sourcebook

Management history

The establishment of a nature reserve at U Minh Thuong was decreed by the government of Vietnam in 1993 (Buckton et al. 1999). In the same year, a nature reserve investment plan was approved by the former Ministry of Forestry (FPD 1998). In the following year, U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve and Historical Site Management Committee was established to oversee the administration of the site and manage government funding through the national 327 Programme (N. Sage and M. Greve in litt. 2000).

On 14 January 2002, the management category of U Minh Thuong was revised from nature reserve to national park, following Decision No. 11/TTg of the Prime Minister. According to the Prime Minister's decision, the total area of the national park is 8,053 ha, comprising a strict protection area of 7,838 ha, a forest rehabilitation area of 200 ha and an administration and services area of 15 ha. In addition, there is a buffer zone of 13,069 ha, outside of the national park. According to the Prime Minister's Decision, the national park is under the management of Kien Giang Provincial People's Committee.

Following the revision of the management category, the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve and Historical Site Management Committee was restructured as a national park management board, following Decision No. 49/QD-UB, dated 8 July 2002. The management board currently has 59 members of staff, based at eight guard stations. A revised investment plan for the national park was prepared in 2003 (Thai Thanh Luom, Director of U Minh Thuong National Park in litt. 2003).

U Minh Thuong is included on a list of Special-use Forests to be established by the year 2010, prepared by the FPD of MARD, as an 8,053 ha national park (FPD 2003); this list has not yet been approved by the government.

Topography and hydrology

U Minh Thuong National Park is located in An Minh Bac commune of An Minh district, and Minh Thuan commune of Vinh Thuan district, Kien Giang province, 365 km south-west of Ho Chi Minh City. U Minh Thuong National Park is located in the plain of the Mekong Delta, and the site reaches only a few metres in elevation. U Minh Thuong or upper U Minh, is the northern of two extensive peatswamp areas in Kien Giang and Ca Mau provinces. The other peatswamp area, U Minh Ha or lower U Minh, is situated 30 km to the south (see Vo Doi site card).

U Minh Thuong National Park is situated in an area of freshwater wetlands, comprising peatswamp forest, seasonally inundated grassland and open swamp. Acid sulphate soils, which oxidise on exposure to air to produce sulphuric acid, cover a large area of U Minh Thuong. Despite the acid sulphate soils, the water in the core zone is almost neutral (pH 6-7) due to the high forest cover. In the buffer zone, however, which has been extensively cleared of forest, the water can be extremely acidic (pH 3-4).

The soil layer is covered by a layer of peat, 1 to 3 m thick. In areas that have recently been burnt, the peat layer has been lost, and the land surface has been lowered, often forming open swamp. In areas which have been cleared for agriculture, the peat layer has been oxidised and reduced in thickness (Safford et al. 1998). The core zone of U Minh Thuong National Park is surrounded by a perimeter canal and dyke system, with a series of gates, which are used to manage the water level. Water is released during the rainy season but, at other times of the year, water is retained. This reduces oxidisation and thinning of the peat layer, and reduces the risk of fire.

Biodiversity values

U Minh Thuong National Park supports one of the last significant areas of peatswamp forest remaining in Vietnam, and is recognised as one of the three highest priority sites for wetland conservation in the Mekong Delta (Buckton et al. 1999). Tran Triet (2000) has classified the vegetation of the core zone into four types: forest dominated by Melaleuca cajuputi on both peat and mineral soils; seasonally inundated grasslands dominated by Phragmites vallatoria and Eleocharis dulcis; open swamps dominated by Nymphaea nouchali, Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia cucullata and Typha domingensis; and natural streams and canals. The vegetation of the buffer zone consists of seasonally inundated grassland, open swamps, Melaleuca plantations, agricultural land, fishponds and canals.

