LARGE ANTLERED MUNTJAC MUNTIACUS VUQUANGENSIS PHOTO CREDIT: LEIBNIZ-IZW, WWF-VIETNAM USAID & QUANG NAM FPD

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

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 ZONATION RECOMMENDATION MAP 7 4.4. CREATE LAYERS FOR SPECIES, OCCUPANCY, THREATS, FOREST COVER FOR ZONATION 8 V. RESULTS AND FIDINGS 11 5.1. PRODUCE ZONATION RECOMMENDATION MAP 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 19 6.1 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS 19 6.1.1. ZONATION RECOMMENDATION MAP OF THE CORE ZONE AND BUFFER ZONE 19 6.1.2. BIODIVERSITY VALUES AND KEY AND IMPORTANT SPECIES 19 6.1.3. THREATS TO BIODIVERSITY 19 6.2 KEY RECOMMENDATIONS 19 6.2.1. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF SONG THANH NATIONAL PARK 20 6.2.2. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS 20 REFERENCES 21 ANNEX 22

LIST OF TABLE

Table 1 - Maps And Related Data 7

Table 2 - List Of Sentinel 2 Image Bands Used For Song Thanh NR 9

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

Table 4 - Map Of Forest Cover And Non- Forest Types For Song Thanh NR 12

Table 5 - Areas Of Forest Cover Types Of Song Thanh NR In 2018 13

Table 6 - The Biodiversity Value And Key And Important Species For Song Thanh NR 15

Table 7 - Areas And Proportion Of Main Threats For Song Thanh NR In 2018 17

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH 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 the STNR in Quang Nam Province 9

Figure 3 - Zonation recommendation map for the STNR 12

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

Figure 5 - Biodiversit Biodiversity value and key and important species map of the STNRy value and key and important species map of the STNR 16

Figure 6 - Biodiversity value and key and important species map of the STNR 16

Figure 7 - Map of main threats for the STNR 18

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH 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

MARD Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

MONRE Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment

NP National Park

NR Nature Reserve

NTFP Non-timber forest products

PAs Protected Areas

PPC Provincial People’s Committee

STNR Song Thanh 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 SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This zonation report is prepared for biodiversity inventories in Song Thanh 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 Song Thanh proposed National Park. 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 management zones for Song Thanh proposed National Park.

Song Thanh Nature Reserve in Quang Nam province meets eligibility criterion for establishing a National Park (NP) in Quang Nam province with an area of 76,964.4 ha. The core zone is divided into two functional sub- zones: strictly-protected sub-zones (54,896.97ha), ecological restoration sub-zones (22,067.43 ha). The buffer zone intersects Nam Giang and Phuoc Son districts and covers 12 communes (Ta Bhing, Ca Dy, Ta Poo, Cha Val, La De, DacPre, and DacPring communes in Nam Giang district, Phuoc Xuan, Phuoc Nang, Phuoc My, Phuoc Cong, Phuoc Duc in Phuoc Son district).

According to the results of Sentinel image classification, it was was found that 90.86% of the total natural area is under forest cover types and 9.14% 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 (24.28%), evergreen broadleaf - medium forest (40.11%), evergreen broadleaf - poor forest (18.42%), evergreen broadleaf – regrowth (7.58%), mixed timber and bamboo forest (0.09%) and forest plantation (0.18%) .

Twelve high conservation value species of animal and bird are selected as representative to develop key and important species layer map: 1) Annam partridg; 2) Annamite striped rabbit; 3) Crested argus; 4) Large- antlered muntjac; 5) Northern pig-tailed macaque; 6) Serow; 7) Silver pheasant; 8) Spotted linsang; 9) Stump- tailed macaque; 10) Red-shanked Douc Langur; 11) Great Hornbil; 12) Black-crowned Barwing. 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 both strictly protected sub-zone (SPZ) and ecological restoration sub-zone (ERZ).

