U Minh Thuong (12007)
Vietnam, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: U Minh Thuong
Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.5833, Longitude: 105.0833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 2
Area of KBA (km2): 79.74189
Protected area coverage (%): 94.03
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is centred on U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve, which comprises semi-natural Melaleuca forest, seasonally inundated grassland and open swamp. The IBA also includes the buffer zone of the nature reserve, most of which consists of paddyfields with small patches of Melaleuca plantation. Finally, the IBA includes a large block of Melaleuca plantation to the north-west of the nature reserve, which supports an important breeding colony of wetland birds but which is currently under the management of the local prison.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) The site has been reviewed and re-confirmed as a KBA in the process of compiling the revised 2011 CEPF Ecosystem Profile for the Indo-Burma Hotspot.
Additional biodiversity: Non-bird biodiversity: U Minh Thuong harbours a diversity of flora, including many rare and endemic species. Safford et al (1998) indentified 155 plant species. These comprised 52 species in forest, 49 in grassland, 34 on riverbanks and 66 aquatics. Among these is the duckweed, Lemna tenera, which is rare throughout its range in South-East Asia but common in U Minh Thuong. The forest and wetlands of U Minh Thuong support many rare and endangered animal species. There is evidence for the continued occurance of the globally threatened Hairy-nosed Otter Lutra sumatrana (Nguyen Xuan Dang verbally). Safford et al. (1998) recorded Sunda Pangolin Manis javanicus and Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus. In addition, Safford et al. (1998) received annecdotal reports of the occurrence of Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis and also recorded the Malayan Snail-eating Turtle Malayemys subtrijuga and Yellow-headed Temple Turtle Hiermemys annandalii.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve supports one of the last significant areas of peatswamp forest remaining in Vietnam. The vegetation in the core zone can be divided 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 plantation, agricultural land, fishponds and canals.
Land use: agriculture (50%) | forestry (9%) | nature conservation and research (36%) | not utilised (6%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 15 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Grassland | 15 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats to the natural environment of U Minh Thuong Nature Reserve include: forest fires, degradation and decomposition of peat layers, illegal hunting and trapping of animals, and, development of tourism related infrastructure.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Industrial aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Birdlife International and the Forest Inventory and Planning Instutute (2001) Sourcebook of existing and proposed protected areas in Vietnam. Hanoi, Vietnam: BirdLife International Vietnam Programme and the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute.Buckton, S. T., Ngyuyen Cu, Nguyen Duc Tu and Ha Quy Quynh (1999) The conservation of key wetland sites in the Mekong delta. Hanoi: Birdlife International Vietnam programme.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.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): 217-244Nguyen Phuc Bao Hoa in prep.Safford unpublished 1996-1997.