nghiên cứu những tác động của con người đến tính bền vững của hệ sinh thái rừng ở vùng atk huyện định hoá, tỉnh thái nguyên bản tóm tắt tiếng anh

Viet Nam Ministry of Education and training
Thai Nguyen University






NGUYEN ANH HUNG








Studying on human affects on the sustainability of
forest systems in the atk - safety zone
in dinh hoa district, Thai Nguyen province





ABSTRACT OF Ph.D. dissertation IN biology

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The thesis is fulfilled at


UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION, THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY

Scientific supervisor:
1. Dr. LE HONG TAN
2. Prof. Dr. Sc. TRAN DINH LY


Opponent 1:
Opponent 2:
Opponent 2:

This dissertation will be reported to the National Thesis Reviewing Board of
Thai Nguyen University held at……………………
at … h……….the …… day of ……………., 2014.










This dissertation can be found at
- THE NATIONAL LIBRARY
- LEARNING RESOURCE CENTRE – THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY
- THE LIBRARY OF UNIVERSITY OF EDUCATION – THAI NGUYEN UNIVERSITY



1

FOREWORDS

1. Background of the study

Forest is an extremely valuable natural resource to the countries. In fact, the
value of forests is not only a basis for socioeconomic development, but also has many
important ecological functions. It involves in the processes of climate regulation and
limits the damaging effects of floods, drought, soil protection, etc. In addition, value of
forests also creates landscapes of tourism, and scientific research.
Currently, the demand of natural resources of the human is increasing more and
more leading to many conflicts in the relationship between natural conservation and
development. To resolve this conflict and to meet human needs in a sustainable way,
the natural resources and especially forest resources should be used efficiently.
The government has issued a series of policies encouraging the resident
communities to receive land, forest for cultivation, protection, raising zoning and
enactment of forest protection and development, decrees and directives on the
management of forest fires, establishment, strengthening forest rangers, building a
forecasting network of forest fire in provinces. However, the capital investment in
many localities is limited and the deforestation still occurs frequently. Immensed wind
The ATK-Safety Zone located Dinh Hoa district, an abundant wind capital in
resistance against the French, includes 23 communes and towns. The reasons that Dinh
Hoa was chosen as the revolutionary base, are due to rugged terrain, dense forest with
canopy levels to ensure confidentiality. Today the war has gone, under the impact of
market mechanisms and the various reasons, the forest ecosystems have been
destroyed. Therefore, in order to demonstrate the ethical issue “when drinking water,
remember its source” and to express the concern of the Party and Government for
residents in the ATK-Safety Zone, the State has also invested to socio-economic

development. Currently, the lives of people in the Safety Zone has been improved, but
still coupled with many disadvantages. Residents in the studied area have still
exploited forest resources to ensure their livelihood and the plant cover continues to
suffer from exploitation. For above reasons, I chose the subject of my doctoral thesis
2



is: "studying on human affects on the sustainability of forest ecosystems in the ATK-
Safety Zone in Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province".
2. The objectives of the study:
- Researching and evaluating the current state of forest ecosystems in the studied area.
- Assessing human impact related to sustainability of forest ecosystems.
- Proposing solutions for management and sustainable use of ecosystems in the ATK-
Safety Zone of Dinh Hoa, district, Thai Nguyen province.
3. The scientific meaning and practice of the dissertation
+ In term of reasoning,
- Through the scientific evident materials, the relationship between the human’s
livelihood activities impacting on forest resources in particular and the ecosystem in
the studied area in general has been clarified.
- The results of the dissertation are reference materials for specialized teaching
activities in universities.
+ In terms of practice,
- It is based on a clear analysis of causes affecting the sustainability of forest
ecosystems; solutions for sustainable development are proposed to contribute to the
protection of the ecological environment in the studied area.
- Solutions provided from the dissertation contribute to improvement of the lives of
people in the studied area and reduction of pressure on forest resources.
4. New contribution of the dissertation
- Studying the role of the forest ecosystem in protecting landscapes for the historical -

cultural relic in the studied area.
- Researching on effects and role the human in the management and sustainable
exploitation of the forest ecosystem serving socioeconomic development.
- Providing quantitative evidences in systematic to prove the relationship between the
human activities of livelihood and the sustainability of forest ecosystem in the ATK-
Safety Zone.



3



Chapter 1
LITERATURE REVIEW
1.1 Some concepts
1.2. The history of human impact on the ecological environment
1.3. Issues on sustainable management and use of ecosystems
1.4. The main research trends on forest ecosystems
1.5. Trends in research on human impact on the forest ecosystems

Chapter 2
SUBJECTS, CONTENTS AND METHODS OF STUDY
2.1. Subjects of the study
- Forest ecosystems in the Safety Zone in Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province
- The impacts of human’s activities to the sustainability of forest ecosystems in the
ATK-Safety Zone in Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province
2.2. Research Contents
- Researching on natural and socio-economic conditions in the studied area; studying
the diversity of the flora and plant cover in the studied area; surveying study on

human’s affects on the forest ecosystem in the studied area; assessing impact of the
impacts on the forest ecosystem; studying to propose solutions for sustainable
development.
2.3. Research Methodology
2.3.1. Reasoning method
- Accessing to humanity ecological approaches to the study of the relationship between
the natural system and social system in the exploitation and sustainable use of the
forest ecosystem.
- Inheriting existing statistics, adding and updating information required. Using the
investigating method of the involvement of residents through interviewing people,
leaders at all levels, the forest officials at the localities, etc.
2.3.2. Survey Method
2.3.2.1. Method of route survey (RS) and standard plots (SP): We use the method of
Hoang Chung (2008) and Nguyen Nghia Thin (2008).
2.3.2.2. Methods of data collection
+ For plants
- Measuring the diameter at breast height (1.3 m above the ground - D1.3 cm) by
glasses caliper gauge with mm accuracy and measured in both directions from the
Northeast to Southwest, and then calculating the average value; Measuring total high
tree (THT, m). Trees are under 4m high and are measured by a rod with divided line
and dm accuracy. Trees are over 4m high and are measured by Blumeleiss according
to the trigonometric principles. Total high trees are determined from stumps to the
growth top of tree.
4



