PARTICOLORED FLYING SQUIRREL HYLOPETES ALBONIGER PHOTO CREDIT: NGUYEN TRUONG SON

REPORT ON ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE

Disclaimer: This report is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID.) The contents of report are the sole responsibility of ECODIT/WWF-Vietnam as a sub-contractor and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.

MAP OF FOREST COVER TYPES IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF TABLE 1 LIST OF FIGURES 2 LIST OF ACRONYMS 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 I. INTRODUCTION 5

1.1. OVERVIEW 5 1.2. SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES 6 II. AIM AND OBJECTIVES 6 III. ACTIVITIES 6 IV. METHODOLOGY 7

4.1 DATA AND MAPS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSERVATION ZONATION 7 4.2 DESK STUDY 7 4.3. METHODS TO APPLY IN PRODUCING MAP OF PROPOSED EXTENSION OF QUANG NAM SAOLA NR AND ZONING 7 4.4. CREATE LAYERS FOR SPECIES, OCCUPANCY, THREATS, FOREST COVER FOR ZONATION 8 V. RESULTS AND FIDINGS 11

5.1. PRODUCE MAP OF PROPOSED EXTENSION AREA FOR QUANG NAM SAOLA NR AND ZONING 11 5.2. THE FOREST COVER ANALYSIS AND FOREST INTEGRITY 13 5.3. CREATE LAYERS FOR SPECIES, OCCUPANCY, THREATS FOR ZONATION 14 6. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 18

6.1. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS 18 6.1.1. PROTENTIAL EXPANSION AREAS FOR QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE 18 6.1.2. BIODIVERSITY VALUES AND KEY AND IMPORTANT SPECIES 19 6.1.3. THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY 19 6.2 KEY RECOMMENDATIONS 19 REFERENCES 21 ANNEX 22

LIST OF TABLE

Table 1 - Maps And Related Data 7

Table 2 - List Of Sentinel 2 Image Bands Used For QNSLNR 9

Table 3 - Forest And Land Use Types Harmonized To Calculate Under The Circular 34 10

Table 4 - Area And Proportion Of Functional Zones In Qn Saola NR 12

Table 5 - Areas Of Forest Cover Types For QNSLNR In 2018 13

Table 6 - The Biodiversity Value And Key And Important Species For QNSLNR 15

Table 7 - Areas And Proportion Of Main Threats For Qn SLNR In 2018 17

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 1 LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 - Flow chard of the operation for identification of Protected Area zones sytem 8

Figure 2 - Methodology framework for forest cover analysis of QNSLNR in Quang Nam Province 9

Figure 3 - Map of proposed extension for the QNSLNR and zonning 13

Figure 4 - Map of forest cover and non-forest types for the QNSLNR 14

Figure 5 - Biodiversity value and key and important species map of the QNSLNR 16

Figure 6 - Map of main threats for the QNSLNR 18

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 2

LIST OF ACRONYMS

CA Central Annamites

CPC Commune People’s Committee

DARD Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

DPC District People’s Committee

DONRE Department of Natural Resource and Environment

ERZ Ecological restoration sub-zone

FPD Forest Protection Department

HCVF High Conservation Value Forest

MONRE Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment

NR Nature Reserve

NTFP Non-timber forest products

PAs Protected Areas

PPC Provincial People’s Committee

QNSLNR Quang Nam Saola Nature Reserve

SAZ Service-administrative sub-zone

SPZ Strictly protected sub-zone

USAID U.S Agency for International Development

WWF World Wildlife Fund

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This zonation report is prepared for biodiversity inventories in Quang Nam Saola Nature Reserve (QNSLNR). The objective of this report is to conduct assessments which lead to proposed revisions of zonation within the existing and proposed protected area network of Quang Nam Province.

Thematic maps of species, occupancy/wildlife habitat, threats and forest cover are overlayed into one layer in order to identify the zoning system map for QNSLNR. All these map layers were created in Shapefile format by using type of coordinate systems VN2000. GIS and remote sensing techniques were used to identify the lacation of the QN SLNR management zones.

After proposed extension of a part of nine compartments of 1; 2, 16; 17; 26; 25; 18; 39 and 41, the Quang Nam Saola Nature Reserve has a protential expansion area of 18,447.55 ha, an increase of 2991.09 ha in comparison with total current area of NR. The zonation recommendation map for the core zone contains of two functional sub-zones: strictly-protected sub-zones (15,197.40 ha), and ecological restoration sub-zones (3,280.01 ha). The NR’s buffer zone covers 6 communes and one town (A Nong, Bhalee and A Vuong communes in Dong Giang district, Ta Lu, Song Con and A Ting commune and Prao town in Dong Giang district of Quang Nam province).

The strictly-protected sub-zones occupy in both rich forest and medium forest. The ecological restoration sub-zones occupies in two forest cover types (the poor forest, regrowth forest) and bare land ( grass land, and shrub).

