VNU UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE, HANOI FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES SCIENTIFIC RESEACH REPORT ASSESSMENT OF PLANT BIODIVERSITY AND HUMAN ACTIVITY IMPACTS ON MANGROVE ECOSYSTEM IN CON VANH AREA - TIEN HAI DISTRICT - THAI BINH PROVINCE Instructor Associ.Prof Tran Van Thuy Students Vu Thi My Hanh Dao Thi Dung Nguyen Huong Giang K57 Advanced Undergraduate Program of Environmental Science Hanoi – 2016 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT With all of our gratefulness, we would like to send heartfelt thanks to Associate Professor Tran Van Thuy, Header of Ecology Department, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, VNU University of Science, who enthusiastically instructed and helped us from the very first beginning of our student scientific research We also sincerely thank all professors from Faculty of Environmental Sciences, as well as VNU University of Science, who guided and imparted us not only specific knowledge but also morality Finally, we would like to say thank to our families and friends, who always supported, encouraged and helped us during our research Hanoi, June 16th 2016 Students Vu Thi My Hanh Dao Thi Dung Nguyen Huong Giang CONTENTS OVERVIEW ………………………………………………………………… CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION …………………………………………… 1.1 Overview of flora diversity study …………………………………….2 1.2 Mangrove Vegetation Research……………………………………… 1.3 Study objects and study sites …………………………………………11 CHAPTER II: MATERIALS AND METHODS ………………………………13 2.1 Materials ……………………………………………………………….13 2.2 Methods ……………………………………………………………… 13 CHAPTER III: RESULTS AND DISCUSSION ………………………… .18 3.1 Floral Biodiversity …………………………………………………….18 3.2 Human impact activities ……………………………………………36 3.3 Solutions …………………………………………………………….38 CONCLUSION …………………………………………………………………41 REFERENCE ………………………………………………………………… 42 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Flora geographical elements in Vietnam Table 2: Raunkiaer‟s life form (1934) Table 3: List of mangrove plants in Con Vanh area 14 Table 4: Diversity of plant groups in the mangrove ecosystem of Con Vanh area 18 Table 5: Species composition of mangrove plants in Con Vanh area 18 Table 6: The life form of mangrove species in Con Vanh area 27 Table 7: Use values of mangrove species in Con Vanh area 29 Table 8: Stratified structure of mangrove vegetation in Con Vanh area 31 LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Mangrove plants‟s composition in Southeast Asia Figure 2:Mangrove plant „s compostion in Southeast 10 Figure 3:Ảnh vệ tinh Landsat ngày 14-01-2003, Figure 4: Ảnh vệ tinh Landsat ngày 22-09-2013 15 Figure 5: Map of substrate geograghy in mudlat Tienhai district, ThaiBinh province, Vietnam 16 Figure 6: The percentage of different life forms of species in Con Vanh area 28 Figure 7: The current plant community biodiversity map in Con Vanh area 31 OVERVIEW The mangrove ecosystem in Con Vanh area, Tien Hai District, Thai Binh province is a typical ecosystem in tropical region This area also belongs to the accretion of the Red River system, flat topography, and seasonal salinity fluctuation The growth of both planted and naturalized mangroves play important roles in regional socio-economic development and ensure ecological functions for the local environment Although the current mangroves were planted several decades ago, they still keep wild and unstable because of mostly young forest However, huge pressures of global climate change, increasing population and economic growth rate cause biodiversity deterioration and ecosystem damage Due to these facts, it is necessary to make a detailed research about specific characteristics of mangrove ecosystem in Con Vanh area in order to give scientific basis for policy decision making and rational use of resources Our research gives a detailed assessment of plant biodiversity of mangrove ecosystem basing on the previous research results and field investigation Then, using MapInfo 12.5 software creates a map of the current plant biodiversity through interpreting and digitalize from satellite image The results showed that the flora in Con Vanh area has 97 species, 33 families and phylums and Magnoliopsida is the highest proportion (57.7% total species) It dominates with mainly wood plants Sonneratia caseolaris, Aegiceras corniculatum, Kandelia obovata