- Investigating regenerated trees: In the standard plots, 5 plate format cells created
have an area of 25m
2

and distributed evenly on the standard plots. There is statistics of
names of species. If species are unknown, specimens collected for identification. A rod
with quality assessment of regenerative trees measures height of regenerative tree.
Potential tree group is the trees available a height of 1.5 m, a good vitality, the
competitive ability with the tier of shrubs and fresh vegetation, straight stem with
evenly canopy; trees harmed by animals eating or trampling. It is expressive bruised
trees, broken branches and loss of the young shoots.
- Identifying the canopy cover percent (CCP) with a spherical mirror.
+ For the soil samples: Soil samples taken according to point method, on a sunny day
in the patterns of vegetation covers: Land of the secondary forest, land of shrub
vegetation land, grass hilly land, land under planted forest canopy at a depth of 0 -
10cm to analyze of soil microorganisms and at a depth of 0-15cm to analyze the
physical and chemical indicators of soil.
2.3.2.3. Method of Interview Survey
- Survey method of resident communities: in each commune, it surveys 10 residents as
representatives for householders working with forestry production activities.
- Expert method: workshops are organized with the participation of the forestrial
officials, scientists, local managers in order to evaluate the survey results and survey
results and comments to complete the suggested solutions.
2.3.3. Methods of analysis and data processing
+ For plants
- Identifying the scientific names of plants according to the document of the author
Pham Hoang Ho (1993), a Plant List of Vietnam (2003, 2005).
- Determining life forms and the use value of the plant species-based the document
"Names of Vietnam forest trees" and "1900 useful plant species of Vietnam".
- Identifying rare plant species based on documents the Vietnam Red Book 2007 - The
Flora part and the Decree 32/2006/ND-CP of the Government; the Red List of
Medicinal Plants in Vietnam in Handbook of medicinal herbs required protection.
- Vegetation Classification: It is based on UNESCO's classification (1973) for the
classification of vegetations.

- Determination of the group of high tree tier under following the formula:
%IVi

=
%Ni + %Gi
2
Where:% IVi is the percentage of group of species i
% Ni is the total tree number of species i
% Gi is total basal area of species i
- Identifying the canopy cover percent (CCP): Use of spherical mirrors to conduct
measurements at five different positions in standard plots (SP), then added up numbers
and divided by the number of numbers to find mean of canopy cover percent under the
5



following formula:

CCP

=
N x 1.4
100
Where N is the number of square plots covered in a spherical mirror
- Determination of biomass of dead vegetation: the method of Kurniatun et al (2001) is
applied. Volume of dead vegetation on the ground is determined by weighing dead
vegetation square cells with the area of 1m
2
and each vegetation status is repeated 12 cells.
+ For the soil samples:

- Determining the number of microorganisms under the limiting dilution method on
orientation-selected medium; active of cellulose resolution under the agar diffusion
method and measurement of resolution circles on agar plates; Determining microbial
diversity by means of morphology, physiology and biochemistry; Identifying bacteria
components according to Bergey's classification 1974, Yarrow’s classification of the
yeasts 1998, the classification of fungi and Hunter 1995 Bernett, Babieva’s
classification of Lipomyces yeast 1987.
- Identifying pH
KCl
measured by pH meter; Determining humus (%) by Tiurin method;
Determining total protein content (N%) according to Kjeldahl method; Determining total
phosphorus (P
2
O
5
%) by the method of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS);
Determining total potassium content (K
2
O%) by the method of emission spectra;
Identifying proportion by Picnomet method; Identifying density by the density tube
method, Determination of porosity by the formula: P (%) = (1 - D/d) x 100 (P - porosity
of the soil (%), D - load-bearing capacity of soil; d - bearing capacity of soil);
Determining moisture by the method of absolute drying in drying cabinet.
- Determining thickness of topsoil eroded by pilling; Determining the soil-loss amount
(tons per hectare per year) according to the equation of Wischmeier W.H. and Smith
D.D.:
A = R*K*L*S*C*P, of which,
R is the rain factor. Calculated method of Nguyen Trong Ha is used by the formula:
R = 0.548257 P - 59.9 (P is mean annual rainfall); K is the coefficient of soil erosion,
use of a K – input lookup tables corresponding to each soil type according to studied

result of Nguyen Trong Ha; exponential ranged coefficient. L is the slope length
coefficient with L = (X/22.13)
m
, (X is the slope length (m), m is the exponential
6



ranged coefficient from 0.2-0.5, m = 0.2 if slope is ≤ 1%, m = 0.3. If the slope is from
1% - 3%, m = 0.4. if the slope is from 3% - 5%, m = 0.5. If the slope is ≥ 5%), S is the
slope coefficient with S = 65.4 Sin2 (x) + 45.6 sin (x) + 0.065 (x is the slope (in
degrees)). C is the cover-coefficient and an C-input lookup coefficient use d
corresponding to each vegetation as a result of research of Nguyen Ngoc Lung and Vo
Dai Hai. P is the coefficient of soil protection work and P = 1 due to without any
measures and erosion control works.