U Minh Thuong harbours a diversity of flora, including many rare and endemic species. Tran Triet (2000) has recorded 226 species of non-cultivated vascular plants. Among these is the duckweed, Lemna tenera, which is rare throughout its range in South-East Asia but common at U Minh Thuong.

The forest and wetlands at U Minh Thuong support many rare and endangered animal species. With the exception of birds, the fauna of U Minh Thuong National Park received limited attention prior to a comprehensive zoological survey between October and December 2000 (N. Sage and M. Greve in litt. 2000). During this survey, particular attention was given to assessing the status of Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis and Estuarine Crocodile C. porosus at the national park. However, the results of the survey indicated that neither species have occurred at the national park for perhaps as long as 30 years (Stuart et al. (2002).

A preliminary survey conducted in March 2000 obtained evidence of the continued occurrence of the globally data deficient Hairy-nosed Otter Lutra sumatrana at U Minh Thuong (Nguyen Xuan Dang et al. 2000). The survey team also found evidence of Oriental Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinerea, Sunda Pangolin Manis javanicus and Large-spotted Civet Viverra megaspila at U Minh Thuong (Nguyen Xuan Dang et al. 2000).

The conservation importance of U Minh Thuong National Park is further highlighted by the high bird diversity. During a survey of wetland sites in the Mekong Delta by BirdLife International and the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), U Minh Thuong had the highest bird species richness of any of the sites visited (Buckton et al. 1999). To date, 187 bird species have been recorded at U Minh Thuong, including nine globally threatened or near-threatened species: Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus, Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga, Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus and Asian Golden Weaver Ploceus hypoxanthus (Safford et al. 1998, Buckton et al. 1999, Nguyen Phuc Bao Hoa 2000). U Minh Thuong also supports globally significant congregations of a number of commoner waterbird species, including Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio, Little Cormorant Phalacrocorax niger, Purple Heron Ardea purpurea, Glossy Ibis Plegadis falcinellus. For these reasons, U Minh Thuong qualifies as an Important Bird Area (Tordoff 2002).

Conservation issues

The main threats to biodiversity at U Minh Thuong National Park can be grouped into four categories: forest fire; peat dry-out; hunting; and tourism development.

In 2002, a series of devastating fires destroyed much of the Melaleuca forest within the national park (Vietnam News 2002b,h). While fire is a natural part of the ecology of Melaleuca forest and accidental fires periodically occur, an inappropriate hydrological management regime at the national park led to low water levels during the dry season and drying out of the peat layer, thereby vastly increasing the severity of fires that took place during 2002. Any future forest fire at U Minh Thuong has the potential to destroy all the remaining natural Melaleuca forest. Therefore, Tordoff (2002) recommends that a hydrological management regime that avoids drying out of the peat layer and maintains the hydrological value of the site as a source of freshwater for local agriculture be introduced, and that no new canals be constructed in the national park, as these will cause will further drying out of the peat swamp, increasing the risk of fire at the site, and facilitating access by poachers, who are responsible for many accidental fires. It is also important that habitat rehabilitation efforts at the national park rely on natural regeneration not plantation, in order to mitigate the risk of alien invasive species.

The second main threat to biodiversity at U Minh Thuong is degradation and decomposition of the peat layer and inhibition of the peat formation process, both of which result from a low water table throughout most of the year. The drying of the peat layer enhances the risk of fire in the peatswamp forest. The CARE project undertook a series of hydrological research and monitoring activities to formulate a water resources management plan for the purpose of maintaining moist peat soils all year round. Another management objective is to provide an equitable supply of water to buffer zone communities during the dry season, in compensation for the lack of access to fish and forest products within the core zone (N. Sage and M. Greve in litt. 2000).

The third major threat to biodiversity at U Minh Thuong is illegal hunting and trapping of mammals, reptiles and birds. These activities are conducted by both local people and organised groups of outsiders. Poverty is cited as the root cause of these illegal activities, although the well developed trade in wildlife and wildlife products is a contributory factor. In addition to exploitation of wildlife, another illegal human activity is the conversion of wetlands in the core zone of the national park to agricultural land (N. Sage and M. Greve in litt. 2000).

