Discovering and recording a number of new species for science in Kim Hy Nature Reserve, Bac Kan province

Sporoxeia vietnamensis D.V.Hai, Z.L.Lin & S.Jin Zeng and Strobilanthes spathulatibracteata D.V. Hai, Z.L. Lin & Y.F. Deng

Images of 02 newly discovered species for science at Kim Hy Nature Reserve

Kim Hy Nature Reserve has a total area of ​​15,715.02 hectares, and is home to a number of rare and precious genetic resources of endangered endemic plants such as Keteleeria davidiana, which has a very narrow distribution. On the territory of Vietnam, it has only been found in two sub-populations close together on limestone mountains in Kim Hy and Liem Thuy communes, Na Ri district, Bac Kan province.

Initial investigation data shows that Kim Hy Nature Reserve contains great potential for biodiversity, notably the flora and forest ecosystems on limestone mountains. In recent years, the promotion of socio-economic development activities in the province has caused the area of ​​quality natural forests to shrink, biological resources to be over-exploited, and many new varieties to be introduced. imports into the province are uncontrolled and environmental pollution is increasing, affecting the area's plant diversity.

Successful synthesis of higher vascular flora

In order to contribute to building a scientific basis for preserving and developing precious and rare plant species in particular and the flora in general, research and evaluation of plant species composition is really necessary. In particular, research on the diversity of higher vascular plants has scientific significance to fully and comprehensively supplement plant diversity in the study area, propose biodiversity conservation, and protect special-use forests, search, discover and record new plant species, develop effective forest plant resources.

From the above reality, Dr. Do Van Hai and the research team of the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources carried out the task of "Researching the diversity, assessing the current status of vascular plants, and proposing measures for conservation and sustainable development." at Kim Hy Nature Reserve, Bac Kan province" (code: VAST04.09/22-23).

The research team went on a field trip to Kim Hy Nature Reserve

Through the research process, scientists have successfully synthesized the vascular flora at Kim Hy Nature Reserve with 1,251 species and subspecies belonging to 728 genera, belonging to 170 plant families of 06 phyla. Higher level objects have circuits. At the same time, Dr. Hai and his colleagues have compiled 14 groups of use values ​​of species: Medicinal plants have the largest number of species with 749 species, timber plants have 257 species, ornamental plants have 141 species, and edible plants have 134 species. Groups of trees with small quantities are 14 species for construction materials, 09 species of trees for resin production. Regarding rarity, among the 1,251 recorded species of vascular plants: 313 species are named in the IUCN Red List (2023), 65 species are named in the Vietnam Red Book (2007), 85 species are named in Decree 84/2021/ND-CP dated September 22, 2021 of the Government on the management of endangered, precious and rare forest plants and animals and the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Animal Species, endangered wild plants. The research team has developed 06 point maps for the distribution of endemic, endangered, precious, and rare plant species at risk of extinction, prioritized for conservation in Kim Hy Nature Reserve.

Within the framework of the topic, Dr. Hai and his colleagues have identified 02 groups of causes (direct and indirect), with 11 risks of biodiversity loss and decline, thereby proposing 07 groups of specific solutions to preserve and develop biodiversity. sustainable development at Kim Hy Nature Reserve. Through this, scientists continue to propose investigations and research solutions to restore a number of rare plant populations with scientific significance and economic value and investigate specific taxon groups, especially Species distributed in limestone mountain areas. The research results have provided an appropriate assessment of the value of plant diversity, and many species have been confirmed to be important documents contributing to conservation work. This study has updated, supplemented and managed the database on vascular plants in the reserve, which is important data, contributing to the compilation of Vietnamese Botanical Journal volumes during the period. next paragraph.

The research results were published in 02 articles in the SCIE category, 01 article in the Scopus category, 01 article in the VAST02 category, supported the training of 02 graduate students and were accepted by the Council of Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Grade A rating.

Translated by Quoc Khanh
Link to Vietnamese version