INSTITUTE OF GEOGRAPHY  DO THI VAN HUONG STUDY, ASSESSEMENT OF BIOCLIMATIC RESOURCES IN THE NORTHEAST REGION OF VIETNAM FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A FEW AGRICULTURAL CROPS AND FOREST TREES THAT HAVE ECONOMIC VALUE Chuyên ngành: Speciality: Geographical and environmental resources Code: 62 44 02 19 SUMMARY OF Ph.D DISSERTATION IN GEOGRAPHY Ha Noi – 2014 MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Dissertation has been completed at: Institute of geography, Viet Nam academy of science and technology Advisors: 1. Associate professor Dr. Nguyen Khanh Van 2. Dr Do Huu Thu Reviwer 1: Associate professor Dr. Tran Van Con Reviwer 2: Professor Dr. Tran Thuc Reviwer 3: Associate professor Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong The dissertation is defended in front of board of examination of dissertation at institute level held at the institute of geography in 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Ha Noi at……… on……… 2014 The dissertation can be found in: - National library - Library of institute of geography, Viet Nam academy of science and technologchnology INTRODUCTION 1. Reasons for choosing project Climate is the first natural factor, the condition of all regular development process, natural metabolism. Study on assessement of bioclimatic conditions of vegetation covers provides essential information needed about characteristics of bioclimate as a basis for serving orientation of development planning of agriculture and forestry to help managers make the structure of agricultural crops and forest trees reasonable to fully utilize the strengths of each territory in order to achieve high efficiency and sustainability Northeast region of Vietnam is one of the mountainous and midland areas of our country, the natural geographical region has an important significance both in terms of nature, economy and politics. During the past several years, the area has always been regarded as a rich potential for developing agro- forestry and areas specializing in the growing of special crops with high economic value. Agricultural and Forestry economimy always account for high proportion of the economic structure of Northeast region, especially playing an important role in the economic development of the region . However, currently Northeast region is still underdeveloped, agricultural and forestry production in the region has not developed commensurating with the level that it may be , people's life faces a lot of difficulties. Identifying areas that are able to expand agricultural and forestry production, afforestation, promote protection and development of forest resources and selection of tree group for development in accordance with the climatic conditions of the region is the critical issues. Assessment of bioclimatic conditions in a scientific way for the development of sustainable agriculture and forestry are necessary, having high practical significance. We believe that selection of study and asessement of bioclimatic resources for the development of agricultural crops, forestry trees , perennial crops, medicinal plants with economic value is very necessary. Individually, as a graduate student with the practical needs and the desire to contribute to sustainable development of socio-economics of Northeast region of Viet Nam, the author has chosen the project: "Study on -1- assessement of bioclimatic resources in Northeast region of Vietnam for development of agricultural crops and forest trees with economic value "to perform PhD dissertation in geography. 2. Objectives and study tasks 2.1. Objectives - Study on characteristics of bioclimatic resouces in Northeast region to elucidate the potential of bioclimate to establish the scientific basis for exploitation of bioclimatic resources for sustainable development of agricultural and forestry production. - Recommendation of rational using bioclimatic units for sustainable development of agricultural crops and forestry trees in Northeast region. 2.2. Tasks - Overview of documents of bioclimate, studies on bioclimate assessment and other documents related to the place of study, designing rationale for the use of the project. - Analyzing factors that shape the climate, mapping of bioclimate- natural vegetation covers in Northeast region on scale of 1: 500.000; Analysis of bioclimatic characteristics to clarify rules of differentiation of bioclimatic resources, distribution law, the structure of external appearance, ecological processes and vegetation cover types on studied territor. - Assessment of bioclimatic resources for the development of a number of agricultural crops and forest trees; assessment of appropriate levels of bioclimatic types for acacia hybrid (assessment for total Northeast region at map on scale 1: 500,000), tea plant (Thai Nguyen Province on scale 1: 100,000), star anise (in Lang son province on scale of 1: 100,000), black cardamom (Sa Pa district, Lao Cai province on scale of 1: 50,000) and recommendation of orientations of rational exploitation and use of bioclimatic resources and sustainable development of agricultural crops and forest trees. 