Nearly half of a mangrove forest

In 63 years (from 1943-2007) the rate of loss of mangrove forests in Vietnam is very high. The area of ​​mangroves has decreased from 408 thousand hectares (in 1943) to 209 thousand hectares (in 2007), which means a reduction of 199 thousand hectares (48.5%), an average reduction of over 3,000 hectares per year.

That is the result of the investigation and survey of the research group, which has been recently announced and preserved recently by Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve Project.

A corner of Can Gio mangrove forest.

The reason is that the devastating wind storm or the moat clinging to the mangrove forest killed the tree. In addition, due to human destruction of forests as shrimp ponds, logging and excessive mangrove firewood.

Another reason is due to poor selection of forest plants, poor quality seedlings, inadequate planting methods and mangrove planting in wrong places, making the rate of successful establishment of mangroves not high. In 1999 and 2001 at Mui Ca Mau National Park, due to the selection of liquid mud site for mangrove plantation, almost all of the planted forest area died (from 60-90%). Or at chapter 184-Ngoc Hien Forestry Company, due to planting mangroves on low-tide hard clay, 100% of planted forest area in 2000 died .

Mangroves play an essential role in maintaining the integrity of the environment, coping with climate change and increasing farmers' incomes. Mangroves provide a barrier against seawater intrusion and the impact of sea level rise as well as providing the necessary habitat for aquatic and estuarine species.