Leaders of U Minh Ha National Park said on June 19 that they were still waiting for conclusions from scientists and research institutions investigating the causes of forest degradation affecting hundreds of hectares within the protected area.
"Once official findings are available from scientists and research organisations, we will have a basis to recommend the most appropriate forestry and restoration measures to the competent authorities," a park representative said.
An area of U Minh Ha forest showing signs of deterioration (Photo: Contributor).
Preliminary assessments show that more than 392 hectares of forest within U Minh Ha National Park have already been degraded. A further 467 hectares are showing signs of deterioration.
Most of the affected areas are located within the park's strictly protected zone and ecological restoration area, both of which consist of natural forest. The damage is concentrated mainly in low-quality forest areas with standing timber volumes ranging from 10 cubic metres to 50 cubic metres per hectare.
According to the park's initial evaluation, several factors may be contributing to the decline. Many trees have reached or exceeded their natural maturity and are dying from old age.
Environmental pressures, particularly climate change, have also played a role. In addition, the spread of climbing plant species that envelop entire trees has increased instability, causing trees to lean and eventually collapse.
Prolonged flooding has further weakened the forest ecosystem. Trees have remained submerged for extended periods, reducing soil stability and causing peat layers to be washed away.
As tree root systems are largely anchored in the peat soil, the loss of this layer has made trees more vulnerable to toppling than those in other forest areas.
U Minh Ha National Park is one of the few remaining wetland conservation sites in the Mekong Delta and has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as the core zone of the Ca Mau Cape World Biosphere Reserve.
The park is best known for its melaleuca forest ecosystem, which developed in waterlogged, acidic conditions on peatland soils.
It provides habitat for numerous rare and scientifically valuable animal species, as well as a wide range of other wildlife.
