New Insights into Plant Diversity and the Potential Utilization of Plant Resources in the Wetland Area of Xuan Thuy National Park
In January 1989, the coastal wetland in Xuan Thuy district, Nam Dinh province was officially recognized as the Ramsar area – according to the Ramsar Convention on the Protection of Wetlands of International Importance, Especially Habitat for Waterfowl. This is not only the first Ramsar point of Vietnam but also the first Ramsar point of Southeast Asia and the 50th in the world. In December 2004, UNESCO continued to recognize the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve, in which Xuan Thuy National Park plays the role of a core area of special significance for this world biosphere reserve.
Wetland ecosystems play an important role in ecological balance, biodiversity conservation and bring many socio-economic benefits. However, they are under great pressure from climate change, sea level rise, and unsustainable resource exploitation. The degradation of these ecosystems entails the risk of serious biodiversity loss. Both Vietnam and Belarus, despite differences in natural conditions, possess rich wetlands and need to be comprehensively and systematically assessed, studied.
In order to assess the current status of plant diversity in aquatic and wetland ecosystems in Vietnam and Belarus, Dr. Luu Dam Ngoc Anh and the research team of the Vietnam Museum of Nature have coordinated with the research team of the Central Botanical Garden of Belarus (CBG) to propose and be approved by the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology to carry out the task "Assessment of the current status of plant diversity in aquatic and wetland ecosystems in Vietnam and Belarus" (code No.: QTBY01.03/23-24). This task is carried out within the framework of cooperation with the Belarusian Foundation for Basic Research (Republic of Belarus). The study focused on assessing the diversity of plant species in the wetland ecosystem in Xuan Thuy National Park (Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve), and at the same time assessing the current status of rare and precious native species that need to be protected. In addition, the study also explores the value of forest plant resources, especially essential oil and medicinal plants, thereby proposing sustainable use measures to conserve and promote the value of these plants.
Newly identified insights
During the research, scientists conducted a survey which identified 201 species of vascular higher plants in Xuan Thuy National Park. Notably, two rare plant species were recorded in the Vietnam Red Book 2024: Scirpus kimsonensis N.K.Khoi (commonly known as Grasshopper), classified as Endangered (EN), and Lumnitzera littorea (Jack) Voigt (commonly known as Red Toad), classified as Vulnerable (VU).
Photograph of the Red Frog (Lumnitzera littorea (Jack) Voigt), taken by Bui Van Huong
Photograph of the Water Bulrush species (Scirpus kimsonensis N.K.Khoi), taken by Do Van Hai
In addition, the study also explored the potential biological activities of various plant species. The research team conducted screenings to assess both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of plants found in the area. The results revealed that crude leaf extracts and essential oils from 12 plant species exhibited antimicrobial activity. Furthermore, leaf extracts from 22 plant species were evaluated for their potential anti-inflammatory effects.
The research project has yielded significant achievements in both training and international collaboration. Notably, it supported the training of one Master's degree in Pharmacy and two Bachelor's degrees in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, thereby contributing to the development of human resources in the life sciences sector. Simultaneously, scientific cooperation between Vietnam and Belarus was strengthened through joint survey missions and expert exchanges.
The research findings have been published in reputable scientific journals, both domestically and internationally. Notably, an article published in the Microbiology & Biotechnology Journal (2025) reports on the inhibitory effects of essential oils extracted from four plant species found in the Xuan Thuy mangrove forest—Sphagneticola trilobata, Vitex rotundifolia, Vitex trifolia, and Annona glabra—against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Among these, the essential oil from S. trilobata demonstrated the strongest inhibitory activity. MRSA remains a pressing global health concern and poses significant challenges in clinical treatment.
Currently, the prevalence of MRSA is on the rise and has been documented in numerous healthcare facilities and communities. Molecular docking analyses have identified several key compounds in the essential oils that exhibit strong binding affinity to the target protein of Staphylococcus aureus, highlighting their potential for the development of novel antibacterial agents derived from mangrove plant species. In addition, findings related to the anti-inflammatory properties and extraction efficiencies of leaf-derived compounds from various mangrove plants have also been published in the Journal of Science and Technology – Thai Nguyen University and the Journal of Vietnamese Traditional Medicine.
Dr. Luu Dam Ngoc Anh stated that the research has provided a comprehensive assessment of plant diversity in Xuan Thuy National Park, covering species composition, the conservation status of plant species, and the potential for the sustainable utilization of plant resources in wetland areas of both Vietnam and Belarus. These new records not only enrich biodiversity databases but also open up opportunities for the sustainable use of mangrove forest resources in Xuan Thuy National Park in particular, and in Vietnam’s mangrove ecosystems more broadly. In the context of climate change and the global decline in biodiversity, conducting research and implementing effective management of these critical ecosystems is an urgent priority, contributing to the preservation of valuable biological resources for future generations.
Furthermore, research plays a crucial role in providing scientific evidence for the sustainable management of biological resources in Ramsar sites, while also supporting the development of effective conservation strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and human activities. Notably, the rapid growth of certain protected plant species, which are at risk of becoming invasive, presents significant challenges to conservation efforts. Additionally, research findings on biological activity, combined with molecular docking predictions, open up potential applications in medical sciences and lay the foundation for sustainable monitoring of plant resources. The research collaboration between Vietnam and Belarus not only strengthens scientific capacity but also contributes to the training of a new generation of experts, generating valuable data for education and long-term studies on climate change and biodiversity conservation.
Below are some photos from the research cooperation exchange activities:
Pictured from left to right are Dr. Aliasandr Mialik, Prof. Vladimir V. Titok (Head of the Belarusian delegation), Dr. Luu Dam Ngoc Anh, Assoc. Prof. Privalov Fedor Ivanovich (Director of the Central Botanical Garden of Belarus), and Res. Natallia Hudnaya
Field survey research was conducted to assess the conservation status of certain plant species at Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park, Europe’s oldest remaining primeval forest, located between the Republic of Belarus and Poland
Botanists from the Vietnam National Museum of Nature and the Central Botanical Garden of Belarus are scheduled to conduct a research survey at Xuan Thuy National Park in August 2024
Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version