Six threats are identified to develop threat layer map: 1) Illegal logging, 2) wildlife hunting and trapping, 3) exploitation of NTFPs, 4) gold mining, 5) Forest encroachment, 6) 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 STNR. 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 SONG THANH 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 Song Thanh Nature Reserve (STNR) is located northwest of Quang Nam province with a total area of 76,964.40 ha (according to the national forest inventory program result of year 2016). The buffer zone intersects Nam Giang and Phuoc Son districts and covers 12 communes, namely Ta Bhing, Ca Dy, Ta Poo, Cha Val, La De, DacPre, and DacPring communes in Nam Giang district, Phuoc Xuan, Phuoc Nang, Phuoc My, Phuoc Cong, Phuoc Duc in Phuoc Son district. The buffer zone is inhabitated by four main ethnic minority

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 5 groups such as the Co Tu, Ve, Ta Rieng, and Gie Trieng. Currently, the STNR 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 STNR 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 STNR 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 STNR 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 STSLNR 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 STNR 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 thE NR Management Boards of Song Thanh and related stakeholders to collect the related data, information and maps. Conduct analysis of related layers to produce zonation recommendation map of STNR 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 STNR.

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

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH 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 inventory program for the GIS files of the forest cover map of Quang Nam Province 1 year 2016.

This forest cover map is collected from Provincial Forest Protection Department (PFPD)

The forest cover map of STNR in Quang Nam The forest cover map wascollected from STNR in 2 province Thua Thien Hue Province

The phisycal maps were also collected from Provincial 3 Physical maps (topographic, roads, rivers…) Forest Protection Department (PFPD) and STNR

The layer for threats of target protected area was 4 The layers for threats of target protected area created from the discussion results with NR Boards

From WWF, related consultants, the STNR Board and 5 The layers for species, occupancy… technical staffs

The free Sentinel image cover target protected area 6 The Sentinel images of February and March 2018 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 STNR 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 ZONATION RECOMMENDATION MAP - To conduct a meeting with the STNR Mangement 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 future). According to requirement of the zoning purpose, requirement of special use forest and the focus discussion results with the STNR Board, the core areas of the STNR were divided into the following two sub zones: i) The strictly-managed and protected sub-zones; and ii) the ecological restoration sub-zones.

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 7 - 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 STNR. 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 STNR

Core zone Buffer zone

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

Preliminary zones map for STNR

Expert suggestion

Final zones map for STNR

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 Hue SLNR 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 SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 8 Figure 2 - Methodology framework for forest cover analysis of the STNR in Quang Nam Province

Physical map (VN 2000) Sentinel image of 2018 - Boundary map of STNR

- Other secondary data Image preprocessing:

-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 STNR from the outcomes Preliminary forest cover of the national inventory map for STNR program for the year 2016

Field survey

Final forest cover map of STNR

 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 SONG THANH NR

No Remote sensing image covers STNR Acquisition date Band Pixel size

1 Three Sentinel images 10/02/2018; 15/02/2018; and 24/03/2018 2 10 m

2 Three Sentinel images 10/02/2018; 15/02/2018; and 24/03/2018 2 10 m

3 Three Sentinel images 10/02/2018; 15/02/2018; and 24/03/2018 3 10 m

4 Three Sentinel images 10/02/2018; 15/02/2018; and 24/03/2018 4 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 SONG THANH 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 STNR and nearby areas for conservation zoning. The forest cover map of STNR 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 STNR 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 STNR. The forest cover map was prepared in shapefile format.

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

5.1. PRODUCE ZONATION RECOMMENDATION MAP 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 STNR has two functional sub-zones, namely strictly-protected sub-zone and ecological restoration sub-zone. However, the boundaries of NR zoning system are not suitable or can not be in the real situation.Therefore the functional sub-zones in the STNR are developed and readjusted on the basis of management and use purposes, actual development, the forest’s characteristics suggestion of the STNR management Board and experts.

The core areas of the STNR 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 STNR is shown in Fig. 3 and the distribution of each zone area is presented in Table 4.