Chapter 3
NATURAL AND SCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

3.1. Natural conditions
Dinh Hoa is a mountainous district, located in the West - Northwest of Thai
Nguyen province. Generally, Dinh Hoa district has a complex terrain. The major part
of the territory of district is high mountains, steep slope and rugged terrain heavily
dissected. Dinh Hoa district is located in the tropical climate and monsoon and affected
by the highland climate. There are two distinct seasons, rainy and dry seasons. The
rainy season is from April to October and the dry season is from November of
previous year to March of following year.
- The flow system of rivers and streams: Due to geological structures under the
northwest - southeast direction and interspersed terrain of hills and rocky mountains,
creating the system of river and streams distributed fairly evenly over the territory with

the rich and plentiful water source. The territory of Dinh Hoa district is the headwaters
of streams and tributaries of streams and forms 3 systems.
3.2. Socio-economic conditions
The ATK-Safety Zone of Dinh Hoa district includes 24 administrative units
including 23 communes and 1 town with a total area of 52272.23 hectares. Ethnic
communities living in Dinh Hoa district consists of 8 ethnic groups, of which, it is
mainly ethnic groups of Kinh, Tay and Nung and the remaining ethnic groups account
for low proportion (San Chi, Dao, Cao Lan, H 'mong and Thai groups). Dinh Hoa
district's population is 87,722 people with the average population density of 171
7



people per km
2
. In rural areas, there are 80,144 inhabitants accounting for 92.97% of
the district demographics. This shows that the population is mainly concentrated in
rural areas and depends mainly on agriculture and forestry production. Currently, the
rate of natural increase of population tends to increase that causes pressure on forest
resources.
Chapter 4
RESEARCH RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
4.1. The current status of forest resources in the studied area
4.1.1. The current status of use of forestrial land
The area of forest land of Dinh Hoa district is 35787ha and accounts for about 70%
of the total natural land area. In particular, there are 24.792ha of forest land, accounting
for 69.3% of the total forest land area and 47.4% of the total natural land area; the land
area without forests accounts for the lower proportion and is 30.7% of total area of
forest land, including current forest states is IA, IB, scattered bare hills, etc.
4.1.2. Vegetation characteristics

4.1.2.1. The vegetation types: According to the UNESCO classification (1973), in
Dinh Hoa district, there are vegetation types as follows: the closed forest formation,
sparse forest formation, shrub forest formation and grassland formation
4.1.2.2. Flora characteristics: It is initially to record 636 species in 401 genera, 126
families and 5 branches of vascular plants.
4.1.2.3. Rare plant species: Detecting the 50 rare plant species listed in the Red Book
of Vietnam, Decree 32 of the Government and the Red list of medicinal plants.
4.1.2.4. Use value of groups of forest resources: Statisticing 10 groups of use value of
plant species. Of which, the most tree groups are used and exploited are groups of trees
for timber, medicinal plants, edible plants, trees for building materials, plants for arts
and crafts and cattle feed crops.
8



4.2. The role of forest ecosystems
- Conservation of biological diversity
- Protection of land environment and water resources
- Protection of landscape and the historical and cultural relics
- Ensurement of socio- economic development
4.3. The human’ activities affecting forest ecosystems
4.3.1. Negative activities
4.3.1.1. Activity of shifting cultivation: The highest rate of shifting cultivation is San
Chi ethnic minority, then the rate of shifting cultivation of Dao ethnic group accounts
for lower rate and after that to Tay ethnic group and other ethnic groups. Formerly, in
order to have the area for cultivation, the natural forest area burnt and destroyed is
quite large. Currently, due to work in effective advocacy and education for ethnic
people in sedentary farming settlement, activity of shifting cultivation is no longer
active. However, areas used and cultivated by people are abandoned so far, it has to
wait for very long time to recover its initial existing forests state.

4.3.1.2. Deforestation for planting tea: To expand tea planted area, residents have to
destroyed the palm tree forests and Neohouzeaua forests inherited from their previous
generations or even from natural forests. Through investigation, it showed that 72.37% of
the currently tea planted land is derived from forests inherited from their parents. It
includes forest kinds such as the mixed forest available palm trees + woody plants +
Neohouzeaua, the forests of palm trees or forest of Neohouzeaua and small bamboos.
4.3.1.3. Activity grazing livestock: current cattle are grazed mainly in the forest. It is
very limited to graze in the grass fields around the fields and gardens. Therefore, affect
to forest vegetation is also significant.
4.3.1.4. Activity of timber exploitation: timber operations used in 2 purpose is to sell
and use in the family, in which, a number of participants getting wood for domestic
use is lower than that for sale. Activity of timber exploitation for sale occurred the
most powerful activity in the period of 1990-1995, the illegal timber exploitation is
mainly and the wood reserve decreases the most sharpness
4.3.1.5. Exploitation of non-timber forest products: use value of non-timber forest products
that gives people a lot. Therefore, residents of Dinh Hoa district always consider that forest
9



is a warehouse in which, there is everything to serve people's lives and activities of
exploitation of non-timber forest products are still taking place in the studied area.
4.3.2. The positive activities
Compared with the activities that negatively affect forest resources, these positive
activities are not much. Some positive activities are afforestation activity, zoning
promotion of regeneration, restoration of relics to create a new landscape and
management and protection of forest resources.
4.4. Influence of impacts on the sustainability of forest ecosystems
4.4.1. The decline in biodiversity and qualities of regenerated plants
* Affect regenerated plants qualities: Wherever, the higher the density of the grazing

