TBI Vietnam

Generating and disseminating knowledge on conservation and use of Vietnamese tree species

Overall Objective:
To improve conservation and use of (threatened) tree species through generation and dissemination of forest-ecological knowledge, formulation of conservation guidelines and capacity building.
Specific Objectives
1. Produce guidelines for effective conservation of threatened tree species by generating knowledge on their demography
2. Produce an overview of current scientific and technological knowledge on Dipterocarp trees, including guidelines for use and conservation
3. Build capacity for forest conservation research and familiarize researchers with new research concepts and methods
4. Exchange knowledge and research experiences on Vietnamese tree species to (international) scientific community and national forest institutes and strengthen collaboration
Output:
  1. Specific guidelines for the conservation and restoration of 6-7 threatened tree species;
  2. General guidelines for conservation and restoration of large group of threatened tree species;
  3. Book "Dipterocarps in Vietnam" Vietnamese and English;
  4. Implementing researchers trained in demographic and conservation research
  5. Researchers acquainted with concepts and methods in demographic studies
  6. PhD thesis and scientific publications on tree demography and conservation;
  7. International conference (8th Round Table Conference) on dipterocarps held;
  8. Strengthen "Dipterocarp Researchers Network" in Asia
Project Outline
The proposed study focuses on generating and assembling knowledge on Vietnamese tree species, in particular threatened species and Dipterocarp species. Due to the rapid forest loss and heavy exploitation in Vietnam over the last decades, many tree species have become threatened. Still, forests provide an important contribution to the livelihoods of local people. The species of the plant family Dipterocarpaceae are important trees for local livelihoods as well as for reforestation programs.

As a result of the current forest situation, it would be wise to apply different strategies for forest management in Vietnam:
(1) Sustainable use of large populations of useful trees in remaining (unprotected) forests;
(2) Conservation of remaining populations of threatened trees with conservation value in protected forests;
(3) Reforestation of degraded forests (or non-forest areas) with useful and native tree species.
To be carried out successfully, these activities require information on:
(1) Optimal and sustainable use of important tree species;
(2) Conservation strategies for threatened tree species;
(3) Propagation and growth requirements of useful trees.

In our project we propose to provide (part of) the above mentioned information, as a contribution to better use, conservation and replanting of Vietnamese forests. The project includes ecological and forestry field research in North, Central and South Vietnam. These studies will be carried out in remaining natural forests in protected areas, communal forests and plantations. Model and simulations studies will also be carried out. The results of these studies will be disseminated through publications (reports, book, PhD thesis, and scientific papers), seminars and a large conference (round table conference on Dipterocarps).
Six to seven threatened tree species will be studied in North, Central and South Vietnam. As for the Dipterocarps, all Vietnamese species belonging to this family will be included in the study, but probably not all will be investigated in the field.
Apart from contributing to better forest management and conservation, our project also aims to contribute to capacity building in the Vietnamese forestry sector.

The proposed research builds on the FSIV experience with native Vietnamese trees, and ecological research in tropical forests and the training of foreign junior scientists of Utrecht University.

Partners

Forest Science Institute of Vietnam

 

 

Hue University of Agriculture and Forestry

Utrecht University