3. Limited scope of study - Limited scope of territory :Studied territory is limited within Northeast region with natural area of 64 952 km ² (accounting for 20% of total area of the country), including 11 provinces. Geographical studied places focused on mainland, not included part of the sea and islands. - Limited scientific scope: The dissertation only focuses on characteristics, differentiation of bioclimatic conditions and assessment of bioclimatic adaptation for developing a number of agricultural crops and forest trees with economic value in Northeast region ( Acacia hybrid -2- tree, midland tea plant, star anise and black cardamom);orientation of spatial rational use of bioclimatic resources in agricultural and forestry production in Northeast region. 4. Scentific signìficance of the dissertation - The dissertation has elucidated nature of characteristics and differentiation of bioclimatic resources on the territory from which recommends orientation of rational exploitation and use of territorial bioclimatic resources for sustainable socioeconomic development - Practical signìficance of the dissertation: In order to orientate sustainable development of agricultural and forestry production, the results of the dissertation will be the scientific basis for reasonable maintenance, restoration, protection and development of vegetation covers in natural forest and planted forest, contributing to recommendation of structure of agricultural crops and forest trees, areas spicializing in growing industrial trees, medicinal plants that have high economic value in accordance with specific characteristics of bioclimatic resources on territory of northeast region of Vietnam. : 5. New contribution of the dissertation Indicator System and bioclimatic- vegetation maps of Northeast region on scale of 1:500.000 has reflected bioclimatic characteritics and differentiation characteristics of vegetation covers in Northeast region. Bioclimatic units carry specific characteristics of the studied area Assessement of bioclimatic resources and other natural factors for development of agricultural crops and forest trees with economic value is the scientific basis for the rational spartial arrangement of production, contributing to the sustainable development of agricultural and forestry sectors in Northeast region 6. Theoretical points for defending - Theoretical point 1: Midland and mountainous area in North East region have diverse natural conditions and bioclimatic natural resouces reflecting diverse aspect, abundant bioclimatic resources and climatic differentation according to its own rules. Bioclimatic classification. It reflects the structure of vegetation mulch -vegetation types of the studied area. - Theoretical point 2: Applying the method of assessing ecological adaptation, assessing the appropriate level of bioclimatic conditions for a few agricultural crops and forest trees, medicinal plants that have high economic value, the dissertation has developed a scientific basis necessary for proper orientation of using bioclimatic resources, spartial arrangement of areas pf producing forest trees and areas specializing in -3- the growing industrial plants, medicinal plants on the territory of northeast region of Vietnam. 7. Sources of Document - The results of the study, field survey following routes. - Climatic data of 34 meteorological stations and rain gauge stations of Northeast region - In addition to the documents that have already been published having content related to the dissertation, the graduate student herself collected materials and data from the NAFOSTED project (2012-2014 by Assoc. Dr. Nguyen Khanh Van and the graduate student is a member directly taking part in this project. - Falcilities of maps of special subjects serving for mapping in the dissertation include: Topographic map of Northeast region on scale of 1:500.000; Soil Map of Thai Nguyen, Lang Son on scale of 1:100.000, soil map Sa Pa District, Lao Cai Province on scale of 1:50.000 ; The projects, scientific reports on investigations of natural and socio-economic conditions, , climatic resources in Northeast region. 8. Structure of the disertation The disertation is presented in writing consisting of 150 typed pages in A 4 size, 34 tables, 30 figures, lists of 122 references in Vietnamese and foreign languages. Besides the introduction, conclusion and references, the dissertation has three chapters including: Chapter 1: The theoretical basis for the study and assessement of bioclimatic resources for development of agricultural and forestry production. Chapter 2: Characteristics of climate and bioclimatic resources in Northeast region Chapter 3: Assessment of bioclimatic resources in Northeast region for development of some agricultural crops and forest trees. Chapter 1:THEORETICAL BASIS FOR STUDY AND ASSESSEMENT OF BIOCLIMATIC RESOURCES FOR DEVELOPMENT AGRICULTURAL AND FORESTRY PRODUCTION, 1.1. Some basic terms Climate applications is a