is, the lower the density of regenerated trees is, the lower the rate of potential trees is
and the more the proportion of trees harmed by cattle is. Thereby, these cause major
obstacles for forest regeneration process.
* Depletion of plant resources
* Declining Animal Resources
4.4.2. Destruction of the forest ecosystem structure
Because the history of human impact on vegetation covers in in the studied area
took place in a very long time, we cannot observe in a comprehensive manner in
duration of implement of this study. Therefore, in order to the structural characteristics
of forests, we replaced time by space.
To evaluate the change in structure of forest ecosystems, study sites chosen by us
are the patterns of vegetation covers such as the natural forest pattern on soil
mountains, human-impact secondary forest, scrub vegetation and greensward. These
vegetation pattern are derived from primeval forests due to overexploitation of human.
- The pattern of forestland on the soil mountain has only the 4-storey structure. Its
stratification may appear obvious and botanical species composition is relatively
stable, wood tree species have qualities in good and average levels.
- It is the pattern of human-impact secondary forest due to significant human impact
and vegetation patterns are changed. Currently, vegetation pattern is recording at the
period of 10-15 years and average height is still low. There is only the 3-floor
structure. Tree species available good and average qualities are not much. Most of
10



them are light favorite species and fast-growing trees with low economic value. The
change of groups to become species in the vegetation floors is in progress and
instability in terms of the structure.
- For the pattern of shrub vegetation and greensward, there is only a 2-storey structure.
The origin of these patterns is mostly formed by uncultivated milpa. Currently, forests

are recovering at an early stage. Therefore, the floor structure is relatively simple.
Therefore, groups becoming species in two vegetation patterns are mostly short-lived
species and light favorite trees and appropriate for poor soil conditions.
4.4.3. Degradation of environmental land
* The impact of the coverage of vegetation on some soil physical properties
It is based on the data table 4.28, we found that indicators on density,
volumetric weight, moisture content and soil porosity under patterns of vegetation
covers are different. In particular, density (from 2.43 to 2.63 g/cm
3
) and volumemetric
weight (from 0.79 to 1.20 g/cm
3
) of land reduce gradually from greensward  the
scrub vegetation  the planted forest  the secondary forest or in other words, the
higher the coverage of vegetation is, the lower the soil density and volumetric weight
are .
For the soil available high density and volumetric weight, root systems of plants
growing in the soil usually have poorly developed and are less likely to deep into the
soil. So that, on the soil of greensward and scrub vegetation, species are mainly
limited reproductive. Thus, the density and volumetric weight are closely related with
the coverage of vegetation covers. In addition, it also directly related to soil structure,
soil eroded capabilities, soil fertility, etc.
Table 4:28. Some physical properties under vegetation covers
Kinds of land
under vegetation
covers
Moisture (%)
Density g/cm
3
Volumetric

weight g/cm
3

Porosity (%)
The secondary forest
41.902
2.43
0.79
67.490
Manglietia glauca
Planted forest
38.454
2.48
0.87
64.919
Shrub vegetation
34.426
2.54
1.02
59.843
Greensward
20.742
2.63
1.20
54.373

In contrast, porosity (67.490% - 54.373%) and moisture (41.902% -20.742%) of the
soil decrease gradually from the soil of the secondary forest  planted forests scrub
11

vegetation  greensward or in other words, the higher the coverage of vegetation is, the
higher porosity and moisture of soil are. Humidity and porosity of the soil under
vegetation covers of the secondary forests and natural forests is high due to the large
coverage (see Section 4.2.2). Besides porosity and humidity are closely related to the
volumetric weight and density in the same land sample. The lower the density and
volumetric weight are, the higher the porosity increases. Thus, increase of water
infiltration into the soil leads to increase soil moisture, while soil erosion is also limited.
* Affect of the coverage of vegetation on soil erosion
Coating of vegetation types plays a very important role, is effective in soil erosion
control. To determine the extent of soil erosion in different forest states, we conducted
a survey, analysis, statistical results showed in Table 4.29.
Table 4.29. Soil erosion in vegetation covers
Kinds of land under
vegetation covers
Thickness of eroded
soil (mm per year)
The amount of soil eroded
(tons per ha per year)
The secondary forest
1.1
10.8
Manglietia glauca planted forest
2.1
20.7
Shrub vegetation
4.2
45.5
Greensward

5.8
68.8

Thus, the highest level of soil erosion under vegetation patterns is in order the
greensward > the scrub vegetation > the planted forest > the secondary forest. This
means that the role of the coverage of vegetation patterns for erosion control is very
significant. The greensward and the shrub vegetation have low coverage, lower soil
porosity and less falling object mass (see Section 4.2.2), Therefore, the possibility of
large erosion. In the Manglietia glauca planted forest, although coverage is great, this
is pure forest, under the fresh vegetation layer with thin canopy, erosion has still
occurred. Meanwhile, the secondary forests have high coverage, fresh and mildewed
vegetation under thick forest canopy, soil available the most porosity that decreases
surface flow and mobility of the soil particles, limits erosion.
* Affect of the coverage of vegetation on some chemical properties of soil
The results in the table 4.30 show that nutrient content of soil increases gradually from
greensward  scrub vegetation  panted forest the secondary forest or in other words,
the higher the coverage of vegetation is, the greater the level of nutrient content is.