According to the results of Sentinel image classification, it was was found that 98.65% of the total natural area is under forest cover types and 1.35% is under under non-forest types. The detailed analysis of the forest cover indicated that seven forest categories are identified and classified: evergreen broadleaf - rich forest (25.44%), evergreen broadleaf - medium forest (54.48%), evergreen broadleaf - poor forest (13.53%), and evergreen broadleaf – regrowth (5.20%).

Twelve high conservation value species of and bird are selected as representative to develop key and important species layer map: 1) the Saola; 2) large antlered ; 3) Truong Son muntjac, 3) Annamite striped rabbit; 4) Red-shanked Douc Langur; 5) Stump-tailed macaque; 6) Northern -tailed macaque; 7) ; 8) Spotted linsang; 9) Annam; 10) crested argus; 11) Austen Brown Hornbill; 12) Indochinese Wren Babbler. The distribution, presence and habitats of all these species are associated with forest cover types. The high conservation value species are located in the rich and medium forests belonging to strictly protected sub-zone (SPZ).

Five threats are identified to develop threat layer map: 1) Illegal logging , 2) wildlife hunting and trapping, 3) exploitation of NTFPs, 4) Forest encroachment, and 5) livestock grazing. In relation to zonation, the illegal logging and wildlife hunting had impacted on a large area, even can occur entire areas of the QNSLNR. However, number of threats and scope of its impacts are associated with distribution and occupacy of the animal species and the forest cover types.

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 4 I. INTRODUCTION

1.1. OVERVIEW WWF is implementing a comprehensive programme of conservation activities in the Central Vietnam- Southern Laos landscape. This is part of the Greater Annamites priority ecoregion, containing many significant populations of globally threatened and flagship species. WWF aims to protect and restore these species and their habitats and a large part of this work involves strengthening the management of key PAs.

The Green Annamites project is funded by USAID and implemented through ECODIT. It supports Vietnam’s transition to climate-smart, low emissions, and resilient development that protects people, landscapes, and biodiversity in the Central Annamites, with a focus on Quang Nam and Thua Thie Hue provinces.

The Central Annamites (CA) is one of the largest continuous natural forest areas in continental Asia and houses important PAs in Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces. It is home to many endemic species including the Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), large antlered muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis), Truong Son muntjac (Muntiacus truongsonensis), Owston’s civet (Chrotogale owstoni), crested argus (Rheinardia ocellata), and Annamite striped rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi); as well as other species of high conservation value: gibbon (Nomascus annamensis), red and grey shanked douc langurs (Pygathrix spp.) and several pheasants (Lophura spp).

Most information available to management boards stems from rapid wildlife and habitat assessments conducted prior to the preparation of an investment plan for establishment of these nature reserves, which produce lists of species, but often include no quantitative data on species abundance or distribution, making it difficult to set management priorities.

Under the Green Annamites project, WWF will contribute to establishing a baseline for biodiversity monitoring systems in identified PAs. This will include creation of species lists, abundance estimates of key species and threat analysis data in the landscape that will provide input into management planning and zoning of target PAs. This data will serve as a basis for upgrading, expanding and establishing new PAs in the landscape and facilitating sustainable management. The objectives of a biodiversity inventory in PAs in Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam provinces under the Green Annamites project are:

1. Data collection for biodiversity baseline data in five PAs (Bac Hai Van, Hue Saola NR and Phong Dien NR in Thua Thien Hue Province; QN Saola NR and Song Thanh NR in Quang Nam Province);

2. Establish a biodiversity monitoring system database and design the complex biodiversity monitoring for each PA based on the current system if any;

3. Forest cover assessments to determine forest fragmentation and forest integrity;

4. Re-zoning and zoning of PAs to propose new PA standards;

5. Management recommendations for key protected and proposed PAs in Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam provinces; and

6. Conduct training needs assessment and provide training to rangers and PA staff.

The QN SLNR was established on July 13th, 2012. It can be found at the center of Central Annamites some 180 km northeast of Tam Ky city, and considered one of the centers of global biodiversity (WWF Global, 2000). The reserve stretches from the north latitude 17056’57’’ to 18005’25’’ and eastern longitude 105051’07’’to 106004’36’’. According to the national forest inventory program result of year 2016, the total area of the QN Saola NR is 15,486.5 ha. At present, there are six ethnic minority groups, namely Co Tu, Ta

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 5 Oi, Muong, Thai, Tay and Hre. Co Tu is the dominant ethnic group. The communes in QN Saola NR also have high forest cover, with higher than 80% of the total natural areas in the communes. Currently, the QNSLNR have three functional sub-zones, namely strictly-protected sub-zone, ecological restoration sub- zone and service and administratve sub-zone. However, the existing boundaries of QNSLNR zoning system are not suitable or can not be in the real situation. Therefore, reviewing and readjusting the the functional sub-zones are necessary in order to meet objectives of biodiversity inventory as well as objectives of the Protected Area. In addition to help Management Board of QNSLNR to manage effective protected area.

