and Safety, the problem is that, in Ha Giang, outside Lung Cu, where is the spruce? And why in Ha Giang, spruce can be distributed at relatively low altitudes (1,616m)? Hopefully, in the near future, the curtain of secrets about rare and precious spruce species in Ha Giang will be clarified!