The final major threat to biodiversity is the planned development of tourism infrastructure in the core zone of the national park. Recent infrastructure developments include building a surfaced road into the centre of the core zone and erecting a monument there. These developments were in breach of Special-use Forest management regulations (N. Sage and M. Greve in litt. 2000). Tordoff (2002) recommends that all planned infrastructure developments at the national park be carefully assessed for their potential impacts on flora and fauna.

Within the north-west corner of the buffer zone is a 1,190 ha area, which is commonly referred to as the "prison forest" or "bird sanctuary". This area is uninhabited and supports one of the most important and largest bird colonies in the Mekong Delta (Nguyen Phuc Bao Hoa 2000, N. Sage and M. Greve in litt. 2000). The area is currently under the management of Kien Giang Provincial Department of Police (N. Sage and M. Greve in litt. 2000). Buckton et al. (1999) recommend that, although the area is managed effectively at the current time, it should be incorporated within the national park to ensure its long-term integrity.

Other documented values

The Melaleuca forest in the core zone of U Minh Thuong National Park plays an important role in maintaining the soil and water quality in the buffer zone by preventing the acidification of topsoil and surface water, filtering ground water, and storing freshwater during the dry season. In addition, at least eight species of economically valuable fish are found at U Minh Thuong. By providing these services, the U Minh Thuong wetlands make an important contribution to the livelihood security of poor households in the buffer zone (N. Sage and M. Greve in litt. 2000).

U Minh Thuong National Park has historical values because the area was used as a base by resistance forces during the First and Second Indochina Wars. Due to the almost complete loss of natural forest in the Mekong Delta region, U Minh Thuong is one of the few places where visitors can see the landscape as it was at the time. In addition, archaeological remains dating back to the Oc Eo civilisation have been found in the area.

Related projects

Between 1998 and 2003, CARE International in Vietnam, in partnership with Kien Giang Provincial DARD, implemented the Danida-funded U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve Conservation and Community Development Project. The aim of this project was to conserve the existing natural resources and biodiversity of the protected area by strengthening the capacity of the management board, and improving the livelihood security of participating buffer zone communities, thereby reducing their dependency on the natural resources of the site. In addition, the project aimed to increase local capacity in natural resource conservation research and conservation knowledge, thereby providing a basis for the development of sound and sustainable protected area and habitat management practices (N. Sage and M. Greve in litt. 2000).

A government-funded project is currently being implemented at U Minh Thuong National Park to rehabilitate and restore the Melaleuca forest lost and damaged during the severe fires in 2002, and to improve the livelihoods of buffer zone households.

Conservation needs assessment

A conservation needs assessment has not been conducted for the site.

Operational management plan

An operational management plan has not been prepared for the site.

Eligibility against VCF criteria

The site is eligible for VCF support because it meets criteria A, B and C.

Criterion	Eligibility
A_I	LMF1 - U Minh Thuong Swampforests
A_II	VN004 - U Minh Thuong
B_I	Decision No. 11/TTg, dated 14/01/02
B_II	National Park
B_III	Under provincial management
C_I	Management board established
C_II

Social screening requirements

A social screening report has not been prepared for the site.

Criterion	Eligibility
A
B
C
D

Literature sources

ADB (1999) Draft coastal and marine protected areas plan. Hanoi: Asian Development Bank.

Anon. (1998) Environmental review of proposed sources of growth for sustainable agriculture and biodiversity protection in the U Minh and Plain of Reeds sub-regions of the Mekong Delta. Vancouver: Global Environmental Consultants Ltd..

Buckton, S. T., Nguyen Cu, Ha Quy Quynh and Nguyen Duc Tu (1999) The conservation of key wetland sites in the Mekong Delta. Hanoi: BirdLife International Vietnam Programme.

