Assessing the current status of activities and proposing solutions for developing ecotourism associated with sustainable management of Cat Ba National Park

(Source of Cat Ba National Park planning documents for the period 2006-2010)

Forest vegetation covers an area of 15,510 hectares, accounting for 52% of the total natural area. Below are the characteristics of the vegetation types of Cat Ba National Park that were investigated and evaluated in 2005:

(1) Tropical humid evergreen broadleaf primary forest ecosystem

This type of forest is distributed in a relatively large carpet and concentrated at altitudes below 300 m in the central area of the National Park. Of which, the majority of the area is located in the Northwest of Chan Trau commune (accounting for 43.6% of the total area of this type of forest), a part is located in the South of Gia Luan commune, the East of Phu Long commune and the rest is located in the West of Viet Hai commune.

Because it is developed on limestone mountains, the tree distribution in this type of forest is often uneven, with an average canopy cover of about 0.7. The dominant plants in this type of forest are evergreen broadleaf trees belonging to families such as Fagaceae, Mortaceae, Lauraceae, Elaeocarpaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Burseraceae, Magnoliaceae, and Lau racea. The forest is divided into four distinct layers.

In addition, the extra-tropical vegetation is also very rich with many species of herbaceous, creeping, and climbing plants that increase the denseness of this type of forest.

(2) Tropical evergreen broadleaf poor secondary forest ecosystem on limestone mountains This is a fairly common forest type and occupies the largest area compared to all types.

carpet on Cat Ba archipelago.

Distributed in relatively large patches, scattered at altitudes from 100 m to 300 m, concentrated in the communes of Tran Chau, Gia Luan, Viet Hai, Xuan Dam, in addition there are some areas in Hien Hao commune, the area bordering the National Park.

The forest-forming plant components are not only tropical plants but also show high indicative value for this type of forest. These are: Excentrodendron tonkinense, Garcinia fagraeoides, Streblus spp., Chukrasia tabularis, Fernandoa spp., Saraca dives....

(3) Tropical humid evergreen forest ecosystem restored on limestone mountains

The restored forest in Cat Ba covers an area of 8.1 ha, occupying a small area in the forest vegetation land. It is mainly distributed in two communes, Tran Chau and Gia Luan, and a small area in the communes, Hien Hao, Xuan Dam, Viet Hai. The average height of trees in the forest is about 8-15, diameter is 15-20 cm, average canopy cover is 50-60%.

This is a type of forest that recovers after exploitation on limestone mountains, with a small area (reflecting the fairly good protection management status of the National Park and locality), with the characteristics of vegetation on limestone mountains growing and developing very poorly, so on the slopes or tops of rocky mountains, forest recovery is difficult and very slow.

(4) Secondary bamboo forest ecosystem restored after slash-and-burn farming

Bamboo forests only occupy a small area of 41.6 hectares, accounting for 0.02% of the forest vegetation area. They are mainly distributed along streams or on limestone mountain slopes, and are widely distributed in Viet Hai commune, Xuan Dam commune, Hien Hao commune, and Gia Luan commune.

(5) Mangrove ecosystem

The mangrove forest of Cat Ba archipelago covers an area of 632.5 hectares, accounting for 4.0% of the forest vegetation area, distributed mainly in Phu Long commune. In addition, there is a small area of this type of forest distributed in coastal streams and lagoons in Gia Luan commune (55.8 hectares).

The main tree species of the mangrove forest in this area are Aegyceras ciniculata, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Rhizophorra mucronata, and Kandelia candel.

Mangrove forests have a beneficial impact on the surrounding environment. They provide many important aquatic products for humans, protect the land against erosion, create favorable conditions for alluvial deposition, and mitigate natural disasters and floods.

(6) Planted forest ecosystem

Most of the planted forests were planted since the days of Cat Ba Forestry Enterprise, mostly pine, concentrated in Tran Chau commune, Xuan Dam commune, Hien Hao commune and Gia Luan commune, especially in Tran Chau commune, Hien Hao commune, pine forests are planted in long strips stretching across the mountain slopes facing the sea, creating an attractive and poetic natural landscape, contributing to honoring the unique natural landscape of Cat Ba archipelago.

