The Status of Area and Distribution of Natural Evergreen Broadleaf Forests Classified as Poor Production Forests in Northeast Vietnam
Pham Tien Dung
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Bui Thi Minh Nguyet
Viet Nam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nguyen Toan Thang *
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Truong Tat Do *
Vietnam Administration of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nguyen Huy Hoang
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hoang Van Thanh
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nguyen Van Tuan
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Dao Trung Duc
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nguyen Trong Minh
Viet Nam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Nguyen Thi Thu Phuong
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Hoang Thanh Son
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Vu Tien Lam
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tran Hoang Quy
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Truong Trong Khoi
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Tran Ngoc The
Viet Nam National University of Forestry, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Dao Cong Trinh
Tram Tau Forest Protection Management Board, Lao Cai, Vietnam.
Tran Van Do
Silviculture Research Institute, Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences, Hanoi, Vietnam.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
This research evaluates the current status of area and distribution of natural evergreen broadleaf forests classified as poor production forests across Northeast Vietnam based on 2023 national forest data. Mounting pressures on natural forest resources-including overexploitation of timber, land-use conversion, and the accelerating impacts of climate change-pose existential threats to the sustainability of forest ecosystems and regional biodiversity. The study employed comprehensive data collection and analysis methods across 12 (8 currently) provinces, examining forest area and condition, plot size classification, and forest management entities. Our findings reveal that natural forests occupy 2,271,361 hectares of Northeast Vietnam's total forest area, within which poor production natural evergreen broadleaf forests account for 12.24% (489,104.55 hectares), a proportion dramatically exceeding that of rich and medium forests combined (<0.5%). Small plots (<1 hectare) constitute over 55.93% of all forest plots, creating formidable challenges for strategic planning and coordinated management. Additionally, nearly 50% of poor forest areas are managed by households and individuals whose capacity for investment and protection remains constrained by limited resources. Communal People's Committees oversee 35% of the forest area but confront significant challenges regarding resources and technical capacity. These findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced investment in forest monitoring technologies, strengthened management strategies, and implementation of silvicultural measures to restore poor forest areas. Programmes supporting sustainable management practices for households, individuals, and local authorities must be prioritised to ensure the sustainable development of forest resources across Northeast Vietnam.
Keywords: Climate change, commune people's committees, forest fragmentation, forest management entities, poor natural production forests