12



Table 4.30. Some chemical properties under patterns of vegetation covers
Kinds of land under
vegetation covers
Humus
(%)
pH
KCl
N (%)

P
2
O
5
(%)
K
2
O (%)
The secondary forest
3,36
6,13
0,327
0,191
1,325
Manglietia glauca
Planted forest
2,87
5,84
0,258
0,183
1,012
Shrub vegetation
2,65
4,44
0,179
0,166
0,756
Greensward
2,19
4,04

0,146
0,130
0,545

According to the results of the table 4.30, pH
KCl
content in soil also decreases
gradually with coverage of vegetation. pH
KCl
contents of soils in the secondary forests
and Manglietia glauca planted forest are 6.13 and 5.84 respectively and they is the
neutral soil type. Those of soil in shrub vegetation and greensward are 4.44 and 4.04
respectively, and it they are acidity soil level. Thus, they adversely affect the growth
and development of many plants that grow on.
* The decline in density, activity and diversity of microorganisms in soil
+ The decline in the density of soil microorganisms
The 4.31 has showed that the coverage of vegetation affects significantly on the
growth of soil microorganisms. A number of total bacteria in the secondary forest land
are 10
8
CFU/g, a hundred times higher than that on shrub land and thousands times than
that on the soil of greensward. Groups on filamentous fungi, actinomycetes,
microorganisms in mucous membrane and microorganism of cellulose resolution are
also similar. Their numbers decrease gradually equal to the coverage of vegetation.
Table 4.31. Quantity of microorganisms under vegetation patterns
in Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province
Kinds of land
under
vegetation
covers

Quantity of Microorganisms (CFU/g)
Total
microorganisms

Fungi
Actinomycetes
Microorganism
of cellulose
resolution
Microorganisms
in mucous
membrane
The secondary
forest
(2.4±0.6) x 10
8

(1.2±0.5) x 10
5

(8.8±0.4) x 10
5

(7.2±0.6) x 10
7

(6.4±0,6) x 10
5

Manglietia

glauca Planted
forest
(8.4±1.2) x 10
7

(5.4±0.4) x 10
5

(9.4±1.0) x 10
5

(2.2±0.6) x 10
6

(2.9±1.0) x 10
5

Shrub
vegetation
(4.4±0.5) x 10
6

(3.4±0.7) x 10
5

(3.4±0,7) x 10
4

(2.0±0.6) x 10
5

(1.4±0.2) x 10
4

Greensward
(1.8±0.2) x 10
5

(2.8±1.2) x 10
4

(0.4±0.6) x 10
4

(7.4±0.6) x 10
4

(2.4±0.2) x 10
3

In 2 soil samples of the secondary forest and planted forests, quantity of filamentous
fungi, actinomycetes and microorganism of cellulose resolution is at 10
5
CFU/g and
13



10
7

CFU/g, while the shrub land and grass land decreased by 10 -100 times and are 10
4
and
10
5
CFU/g. This proves that the coverage impact significantly on the number of
microorganisms in the soil. These data shows the importance of the greening of barren
hills in the infertile land rehabilitation. The number of polyssacaride lipomyces in mucus
membrane is also a similar: the highest number of them is in secondary forest land,
followed by planted forest, scrub vegetation and finally lowest in grass land.
+ The decline of the biological activity of strains of microorganisms
The table 4.32 shows that the biological activity of all 3 groups of bacteria,
actinomycetes and filamentous fungi in secondary forest land is high. In particular, bacteria
group with 25 strains tested has up 25 to 42% of strains available biological activity of
cellulose resolution; 35.22 and 25% of strains available biological activity of resolution of
insoluble phosphates, starch and mucus reached a good category. Diameter of circle of
resolution achieves 25-35mm. Meanwhile, biological activity of strains of microorganisms
isolated from shrub soil is 2-2.5 times lower than that from secondary forest land. Biological
activity of cellulose resolution and insoluble phosphate resolution of the strains
microorganisms isolated in soil of greensward is much lower, even those strains are not
resolution capable of amylolytic and polyssacharide in mucus membrane.
Table 4.32. The biological activity of some major groups of microorganisms
Kinds of
land under
vegetation
covers
Groups
of
Microor
ganisms

No. of
strains
tested
bioactivity
Resolution activity (%) / total number of isolated strains
Cellulose
Insoluble
phosphate
Starch
Mucus
Exc.
Good
Exc.
Good
Exc.
Good
Exc.
Good
The
secondary
forest
Bac.
25
42
25
35
20
22
20
25

18
Fun.
34
55
25
45
30
25
20
0
0
Acti.
18
41
20
36
25
0
10
0
0
Shrub
vegetation
Bac.
8
14
19
14
30
21

15
15
3
Fun.
22
24
25
35
30
9
12
0
0
Acti.
14
15
25
20
35
0
0
0
0
Greensward
Bac.
18
5
18
12
5

15
2
0
0
Fun.
13
20
5
15
20
8
5
0
0
Acti.
11
18
30
10
15
0
0
0
0

In the groups of soil microorganisms, the microorganisms of cellulose resolution
play a very important role, especially bacteria. Thanks to them that the stem, fallen
leaves and plant waste materials are converted into humus.
Table 4.33. Cellulose resolution capability of a number of bacteria strains in soil
14

Kinds of land under
vegetation covers
No. of strains
tested
bioactivity
% rate of bacterial strains of cellulose
resolution (D circle of resolution in mm)
Exc.
Good
Fair
Weak
The secondary forest
25
20
25
45
10
Manglietia glauca
Planted forest
20
10
40
25
15
Shrub vegetation
15
10

20
45
25
Greensward
10
0
5
30
50

Results of table 4.33 show that cellulose-decomposing activity of bacteria strains
is very different. In 25 strains isolated from soil samples at the secondary forest land,
there are 20% of strains available a good cellulose-decomposing activity (the diameter
of decomposing ring reaches from 25mm to 35mm), 25% of the strain available a
pretty cellulose-decomposing activity (the diameter of decomposing ring reaches from
15mm to 25mm). Meanwhile, there is only 5% of strains isolated from soil under
greensward available quite active and as much as 50% remaining strains available
weak activity. In 15 bacteria strains isolated from soil under the shrub vegetation, there
are only 10% of strains available a good activity and rest strains available an average
activity. This means that the metabolism of substances thanks to microbial forest soil
occurred in stronger than that in shrub land and grassland.
+ Decrease in diversity of microorganisms
The diversity of microorganisms in soil under the patterns of vegetation covers
in Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen decreases in the order of soils of secondary forest >
shrub land > grass land. This reflects the close relationship between soil quality and
diversity of components of microorganism.
Results of Table 4.34 shows that in secondary forest land, the species composition of
microorganisms is the most abundant and has up to 22 varieties, including 12 varieties of
bacteria, 8 varieties of filamentous fungi and 1 variety of actinomycetes and fungi in mucus
membrane. In the soil of shrubs vegetation, there are 16 varieties, including 7 varieties of

bacteria and 1 variety of actinomycetes and fungi in mucus membrane. However, in the soil
of greensward, components of microorganisms have the poorest varieties. There are 11
varieties that reduced by half when compared with that of the forest land.
15



