Dipterocarp species in Vietnam
2003
Nghia, N. H.
Vietnam has 6 genera (Anisoptera, Dipterocarpus, Hopea, Parashorea, Shorea including section Pentacme, and Vatica) and about 50 species of the family Dipterocarpaceae. According to biological characteristics and vegetation types, dipterocarp species can be categorized into three main groups: (i) species which can tolerate drought condition in dry dipterocarp forest,(ii) species which prefer warm and moist tropical forest, and (iii) species which live in transition forest types. Dipterocarps play an important role in maintaining the tropical forest ecosystem as well as supplying high quality timber and resin for domestic use. The main natural distribution of dipterocarps is in South Vietnam (almost 40 species of 6 genera) and the western highland (dry dipterocarp forest); however, some species can also be found in North Vietnam. In the past, the resource of mixed dipterocarp forest has been reduced in both area and quality due to several reasons. Statistical data show that the area of mixed dipterocarp forest in the southeast region of Vietnam decreased from 49% of the total land area in 1959 to 34% in 1965 and 18% in 1982. It can be very clearly seen now that conservation of dipterocarp species and forest is more imperative than at any time. A lot of effort has been made in the rehabilitation and restoration of dipterocarp forest by the establishment of pure or mixed dipterocarp forest as well as conservation stands.
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