In recent years, Cat Ba National Park, in coordination with localities surrounding the National Park, has also planted many areas of Acacia in Trung Trang, Dong Co, Khe Sau and some areas in Gia Luan and Viet Hai communes. In addition, the National Park has also successfully planted some areas of Acacia mixed with native trees. In general, the afforestation in the communes has been quite successful, contributing to increasing forest cover, creating a clean, green and beautiful environment for the entire archipelago.

(7) Limestone valley flooded forest ecosystem

In the Frog Pond area, there is also a special type of Salix tetrasperma belonging to the Willow family. Salix tetrasperma is a species of tree that usually grows and is distributed in the Southwest, on flooded, swampy land. Surprisingly, it appears in Cat Ba with an almost pure population, this is an interesting phenomenon that is very attractive to tourists and scientists. The Salix tetrasperma carpet has a high tree density, reaching over 1,000 trees/ha, an average diameter of 18 - 20 cm, and a height of about 12 - 15 m.

The almost pristine Mat and Water, with a rather modest area of approximately 3.6 hectares, contains a unique genetic source of plant species. It is necessary to strengthen measures to protect and develop this valuable genetic source to create an area with high biodiversity to serve scientific research and especially the growing demand for ecotourism on Cat Ba Island.

(8) Ecosystem of grass, shrubs, and trees regenerating on limestone mountains.

This type of vegetation is mainly distributed in limestone areas, so the growth and development of plants is difficult and very slow. The vegetation mainly consists of small trees that can withstand strong winds, drought and high temperatures such as Streblus iliciflia, Diospyros sp, Vatica odorata, Alangium chinesis, Euphoria frugifera, Xerospermum honhianum, Syzygium-sp, Archiodendron clypearia and many other shrubs with an average height of 5-6 m. Although the coverage is not high (about 30%), this is the main habitat of rare animals in the Cat Ba area such as White-headed Langur, Golden Monkey, Serow, and Python.

This type of carpet can be protected to promote natural regeneration, combined with additional planting of native trees to form forests. In addition, this is also an area with majestic landscapes, especially small islands located separately with many unique shapes, which attract many tourists to visit and travel.

(9) Ecosystem of grass, shrubs, and trees regenerating on the mountain

The area of regenerating grass and shrubs on the soil mountain is 506.7ha, accounting for 3.0% of the total forest vegetation area. The density of regenerating grass and trees on the soil mountain is quite high, this type of land can be protected and promoted to regenerate naturally to form forests.

(10) Bare rock mountain ecosystem

In addition to the vegetation types, forestry land also has 2,502.0 hectares of bare rocky mountains with no trees or very few trees left, accounting for 14% of the forestry land area. Bare rocky mountains are mainly distributed on the peaks, or are large, bony rocks. Most plant species cannot survive for long, with only a few shrubs and grasses growing, but very sparsely.

Total land area of forest vegetation, rocky mountains, agricultural land, residential land, specialized land, water surface land and other unused land, in the whole region is: 29,994.9 ha.

3. 2.2. Forest flora

*. Botanical ingredients

The results of the 2005 forest flora survey by the Center for Natural Resources and Environment LN, combined with references to existing documents by Le Mong Chan (2003) and Nguyen Kim Dao (2003-2004), we initially counted in Cat Ba National Park 1,561 species of vascular plants belonging to 842 genera, 186 families and 5 different plant phyla (see the botanical appendix). Thus, compared to the previous survey list of plants, the number of species recorded this time has increased significantly. Below are the results of the collection and statistics of the flora composition of Cat Ba National Park:

Table 3.2: Flora composition of Cat Ba National Park

Botany

Number of family	Number of expenses	Number of species
Lycopodiophyta	2	3	6
Pen tower (Equisetophyta)	1	1	1
Ferns (Polypodiophyta)	16	32	63
Pine (Pinophyta)	6	13	29
Angiosperms	161	793	1,462
- Magnoliopsida class	130	660	1,231
- Class Liliopsida	31	133	231
Total	186	842	1,561

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*. Scientific value of flora

- New species:

Among the 1,561 species, there is also a new species recorded for the flora of Vietnam and science in the early years of the 21st century, which is the Ha Long Cycas tropophylla KDHill & Phan Ke Loc, this Cycas species was discovered by scientists from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources. Up to now, the Ha Long Cycas species has only been recorded in the Ha Long and Cat Ba islands, they often grow scattered on steep cliffs.