With support of the Green Annamites project and WWF, after three months of preparation, WWF implemented preparatory activities and field work activities to facilitate the establishment of appropriate zonation of QNSLNR to ensure that biodiversity data, including distribution of key species, are included in spatial management of this PA.

1.2. SCOPE OF ACTIVITIES Zonation for biodiversity inventories was implemented in QNSLNR in Quang Nam Province. II. AIM AND OBJECTIVES The aim of the Green Annamites Conservation Zonation is to conduct assessments which lead to proposed revisions of zonation within the existing and proposed protected area network of Quang Nam Province to ensure that protected areas are appropriately zoned for conservation taking into account biodiversity values and the Vietnamese legal framework. Specifically, the objectives of the Green Annamites Conservation Zonation are three-fold:

 To conduct forest cover and forest integrity assessments in QNSLNR to provide a baseline of forest health and to ensure zonation takes current forest cover data into account.

 To assess and evaluate the conservation potential of the target areas in order to assist the project in producing a conservation zonation plan through provision of technical advice and GIS support.

 To identify ways to assist the project to review all options which may assist in the management of the forests and their biodiversity for conservation purposes. In particular, the review of different conservation options for the conservation zonation/area. III. ACTIVITIES - Work with QNSLNR Management Boards and related stakeholders to collect the related data, information and maps (the most recent data and maps). Conduct analysis of related layers to produce map of proposed extension of QNSLNR and zoning.

- Create layers for species, occupancy, threats, forest cover etc for zonation. Conduct forest cover analysis (GIS and remote sensing studies) to identify forest cover and forest integrity for target PA.

- Develop the recommendations for effective protected area management for QNSLNR.

- Conduct the provincial level workshop of Quang Nam (PPC, DPC, CPC, DARD, MoNRE/DoNRE, MBs etc).

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 6 IV. METHODOLOGY

4.1 DATA AND MAPS REQUIRED FOR THE CONSERVATION ZONATION

TABLE 1 - MAPS AND RELATED DATA No Map Layers And Related Data Description And Data Source The forest cover map was inherited From the outcomes of the national GIS files of the forest cover map of Quang Nam inventory program for the year 2016. 1 Province This forest cover map is collected

from Provincial Forest Protection Department (PFPD) The forest cover map of QNSLNR in Quang Nam The forest cover map wascollected from 2 province QNSLNR in Thua Thien Hue Province The phisycal maps were also collected from 3 Physical maps (topographic, roads, rivers…) Provincial Forest Protection Department (PFPD) and QNSLNR The layer for threats of target protected 4 The layers for threats of target protected area area was created from the discussion results with NR Boards From WWF, related consultants, the 5 The layers for species, occupancy… QNSLNR Board and technical staffs The free Sentinel image cover target 6 The Sentinel image of February 2018 protected area was collected from website of https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov

4.2 DESK STUDY The purpose of the desk study is to conduct an intensive desk study to generate general information/data in terms of physical, social and biological properties of the project area, i.e. eological, geo-morphological, hydrological, soil-and land use, biodiversity and socio-economic in QNSLNR of Quang Nam province. Secondary data sources will include the PA’s research reports, project documents, biodiversity status, biodiversity threats (hunting and trapping, forest land encroachment, illegal logging, over exploitation of NTFPs, illegal mineral extraction: quarying, gold, etc., development of infrastructure, and livestock grazing).

4.3. METHODS TO APPLY IN PRODUCING MAP OF PROPOSED EXTENSION OF QUANG NAM SAOLA NR AND ZONING - To conduct a meeting with the QNSLNR Board to identify extension areas and define conservation priority areas and high conservation value of biodiversity and wildlife areas or endemic species areas.

- Evaluate and define the different function zones based on the existing and proposed protected area network of Quang Nam Province to ensure that protected areas are appropriately zoned for conservation, taking into account biodiversity values and the Vietnamese legal framework. In addition, the zonation recommenndation map was also identified based on the criterion related to socio- economic, geological, geo-morphological, hydrological, soil-and land use, biodiversity, the forest cover and forest fragmentation, and accessibility to road (available road and plan to build a new road in the

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 7 future). According to requirement of the zoning purpose, requirement of special use forest and the focus discussion results with the QNSLNR Board, the core areas of the QNSLNR were divided into the following two sub zones: i) The strictly-managed and protected sub-zones; and ii) the ecological restoration sub-zones.

- All thematic maps of species, occupancy/wildlife habitat, threats and forest cover are overlayed into one layer in order to identify the zoning system map for QNSLNR. The following procedures are carried out in the different management sub-zones for each target PA using ArcGIS (Fig.1).

