[Report 7. Full report 1 MB pdf format]

Executive Summary

This report is an expanded translation of a feasibility study for the establishment of Xuan Lien proposed nature reserve, Thanh Hoa province, originally published in Vietnamese in December 1998 by the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute (FIPI) in collaboration with BirdLife International. The objectives of the original report were to assess the biological and economic value of Xuan Lien, and the feasibility of establishing a nature reserve in the area. The objective of this report is to provide a higher level of detail for an international audience interested in Xuan Lien proposed nature reserve.

Within the framework of the European Union funded project entitled “Expanding the protected areas network in Vietnam for the 21^st Century”, a biodiversity and socio-economic survey of south-western Thuong Xuan district, Thanh Hoa Province was carried out in October and November 1998 by FIPI and BirdLife International. The results of the survey were used to produce a feasibility study for the establishment of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve.

The survey revealed moderate levels of biodiversity relative to other protected areas in northern and central Vietnam. In total, 560 plant species, 38 species of mammals, 134 species of birds, 53 species of herpetiles and 143 species of butterflies were found. Several of these species are globally threatened, including six species of plant, 10 species of mammal, two species of bird and one species of herpetile. The survey was undertaken during the autumn when activity levels amongst birds and butterflies are depressed. This may have resulted in the species richness of these groups being under-recorded. Future surveys should be undertaken during the spring, which is the peak season for bird and butterfly activity.

Xuan Lien proposed nature reserve supports four plant species endemic to Vietnam (Cinnamomum balansae, Colona poilanei, Croton bonianus and Macaranga balansae), two bird species endemic to Vietnam and Laos (Red-vented Barbet Megalaima lagrandieri and Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler Jabouilleia danjoui) and one amphibian species endemic to Vietnam (Rana microlineata). Ten endemic species of butterflies were recorded, concentrated in two families: the Satyridae and Amathusiidae. Large mammals recorded in the area included Tiger Panthera tigris, Gaur Bos gaurus, Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus and Sun Bear U. malayanus, although populations of many of these species are small and fragmented as a result of high hunting pressure. Furthermore, it is unlikely that Xuan Lien proposed nature reserve is large enough, by itself, to maintain viable populations of these species. However, Xuan Lien is contiguous with Pu Hoat proposed nature reserve in Nghe An province, with a shared boundary of 20 km and a combined protected area coverage of 90,841 ha.

One of the most significant results of the survey was the rediscovery of Roosevelt’s Muntjac Muntiacus rooseveltorum. This was the first time this species has been recorded since its discovery in Laos 69 years previously, and also the first time that this species has been recorded in Vietnam. Furthermore, the survey revealed one recently discovered butterfly species (Ypthima sp. nov.), along with six new species for Vietnam.

As a result of the survey, two boundary options for Xuan Lien Nature Reserve were discussed at a workshop held in Thanh Hoa province in February 1999. Under option one, 16,500 ha would be included within the boundary of the nature reserve, whilst, under option two, 23,610 ha would be included, of which 18,522 ha would comprise forest of various types. Under neither of the options would the nature reserve contain any human settlement or permanent agricultural land. At the workshop, option two was decided upon.

The survey results indicate that, apart from the occurance of Roosevelt’s Muntjac at this site, Xuan Lien proposed nature reserve has low conservation importance relative to other sites in Thanh Hoa province and elsewhere in central Vietnam. Thanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee should allocate the limited resources available to them for protected area establishment and management on the basis of the global conservation importance of each site. Areas of forest supporting potentially viable populations of globally threatened primates, particularly areas supporting the Critically Endangered Delacour’s Langur (Semnopithecus francoisi delacouri), such as Pu Luong proposed nature reserve and an area to the west of Cuc Phuong National Park, are higher priorities for conservation (F. Momberg verbally).

If the project to construct a hydroelectric dam at Cua Dat goes ahead, the resulting reservoir will inundate 1,716 ha within the proposed nature reserve. The decision on whether or not to proceed with the Cua Dat dam should only be taken after a thorough and professionally conducted Environmental Impact Assessment has been undertaken.

[Report 7. Full report 1 MB pdf format]