- Species in the Vietnam and World Red Book:

Among the plant species that have been recorded, there are 60 species listed in the Vietnam Red Book (2002), accounting for 3.65% of the total number of species recorded in the flora of Cat Ba National Park. At the same time, according to the list of threatened trees in the world (IUCN, 2004. The World List of Threatened Trees), Cat Ba National Park has 29 species, accounting for 1.86%, of which 16 species are listed in both the Vietnam Red Book and the World Red Book. Thus, for both Vietnam and the World, Cat Ba National Park has 72 threatened species that need protection. Of the 72 rare species, 14 species were transplanted by Cat Ba National Park from other National Parks to plant in the National Park's botanical garden, which are species protected on the periphery.

*. Plant resources

Statistical results show that out of a total of 1,561 plant species recorded in Cat Ba National Park, there are up to 1,117 resource plant species belonging to 4 different groups of uses (some species belong to many groups of uses):

- Timber tree group (G):

There are 408 species, but most of them belong to the rosewood and mixed wood groups. The group of ironwood and wood with high economic value such as: Trai ly (Garcinia fagraeoides), Nghiến (Burretiodendron tonkinense), Đinh (Fernandoa spp.), Lát hoa (Chukrasia tabularis), Sưa (Dalbergia tonkinensis), Giổi (Michelia spp.) ... are not numerous in both species composition and number of individuals. However, with the remaining number of individuals of these species along with many other very large trees here, it can become a seedling forest to provide seeds for the growing native tree planting movement.

- Medicinal plants group (T):

Based on the cited documents, we have listed 661 species that can be used as medicine. These medicinal plants can be used in various oriental medicine prescriptions to treat many common diseases such as bone and joint pain, digestive and respiratory diseases, liver and kidney diseases, colds and skin diseases....

- Edible plant group (ă):

There are up to 196 species. The most notable of these are Cleome viscosa, Diplazium esculentum, Dracontomelon duperreanum, Ficus chlorocarpa, which are quite common in the forest, along with many other species.

- Ornamental plants and shade trees (C):

Initially, 203 species were recorded. The family with the most ornamental species is the Orchid family (15 species), followed by the Palm family (17 species) and many other families with 3-10 species. In particular, in the Orchid family, there are some species with beautiful flowers such as: Vanda sp, Dendrobium sp, Aerides odorata. In addition, there are many other plants with beautiful flowers such as species in the Balsaminaceae family, Begoniaceae family...

Nowadays, as social life improves, the demand for ornamental plants for interior decoration and ornamental planting is increasing, not only requiring good management of this group of resources but also rapid development of them.

3. 2.3. Forest fauna

*. Characteristics of terrestrial fauna

The terrestrial vertebrate fauna in Cat Ba National Park has been studied by many domestic and foreign scientists. The results have listed 53 species of mammals belonging to 18 families, 8 orders; 205 species of birds belonging to 46 families, 16 orders; 45 species of reptiles belonging to 15 families, 2 orders and 21 species of amphibians belonging to 5 families, 1 order (See Appendix for list). With a total of 279 species of terrestrial vertebrates, of which 22 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book and 7 species are listed in the World Red Book.

Below is a statistical table of species composition, number of orders, families and rare species recorded in the Red Book of Vietnam and the world (IUCN):

Table 3.3: Animal species composition recorded at Cat Ba National Park

Class

Number of sets	Number of family	Number of species	IUCN SD/SD
Animal	8	18	53	9/6
Bird	16	46	160	1/0
Reptile	2	15	45	11/1
Frog	1	5	21	1/0
Add	27	84	279	7/22

Due to the geographical location of the National Park, isolation from the mainland is the main reason that has limited the introduction of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Therefore, animal resources

Forest fauna in the National Park is not rich in species composition but is significant in terms of conservation with the unique characteristics of the island ecosystem, especially the presence of the White-headed Langur - a species endemic to Vietnam, which is currently threatened with extinction at a very serious level (Critical).

