Kien Giang limestone mountain - precious capital for biodiversity

The Kien Giang limestone mountain system accounts for only a small area compared to the national limestone system but is rated the world's most biodiversity. Here, scientists have found many endemic plant and animal species that complement the world's portfolio.

Kien Luong - Ha Tien (Kien Giang) limestone karst is located in the limestone mountain range stretching from Kien Giang to Vietnam to Kampot - Cambodia. They are distributed separately along the sea and plain, 300 to 1,000 km away from other limestone karsts. However, Kien Giang limestone is biologically attractive to researchers.

Sampling soil, measuring the humidity of living areas of Begonia Bataiensis Kiew.

Kien Giang limestone is formed from sediments millions of years ago by marine organisms , such as corals, shells, algae, microorganisms . Geological tectonics have pushed them up Get out of the water, forming huge blocks of rock. Due to the main structure of calcite (calcium carbonate), limestone blocks are easily eroded. Therefore, after tens of thousands of years, wind and rain created Kien Giang limestone mountains into wonderful natural masterpieces: the mountain cliffs protruding the blades of stone pointed straight up to the sky, the caves with unique shapes, jelly emulsion

According to the research of many scientists, caves in the limestone mountains of Kien Giang have been used by humans for thousands of years. Many sites of Phu Nam culture were found in limestone mountains at Konpong Trach (Kampot, Cambodia). Thach Dong, Chua Hang, Tien . (Kien Giang) are associated with the traces of Gia Long King and the history of expanding the territory and protecting Vietnam's territory. In two battles against France and the US, limestone caves hid the revolutionary soldiers before enemy bombs, including napalm and reclamation. According to the general assessment, this cave system is very safe from modern weapons (except atomic bombs) and is the most fortified stronghold that can prevent tsunami disasters.

In the world, limestone mountains account for about 10% of the total land area. 1/4 of the world's population depends on the source of fresh groundwater of limestone origin. A very small change will adversely affect this sensitive resource. Some karst areas provide high fertility for farmland. The cave area is the habitat of the bird nest group providing bird's nest. Many places exploit limestone mountains to make cement. In particular, the biggest benefit from limestone is the sustainable exploitation of tourism. Many limestone landscapes in the world become symbols or are recognized as a landscape or world heritage site, such as: Hon Phu Tu (Kien Giang), Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Non Nuoc (Da Nang), Phong Nha (Quang Binh), Port Campbel National Park (Australia), the Buddhist temple cave complex in Pak Ou (Laos) .

Initially, many scientists believe that limestone mountains in Kien Giang area are discrete and far apart, so biodiversity is not high. However, the more research, the more scientists are fascinated by the novelties and diversity of the biological population here. Up to now, it is possible to make statistics into key groups such as terrestrial plants, caves, mollusks, primate groups, small groups of animals and groups with a high proportion of invertebrates.

Fossils originating from marine life are very much in Kien Giang limestone mountain.

According to initial statistics, Kien Giang limestone mountain area has 17 species of mammals recorded, belonging to 10 families. Among them, 5 species are named in the Vietnam Red Book; Three species are listed in the IUCN 2006 Red List. In particular, the silver langur discovered here is included in the 'extremely threatening' group. In Vietnam, this species is only recorded in 7 places. In addition, scientists recorded 77 species of birds; in which, 2 species are considered threatened at the national level.

Mr. Truong Quang Tam, Institute of Tropical Biology in Ho Chi Minh City, said: 'The fauna of Dong A limestone karst often contains a large number of endemic species. The limestone mountains in Kien Giang have new species, which have not been recorded anywhere. Up to this point, limestone biologists have been able to confirm that the Kien Giang karst mountains are the most diverse 'hotspot' in the world for cave fauna. dynamic . '.

Of the 60 species of jumping beetles (Collembola), there are 3 species endemic to this karst area, 24 species may be new to science and are endemic, 15 species are still in the process of analysis and are likely ability is in the endemic group. The species of the Eustra genus includes many extremely rare species in Southeast Asia, living in caves, also found here. Especially Lepidosinella sp., Springtail - was found on the tree roots north of Bai Voi - possibly one of the species with the most adaptive life with caves in the Hon Chong karst area. It is the geographical isolation and is enveloped by the environment that is detrimental to life (the sea, the mangrove forest .) of the Kien Giang limestone karst formations forming the 'oasis' life forms with those narrowly distributed species are very narrow. Therefore, in this place, the proportion of endemic flora and fauna is very high. Thu Hai Duong (Begonia Bataiensis Kiew) has been declared new to science and is endemic to the region.

The solution to preserve the Kien Giang limestone mountains is being cared for by scientists and local authorities, to protect diverse habitats for local science and economy.

Mr. Truong Quang Tam said: 'In addition to the landscape value, the limestone mountain area in Kien Giang is also of high value for biodiversity and endemism. This area deserves to be studied more carefully and re-planned to have an important position in the heart of Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve. If in the past, to Kien Luong-Ha Tien, tourists can visit famous relics and landscapes Hon Phu Tu, Hang Pagoda, Thach Dong . and now this place will be an eco-tourist attraction. with unique and unique flora and fauna in the world '.

Post, photo: THANH NGUYEN