In Table 4, it is observed that the total area of the STNR is 76,964.4 ha. The strictly-protected sub-zones are defined as suitable for 54,896.97 ha or 71.3% of the entire area, while the ecological restoration sub-zones are considered suitable with an area of 22067.43 ha (28.7%).

An area of 54,896.97 ha is under the in the service-administrative sub-zones, approximately 44.2 % of these entire areas lies in Dacpring commune, the remaining areas distribute in eight communes, including Phuoc My (11.0%), Dac Toi (9.9%), DacPre (8.3%), Tabhing (8.1%), Dac Toi (9.9%), Phuoc Cong (6.2%), LaDee (4.7%), Phuoc Xuan (3.4%) and Phuoc Nang (3.3%).

An area of 22,067.43 ha is under the ecological restoration sub-zones, distribution of percent of these entire areas in communes is as follows: Dacpring (17.3%), Tabhing (13.6%), DacPre (12.4%), Ta Poo (11.5%), Phuoc My (9.9%), Phuoc Nang (7.4%), LaDee (7.0%), Phuoc Cong (6.2%), Ca Dy (5.9%), Phuoc Xuan (5.6%), Chaval (4.5%), and Phuoc Cong (2.2%).

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 11 TABLE 4 - MAP OF FOREST COVER AND NON- FOREST TYPES FOR SONG THANH NR

The functional zones Total No Communes Ecological restoration sub-zone Strictly-protected sub-zone

ha % ha % ha % 1 DacPre 2,743.28 12.4 4,572.52 8.3 7,315.8 9.5

2 Dacpring 3,813.29 17.3 24,258.95 44.2 28,072.24 36.5

3 Dac Toi 615.41 2.8 5,429.36 9.9 6,044.77 7.9

4 LaDee 1,547.57 7.0 2,598.63 4.7 4,146.2 5.4

5 Tabhing 2,994.39 13.6 4,465.57 8.1 7,459.96 9.7

6 Ta Poo 2,532.46 11.5 0.00 0.0 2,532.46 3.3

7 ChaVal 999.52 4.5 0.00 0.0 999.52 1.3

8 CaDy 1,296.25 5.9 0.00 0.0 1,296.25 1.7

9 Phuoc Cong 477.12 2.2 3,417.42 6.2 3,894.54 5.1

10 Phuoc My 2,185.32 9.9 6,517.17 11.9 8,702.49 11.3

11 Phuoc Nang 1,625.9 7.4 1,798.03 3.3 3,423.93 4.4

12 Phuoc Xuan 1,236.92 5.6 1,839.32 3.4 3,076.24 4.0

Total 22,067.43 100.0 54,896.97 100.0 76,964.4 100.0

Figure 3 - Zonation recommendation map for the STNR

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 12 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. Three Sentinel images of February and March and 2018 are used to classify forest cover types in the STNR. Based on the results from image classification and the current forest status, ten forest cover and non-forest categories are identified namely: Forest plantation, mixed timber and bamboo forest, evergreen broadleaf - rich forest, evergreen broadleaf - medium forest, evergreen broadleaf - poor forest, evergreen broadleaf – regrowth, bamboo forest and bare land (Table 5 and Fig.4). The total area of STNR is 76,964.4 ha, of which 69927.52 ha or 90.86% of the total area is under forest cover types and 7,036.88 ha (9.14%) is under under non-forest types. The detailed analysis of the forest cover indicated that forest plantation (0.18% of the total area), mixed timber and bamboo forest (0.20%), evergreen broadleaf - rich forest (24.28%), evergreen broadleaf - medium forest (40.11%), evergreen broadleaf - poor forest (18.42%), evergreen broadleaf – regrowth (7.58%), and bamboo forest (0.09%).