to form mangrove In addition, there are primary six dominated communities including some typical species: Ipomoea pes-caprae, Myriophyllum dicoccum), Cyperus malaccensis, Sonneratia, Kandelia obovata, Aegiceras corniculatum and Casuarina equisetifolia However, the negative impacts of human activities such as aquaculture, fishing and tourism lead to decrease in mangrove and reduce plant biodiversity Therefore, researchers suggest several orientations for the management and rational use of the ecosystem CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1.1 Overview of flora diversity study According to A.I Tolmachev (1974) a particular flora is “flora of given area on the Earth‟s surface, geographically homogeneous, just divergence in ecological conditions” [4] Another definition in Vietnam Encyclopaedia Dictionary: “Flora (so-called flora zone) is whole genus, species in geographical area, a period of geological history such as Europe – Asia flora, Hon Gai flora at Trias Age Flora and vegetation are clearly distinguished, flora referred to species composition, while vegetation considered to all composition of plants 1.1.1 Overview of flora diversity study in the world In history of flora study from 19th century (1885), De Candolle has analyzed relationship between the numbers of species and the area based on the collected information of flora at Strasburg suburb (960 species in 100 km2), Dagico flora (1362 species in 1000 km2), Svealand flora (1114 species in 4000 km2) [4] The period from 1928 to 1932 is considered as the beginning of particular flora studies In that time, A.I Tolmachev had tasked researching flora of Taimua which located at 74020‟-250 North 102030‟ East [4] In recent years, a lot of organizations, conservation association and international conferences were founded holding many activities of biodiversity conservation United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), Rio de Janeiro, June 3rd to 14th 1992 is one of the most prominent examples There were 150 countries that signed on Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) [11] In order to contribute to conservation activities, WWF (1990) published a book namely “The importance of biological diversity”; IUCN, UNEP, WWF released World conservation strategy (1990), Caring for the Earth (1991); and Global biodiversity assessment was published by WCMC (1995) [7, 11] In addition, thousands of scientific publications and articles were published Simultaneously meetings and conferences were organized to discussing and reporting the archive in biodiversity studies and conservation on over the world Those results created a large amount of information about the diversity of species and raise awareness of people about creature diversity and preservation 1.1.2 Overview of the flora diversity study in Vietnam There are many scientific researches of Vietnam flora system Some could be dated back to nineteenth century, with the contribution of Loureiro (1970), Pierre (1879 – 1907); or French colonial period with the valuable series “Flore general de L‟indo – chine” of M.H Lecomte The series was a great work that created the cornerstone for the following studies After that time, international and Vietnamese botanists has conducted lots of precious works such as “Cây cỏ thƣờng thấy Việt Nam” of Lê Khả Kế (1969 – 1976), “1900 có ích Việt Nam” of Trần Đình Lý (1993) and “Từ điển thuốc Việt Nam” of Võ Văn Chi (1996) A series is considered as an irreplaceable publication because of its methodical examination and illustration so called “An Illustrated Flora of Vietnam” of Phạm Hoàng Hộ [27] Many species composition studies of flora systems in specific regions are carried out Pócs Tamás (1965) has listed 5190 species (including some species located between 120 and 170 North and 155 introduced species); Phan Kế Lộc (1969) added and raised the number of species in North to 5609, 1660 genus and 140 families (belonged to Engler system); “Cây cỏ Việt Nam” of Phạm Hoàng Hộ showed a statistic of 5326 species which includes 60 thallophyta, 20 mosses and 5246 vascular plants; study of Phan Kế Lộc et al about Central Highlands flora system; studies of Nguyễn Nghĩa Thìn et al about flora system at nature reserves, national parks, some of them has released as books such as “Tính đa dạng thực vật Cúc Phƣơng”, “Đa dạng sinh học hệ Nấm thực vật VQG Bạch Mã”, “Đa dạng thực