science that studies climate in relation to a specific object; analysing, elucidating the positive and negative impact of climate on the object to provide the right, reasonable solutions to take advantage and enhance the positive impacts, prevent negative impacts of climate. The basic direction of study on climate applications such as -4- agriculture climate, forestry climate, medicine climate, tourism climate, construction climate, transportation climate, Military climate. Bioclimatology is a subject to study association between climatology and ecology, the effects of climate to living organism. Bioclimatology focuses on study on impact of climatic factors (radiation, temperature, humidity .ect ) for a long time and tracks the impact of weather each day, each month, studying climate within the region and in each small area (micro-climate), in landscape and barn equipment created by humans for plants and animals. Study on bioclimate is the basis for study of living organism’s adaptation to enhance the productivity in a given environment "[87]. Study on some of the main directions of bioclimate (agro- bioclimate, natural vegetation bioclimate, human bioclimate) continues to be interested in, promoting both scientific and practical aspects. 1.2. Historical Overview of bioclimate -natural vegetation covers Study of bioclimate-natural vegetation cover has been one of the directions of studies for a long time. Many research works of scientists in the country and foreign countries has high scientific and practical significance. In fact, study results of bioclimate has provided a scientific basis for geographic vegetation in determining the distribution of plant species, as well as the ecological characteristics of generating natural vegetation covers. The climate and vegetation have very close relationships. Natural vegetation is regarded as indicators of climatic conditions corresponding to a climatic type, havings a certain primary vegetation type. 1.2.1. Overview of research works on the world The process of forming a direction of climatic classification on the basis of plant ecology is a long process and are always developed with different scientific advances by plant taxonomists , climatologists supplemented by study results of landscapists. In recent years, study direction of applications of bioclimate-natural Vegetation covers relationship has been promoted having practical significance, especially in the context of climate change Currently, scientists in the world are continuing to study and develop this direction of study Application scope of studying bioclimate-natural vegetation does not limit to the study for the purpose of assessing adaptation of crop ecology, but studying forest fire warning, protection of natural forest resources and vegetation covers for purposes of studying adaptation and coping with climate change is also actively promoted 1.2.2. Over view of studies in Vietnam Study of bioclimate in vegetation cover classification and agriculture and forestry in general has been summarized in Thai Van -5- Trung ‘s works "forest vegetation cover of Vietnam." In the next studies of Schmid (1962), Duong Huu Thoi, Pham Hoang Ho (1960) . bioclimatic factors were applied to the description, explanation of the formation, differentiation of the types of Vegetation Covers in different regions of our country. A number of subsequent studies, investigations and assessement of climatic resources performed by Lee (1973), Vu Tu Lap (1976), Nguyen Duc Ngu, Nguyen Trong Hieu (1985) Lam Cong Dinh (1992), Nguyen Viet Pho, Vu Van Tuan (1993), Nguyen Duc Ngu, Nguyen Trong Hieu (2004) analyzed the characteristics of climate and resources in Vietnam. In addition, sudies on assessement of climatic resources of Vietnam are also mentioned in some coursebooks of Vietnam natural geography, ecologcal economy , bioclimatic basis written by the authors: Nguyen Duc Chinh, Vu Tu Lap , Le Ba Thao, Nguyen Phap, Nguyen Khanh Van * Northeast region The study of climate in the specific areas, locallities of Northeast region has been integrated in the findings of climate studies in Vietnam, or in specific localities of Northeast region through the results of the studies from the Hydrometeorological stations. However,there are little separate works of study on assessement of bioclimatic resources assessment for development of agricultural crops and forest trees of the region. Realizing that this is the direction of studying climate applications having high practical significance, the author would like to be allowed to inherit and continue developing the previous studies. 