TABLE 5 - AREAS OF FOREST COVER TYPES OF SONG THANH NR IN 2018 No Forest cover types Area in ha %

1 Forest plantation 141.61 0.18

2 Mixed timber and bamboo forest 150.4 0.20

3 Evergreen broadleaf - rich forest 18,685.05 24.28

4 Evergreen broadleaf - medium forest 30,868.79 40.11

5 Evergreen broadleaf - poor forest 14,179.05 18.42

6 Evergreen broadleaf - regrowth forest 5,832.81 7.58

7 Bamboo forest 69.81 0.09

8 Bare land (grass land, shrub) 7,036.88 9.14

Total forest and non-forest area 76,964.40 100.00

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 13 Figure 4 - Map of forest cover and non- forest types for the STNR

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 STNR 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 STNR 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:

The biodiversity value and key and important species are identified based on field observation from consultants, available databases of WWF, discussion with STNR management board and technical staffs as well as annual report of the STNR, twelve key and important species of animal and bird (high conservation value species) are selected as representative to develop important species layer map, including: 1) Annam partridge (Arborophila merlini); 2) Annamite striped rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi); 3) Crested argus (Rheinardia ocellata); 4) Large-antlered muntjac (Muntiacus vuquangensis); 5) Northern pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina); 6) Serow (Capricornissumatraensi); 7) Silver pheasant; 8) Spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor); 9)

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 14 Stump-tailed macaque (Macaca arctoides); 10) Red-shanked Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus); 11) Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis); 12) Black-crowned Barwing (Actinodura sodangorum), etc.

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 to the biodiversity values of STNR 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. Areas of this high conservation value forest are located in SPZ with an area of 10234.36 ha or 13.30 % of the entire area.

ii) High conservation value forest 2: forest areas that contain alot of rare, threatened or endangered animal and bird species. Areas of these forests are also located in SPZ with an area of 20403.02ha or 26.51% of the entire area.

iii) High conservation value forest 3: forest areas that provide habitat forming and resource protection and to contain alot of common animal and bird species. Areas of these forests are also located in SPZ with an area of 26666.25 ha 34.65 % of the entire area.

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 or are necessary to meet basic needs of local communities and and to contain some animal and bird common species. Areas of these forests are located in ERZ with an area of 19660.77 ha 25.55 % of the entire area.

TABLE 6 - THE BIODIVERSITY VALUE AND KEY AND IMPORTANT SPECIES FOR SONG THANH NR Biodiversity Key and important species/ forest Percent of No Functional zones Area in ha value cover types total area

- Animal and Bird: Red-shanked Douc Langu, Large-antlered muntjac, Annamite striped rabbit, Annam partridge, Crested 1 HCVF1 argus, and a lot of other key and important SPZ 10,234.36 13.30 animal and bird species -Fores cover types: Evergreen broadleaf - rich and medium forests

- Animal and Bird: there are alot of the key and important animal and bird species: Serow, Spotted linsang, Stump-tailed macaque, Silver pheasant, Austen Brown 2 HCVF2 Hornbill, Great Hornbill, Black-crowned SPZ 20,403.02 26.51 Barwing. - Fores cover types: Evergreen broadleaf – medium forests

- There are a lot of common animal and bird species 3 HCVF3 SPZ 26,666.25 34.65 - Fores cover types:: Evergreen broadleaf - poor forests

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 15 TABLE 6 - THE BIODIVERSITY VALUE AND KEY AND IMPORTANT SPECIES FOR SONG THANH NR

Biodiversity Key and important species/ forest Percent of No Functional zones Area in ha value cover types total area

- There are some very common animal and bird species 4 HCVF4 ERZ 19,660.77 25.55 - Fores cover types:: Evergreen broadleaf – poor and regrowth forests

Total 76,964.40 100.00

Figure 5 - Biodiversit Biodiversity value and key and important species map of the STNRy value and key and important species map of the STNR