Table 4.34. The diversity of soil microorganisms under vegetation covers
Kinds of land under
vegetation covers
Total

Bacteria
filamentous
fungi
fungi in
mucus
membrane
Actinomycetes
Quantity
%
Quantity
%
Quantity
%
Quantity
%
The secondary forest
22
12

54.5
8
36.5
1
4.5
1
4.5
Shrub vegetation
16
7
43.8
7
43.8
1
6.2
1
6.2
Greensward
11
6
54.5
5
45.5
0
0
0
0

In species of filamentous fungi found in soil in 3 patterns of vegetation covers,
it is mainly species decomposing capable of high insoluble phosphate such as

Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp, Rhizopus spp, Alternaria spp. Meanwhile, the most
common species capable of cellulose resolution are Aspergillus, Penicillium,
Trichoderma, Fusarium. In addition, in the secondary forest land, there are also 2
species of fungi capable of insecticides, namely Beauveria and Mertahzium.
Actinomycetes is mainly Streptomyces in the soil of secondary forest and shrub land.
Conclusion: The results of surveys have showed that the coverage of vegetation cover
is closely related to physical and chemical properties, erosion level and soil
microorganisms. It can say that the greater the coverage is, the more the fertile and
porous soil is, etc ability of soil erosion declining and vice versa. As above said
statement, four patterns of vegetation covers studied and derived from primary forests
are formed by human impacts. Thus, under the impact of humans, the vegetation
structure is altered and the soil has been degraded.
4.4.4. Depletion of water resources
When investigating on the actual state of water resources in some streams in the
district we obtained the following results (Table 4.36):
- Springs, where headwater forest are vegetations in patterns of IIIA2, IIIA1, have still
water all year round. However, residents said these streams also greatly reduced water
in the dry season than that in the past (Khuon Tat springs, Khuoi Tat springs). The
patterns of watershed forest have been exploited for firewood by man in moderation,
but forest structure is also changed.
- Springs, where headwater forest are vegetations in patterns of IIA, IIB, IC, etc, dries up in
the dry season (Tam Hop springs, Dong Quang springs and Dong Hau springs), there are
some months available water from May to September. This is due to less water-holding
capacity of vegetation, although it still had been water all year round previously, because the
watershed vegetation covers at that time have not been destroyed.
16



Table 4.36. The status of water flow in some streams in the studied area

Names of
springs
Address
Number of months available water/year
under landmarks of time
1990
2000
At the present
Tam Hop
Ho Ong village,
Lam Vi commune
12 months
9 months
5 months
Khuon Tat
Khuon Tat village,
Phu Đinh commune
12 months
12 months
12 months
Dong Quang
Tham Roc village,
Binh Yen commune
12 months
9 months
5 months
Dong Hau
Dong Hau village,
Quy Ky commune
12 months

12 months
9 months
Khuoi Tat
Khuoi Tat village,
Quy Ky commune
12 months
12 months
12 months

Summary: The role of vegetation in regulating surface runoff and feeding groundwater
is very large (see Section 4.2.2 and 4.4.1.3). However, many watershed vegetation
covers were destroyed the canopy story structure for logging, non-timber forest
products, grazing, etc. Therefore, after each heavy rain, surface runoff pouring springs
is huge, but only after a few days amount of the water in springs returns to daily normal
water amount. Currently, water quality has diminished greatly. It should have
reasonable solutions and the most effective measures.
4.4.5. Promotion of coverage of forest ecosystems
Facing the risk of deterioration of forest resources in general and in particular
that in the studied area, local government also has to take measures to protect and
develop forest resources. However, due to many different reasons, the effects of them
are not sufficient. In recent years, in the studied area it only focused on plantation for
pure species forest to aim at socio-economic development and greening of barren hills.
So, the coverage of forest in 2000, 2005 and 2011 has increased was 0.40, 0.45 and
0.47 respectively. Although forest area increased, forest quality does not increase and
effectiveness of protection is not high. Forest ecosystems are in the recovery phase. If
they continue to be managed, taken care and protect well, the forest development
process will advance the state of maximum peak.
Currently, the merger of three different units founds the forest management unit of the
ATK-Safety Zone of Dinh Hoa district. They are the Ranger Station of Dinh Hoa
district, the Protective Forest Management Board of Dinh Hoa district and the

Management Board of ATK landscape forest. This unity is a correct policy to avoid
overlaps in management and to unify in thought and action. In addition, the
Management Board on relics and scenic spots of Thai Nguyen Department of Culture,
17



Sports and Tourism has been upgraded to become the Management Board of ATK
historical and ecology relic Area of Dinh Hoa district, Thai Nguyen province (2010)
belonging directly to Thai Nguyen province, with its new functions and tasks.
From here, the activities of zoning and protection of forests, mining development of
the pattern of plantation of agroforestry trees are gradually taken care. Currently, the
locality is developing the scheme "the great forest pattern" in the Quy Ky commune,
with an area of 470ha of forest and forestry land. The goal is to apply scientific
techniques in forest intensive farming in order to increase efficiency of land use and
enhance productivity and quality plantation; combination of agriculture, forestry,
fisheries and eco-tourism, etc. It proceeds to issue forest certifications for forests
planted areas to enhance product value. Work of relic restoration is also increasingly
obtained good results. In 2012, the State has recognized it as a National special relic.
Thus, we can hope for a future with sustainable forest ecosystems.
4.5. Proposed solutions for sustainable development of forest ecosystems
4.5.1. The viewpoint, objectives exploitation and use of forest ecosystems
4.5.1.1. Viewpoints
- Demonstrating humanity "when drinking water, remember its source".
- Expressing "fairness" in investment between mountainous region and plain region,
rural area and urban area.
4.5.1.2. Objectives
- It ensures harmoniously between goals of conservation and development of forest
resources in the ATK-Safety Zone of Dinh Hoa district.
- Ensuring equality between generations in the use of forest resources.

