Xuan Thuy (12020)
Vietnam, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Xuan Thuy
Central coordinates: Latitude: 20.2167, Longitude: 106.5500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 3
Area of KBA (km2): 64.5548
Protected area coverage (%): 77.03
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve is situated in the coastal zone of the Red River Delta, at the mouth of the main channel of the Red River, known as the Ba Lat River. The southern boundary is formed by the Vop River. The site comprises three islands and intervening areas of intertidal mudflats. Ngan island, the largest island, consists mainly of aquacultural ponds, most of which contain mangrove. Lu island consists of a large sandy area, as well as coastal marshes and a small area of aquacultural ponds. Xanh island, the smallest island, is a thin sandy island, which is still increasing in size as a result of deposition of sediment carried by the Red River. This island together with parts of Lu island, is submerged at high tide.
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: The site is an important staging and wintering area for migraory waterbirds. During surveys in 1988 and 1994, more than 20,000 waterbirds were observed. During the spring of 1996, it was estimated that 33,000 shorebirds passed through the nature reserve.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Xuan Thuy Nature Reserve supports a total of 14 habitat types, including both natural and man-made ones. The habitat types with the greatest biodiversity value are undisturbed mudflats and natural mangroves. Luu island supports extensive Casuarina equisetifolia plantations, which are an important habitat for migratory passerines.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 24 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 24 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 24 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 24 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site has insufficient funding, infrastructure and the nature reserve staff have limited training. Due to these constraints the staff are unable to plan and implement effective wetland management. Direct threats are listed in the data view.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Industrial aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | 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.