1.3. Overview of studies on agricultural crops, forest trees Currently, many studies of forest trees, industrial trees and medicinal plants have been invested and put into practical applications. Some of the main forest trees in our country as Acacia, Pine tree, gum tree (Eucalyptus), Manglietia conifera have been studied in many works carried out by authors such as Vu Tien Hinh; Dao Cong Khanh;Vu Nham, Nguyen Ngoc Lung, These study results have made important contribution to the process of restoring vegetation covers, development of planted forest in Vietnam. Studies of evaluating and classifying the levels of ecological adaptability of plant groups (especially industrial trees, medicinal plants), specific crops. Many scientists in the agriculture, biology, geography and medicinal plants are interested in these studies and have obtained specific results. The dissertation has listed some studies of agricultural crops, assessment of the level of adaptation to the climatic conditions of industrial trees , medicinal plants performed by Le Trong Cuc Nguyen -6- Dai Khanh, Pham Chi Thanh, Do Tat Loi. Analysis of the results of the projects helps the author get more scientific data for studying, analysis, assessement of bioclimatic resources for the development of some valuable Agricultural crops and forest trees in Northeast region of Vietnam. 1.4. Several classification systems, division of bioclimate- Vegetation cover types in Vietnam. In the study of climate, there have been a number of documents mentioning, analysing, classifying and distributing bioclimate-natural vegetation covers. Typically, there are studies performed by Vu Tu Lap, Thai Van Trung, Lam Cong Dinh, author groups of the Institute of Geography. Inheriting the results, classification, distribution of bioclimatic types obtained by various authors in the country, analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of these methods of bioclimate classfication so that the author can select most appropriate classification method of bioclimate- natural vegetation covers on the territory. In the process of study, classification, bioclimatic mapping in Northeast region, the author applied the classification method by the authors of Institute of Geography, selecting criteria for classifying levels of bioclimatic types in map of bioclimate-natural vegetation covers in Northeast region of Viet Nam… 1.5. General theory of climatic resources assessment for the development of agricultural and forestry production * Objects and assessement unit Objects assessed are the bioclimatic units, bioclimate-resources units, specific crops: Acacia hybrid tree, Midland tea plant star anise, black cardamom. assessement units used when bioclimate is assessed for development of agricultural crops and forest trees in Northeast region (in bioclimatic map on scale of 1: 500,000) are units.of bioclimatic type. Assessment unit of bioclimate for a specific crop (in bioclimatic map on scale of 1: 100.000, 1: 50.000) is bioclimate-soil. Contents of assessement: The contens consist of determining characteristics of climatic resources on the territory, assessement of bioclimatic types for development of specific agricultural crops and forest trees to recommend orientation of rational and efficient use of bioclimatic resources *The dissertation designs various steps of assessement for forest trees (acacia hybrid), industrial trees (tea, star anise), medicinal plant (black cardamom). Assessement of bioclimatic adaptation was performed through the following steps: Selecting and designing assessment indicator system; -7- scale, arithmetic mean; identifing methods of assessment and applying them to studied territory. Asessement of bioclimatic resources, bioclimate-esources for the purpose of crop development. The disertation applied the method of calculating componential scores by using the fomular. of calculating arithmetic mean (I) In which: Xa: scores for general assessement of total area a; ki: weight of i factor; Xi: score for i factor; n: number of assessed factors The assessment results will find out the most appropriate unit of bioclimate-resources for development of agricultural crops and forest trees in Northeast region. * Classification of asessement results and recommendations of their use After the results were obtained, applications to practice must be verified and classified for each bioclimatic unit, bioclimate-resource. That is a combination of bioclimatic group units, with the same appropriate level for crops that were assessed having the same type of resource potential or the same conditions for crop development. 1.6. Points of view and methods of study * The dissertation used points of view such as: systematic point of view, territorial point of view, historical point of view and view of sustainable development. In particular, the views and synthesis system were the key point. * Methodology of study:The dissertation used methods of study as follows: Method of collecting, analyzing and processing data; field survey methods, interviewing experts; method of statistical analysis; Method of typing, climatic classification; Assessment methods of plants that adapt to ecology; Methods of mapping and geographic information systems (GIS). * Procedures of study: After conducting field surveys, collecting data and processing related documents, the author conducted the study following different steps: Step 1: Gathering documents and data, analysis and assesement of natural and socioeconomic conditions of Northeast region; Step 2: Analyzing characteristics of bioclimatic resources, bioclimatic mapping Northeast region; Step 3: Assessing bioclimatic resources in Northeast region for developing some agricultural crops and forest trees that have economic value in this region. X a = (1/∑ k i ) ∑ k i X i i=1 n i=1 n -8- [...]