- Ensuring sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity conservation.
- Making sure the use extent of forest resources not exceeding their regeneration capacity.
- Being consistent with intellectual level, cultivation and local socio-economic
conditions to look forward to success in sustainable development.
4.5.2. The groups of solutions should be prioritized for implementation
4.5.2.1. Repelling activities of negatively affects on forest ecosystems
* In term of activities of tea production and processing
- There should be planned and closely managed the conversion of agricultural and
forestry land use.
- The plant should have effective measures in order to increase the purchase price of raw tea.
- State supports to develop plans to mount benefits between plant and farmers.
* In term of activities of livestock grazing
18



- Adopting policies prohibiting and sanctioning cases cattle grazing in the forests
zoning for, protection and landscape relics.
- The locality needs to plan grazing zone, to proceed advantage an alternating grazing
with appropriate density.
- Studying ecological zoning as a basis for planning the grass planting. Identifying
types of grass growing with suitable climatic conditions.
- Guiding transfer of techniques for growing grass, tending, harvesting, processing forage
and reserving for livestock foods, towards to reach animal husbandry for commodities.
- Take advantage of feces of cattle and human to use as organic waste for biogas
digesters providing and replacing gas for cooking daily activities. In this way, the
environmental pollution and exploitation of firewood are limited.
* The activities logging and non-timber forest products
- Adopting policies prohibiting and sanctioning in logging and non-timber forest
products in the forests zoning for and protecting landscape relics. Building regulations

on management, protection and development resources capital of non-timber forest
products.
- In term of logging: the use of Manglietia conifera, acacia and eucalyptus from
planted forests should encourage, use of materials to replace for wood: belongings and
items made of plastic (doors, tables, chairs )
- In term of the exploitation of firewood: Take advantage the broken and fallen tree
branches, dead trees, trees of pests and diseases. At the same time, improving firewood
efficiency by using the improved wood stoves, gas cooking towards to use solar energy.
- In term of rattans: Exploiting in the form of the cut them at the forest. Therefore, it
prohibits exploitation for under 3m long rattan fibers.
- In term of forest vegetables and medicinal herbs: it needs to have scientific research on
characteristics of ecology, biology of each specific species and to carry out plant as
experiment, then guiding techniques for people growing in the hill garden around the
house to care to enhance productivity and contribute to natural resources preservation.
- In term of other types of bamboo, neohouzeaua and small bamboo: When
exploiting, each bush should not cut out all and remain from 10 to 12 trees in order to
be able to recover forests.
- In term of the palm plant: Do not cut out all, after getting its leaves of each tree,
these tress have stopped at least 3 months to have an other exploitation that let palm
plants continue to grow leaves and develop normally.
* In term of hunting wild animals
- There are administrative sanctions for persons hunting wild animals.
19



- Criminal prosecution in individuals and organizations trafficking in illegal wild animals.
- Development of wild animal husbandry pattern.
4.5.2.2. Development of activities available positive effects to of forest ecosystems.
* Afforestation and zoning for promoting regeneration

- Determination right subjects for zoning for or afforesation.
- Increase of support for zoning for forest restoration for the first year and the 2
nd
year is
VND 500.000 per hectare per year and VND 200.000 per hectare per year, respectively.
* Activity of embellishment of revolutionary historical relics and landscapes
- Planning and expanding connections with ecological tours of Tan Trao ATK (Son Duong
district, Tuyen Quang province) and Cho Don ATK (Bac Kan province), Nui Coc Lake.
- Developing tourist routes in scientific research.
- Development of tourism services.
- There are mechanisms to encourage, invites businesses and individuals to invest in
development and to fully exploit the tourism potentials
- Continuing to invest in research, collect documents and artifacts to complement for
the gallery creating more lively and attracting more tourists.
- Developing a team of tour guides available adequate knowledge and skills for serving
tourists.
- It should be noted the pressure of number of tourists come the ecological
environment in the future when building the master plan.
4.5.3. The group of integrated solutions
4.5.3.1. The group of solutions related to organization of management
- Setting closely system of legal prescribed documents on exploitation, transport and
processing of forest products.
- Strengthening professional training for the force of forest rangers.
- Developing mechanisms for long-term coordination among the institutions of
research, education, training and forestrial extension for forest owners, businesses and
communities.
- Strengthening coordination at levels, sectors and localities in bordering areas to
perform effectively tasks of protection and develop forests.
- Diversifying forms of management of forest land use (assignment, allotment and lease).
- Developing a mechanism for payments for forest environmental services.

