Tran Van Con
Forest Science Institute of Vietnam
Natural tropical forests are characterized by an immense diversity of plant and animal species, a complex structure and architecture of the vegetation and a mosaic of vegetation development phases. They are never homogeneous, neither in structure nor in architecture, even where there has been no filling or other artificial impacts. Gaps, varying in size and frequency, and here and there “climber tangles” or thickets of immature trees interrupt stretches of high forest. Due to these complexiieay and dynamics, tropical forests play an important role and a great potential in the supply of economic goods and environmental services for the sustainable development of the country. Therefore, there is great concern about the future of the tropical forests among scientists, politicians and the general public. Issues contributing to this concern include: the alarming rate of tropical rain forest depletion; the often unsustainable uses to which the land is being converted; the violation of rights of indigenous forest-dwelling communities; the fast rate of species extinction and the potentially disastrous effects of deforestation and forest degradation on soil, water, climate, genetic richness and the future supply of economic goods.
This paper provides a research review on silvicultural characteristics of evergreen broad leaved and semi-deciduous forest in Vietnam. In both theory and practice, silviculture is the science and art of controlling the establishment, composition, character, and growth of forest stands to satisfy specific objectives. In practice, it is essential to know: (i) how different factors related to ecosystem structure and function influence individual tree and forest stand establishment and development (e.g. soils, climate, and vegetation); (ii) the types and magnitude of biological and physical environment responses that result from different kinds of treatments; (iii) the treatments that will prove ecologically appropriate over the long term; and (iv) the responses that will best serve a landowner’s economic interests.
The following are some highlights of the research results: (i) Research on evergreen broad-leaved and semi-deciduous forests in Vietnam provided a scientific basis for classification of forests according to different conceptions. There are many classification approaches developed and reported but no one could met all requirements of the practice. Structural and dynamic properties of natural ecosystems had been studied to give backgrounds for sustainable forest management (including reduced impact logging, forest maintenance, enrichment etc). Knowledge on natural regeneration, secondary succession and growth of natural forests have been developed and published but only fragment and not systematically. (ii) additional research on bio-diversity and species composition, structure and commercial value in different ecological zones had been addressed.; increment and growth behavior of species and/or species-group based on data from permanent sample plots have been developed. Research results had provided a scientific basis to evaluate and quantify site differences of natural forest based on height-diameter relationship instate of height-age relationship. (iii) A system of permanent sample plots have been established and managed to research further on natural forest ecosystems.
Latest news
- Project: Study on integrated management of insect pests and diseases on Docynia indica in northern Vietnam
- Project: Study on integrated pest management of major leaf insect pests and stem borer beetles in Acacia hybrid, A. mangium and A. auriculiformis in Vietnam
- Project: Research and develop an integrated management program for control of cinnamon pests in some main cinnamon growing areas (Northern mountainous region and Quang Nam province)
- Project: Pilot plantation and completion of planting techniques of technologically advanced germplasm of Acacia auriculiformis (AA42, AA53, AA56, AA92, AA95) for sawlog in the southeast and south central.
- Project "Research on selection of varieties and intensive afforestation techniques of Prunus arborea (Blume) Kalkman for providing lager timber in the Northeast and Northwest regions, Vietnam"
Oldest news
- Research on carbon sequestration of pure Pinus massoniana forest
- Study on solution of soil and forest production management for Acacia planation in next rotation
- Experimental intensive planting of introduced bamboo species for shoot production
- Study of the rotation methodology between Eucalyptus and Acacia to improve soil fertility andincrease forest productivity
- Initial research results on Jatropha development for feedstock and biodiesal production in Vietnam