+ Mammal fauna

A total of 53 mammal species have been recorded for Cat Ba, of which 9 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book (2000) accounting for 17%, 6 species are listed in the World Red List (2004) accounting for 11.3% and 11 species are listed in Decree 18 accounting for 20.8% of the total species, which are currently threatened and need to be prioritized for conservation, of which the White-headed Langur is especially important.

The white-headed langur is currently only left on Cat Ba Island - Northeast Vietnam. In the IUCN Red List. 2004, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) and in the Vietnam Red Book 2000, this species is classified as Endangered (E). Number of white-headed langurs: According to the most recent report of the Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project of the Association for Conservation of Species and Populations: the maximum estimate is 60 individuals, living separately in 6 regions. Up to now, there have been about 20 individuals born since 2000 and the number is gradually stabilizing (Cat Ba Langur Conservation Project).

3. 2.4. Marine flora and fauna

Cat Ba archipelago is surrounded by sea surface with a surface area of about 7,167.5 hectares, accounting for 76% of the total unused land area of Cat Ba communes and towns. Cat Ba sea is quite rich and diverse in marine flora and fauna such as: fish species, benthos, seagrass, seaweed and marine and coastal coral reef ecosystems. For a long time, coral reefs in valleys and bays have been studied by scientists and domestic and foreign tourists. Cat Ba sea has great potential for tourism development, ensuring national security and defense for the whole region. There is a need for solutions to manage and exploit the potential of the sea to serve the economic and tourism development of the locality, limiting the sea from being polluted by waste.

Cat Ba sea area is also home to many marine species. Because the sea water is relatively salty, the seabed is sandy, mixed with sand and light mud, which is a favorable environment for many species of seafood to grow and develop.

According to the results of the investigation on fisheries and reference documents of the Institute of Oceanography (now the Institute of Marine Resources and Environment) in Hai Phong, marine life in the Cat Ba island area has been identified as follows:

- Mangrove plants: 23 species.

- Seaweed: 75 species

- Marine fish: 196 species

- Phytoplankton: 199 species

- Zooplankton: 89 species

- Benthic animals: 538 species

- Coral: 193 species

Total number of marine life in Cat Ba: 1,313 species, including 8 species of seaweed, 8 species of benthic animals are rare species that have been listed in the Vietnam Red Book, the World Red Book for protection. Cat Ba marine life also has many species with high economic value, high export value such as: Pearl oyster, Green mussel, Geoduck, Green turtle, Spiny seahorse, Triangular tail crab, Hawksbill. Coral ecosystem has high value not only in terms of biodiversity but also in terms of tourism value.

The marine life of Cat Ba Island is the richest and most diverse of the islands in Northern Vietnam. This is not only a place to preserve and spread the large genetic resources of the Gulf of Tonkin but also has many rare species. There needs to be a solution to protect and restore the values of marine products, as well as the values of the coral reef ecosystem, seagrass, seaweed to serve the long-term economic and tourism benefits of the locality.

3.2.5. Landscape resources

Cat Ba National Park not only attracts tourists by its rich ecosystems and biodiversity with many rare species of flora and fauna, but also attracts domestic and foreign visitors by the wonderful natural scenery that nature has bestowed.

Diverse landscape including many beautiful landscapes with the potential to exploit tourism development:

*Many beautiful beaches

The sea is one of the most important tourism potentials of Cat Ba.

- Beach system (About 20 beaches can be exploited). Although the beaches are not large, they are beautiful, with clear blue water and fine white sand, attracting many people from all over to travel and swim in the hot summer.

- The system of marine areas has the potential to exploit interesting types of tourism such as organizing scuba diving, viewing corals and marine life through clear water, kayaking, fishing...

In addition, the sea also plays a role in connecting Cat Ba with Ha Long Bay, creating the ability to extend tourist routes and diversify products.