Figure 6 - Biodiversity value and key and important species map of the STNR 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 STNR 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 STNR’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 SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 16 From Table 7 can be see that there are six threats to the STNR, including 1) Illegal logging, 2) wildlife hunting and trapping, 3) exploitation of NTFPs, 4) Forest encroachment, 5) livestock grazing, and 6) gold mining. The illegal logging and wildlife hunting and trapping are considered as the main threats to the STNR. In relation to zonation, the illegal logging and wildlife hunting identified mostly in both SPZ, even can occur entire areas of the STNR. Currently, two these threats only occur in some hot places belonging to twelve compartments. In relation to zonation, the illegal logging and wildlife hunting are identified mostly in the SPZ, even entire areas of the NR. Gold mining is carried out along streams at three compartments of 378; 392 and 396 also belonging to SPZ, creating chemical pollution and disruption to natural habitat. The over exploitation of NTFPs and livestock grazing occuried mostly in ERZ, it is hard to stop mining because of its considerable contribution to household economy. Forest encroachment occuried in ERZ where areas are adjacent to the forest plantation of local people.

TABLE 7 - AREAS AND PROPORTION OF MAIN THREATS FOR SONG THANH NR IN 2018

No Main threats Compatment Impact

1 No theats

2 Logging and other threats

2.1 Degradation and loss of forest, disruption of Illegal logging 704 forest canopy, ecological disturbance, wildlife disturbance and loss of plant species

2.2 Degradation and loss of forest, disruption of Illegal logging & over exploitation of 368 forest canopy, ecological disturbance, wildlife NTFPs disturbance, loss of plant species

2.3 Degradation and loss of forest, disruption of forest canopy, ecological disturbance, wildlife Illegal logging & forest encroachment 701 and 705 disturbance and loss of plant species, reduction of habitat for widlife species

2.4 Degradation and loss of forest, disruption of Illegal logging , wildlife hunting & over forest canopy, ecological disturbance, wildlife 372 exploitation of NTFPs disturbance, loss of plant species and decline in animal population

3 Illegal wildlife hunting and trapping

3.1 Loss of animal and bird species and decline in animal population, destruction of forest Wildlife hunting & forest encroachment 390 ecosystem, reduction of habitat for widlife species

3.2 Loss of animal and bird species and decline in Wildlife hunting and trapping 384; 391; 392; 393 animal population

3.3 Loss of animal and bird species and decline in Wildlife hunting, forest encroachment & A part of 389 and animal population, destruction of forest livestock grazing 375 ecosystem, reduction of habitat for widlife species

4 Other threats

4.1 Ecological disturbance, wildlife disturbance, loss Over exploitation of NTFPs & forest 352; 706; 707; 709; of plant species, Destruction of forest encroachment 710 ecosystem, reduction of habitat for widlife species

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 17 TABLE 7 - AREAS AND PROPORTION OF MAIN THREATS FOR SONG THANH NR IN 2018

No Main threats Compatment Impact

4.2 Ecological disturbance, wildlife disturbance, loss Over exploitation of NTFPs 342 of plant species

4.3 Destruction of forest, polution and loss of Gold mining 378; 382; 396 aquatic species

4.4 353; 354; 356; 357; Destruction of forest ecosystem, reduction of Forest encroachment 358; 359; 360 and habitat for widlife species 361

4.5 Livestock grazing 300; 301; 304 Wildlife disturbance

Figure 7 - Map of main threats for the STNR

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 18 6. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

6.1 GENERAL CONCLUSIONS

6.1.1. ZONATION RECOMMENDATION MAP OF THE CORE ZONE AND BUFFER ZONE  Review and readjustment of the functional sub- zones will be very helpul for effective protected area management and achieve the STNR’s objective.

The total area of the NR is 76,964.4 ha, the current proposed map of the core zone contains two zones: strictly-protected sub-zones (54,896.97ha), and ecological restoration sub-zones (22,067.43 ha).  The strictly-protected sub-zones occupy in both evergreen broadleaf - rich forest and evergreen broadleaf - medium forest. The ecological restoration sub-zones occupies in four forest cover types (bamboo forest poor forest, regrowth forest, mixed timber and bamboo forest) and bare land ( grass land, and shrub).