Figure 1 - Flow chard of the operation for identification of Protected Area zones sytem

Remote Sensing Forest Key and Wildlife High conservation

(Sentinel 2018) cover important habitat value forest map map species map map

GIS database of QNSLNR

Core zone Buffer zone

Strictly- Ecological managed and restoration protected sub-zone sub-zone

Preliminary zones map for QNSLNR

Expert suggestion

Final zones map for QNSLNR

4.4. CREATE LAYERS FOR SPECIES, OCCUPANCY, THREATS, FOREST COVER FOR ZONATION - Map database with all the map layers of species, occupancy, threats, forest cover, etc in Shapefile format by using type of coordinate systems VN2000. In order to create map layers, we based on the field survey results from other consultants and the focus discussion results with the QNSLNR Management Boards.

- Use GIS and remote sensing studies to analyze forest covers. The overall methodological framework is presented in the following figure.

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 8 Figure 2 - Methodology framework for forest cover analysis of QNSLNR in Quang Nam Province

Physical map (VN 2000) Sentinel image of 2018 - Boundary map of QNSLNR Image preprocessing: - Other secondary data -Image rectification The current MARD forest -Subset of each target PA classification system (Circular 34/2009/TT- Selection of training samples BNN)

Maximum likelihood classification

The forest cover map of QNSLNR from the Preliminary forest cover outcomes of the national map for QNSLNR inventory program for the year 2016

Field survey

Final forest cover map of QNSLNR

 Data acquisition and collection

The free Sentinel images cover five target protected areas were collected from website of https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov (Table 2)

TABLE 2 - LIST OF SENTINEL 2 IMAGE BANDS USED FOR QNSLNR No Remote sensing image covers QNSLNR Acquisition date Band Pixel size

1 Sentinel 2 10/02/2018 2 10 m

2 Sentinel 2 10/02/2018 3 10 m

3 Sentinel 2 10/02/2018 4 10 m

4 Sentinel 2 10/02/2018 8 10 m

Four bands of 10-meter resolution of Sentinel image, 2018 were used to analyze forest cover. Before performing the Sentinel image’s classification, it was necessary to register both data set to a common map coordinate system. For this purpose, five Sentinel image was rectified to a VN 2000 map projection using image to map method. The image was re-sampled using the nearest neighbor technique with the root mean square error (RMSE) values less than ± 0.5 pixels per image.

 The forest cover analysis and forest integrity for target PAs

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 9 The main purpose of the forest cover analysis is to identify fores rest cover and non forest types forest integrity for QNSLNR and nearby areas for conservation zoning. The forest cover map of QNSLNR was analyzed to identify forest integrity.

The definition of forests used for Vietnam, applies the definitions provided under Circular No. 34/2009/TT- BNNPTNT on criteria for forest identification and classification, defining forests as: minimum 10% tree cover, at a minimum height of 5 meters, over a minimum area of 0.5 ha. Agricultural land, water body and bare land (grass land, shrub land, land with scattered trees) are considered as non- forest (Table 3).

TABLE 3 - FOREST AND LAND USE TYPES HARMONIZED TO CALCULATE UNDER THE CIRCULAR 34 No Forest cover and non forest types Forest/ Non-forest Remarks

1 Evergreen broadleaf - rich forest Forest Average timber stock ≥ 201 m3/ha

Evergreen broadleaf - medium 2 Forest Average timber stock 101-200 m3/ha forest

3 Evergreen broadleaf - poor forest Forest Average timber stock ≤100 m3/ha

Average timber stock ≤ 50 m3/ha 4 Evergreen broadleaf - regrowth forest Forest

5 Bamboo forest Forest

6 Mixed timber and bamboo forest Forest

7 Forest plantation Forest

Bare land (grass land, shrub 8 Non- forest land, land with scattered trees)

9 Water bodies Non- forest

10 Other land (agriculture and road..) Non forest Source: Circular No. 34/2009/TTBNN

The forest cover layers for QNSLNR produced by the Sentinel image of February,2018 using ENVI software. The forest classification types ware performed with the maximum-likelihood algorithm, after the results of forest cover classification image exported to GIS Software for further processing. The final step is the process of combining the results from forest cover classification image of Sentinel 2, field survey, available forest cover maps in order to create a comprehensive map of forest cover types of 2018 for QNSLNR. The forest cover map was prepared in shapefile format.

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 10 V. RESULTS AND FIDINGS

5.1. PRODUCE MAP OF PROPOSED EXTENSION AREA FOR QUANG NAM SAOLA NR AND ZONING At present, in Vietnam the core zones of special use forests are divided into the following functional sub- zones:

(1) Strictly-protected sub-zones: They are the zones large enough for intact protection of natural ecosystems such as the standard ecological samples, which shall be strictly protected and protected to oversee the natural developments of forests and ecosystems.

