Getting to Know the Mekong Wetlands
Viet Nam
MANGROVES IN THE MEKONG DELTA, SOUTHERNMOST TIP OF VIET NAM
The Nam Can mangrove forests and U Minh Ha Melaleuca forests of Ca Mau Province stretch 250 km along the coastline of the southernmost tip of Viet Nam. These areas protect the coast from erosion and create a 5,200-km2 coastal ecosystem that is rich with marine life.
The Dat Mui Nature Reserve is in this ecosystem. Natural mangrove forest dominated by Rhizophora apiculata originally covered the site but was mostly destroyed by war and later conversion to fishponds and agricultural land. The now-abandoned fishponds support extensive areas of recolonizing mangrove forest. There are also extensive mudflats that are sites for colonization by mangroves.
On the western coast of the Ca Mau Peninsula is the Bai Boi Protection Forest, which is proposed as a nature reserve. Bai Boi is also composed of abandoned fishponds and extensive mudflats that are being recolonized with mangroves.
| Dat Mui Wetland Facts |
| Designation |
Provincial Nature Reserve;
National Nature Reserve
|
| Area |
45 km2
|
| Nearby Population |
Local Population of Ca Mau Province |
| Biodiversity Value |
Site of migratory birds |
| Tourism |
Low |
| Environmental Issues |
Recolonization of abandoned aquaculture ponds |
|
| Bai Boi Wetland Facts |
| Designation |
Coastal Protection Forest;
Proposed National Nature Reserve
|
| Area |
56 km2
|
| Nearby Population |
Local population of Ca Mau Province |
| Biodiversity Value |
Site of migratory birds |
| Tourism |
Low |
| Environmental Issues |
Recolonization of abandoned aquaculture ponds |
|
Satellite Photo of Dat Mui Wetlands and Bai Boi Wetlands
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CAN GIO WETLAND, HO CHI MINH CITY VIET NAM
The Can Gio Biosphere Reserve is a mangrove-dominated 757-km2 area between Ho Chi Minh City and the sea that is highly valued for its biological diversity and provides the "green lungs" for the country's largest urban area. More than 200 species of animals and 52 species of plants have been identified in the area.
At least 35 bird species have been recorded in the Can Gio forest. In the past, the mangrove forest of Can Gio sheltered various wild animals, such as tigers, panthers, and crocodiles. Now there are only monkeys, deer, wild boars (including some newly found herds), otters, reptiles, and amphibians.
After severe damage 3 decades ago, Can Gio's ecosystem has been restored to some extent. This marks the first time that an entire rehabilitated ecosystem has been designated as a biosphere reserve.
However, many challenges remain. Local communities in Can Gio earn much less than those in other parts of the country, especially nearby Ho Chi Minh City. Education levels are still low and environmental awareness rudimentary.
Viet Nam is considering extending the biosphere reserve to mangroves in two other provinces. For this purpose, it has put forward a plan to provide seed funds for the management board of the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve to convene community workshops, develop promotional materials on biosphere reserves, and upgrade data management. A capacity-building project is supporting education; training in fishery, forestry, and agriculture for local people; and technical training for reserve managers.
| Can Gio Wetland Facts |
| Designation |
Biosphere reserve |
| Area |
757 km2
|
| Nearby Population |
Ho Chi Minh City |
| Biodiversity Value |
High: 200 species of fauna and 52 species of flora |
| Tourism |
Low |
| Environmental Issues |
Lack of environmental awareness by the local community about the importance of mangroves and continued threat of future industrial development |
Satellite Photo of Can Gio Wetlands
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