Biodiversity in Puxailaileng

(Baonghean) - In the strategy of protecting forest resources and environment, Nghe An is a province that attaches great importance to the construction of nature reserves. Currently, there are 3 national nature reserves recognized by international organizations: Pu Mat National Park, Pu Huong Nature Reserve and Pu Hoat Nature Reserve. Puxailaileng area (Ky Son) in the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve has also been interested in through biodiversity research.

The scientific topic “Research on biodiversity in the Puxailaileng area of ​​the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve and propose conservation measures” was carried out by the Provincial Science and Technology Association. Through investigation, collection and survey, the level of biodiversity, species distribution according to terrain, altitude, habitat, and living environment in this area was determined to assess the current level of biodiversity and propose necessary conservation solutions.

Primary forest in Nam Can (Ky Son). Photo: Xuan Tuan

Puxailaileng area has very high biodiversity, diverse habitats, representing most types of tropical forests. According to the research results of the project, biodiversity in Puxailaileng area of ​​Tay Nghe An Biosphere Reserve was determined by the research team to include many species, low and high level plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, rare and endangered animal species. Accordingly, 726 species belonging to 4 higher plant phyla were surveyed and identified. Of which, the most diverse is the Magnolia phylum with 687 species, 368 genera and 106 families (accounting for 94.6% of the total number of species surveyed). Next is the fern phylum with 23 species, 18 genera and 13 families, the pine phylum has 10 species, 9 genera, and 8 families. The least is the ground pine phylum with 6 species, 3 genera and 2 families. Of which, the microalgae species composition includes 75 species and subspecies including 10 orders, 24 families, 37 genera at the research site belonging to 4 phyla: Cyanobateria, heterokontophyta, chlorophyta and Eulenophyta. The entomopathogenic fungi composition includes 48 species, many of which are capable of controlling pests for agricultural crops.

Research on the diversity of vertebrates in the Puxailaileng area shows that this is a group of species with quite high diversity. 348 vertebrate species were recorded in the area, including 60 mammal species belonging to 24 families, 9 orders; 147 bird species belonging to 40 families, 13 orders; 76 amphibian and reptile species belonging to 17 families, 3 orders and 65 fish species belonging to 17 families, 5 orders. The distribution of animal species is mainly concentrated at altitudes from 1,000 to under 2,000m with 268 species, at altitudes from 2,000m and above there are very few species distributed. There are 197 species in forest habitats, only found in swidden habitats. There are 31 aquatic insects belonging to 7 insect orders. Classification of aquatic insects belonging to the Hemiptera order in Puxailaileng shows that there are 18 species belonging to 7 families. Terrestrial insects and large spiders have 198 species distributed in habitats along streams, hills, fields, beaches and high mountains, of which, no species is at risk of extinction.

In particular, in the Puxailaileng area, there are up to 66 animal species of economic significance and value, of which 52 species are used for food, 36 species are traded, traded, 20 species are used for different purposes such as ornamental, medicinal... There are 25 species of high economic value, 73 species of rare and precious animals with conservation value identified in the research area recorded in the Vietnam Red Book (2007) in Decree 32/2006 and the IUCN World Red List 2014. Of which, many species no longer exist in the area. There are 24 endangered plant species recorded in the Vietnam Red Book (2007) that need priority policies for conservation. Of which, the EN level is 9 species and VU level is 15 species. These are species with timber and medicinal value, so they are overexploited, leading to gradual depletion and risk of extinction. Therefore, there is a need for appropriate policies to reduce the impact on the living environment to protect genetic resources.

Through research on the impact of biodiversity in this area, it is shown that the impact of people's livelihood activities here is considered the main cause affecting biodiversity in the Puxailaileng area. The population is mainly ethnic minorities such as O Du, Kho Mu, Thai, Mong... and is one of the poor districts under the State's Program 30a. The people's lives still have the habit of searching for and exploiting resources from trees and animals in the forest. Of the 19 rare animal species in the past 5 years, there are 16 mammal species and 3 fish species. These are considered specialties of the forest, have high economic value, and are favored by consumers, so they become the target of exploitation by people. This puts them at risk of disappearing. This area has 16 common plant species and has economic value for people's lives. Of these, 3 types of cassava, purple sticky rice, and taro are grown by people in their gardens and hills. The remaining 13 species include: po mu, sa mu, thong, vang chan, sang le, clove, nghieng, de, tau, sen, lat hoa... exploited by people from the forest to serve their daily life or sell for money. There are 20 species of animals and plants that are at risk of disappearing or have not been seen or rarely seen in the past 5 years. Of these, 10 species of plants and 10 species of animals include bears, elephants, tigers, leopards, monkeys, deer, wild goats, wild boars, flying foxes, and pangolins.

According to Decision No. 45/QD-TTg dated January 8, 2014 of the Government on approving the national biodiversity master plan to 2020, with a vision to 2030, Puxailaileng is included in the plan with an area of ​​50,000 hectares. Therefore, the requirement for biodiversity conservation in this area is being raised more than ever. With the aim of maintaining, conserving and developing the inherent value of this area, the project team has proposed a set of solutions to conserve and develop biodiversity in the Puxailaileng area, including: Strengthening propaganda for local people to raise awareness and conserve biodiversity in the Puxailaileng area; Attracting and calling on domestic and international scientists to study the biodiversity of the area; Promoting land and forest allocation to local people on the basis of forest protection contracting mechanism; Selecting economic development models suitable for ecological and social conditions contributes to hunger eradication and poverty reduction for local people such as: growing ginger for export, raising black chickens, processing snow tea, converting the structure of upland rice to corn with high-yield varieties suitable for the climate. At the same time, creating an open mechanism to attract businesses and individuals to invest in the region, associated with biodiversity conservation and development.

To effectively preserve and develop biodiversity in the Puxailaileng area, it is necessary to implement synchronous solutions. On the other hand, the authorities need to have a policy to survey, plan research, and establish the Puxailaileng Nature Reserve to have a conservation plan in the coming time.

Hoang Xuan Truong

(Nghe An Union of Science and Technology Associations)