(2) Ecological restoration sub-zones: These zones are the strictly-managed and -protected zones for restoration of forest ecosystems through the performance of some necessary bio-forestrial activities.

(3) Service-administrative sub-zones: These zones mean the areas for construction of working offices and facilities for routine activities of management boards, research and experimentation institutions, and for tourist, recreational and entertainment activities.

Currently, the QNSLNR has only one strictly-protected sub-zone. However, the boundary of QNSLNR zoning system is not suitable or can not be in the real situation.Therefore the functional sub-zones in the QNSLNR are developed and readjusted on the basis of management and use purposes, actual development, the forest’s characteristics suggestion of the QNSLNR management Board and experts.

The core areas of the QNSLNR were divided into the following two sub zones: i) The strictly-managed and protected sub-zones; and ii) the ecological restoration sub-zones. The boundaries of each zone were determined based on management priority to protect the rare and value plant species, the habitats of rare species and criteria using bio-physical factors (forest landscapes, topographic condition, the forest cover and forest integrity ect.) as well as to preserve the forest restoration and forest enrichment. The proposed extension area and zonation recommendation map of the QNSLNR is shown in Fig. 3 and the distribution of each zone area is presented in Table 4.

The total area of the QNSLNR before proposed extension is 15,486.5 ha. The strictly-protected sub-zones are considered as suitable for 13,714.95 ha or 90.7% of the entire area, while the ecological restoration sub-zones are assessed as suitable for 1,771.51 ha or 9.3%.

An area of 13805.13 ha is under the strictly-protected sub-zone, of which 5513.15 ha (39.94% of these entire areas) in lies A Vuong commun, 2289.71 ha (16.59%) lies in Ta Lu commune, 4321.93 ha (31.31%) lies in Bhalee commune, and 1680.34 ha (12.17%) lies in Song Con commune.

An area of 1,681.33 ha is under the ecological restoration sub-zones, of which 560.04 ha (33.31% of these entire areas) in lies A Vuong commune, 646.19 ha (38.43%) in lies in Song con commune, 269.72 ha (16.04%) lies in Bhalee commune, and 205.38 ha (12.22%) lies in Ta Lu commune.

There are 18477.55 ha in the QNSLNR after proposed extension of a part of nine compartments of 1; 2, 16; 17; 26; 25; 18; 39 and 41. The strictly-protected sub-zones are considered as suitable for 15,197.4 ha or 82.74% of the proposal entire area, and the ecological restoration sub-zones are suitable with an area of 3,280.19 ha (17.26%). An area of 15287.54 ha is under the strictly-protected sub-zone, of which 1482.41 ha lies in A Nong commune, the remaining areas distribute similarly before proposed extension. An area of 3,190.01 ha is under the ecological restoration sub-zones, of which 1,222.01 ha (38.31% of these entire areas) in lies A Vuong commune, 683.01 ha (21.41%) lies in Bhalee commune, and 646.19 ha (20.26%) lies in Song Con commune, 638.8 ha (20.03%) lies Ta Lu commune.

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 11 The buffer zones of QNSLNR consist of six communes, namely, A Ting, Song Con and Ta Lu in Dong Giang district, A Nong, A Vuong and Blahee communes in Tay Giang district. At present, there are six ethnic minority groups, namely Co Tu, Ta Oi, Muong, Thai, Tay and Hre. Co Tu is the dominant ethnic group. The communes in QN Saola NR also have high forest cover, with higher than 80% of the total natural areas in the communes.

Table 4 - AREA AND PROPORTION OF FUNCTIONAL ZONES IN QN SAOLA NR The functional zones

Ecological restoration sub- Total No Communes Strictly-protected sub-zone zone

ha % ha % ha %

I. Before proposed extension

1.1 A Vuong 560.04 31.61 5,513.15 40.20 6,073.19 39.22

1.2 Bhalee 269.72 15.23 2,289.71 16.69 2,559.43 16.53

1.3 Song Con 736.37 41.57 1,590.16 11.59 2,326.53 15.02

1.4 Ta Lu 205.38 11.59 4,321.93 31.51 4,527.31 29.23

Total 1 1,771.51 100.00 13,714.95 100.00 15,486.5 100

II. After proposed extension

2.1 A Nong 0 0.00 1,482.41 9.75 1,482.41 8.02

2.2 A Vuong 1,222.01 37.25 5,513.15 36.28 6,735.16 36.45

2.3 Bhalee 683.01 20.82 2,289.71 15.07 2,972.72 16.09

2.4 Song Con 736.37 22.45 1,590.16 10.46 2,326.53 12.59

2.4 Ta Lu 638.8 19.47 4,321.93 28.44 4,960.73 26.85

Total 3,280.19 100.00 15,197.4 100.00 18,477.6 100.00

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 12 Figure 3 - Map of proposed extension for the QNSLNR and zonning