... agricultural crops and forestry trees that have economic value, protecting natural conservation of natural vegetation covers in Northeast region of Viet Nam Chapter 3: ASSESSEMENT OF BIOCLIMATIC NATURAL RESOUCES OF THE NORTHEAST REGION FOR DEVELOPMENT OF A FEW AGRICULTURAL CROPS AND FOREST TREES 3.1 Ecological characteristics of agricultural crops * Acacia hybrid: Acacia hybrid is a tropical tree, which is adapted... markets b Orientation of using bioclimatic resources and spatial arrangement of some areas specializing in the growing of special economic value crops towards sustainable development Planning development of agricultural crops and forest trees towards developing them into specialized areas of development based on a combination of leading crops and secondary plants The leading plants have priority to... on development and improve living standards of people in rural and mountainous area, exploit production and enhance the quality of life for the communities in Northeast region * Economic sectors - In the region a number of forest areas for materials used for industry of processing paper,producing artificial board and, mine pillars have been formed That is why forest coverage has increased significantly... Continuous improving the material and spiritual life, of the rural population, harmonising among regions, creating faster turnaround in the areas which still face a lot difficulties " 3.4.2 Basis for proposal of reasonable spatial arranging and using a number of specific crops in Northeast region Comparison of assessment results of bioclimatic adaptation and overall planning development of agricutural... crops and forest trees inThai Nguyen, Lang Son, Sa Pa [119] shows that the area of adaptive zones of bioclimate, bioclimate-soil resouces for development of agricultural crops and forest trees is very large Assessement results of -23bioclimate-soil resouce adaptation are suitable for orientation of growing midland tea plants, star anise and black cardamom in the localities 3.4.3.Recommendation of a. .. assessment of bioclimate-soil resources of Thai Nguyen and Lang Son provinces for development of midland tea, star anise; map of Sa Pa district on scale 1: 50,000 for plant development of Black cardamom Ecological levels of adaptation for hybrid acacia tree, midland tea plant and black cardamom trees have been identified by the assessment -24results and classification of bioclimatic adaptation on the basis of. .. has been studied and established by the author 3 Results of the dissertation is a scientific basis for the planning direction for development of agricultural and forestry production, areas of production of specialized crops that have some economic value and carry the characteristics of the region B RECOMMENDATION In terms of theory and methodology of study and assessement of bioclimatic resources and. .. corresponding with bioclimatic type and bioclimate- resouce unit that have levels of adaptation S1 and S2 Subconclusion of chapter 3 Assessment of climatic adaptation, bioclimate-soil resources for the development of agricultural crops and forest trees aims at establishing a scientific basis, contributing to the rational use of bioclimic resources and soil, making suggestions of planning the development of agricultural. .. natural resources for development of agricultural crops and forestry trees that have economic value 3.4.1 Scientific and practical basis of orientation of rational use of climatic natural resouces for development of agriculture, forestry In recent years, the issue of rational use of natural resources, environmental protection and sustainable development has been firstly interested in Practical requirement... few solutions of sustainable development of agricultural crops and forestry trees in Northeast region at the current period a Group of overall solution: Government should urgently develop and approve the planning for development of special crops, strengthening afforestation and forest protection Invesment in studying and development of science and technology are needed The state should strengthen agricultural . method of assessing ecological adaptation, assessing the appropriate level of bioclimatic conditions for a few agricultural crops and forest trees, medicinal plants that have high economic value, . resources of the Northeast region. It can be used as a basis for assessing adaptation for bioclimate. Adaptation of bioclimate -resources for development of agricultural crops and forest. Bioclimatic. studied area Assessement of bioclimatic resources and other natural factors for development of agricultural crops and forest trees with economic value is the scientific basis for the rational spartial