vật VQG Pù Mát”, “Đa dạng thực vật KBTTN Na Hang, tỉnh Tuyên Quang”, etc [7, 11, 19] Recently, “Thực vật chí Việt Nam” series has introduced a variaties of flora families with some well-known publication such as Annonaceae of Nguyễn Tiến Bân (2000), Cyperaceae of Nguyễn Khắc Khôi (2002), Lamiaceae of Vũ Xuân Phƣơng (2000), Myrsinaceae of Trần Thi Kim Liên (2002), etc The latest document about Vietnam flora system is “Danh lục loài thực vật Việt Nam” was compiled by Vietnamese botanists They provide the most general and sufficient information about Vietnam flora system in three volumes: the first volume (2001) introduced Mushroom, Thallophyta, Moss and gymnosperms; the second volume (2003 and 2005) overviewed about angiosperms in which entire Monocotyledon was described in third volume Those are very important data which is considered as basis in evaluation of biodiversity in Vietnam [1, 2, 10] 1.1.2.1 Studies about geographical feature of flora “Góp phần nghiên cứu hệ thực vật Đông Dƣơng” (1926) and “Giới thiệu hệ thực vật Đông Dƣơng” (1944) of Gagnepain are the first studies about geographical features of Vietnam flora After that, Pócs Tamás (1965) constructed spectrum of geographical features of Northern Vietnam flora in which its characteristics as well as composition had changed compared to Gagnepain‟s research [25] In 1987, based on the species statistic of Northern Vietnam flora system, Thái Văn Trừng believed that three % genus and 27.5 % species of Vietnam are endemic However, according to Pócs Tamás and the knowledge of “Một số đặc điểm hệ thực vật Việt Nam” [5], Lê Trần Chấn (1999) summarized and reached a conclusion that Vietnam flora system is created by following factors: Table : Flora geographical elements in Vietnam No Elements North Vietnam Middle of Vietnam South Vietnam Taxon distribution In the administrative boundary of North Vietnam In the administrative boundary of Middle Vietnam In the administrative boundary of South Vietnam 4 Indochina In the administrative boundary of Socialist Vietnam South China Hainan, Republic of Vietnam In Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and tropical regions of Myanmar, Thailand In Vietnam, the tropical regions of Southwest and South of China Taiwan and Philippines Himalaya Indian 10 Malaysia 11 Malaysia – Indonesia 12 Malaysia – Indonesia and Australia 13 Tropical Asia 14 Paleo-tropic 15 Neo-tropical and Pantropic 16 East Asia 17 Asia 18 Northern temperate In Vietnam, Hainan, Taiwan and Philippines In the tropical area of Himalaya; or even in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar In Indochina and India In Vietnam, Malaysian peninsula and islands of Malaysia In Vietnam, Malaysian and Indonesia In Vietnam, Malaysian, Indonesia and Australia In India, Indochina, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and islands on Pacific In the tropical regions of Asia, Africa and Australia In the tropical regions of America, Asia, Africa In North Korea, Japan, South of China, Taiwan and North of Vietnam In territory of Asia In temperate regions of Asia, Europe and Vietnam Sersuvium portulacastrum L.(Hemicryptophytes) Datura metel L(Therophytes) 3.1.3 Use values Base on FAO and Asia natural resource value classification, mangrove species in Con Vanh area has many use values and primarily use for medical materials (51 species), human food and animal food (11 species) Table 7: Use values of mangrove species in Con Vanh area No Use values Sign No of Examples species Fruit Aq Sonneratia caseolarisTerminalia catappa L., Decorative Ca Datura metel L., Crinum asiaticum L tree Fat oil Db Chenopodium ambrosioides L Timber G Casuarina equisetifolia dye Nh Bruguiera gymnorhiza (L.) , Kandelia obovata 29 Sheue, Paper S Axonopus compressus Th 51 Panicum repens L., Physalis angulata L., production material Medical materials Human Hedyotis corymbosa (L.) Ta 11 food Paederia scandens , Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) Solms Tanin Tn Pandanus odoratissimus L 10 Animal Tgs 11 Kyllinga brevifolia Rottb, and poultry food 3.1.4 Stratified structure The Con Vanh mangrove vegetation has quite clearly stratified structure with main layers The top layer ( 4-8 m) consists of Sonneratia caseolaris along rivers, creeks scattered in 8-10 years Kandelia obovata communities Below this layer is the dominant layer (2-4 m) that contributes mainly canopy of