5.2. THE FOREST COVER ANALYSIS AND FOREST INTEGRITY The forest cover types are determined based on Circular No. 34/2009/TT-BNN&PTNT and the results from interpretation of Sentinel 2 image in February, 2018 and field survey. The forest cover types are associated with topographic pattern, aspect and climate, ect. The Sentinel image of February 2018 was used to classify forest cover types in the QNSLNR. The total forest area of the NR is 15,410.95 ha, occupying 98.42% of the entire area (Table 5 and Fig. 4). The detailed analysis of the forest cover types indicated that four forest categories are classified: Evergreen broadleaf - rich forest (21.70%), evergreen broadleaf - medium forest (57.17%), evergreen broadleaf - poor forest (13.74%), and evergreen broadleaf – regrowth (5.82%).

The total area of the QNSLNR after proposed extension is 18477.55 ha. The results show that the forest cover types occupy 98.65% of the entire area, of which 25.44% belongs to evergreen broadleaf - rich forest, 54.48% belongs to evergreen broadleaf - medium forest, 13.53% belongs to evergreen broadleaf - poor forest, and 5.20% belongs to evergreen broadleaf – regrowth.

Table 5 - AREAS OF FOREST COVER TYPES FOR QNSLNR IN 2018 Current area Proposed extension Area No Forest cover types ha % ha %

1 Evergreen broadleaf - rich forest 3,360.11 21.70 4,700.47 25.44

2 Evergreen broadleaf - medium forest 8,853.06 57.17 10,067.2 54.48

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 13 Table 5 - AREAS OF FOREST COVER TYPES FOR QNSLNR IN 2018

Current area Proposed extension Area No Forest cover types ha % ha %

3 Evergreen broadleaf - poor forest 2,127.36 13.74 2,500.08 13.53

4 Evergreen broadleaf - regrowth forest 900.58 5.82 959.99 5.20

5 Bare land (grass land, shrub) 245.35 1.58 249.80 1.35

Total natural area 15,486.46 100.00 18,477.55 100.00

Figure 4 - Map of forest cover and non-forest types for the QNSLNR

5.3. CREATE LAYERS FOR SPECIES, OCCUPANCY, THREATS FOR ZONATION All the map layers of species, occupancy, threats and forest cover were created in Shapefile format by using type of coordinate systems VN2000. In fact, indicated the threats to biodiversity in the QNSLNR related to negative activities of local people, however, number of threats and scope of its impacts are associated with distribution and occupacy of the animal species and the forest cover types. As mentioned above, the following functional sub-zones of QNSLNR are considered based on management priority to protect the key and important species, the forest cover and forest integrity.

 The biodiversity value and key and important species layer:

Based on field observation from consultants, available databases of WWF, discussion with QNSLNR Management Board and technical staffs as well as annual report of the QNSLNR, twelve key and important species of animal and bird (high conservation value species) are selected as representative to develop layer map of high conservation value species , including: 1) the Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis; 2) large antlered muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis); 3) Truong Son muntjac (Muntiacus truongsonensis), 3) Annamite striped rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi); 4) Red-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus); 5) Stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides); 6) Northern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina); 7) Serow (Capricornissumatraensi); 8)

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 14 Spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor); 9) Annam partridge (Arborophila merlini); 10) crested argus (Rheinardia ocellata); 11) Austen Brown Hornbill (Jabouilleia danjioui); 12) Indochinese Wren Babbler (Jabouilleia danjoui).

The distribution and presence of key and important species are associated with forest cover types. Habitats of twelve high conservation value species are mainly located in the big wood forest with many floores and abundant vegetation or evergreen broadleaf - rich and medium forests belonging to strictly protected sub- zones (SPZ). In addition, the biodiversity values of QNSLNR are identified and classified into four classes (Table 6 and Fig. 5):

i) High conservation value forest 1: forest areas that contain unique endemism, endangered animal and bird species, a lot of rare, threatened or endangered animal and bird species and common animal and bird species. Areas of this high conservation value forests are located in SPZ, occuping about 20.89% of the entire area.

ii) High conservation value forest 2: forest areas that contain alot of rare, threatened or endangered animal and bird species and common animal and bird species. Areas of these forests cover are located in both SPZ and ERZ, occupying over 50%.

iii) High conservation value forest 3: forest areas that provide habitat forming and resource protection and to contain some endangered species and alot of common animal and bird species. This is located in ERZ and covers about 16.20%.

iv) High conservation value forest 4: forest areas that contain very common animal and bird species and provide basic services of nature in critical situations such as watershed protection, erosion control. This is located in ERZ and covers about 11.39%.

