What to know about Vietnam Endangered Palms.

[WNCpalms]

Next week, our hardy palm enthusiasts head for Vietnam.  I can't make it this year but it doesn't keep me from learning more about the critically endangered palms in Vietnam. 

Vietnam’s vegetative biodiversity has been severely impacted by decades of war, rapid industrialization, and illegal logging.  While the country has successfully increased its total “forest cover”, much of this is compromised, consisting of monoculture plantations (like acacia or rubber) rather than rich, biodiverse natural forests. 

The damage” in Vietnam is no longer just about the quantity of vegetation, but the quality of the ecosystem as well.  Current problems include:·      

•   Fragmentation and “Empty Forest” Syndrome:  While green cover exists, many forests are fragmented.  Intense snaring and hunting have removed seed-dispersing animals (monkeys, birds, small carnivores) leading to “empty forests” (where trees and palms cannot naturally reproduce or move seeds across the landscape.
• ·        The Rise of Monocultures:  Large areas have been replanted with exotic species like Acacia and Casuarina.  These grow fast and provide timber but offer almost no habitat for native wildlife and fail to support the complex undergrowth found in primary jungles.
• ·        Endangered Flora:  According to the 2024 Vietnam Red List the number of threatened plant species in general has risen to 656.
• ·        Soil Degradation: In areas like the Central Highlands and Coastal Dunes, the loss of original vegetation has led to severe soil erosion and a loss of the “seed bank”,…the natural store of seeds in the soil that allows a forest to bounce back… 

Vietnam is a biodiversity hotspot for palms, but many species are restricted to small “refugia”.  The most critical locations for endangered palms include:

Region	Notable Endangered Palms	Key Habitats
Central Vietnam (Quảng Ngãi, Thừa Thiên Huế)	Truongsonia lecongkietii, various Licuala species	Steep, moist slopes in the Truong Son (Annamite) Range.
Northern Limestone Karsts (Hạ Long Bay, Ninh Bình)	Guihaia grossifibrosa (Dragon Scale Palm)	Clinging to the sheer cliffs of ancient limestone "towers."
Southern Highlands (Đà Lạt, Lâm Đồng)	Pinanga and Calamus species	Subtropical montane forests often threatened by coffee plantations.
National Parks (Cúc Phương, Bạch Mã, Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng)	Multiple endemic rattan (climbing palms)	Dense, undisturbed primary rainforests.

You cannot rebuild without the original genetic material.  Locating and protecting the remaining “mother trees and palms” is a top priority as they are sources for indigenous seeds.  There needs to be a move away from commercial nurseries that foster monocultures.  Local nurseries would focus on Framework Species by growing off a mix of indigenous trees and palms that grow fast and have big crowns to shade out weeds, nurture seedlings and attract seed-dispersing wildlife.  Connecting fragmented patches of forest will also allow wildlife to move about dispersing seeds. 

This gives you a quick overview of how Vietnam is working to bring back ecosystems that were lost due mostly to human excess and war.  Those of you going to the Vietnam biennial are taking a trip of a lifetime!

[Cindy Adair]

Very interesting and informative Glenn. Thanks!