forest with 5-8 years Kandelia obovata communities Sonneratia caseolaris, Aegiceras corniculatum on mudflat Next is the understory layer (0.5-2m) with the presence of years Kandelia obovata forest and Aegiceras corniculatum communities on mudflat The lowest layer (< 0.5m) is the regeneration layer with naturally regenerated young species like Kandelia obovata, Aegiceras corniculatum on natural mudflat provide important seeding sources 30 Table 8: Stratified structure of mangrove vegetation in Con Vanh area Height (m) Layer 4-8 m Species Sonneratia caseolaris along rivers, creeks scattered in 8-10 years Kandelia obovata communities Layer 2-4 m 5-8 years Kandelia obovata communities Sonneratia caseolaris, Aegiceras corniculatum on mudflat Layer 0.5 - 2m years Kandelia obovata forest Aegiceras corniculatum communities on mudflat Layer 0.5m Naturally regenerated young species like Kandelia obovata, Aegiceras corniculatum on natural mudflat 3.1.5 Dominated plant communities In study area we defined the current mangrove communities unit on map by using Mapinfo sorfware as following: Figure 7: The current plant community biodiversity map in Con Vanh area 31 3.1.5.1 Ipomoeapes-caprae, Spinifex litttoreus dominated community This community forms in the new sandbank and tidal influence with narrow distribution and 0.3-0.4 m in height, 30% in coverage rate Species composition contains the majority of Ipomoea pes-caprae, Spinifex litttoreus and some vines Vitex rotundifolia, Cyperus stononiferus, Arstida chinensis, Chloris barbata, Ischaemum muticum… 32 Image: Ipomoeapes-caprae species 3.1.5.2 Myriophyllum dicoccum, Hydrilla verticillata, Najas marina dominated community This community distributes on tidal creeks and some regularly flooded lagoons Those species are rare and easily vulnerable with major dominated species Halophilla ovalis, Halophilla minor, Hydrilla verticillata, Najas marina and Myriophyllum dicoccum Image: Myriophyllum dicoccum species 33 3.1.6.3 Cyperus malaccensis , Phragmites karka dominated inundated community These species grows on farming pond, fallow, cleared forest and favors with brackish water Some representatives are helecharis capitata, Scirpus articulatus… Image: Cyperus malaccensis mixed Phragmites karka species 3.6.1.4 Sonneratia caseolaris, Aegiceras corniculatum, Acanthus ilicifolius dominated mangrove community These species usually appear near estuarine or coastal area with low salinity This community has clearly stratified structure including upper layer of Sonneratia caseolaris 5-6 m and lower layer of Ae.corniculatum alternative Kandelia obovata, Acanthus ilicifolius, Derris trifoliata This is mixed forest with 80-90% of coverage 34 Image: Sonneratia caseolaris species 3.6.1.5 Kandelia obovata, Avicennia marina, Aegiceras corniculatum dominated mangrove community These species distribute on mudflat or scatter in farming ponds Kandelia obovata forest is the largest constructed forest area with average 4-6m in height and natural regeneration 14 young plants/m2 Some following species are Avicennia marina and Aegiceras corniculatum contribute to ensure the local ecological function and develop economic of region Image: Kandelia obovata, Avicennia marina species 3.6.1.7 Casuarina equisetifolia constructed community 35 Casuarina equisetifolia presents on table dune, less or no tidal influence with high coverage rate and natural regeneration 20 plants /m2 The species composition includes some soft grass Cynodon dactylon , shrub Clerodendrum inerme, Myoporum bontioides, others Catharanthus roseus, Imperata cylindrica, Vitex rotundifolia, Launaea sarmentosa This community serves as the effective protecting barrier for ecosystem inside dam Image: Casuarina equisetifolia species 3.2 Human impact activities Human has major influence in ecosystem in Convanh area in both sides positive and negative 3.2.1 Positive impact Con Vanh area is one of part of REDD+ in Vietnam there for the protection forest in here is quite develop Beside, local human also grow casuarina forest system on the coastal dunes with particularly important role in the control of erosion, shoreline erosion Besides this plantation system whose role is particularly important in certain sand storms and protect ecosystems within Humans are also major factors in making funeral ecological diversity Con Vanh region by planting many varieties of fruit trees