Table 6 - THE BIODIVERSITY VALUE AND KEY AND IMPORTANT SPECIES FOR QNSLNR Biodiversity Key and important species/ forest Functional Percent of No Area in ha value cover types zones total area - Animal and Bird: Red-shanked Douc Langur, Large-antlered muntjac, Truong Son muntjac and a 1 HCVF1 lot of other conservation value SPZ 3,235.39 20.89 animal and bird species -Fores cover types: Evergreen broadleaf - rich and medium forests - Animal and Bird: there are alot of key and important species: Annamite striped rabbit, Serow, Stump-tailed macaque, Northern SPZ and 2 HCVF2 pig-tailed macaque and some other 7,978.24 51.52 conservation value animal and bird ERZ species - Fores cover types: Evergreen broadleaf –medium forests - There are some key and important 3 HCVF3 animal and bird species and ERZ 2,509.51 16.20 common animal and bird species

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 15 Table 6 - THE BIODIVERSITY VALUE AND KEY AND IMPORTANT SPECIES FOR QNSLNR Biodiversity Key and important species/ forest Functional Percent of No Area in ha value cover types zones total area - Fores cover types:: Evergreen broadleaf poor and regrowth forests - There are some important bird species (Indochinese Wren Babbler, Bar-bellied pitta) and very commom 4 HCVF4 bird species ERZ 1,763.32 11.39 - Fores cover types: Evergreen broadleaf - regrowth forests

Total 15,486.46 100.00

Figure 5 - Biodiversity value and key and important species map of the QNSLNR

The threat map layer:

Identify and define threats to biodiversity, including list of direct and indirect threats to biodiversity in the PA based on the field survey results from other consultants and the focus discussion results with the QNSLNR Management Board. As mentioned above, number of threats and scope of its impacts are associated with distribution and occupacy of the animal species and the forest cover types. The map layer of the QNSLNR’s main threats is shown in Fig.6, and distribution of each threat site is given in Table 7.

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 16 From Table 7 can be see that there are five threats to the QNSLNR, including 1) Illegal logging , 2) wildlife hunting and trapping, 3) exploitation of NTFPs, 4) Forest encroachment, and 5) livestock grazing . The illegal logging and wildlife hunting and trapping are considered as the main threats to the QNSLNR. In relation to zonation, the illegal logging and wildlife hunting identified mostly in both SPZ, even can occur entire areas of the QNSLNR. Currently, two these threats only occur in some hot places belonging to fourteen compartments. In relation to zonation, the illegal logging and wildlife hunting identified in SPZ. The over exploitation of NTFPs (rattan) and livestock grazing occuried mostly along Ho Chi Minh highway in Bhalee commune. Forest fire and forest encroachment occuried in ERZ where areas are adjacent to the forest plantation of local people in three communes of Song Con, Bhalee and A Vuong.

Table 7 - AREAS AND PROPORTION OF MAIN THREATS FOR QN SLNR IN 2018 No Main threats Compatment Impact

1 22; 24; 25; 27; 28; No theats 44 and 43

2 Illegal logging and other threats

2.1 Degradation and loss of forest, disruption of Illegal logging A part of 43 and 39 forest canopy, ecological disturbance, wildlife disturbance and loss of plant species

2.2 Degradation and loss of forest, disruption of Illegal logging & forest encroachment A part of 45 forest canopy, ecological disturbance, reduction of habitat for widlife species

3 Wildlife hunting and other threats

3.1 14; 16; 20; 21; 23; Loss of animal and bird species, decline in Wildlife hunting and trapping 34; 35; 36; 37 and a animal population part of 12;

3.2 Loss of animal and bird species and decline in Wildlife hunting & over exploitation of A part of 14 animal population, ecological disturbance, and NTFPs wildlife disturbance

3.3 Loss of animal and bird species, decline in animal population, destruction of forest Wildlife hunting & forest encroachment A part of 23 ecosystem, reduction of habitat for widlife species

4 Other threats

4.1 Over exploitation of NTFPs A part of 13 Ecological disturbance, and wildlife disturbance

4.2 Destruction of forest ecosystem, reduction of Forest encroachment 12 and 47 habitat for widlife species

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 17 Figure 6 - Map of main threats for the QNSLNR

6. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

6.1. GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

6.1.1. PROTENTIAL EXPANSION AREAS FOR QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE  Review and readjustment of the functional sub- zones will be very helpul for effective protected area management and achieve the QNSLNR’s objective.

 The total protential expansion area of the QNSLNR increased from 15,486.5 ha to 18,477.55 ha ha, , an increase of 2991.09 ha in comparison with total current area of NR. This increased area would enhance the conservation value of QNSLNR for the following reasons:

- To expand habitat for the nationally and globally threatened and animal bird species such as as Annam partridge, Crested argus, Austen Brown Hornbill, Indochinese Wren, etc.

- To expand habitat for the nationally and globally threatened species and primate such as Saola (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis), Annamite striped rabbit, Serow, Large-antlered muntjac, Truong Son muntjac, Serow, Spotted linsang, Red-shanked Douc Langur, and Stump-tailed macaque.