- Completing planning work and development orientation of 3 forest types to suit the
actual situation in the locality.
20



4.5.3.1. The group of solutions related to economics
- Supporting finance for developing professional vocation, increasing income,
reducing leisure duration after harvest time, gradually reducing pressure on forests.
- State has supporting mechanisms such as preferential loans, food supply, supply good
quality seedlings, fertilizers, etc. to plant production forests, agroforestry production in
the period unavailable earnings from the forest.
- Investing development of facilities for processing of forest products (paper pulp,
plywood, particle boards, wood appliances, etc) to consumer products for forest owners.
- Investing for the investigation, assessment and choose market channel in favor of
beneficial direction for production.
- Strengthening international cooperation, enlisting the help of organizations and
individuals abroad on finance and technology in order to investment effectively in
forest protection and development.
4.5.3.3. Solutions related to society
- Investing development of infrastructures.
- Continuing to implement poverty reduction policies advance to poverty eradication in
the studied area.
- Preservation and development of community organizations, the Village Convention,
the indigenous knowledge related to forest management and protection, creating a
movement of entire population to participate in forest protection.
- Implementing committed by people with the contents, namely: do not burn forest for
milpa, no fire burning in forests and do not exploit and transport illegal timber.
- Strengthen activities of propaganda and education to raise awareness of the economic
value, forest ecology and community responsibilities in the protection and

development of forests.
- Population policy: propaganda and advocacy people implementing population
policies and family planning in order to slow down population growth and reduce
population pressure on forest resources.
4.5.3.4. Group of solutions related to science and technology
- Applying biotechnology (gene technology, tissue technology, etc.) in the production
of high quality seedlings to increase crop productivity.
- The patterns can be applied in the studied area: patterns of Bat Do plantation of
bamboo shoots, mushrooms cultivation from the wood waste products, honey bee
keeping and development of medicinal plant garden.
- In term of the rare plant species: Conducting thorough investigation to determine the
exact reserves, distribution, habitat of rare plant species, planting techniques as well as
21



use etc to be as the basis for developing a long-term program for the conservation and
development of this species.
- Developing patterns planting new varieties of forest trees, indigenous trees, planting
mixed forest with multistage and growing multi-effects tree species (Litsea glutinosa,
Cinnamomum loureirii Nees, etc.), planting trees under the canopy of forest and
transfer techniques for forest owners.
- Developing the pattern zoning for reforestation, promotion of natural reproduction.
- Applying information technology, remote sensing in the management and monitoring
forest resources for each forest plot.
4.5.3.5. The solutions for using and exploiting forests
* For special-use forests
- In term of the shrub vegetation on rocky mountains, it should be strictly protected all
acts of destruction.
- In term of natural forests: under the supervision of forest management unit, cutting

for adjusting density and impact by silvicultural technique measures to enhance the
aesthetic value and increase supply of forest are permitted. Exploitation should follow
selected method and after exploitation, reforestation should be carried out. In addition,
forest owners are organized activities for scientific research and ecotourism in forests.
- In term of the planted forests: Forest owners choose time for exploitation how to get
the most beneficial. The method of exploitation is to cut under band, strips, not cut as
broad crowd or can cut selection under levels of diameter, with a magnitude of <20%.
After cutting, it is necessary to be reforestation immediately.
- In term of bare soil with scattered trees (the state Ic), it applies intercropping
measure. Tree species planted is of indigenous trees capable of byproduct of flowers,
fruits, resins such as Canarium, Dracontomelon duperreanum, Fagus sylvatica,
Cinnamomum loureirii Nees
- In term of bare soil with scrub trees and grass bare soil with, it applies method of
mixed afforestation between native trees and fast-growing wood trees. It plants under
intensive cultivation methods. Plant species may be Fagus sylvatica, Canarium,
Garcinia cowa, Enicosanthellum plagioneurum, Dracontomelon duperreanum, Antiaris
toxcaria Lesch, eucalyptus, acacia, etc.
* In term of protective forests

- It is permitted artisanal exploitation, take advantage timber and NTFPs.
- When forest gaining protection standards, it will permit timber exploitation (except
for the rare wood species) and conduct selective logging and ensurement of forest
canopy covers 0.6 greater than after exploitation.
22



+ In term of planted forests: complying with Dispatch No. 1053/LN-SDR dated 23
rd

August 2006 of Department of Forestry on the protection forest exploitation under the
Program 327 and the Project 661.
- When the canopy closure forest is permitted exploitation of support trees, but it is
ensure that the remaining key plants at least is 600 trees per ha an canopy coverage
after exploitation is 0.6.
- When the forest qualified on protection, it can exploit the with an intensity not
exceeding 20% and forest coverage after harvesting is over 0.6
- It is possible cut out all trees in accordance with bands and yards with an area of 1.0
ha of important protection forests, less than 0.5 ha of very importance protection (if the
state invests), area of 2 ha for critical protection forests and less than 1 ha of very
importance protective forests (if self-investment). The total exploitation area does not
exceed one-tenth the forest planted area and it has to invest for reforestation within 1
year after the exploitation.
- The forest owners can organize activities of tourism and scientific research. The
medicinal trees are planted under the canopy of protection forest and household can
use 30% of bare areas with no forest to cultivate agriculture. It is priority for perennial
trees available broad leave canopy and year round green.
* In terms of production forests
- Exploitation of kinds of forest products is permitted. If exploitation of rare plants , it
complies with the provisions of Decree No. 32/2006/ND-CP dated the 30
th
March
2006 of the Government in terms of management of forest plant and rare endangered
wildlife animals.
- Households, individuals and communities of village have needs of timber
exploitation of natural forests to serve household needs. They should notify the
commune-level People's Committee to confirm and manage.
- The forest owners are organizers able to produce agriculture combined with fishery
production on forests and forest soils. Forest owners are households and individuals,
resident communities of villages can use less than 30% of non-forest land as

productive forest land to agriculture combined with fishery production, agricultural
intercropped plantation under the forest canopy without affect on key use purpose of
the forest.
Forest owners can organize business of tourism services in the forest or scientific
research, but it does not change the use purpose of forests.
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS