Que Son Proposed Nature Reserve
| Alternative site name(s) None Province(s) Quang Nam Area Undetermined Coordinates 15°35'N, 107°55'E Agro-ecological zone South Central Coast Decreed by government No Management board established No |
Investment plan prepared No VCF eligibility criteria met A, B Social screening criteria met None Conservation needs assessment prepared No Operational management plan prepared No Tracking tool completed No Yes |
Management history
Que Son is not included on any government decision or official set of proposals regarding the national Special-use Forests system (MARD 1997, FPD 2003). However, Quang Nam Provincial FPD has proposed that the site be designated as a species/habitat conservation area (a sub-category of nature reserve), on the basis of the presence of a herd of Asian Elephant Elephas maximus in a significant block of lowland evergreen forest.
To date, an investment plan has not been prepared for the site, the management arrangements have not been determined, and the boundaries have not been defined. One scenario is that only part of the site will be designated as a Special-use Forest, forming the core area of a wider conservation landscape.
Topography and hydrology
Que Son proposed nature reserve is located in central Quang Nam province, about 6 km to the east of Song Thanh proposed nature reserve. Que Son is centred on a lowland valley, separated from Song Thanh proposed nature reserve, by the valley of the Cai river. Que Son is situated in the catchment of the Vu Gia river, one of the major rivers in Quang Nam province.
Biodiversity values
As part of the Management of Strategic Areas for Integrated Conservation (MOSAIC) Project, a preliminary biodiversity assessment of Que Son proposed nature reserve was conducted by WWF and Quang Nam Provincial FPD. During this assessment, a number of globally threatened mammal and bird species were recorded at the site, including Asian Elephant, Southern Serow Naemorhedus sumatraensis, Pygmy Loris Nycticebus pygmeus, a douc species Pygathrix sp., a gibbon species Hylobates sp. and Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata (B. Long in litt. 2003). The north of the site supports an intact lowland freshwater system, harbouring important fish populations (B. Long in litt. 2003).
Conservation issues
The lowland landscape of western Que Son district is heavily degraded due to unsustainable commercial logging in the past, on-going, widespread illegal logging, livestock grazing, and over-exploitation of NTFPs. Land-use planning focussing on cattle ranching, community management of forest resources, and law enforcement to remove illegal loggers, gold miners, trappers and rattan collectors could be expected to reduce most of the problems (B. Long in litt. 2003). A dam and access road is currently being constructed in the east of the site, which could facilitate further exploitation of natural resources (B. Long in litt. 2003).
Other documented values
No information.
Related projects
Since 2002, the WWF Vietnam Programme, in collaboration with Quang Nam Provincial FPD have been implementing an integrated programme of activities in Quang Nam province, as part of the MOSAIC Project. A number of activities have been implemented at Que Son under this project, including biodiversity surveys, facilitation of a community forest management action plan, development of a commune conservation education programme, and participatory land-use planning. Funding is currently being sought to expand activities at the site, and take the necessary steps to ensure sustainable management of the site and gazette it as a protected area (B. Long in litt. 2003).
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 currently ineligible for VCF support because it is not under appropriate conservation management.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| AI |
CA1 - Central Annamites |
| AII |
|
| BI |
Proposed Special-use Forest |
| BII |
Nature Reserve |
| BIII |
Under provincial management |
| CI |
|
| CII |
Social screening requirements
A social screening report has not been prepared for the site.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| A |
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| D |
Literature sources
Phan Van Truong (2003) Situational analysis report of Que Lam commune, Que Son district, Quang Nam province. Unpublished report to the Quang Nam Provincial FPD/WWF MOSAIC Project.
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