Buckton, S. T., Nguyen Cu, Ha Quy Quynh and Nguyen Duc Tu (2000) [The conservation of key wetland sites in the Mekong Delta]. Hanoi: BirdLife International Vietnam Programme. In Vietnamese.

CARE International in Vietnam (1998) U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve Conservation and Community Development Project. Unpublished report to the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve Conservation and Community Development Project.

Chandler, G. (1999) Proposals for a community development program. Unpublished report to the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve Conservation and Community Development Project.

FIPI and BirdLife International Vietnam Programme (2000) Guidelines for feasibility studies and investment plans for the designation of Special-use Forests. Hanoi: Forest Inventory and Planning Institute and the BirdLife International Vietnam Programme.

Leedman, A. and Nguyen Phuc Bao Hoa (2001) U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve, Vietnam. OBC Bulletin 33 (suppl.): 14-16.

Nguyen Phuc Bao Hoa (2000) Report on the bird monitoring program. Unpublished report to the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve Conservation and Community Development Project.

Nguyen Xuan Dang, Pham Trong Anh and Le Hong Tuyen (2000) Results of otter survey in U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve, Kien Giang province, Vietnam, 1 to 30 March 2000. Unpublished report to the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve Conservation and Community Development Project.

Safford, R. (1999) Biodiversity and habitat survey and monitoring strategy for U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve. Unpublished report to the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve Conservation and Community Development Project.

Safford, R. and Maltby, E. (2000) Habitat and biodiversity monitoring: a manual for U Minh Thuong. Unpublished report to the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve Conservation and Community Development Project

Safford, R. J., Tran Triet, Maltby, E. and Duong Van Ni (1998) Status, biodiversity and management of the U Minh wetlands, Vietnam. Tropical Biodiversity 5(3): 217-244.

Scott, D. A. (1989) A directory of Asian wetlands. Gland: IUCN.

Stuart, B. L., Hayes, B., Bui Huu Manh and Platt, S. G. (2002) Status of crocodiles in the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve, southern Vietnam. Pacific Conservation Biology 8: 62-65.

Thompson, J. (1999) Hydrometeorological instrumentation manual. Unpublished report to the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve Conservation and Community Development Project.

Tordoff, A. W. ed. (2002) Directory of important bird areas in Vietnam: key sites for conservation. Hanoi: BirdLife International in Indochina and the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources.

Tran Triet (2000) Vegetation of U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve. Unpublished report to the U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve Conservation and Community Development Project.

Vietnam News (2002a) All hands on deck as forest fire rages on. Vietnam News 5 April 2002.

Vietnam News (2002b) Army, police join forces to save U Minh forest. Vietnam News 18 April 2002.

Vietnam News (2002c) Denmark helps U Minh. Vietnam News 26 August 2002.

Vietnam News (2002d) Fire brigades struggle to isolate raging forest fires. Vietnam News 8 April 2002.

Vietnam News (2002e) Fires rage again in beleaguered U Minh Thuong National Park. Vietnam News 11 May 2002.

Vietnam News (2002f) Govt seeks national, international aid to combat raging forest fires. Vietnam News 4 April 2002.

Vietnam News (2002g) Heavy rain offers massive respite to local firefighters. Vietnam News 17 April 2002.

Vietnam News (2002h) Large areas of U Minh Thuong National Park razed by fires. Vietnam News 26 January 2002.

Vietnam News (2002i) Lung Ngoc Hoang recognised as a marine reserve. Vietnam News, 18 January 2002.

Vietnam News (2002j) Phu Quoc tries to lure more tourists. Vietnam News, 19 January 2002.

Vietnam News (2002k) U Minh Thuong forest blazes again, distant water sources hinder fight. Vietnam News 30 March 2002.

Vietnam News (2002l) U Minh Thuong's offers face survival fight. Vietnam News 23 March 2002.

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