- To create a biodiversity corridor linking with the other PAs (Song Thanh NR in Quang Nam province).

- More areas of forest will create condition for habitats of high conservation animal and bird species. In the other hand, the protential expansion area be very helpul for the protection and sustainable development of natural resources in accordance with the QNSLNR’s objective.

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 18  The zonation recommendation map of the core zone contains of two zones: the strictly-protected sub- zones (13,714.95 ha or 90.7% of the entire area), and the ecological restoration sub-zones (1,771.51 ha or 9.3%).

 The strictly-protected sub-zones occupy in both evergreen broadleaf - rich forest and evergreen broadleaf - medium forest. The ecological restoration sub-zones occupies in two forest cover types (poor forest and regrowth forest) and bare land (grass land, and shrub).

 The buffer-zone stretches over Dong Giang and Tay Giang districts in Quang Nam Provimce and consists of six communes (Song Con, Ta Lu and Ating in Dong Giang district, A Nong, A Vuong and Blahee communes in Tay Giang district).

6.1.2. BIODIVERSITY VALUES AND KEY AND IMPORTANT SPECIES - The maps of important animal and bird species and widlife habitats for QNSLNR has been produced based on field observation from consultants, available databases of WWF, discussion with NR Management Boards and technical staffs as well as annual report of QNSLNR. The key and important species are found in the big wood forest with many floores and abundant vegetation or evergreen broadleaf - rich and medium forests belonging to strictly protected sub-zones.

- Twelve key and important species of animal and bird are selected as representative to develop an important species layer map: 1) the Saola; 2) large antlered muntjac; 3) Truong Son muntjac, 3) Annamite striped rabbit; 4) Red-shanked Douc Langur; 5) Stump-tailed macaque; 6) Northern pig- tailed macaque; 7) Serow; 8) Spotted linsang; 9) Annam; 10) crested argus; 11) Austen Brown Hornbill; 12) Indochinese Wren Babbler.

- The distribution and presence of key and important species are associated with forest cover types. Habitats of all these species are mainly located in evergreen broadleaf - rich and medium forests belonging to strictly protected sub-zone (SPZ).

6.1.3. THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY  Number of threats and scope of its impacts are associated with distribution and occupacy of the animal species and the forest cover types.

 The threat map of QNSLNR consists of five threats: 1) Illegal logging, 2) wildlife hunting and trapping, 3) exploitation of NTFPs, 4) Forest encroachment, and 5) livestock grazing. The illegal logging and and wildlife hunting and trapping are considered as the main threats to the QNSLNR. In relation to zonation, the illegal logging and wildlife hunting identified mostly in the SPZ. The exploitation of NTFPs and livestock grazing occuried mostly along Ho Chi Minh high way. Forest encroachment occurred in ERZ where areas are adjacent to the forest plantation of local people and easy to access.

6.2 KEY RECOMMENDATIONS The key recommendations can be summarzied as follows:

 The function of the strictly-protected sub-zone is to maintain the natural development of forests, not to plant forests, exploitation and degradation of the forest are not be allowed. This will be achieved through activities of the key and important species monitoring and forest protection partrol.

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 19  The purpose of ecological restoration sub-zone is to restore the natural forest ecosystems through the performance of some necessary bio-forestrial activities. This will be achieved through activities of planting of indigenous wood trees and NTFP species, forest enrichment and natural forest regeneration.

 To complete the NR expansion and zonning process and submitt to PPC of Quang Nam for considerating and making decision. To organize a workshop to announce the boundaries of the QN SLNR’s extension area in six buffer zone communes after approving by PPC. At the same time, implementing boundary delineation and demarcation on the ground for the extension area and for the functional sub-zones in score zone areas.

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 20 REFERENCES

Circular No. 34/2009/TT-BNNPTNT on criteria for forest identification and classification.

Circular No. 78/2011/TT-BNNPTNN of November 11, 2011, guiding the implementation of the Government's Decree No. 117/2010/NasCP of December 24, 2010, on orgattzation and management of the special-use forest system.

Decision on No. 994/2017/QD-UBND on readjusting forest protection and development planning in Thua Thien Hue province for period of 20009-2020

Decision on No. 120/2017/QD-UBND on readjusting forest protection and development planning in Quang Nam province for period of 2011-202.

PFPD. The forest cover maps from the outcomes of the national inventory program in Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam provinces for the year 2016.

Government’s Decree No. 117/2010/ND-CP on the organization and management of the special-use forest system.

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 21 ANNEX

Sentinel 2 Image of February, 2018 and boudary of the Quang Nam Saola Nature Reserve

Sentinel 2 Image of February and March, 2018 and boudary of the Song Thanh Nature Reserve

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN QUANG NAM SAOLA NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 22