and various crops In some garden and on the field, 36 local people immigrates fruit tree from different province lead to increase biodiversity in here Some Economic activities such as: tourism, fishery exploitation also played a significant part in the development of these regional economic projects Features top it all off is the marine aquaculture areas account for 70% of the natural areas Annual output of fisheries and aquaculture all fishing has increased significantly contribute to improving the quality of life of people here Law and policies play an important role on protecting the Con Vanh ecosystem Many recent years, in the individual and Thai Binh province and Vietnam government in general has had plenty of policies and laws in place to protect natural resources in general and in particular the Con Vanh Policies to encourage people by both private reforestation and funds, the FLA to farmers had a significant impact in protecting and restoring forest 3.2.2 Negative impact Humans have an active role in protecting natural resources and the human environment is the major factor in the destruction and devastation ecosystem here As the economy grows, it leads to the architectural infrastructure will also increase About twenty years ago many of the buildings springing up like dikes PAM, highways, housing parks, sign systems ngonjhair restaurants, hotels for vuuk for economic development and tourism calendar made forest area decreased significantly Especially the road transport projects have made the forest ecosystem where fragmented appearance of alien species such as mimosa encroachment local species The activities of the regional agricultural development led to a strong network of mangrove forests were converted to other forms such as rice farming, aquaculture seafood, shrimp and fish Agricultural activities not only make mangrove resource is reduced, but also increases the concentration of pollutants, plant protection agents, pesticides pollute the environment and killing the creatures outside the self Nhien The development of tourism activities is rampant and there is no organization to the extremely serious consequences Rampant garbage around the beach in the tourist 37 season and affect water quality requirements: Tourism industry is more water consumption, water consumption even more living needs of local water Wastewater: If no wastewater collection systems for hotels, restaurants, the waste water will seep into the groundwater basin or nearby water bodies (rivers, lakes, seas), spread many diseases, such as helminths, intestinal, skin diseases, eye diseases or contaminate water bodies harm the landscape and aquaculture Garbage: Throw uncontrolled waste is a common problem of all the resorts This is the cause of loss of landscape, unsanitary, affecting public health and social conflict arose Air pollution: Despite being regarded as the industry "smokeless industry", but travel may cause air pollution emissions through emission motorcycle engines and boats, especially in the key and arterial main, damaging trees, wild animals and buildings with limestone and concrete tong Lam ecological disturbance: the development of tourism activities lack of control may impact on the soil (erosion worn, landslides), as fluctuations of the residence, threatened species of wild flora and fauna (noise, hunting, game meat supply, stuffed animals, insects ) Construction of roads and campsites obstruct wild animals moving prey, mating or breeding, reef destruction due to mining specimens Overfishing makes mangrove ecosystem decline In fact, the situation here is not logging excessive serious but also makes a huge forest affected 3.3 Solutions 3.3.1 Proper planning and using A complete plan for the redevelopment of Con Vanh mangrove areas is extremely over weight Especially the Con Vanh region is in the development stage between ecological protection and development of the tourism industry here The prescription or need to combine so that the balance between economic development and environmental away According to the provincial plan in Thai Binh Provincial Party Committee for the province next year will build a system of eco-tourism in the Con Vanh area That means there will be large amounts of forest land to be demolished to make way for 38 the construction Therefore, the entry of scientists to calculate the balance of this ecosystem is