Key Biodiversity Areas

Tien Lang (12018)
Vietnam, Asia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Tien Lang
Central coordinates: Latitude: 20.6500, Longitude: 106.6500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 2
Area of KBA (km2): 26.48094
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Tien Lang comprises the coastal zone of Tien Lang district, Van Uc estuary and Thai Binh estuary. The site supports approximately 400 ha of old growth mangrove forest, estimated to be more than 50 years old. Almost all of the old-growth mangrove at the site is enclosed within aquacultural ponds. Some of the mangrove occurs in scattered clumps, with individual trees estimated to be more than 100 years old. Between the main dyke and the trees in the Tien Lang district coast sector of the site, there is an area of grass and sedge. An area with saltmarsh and small lakes is found behind the dunes. The Thai Binh estuary sector of the site comprises the old-growth mangrove and connected intertidal flats along the Thai Binh river. An area of old-growth mangrove forest lies to the south of the Van Uc estuary, beyond which lies saltmarsh and a Castuarina equisetifolia plantation.
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.

Habitats


Summary of habitats in KBA: The site comprises the old-growth mangrove and connected intertidal flats along the Thai Binh and Van Uc rivers.
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (82%) | forestry (6%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine Neritic35
Forest23
Artificial - Terrestrial6
Marine Intertidal36

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureMarine & freshwater aquacultureIndustrial aquacultureOngoing
Biological resource useHunting & collecting terrestrial animalsUnintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target)Ongoing
Biological resource useFishing & harvesting aquatic resourcesUnintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]Ongoing
Biological resource useLogging & wood harvestingUnintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]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.Pedersen, A. and Nguyen Huy Thang (1996) The conservation of key coastal wetland sites in the Red River Delta. Hanoi: BirdLife International Vietnam Programme.