 The buffer zone intersects Nam Giang and Phuoc Son districts and covers 12 communes (Ta Bhing, Ca Dy, Ta Poo, Cha Val, La De, DacPre, and DacPring communes in Nam Giang district, Phuoc Xuan, Phuoc Nang, Phuoc My, Phuoc Cong, Phuoc Duc in Phuoc Son district).

6.1.2. BIODIVERSITY VALUES AND KEY AND IMPORTANT SPECIES  The maps of the key important animal and bird species and widlife habitats for the STNR 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 STNR. The key and important species are found in the big wood forest with many floores and abundant vegetation or evergreen.

 Twelve key and important species of animal and bird are selected as representative to develop an important species layer map: 1) Annam partridg; 2) Annamite striped rabbit; 3) Crested argus; 4) Large- antlered muntjac; 5) Northern pig-tailed macaque; 6) Serow; 7) Silver pheasant; 8) Spotted linsang; 9) Stump-tailed macaque; 10) Red-shanked Douc Langur; 11) Great Hornbil; 12) Black-crowned Barwing.

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

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 SNR consists of six threats: 1) Illegal logging, 2) wildlife hunting and trapping, 3) exploitation of NTFPs, 4) gold mining, 5) Forest encroachment, 6) livestock grazing. The illegal logging and wildlife hunting and trapping are considered as the main threats to the STNR. In relation to zonation, the illegal logging and wildlife hunting identified mostly in the SPZ. Gold mining is mainly carried out along streams at three compartments of 378; 382; and 396. the exploitation of NTFPs and livestock grazing occuried mostly in ERZ. Forest encroachment also occurred in ERZ where areas are adjacent to the forest plantation of local people and easy to access.

6.2 KEY RECOMMENDATIONS

USAID ZONATION FOR BIODIVERSITY INVENTORIES IN SONG THANH NATURE RESERVE IN QUANG NAM PROVINCE | 19 6.2.1. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF SONG THANH NATIONAL PARK  As a result of survey from consultants and available data of WWF. In total, more than 52 species of mammals, 176 species of birds, 118 species of amphibian and 831 plant species are recorded in the STNR. Several of these species have found in Vietnamese Red Book and IUCN red list, including more 14 species of mammal, 11 species of bird, 18 species of amphibian and 32 species of plant. Furthermore, the STNR is home to a lot of endemic species, including Red-shanked Douc Langur, large antlered muntjac, Truong Son muntjac, Annamite striped rabbit crested argus, and Annam partridge as well as other species of high conservation value: Northern pig-tailed macaque, Serow, 7) Silver pheasant, spotted linsang, Stump-tailed macaque, Great Hornbill, Black-crowned Barwing, etc.

 With to characteristics above, the STNR meets eligibility criterion for establishing a National Park (NP). According to “Decree No. 117/2010/ND-CP on organization and management of the special-use forest system and Curcular No. 78/2011/BNN&PTNT”, a national park must satisfy at least one of three following criteria:

(1) Having at least 1 typical ecosystem standard specimen of an eco-zone or of national or international significance; having an area of over 10,000 ha, at least 70% of which is covered with natural ecosystems and less than 5% of which is agricultural and inhabited land. (2) Having at least 1 Vietnamese endemic species or being capable of conserving the habitats of over 5 endangered, rare and precious species under law; having an area of over 7,000 ha, at least 70% of which is covered with natural ecosystems and less than 5% of which is agricultural and inhabited land. (3) Having particularly important values in national landscape protection or scientific research and experimentation approved by the Prime Minister

6.2.2. OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS  To complete the Song Thanh NP establishment and zonning process and after being ratified by the provincial people’s committee of Quang Nam, this will be submitted to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) for consideration and making decision.

 To organize a workshop to announce the boundaries of Song Thanh proposed NP in buffer zone communes after approving by related agencies. In addition, to implement boundary delineation and demarcation on the ground as well as the functional sub-zones in score zone areas.

 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.

 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 trees, forest enrichment and natural forest regeneration.

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

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

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

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