extremely important 3.3.2 Forestation In fact, the plantation is the break has been applied in the Con Rim region from the 90s and gained a lot of significant achievements, such as the reforestation of mangrove forests for ages 10-20 years; the system looks casuarina forest of coastal sand However, we still cannot help but mention this method because it does not only help bring back the devastated forest area but also can extend the reach and improve the quality of existing natural forests The planting can start with about deforestation by planting species has been cleared or select new species appropriate to the climate and sea temperatures Con Vanh region Besides the cultivation of alternative crops by pests die is also important Con Ring waters suitable for planting mangrove trees as pages, mangrove, parrots and as casuarina trees, the sand dunes outside 3.3.3 Education and propagation Education and propagation is the method has not been applied to the Con Vanh ecological reserve This is the method was designed to raise awareness of people about the importance of biosphere reserves In fact, when local people have an understanding of their importance will also be aware of their own actions in protecting the environment Can start from very simple actions like not throwing garbage into the sea, or greater is not deforestation, planting and forest protection Public education and communication can take place in schools, integrated into daily lessons of Birth jury Government can also open the communication layer to the people through talks with people Education children through painting, or delivered a message to the people through the checkered tape, slogan 3.3.4 Scientific research In fact, so far there is no any scientific research and full official about mangrove ecosystems Ring Con Giving a full course research is extremely important for the development-oriented and rational use of natural resources of this region Evaluation 39 studies have projected participation of various scientists Together they studied ecosystems in many fields such as geology, landforms, natural resources, climate Finally, they will offer a consensus on all sides with the most optimal solution 40 CONCLUSION When we accomplish this research, we recognised that Con Vanh area has large mudflats serving as idea habitat for many sea species and fixing alluvial for vegetation growth Mangrove in Con Vanh area has high level of plant biodiversity with 93 species, 33 families and phylums Magnoliophyta is the highest proportion (94.6% total species) to mainly form mangrove and Phanerophytes is the most popular flora‟s life form Our research compile the map of current plant biodiversity with typical dominated plant communities and their detailed distribution, species composition, life form and use values in order to make the important scientific data for effective management Moreover, we indicated some impacts of human activities on mangrove ecosystem and then proposing solutions for orientation and rational utilization of resources 41 REFERENCE Nguyễn Tiến Bân (chủ biên) (2003), Danh lục loài thực vật Việt Nam, tập II, NXB Nông nghiệp, Hà Nội Nguyễn Tiến Bân (chủ biên) (2005), Danh lục loài thực vật Việt Nam, tập III, NXB Nông nghiệp, Hà Nội Bộ Nông nghiệp - PTNT (2002), Quyết định Bộ trưởng Bộ nông nghiệp phát triển nông thôn ban hành danh mục loài động vật, thực vật hoang dã qui định phụ lục công ước CITES, Ngày 27/2/2002 Nguyễn Nghĩa Thìn (2004), Hệ thực vật đa dạng loài, NXB Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội, Hà Nội Nguyễn Nghĩa Thìn (2007), Các phương pháp nghiên cứu thực vật, NXB Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội, Hà Nội Tran Van Thuy et al 2013- Research on the rational use of mudflat ecosystem in Tien hai district, Thai Binh province through using remote sensing and GIS Tran Van Thuy et al.2013- Assessment of Mudflat ecosystem Biodiversity in Tien hai district, Thai Binh province by using remote sensing data and GIS Điều tra đánh giá thực trạng suy thoái rừng phòng hộ ven biển khu vực phía bắcvà đề xuất mô hình phục hồi bảo tồn bền vững _ trung tâm nghiên cứu, tƣ vấn tài nguyên môi trƣờng biển 12 – 2010 Cây cỏ Việt Nam – Phạm Hoàng Hộ (quyển I, II, III – 2003) 10 Giáo trình hệ thống thông tin địa lý – PGS.TS Lƣơng Văn Hinh 11 Danh lục loài thực vật Việt Nam_ Trung tâm nghiên cứu tài nguyên môi trƣờng_ĐHQGHN 42 43