Some characteristics of natural forest vegetation in ba vi national park

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
VIETNAM FORESTRY UNIVERSITY

STUDENT THESIS

SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF NATURAL FOREST VEGETATION
IN BA VI NATIONAL PARK

Major: Natural Resources Management (Advanced Curriculum)
Code: D850101
Faculty: Forest Resource and Environmental Management

Student: Nguyen Trung Kien

Student ID: 0953011441

Class

Course

: K55 Natural Resources Management

: 2010 - 2014

Advanced Education Program
Developed in collaboration with Colorado State University, USA

Supervisor: Assoc.Prof. Pham Van Dien Ph.D.

Hanoi, November 2014
i

LIST OF ACRONYMS
Notation

Meaning

PLOT

Primary plot

SPOT

Secondary plot

LIST OF FIGURES
Figure

Name

Page

1

The sketch of study site

3

2

Primary and secondary sample plots

4

3

Diagram of the relationship among tree species

10

4

PCA graph on relationship between species

13

5

Geometric class of tree species

14

6

Diagram of the relationship between sub-plots

15

7

: Graph diversity criteria and growth structure of forest.

15

8

NMDS Graph about the relationship between plots

16

9a

Scattering chart for Plot 1

18

9b

Scattering chart for Plot 2

19

9c

Scattering charts for both Plot 1 and Plot 2

20

LIST OF TABLES
Table

Name

Page

1

Important value index

7

2

Diversity indices of tree species

8

3

PCA values of tree species at the studied area

12

4

Some structured and growth factors

17

ii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Being consented of the Department of Forest resources and Environmental
Management, I have carried out a study: “Some characteristic of natural forest vegetation
in Ba Vi national park"
In the implementing research process, I have received the help of Management
Board, forest ranges of Ba Vi National Park, local people, and especially the enthusiastic
guidance of Assoc.Prof.Pham Van Dien Ph.D.
So I would like to express deep gratitude to Assoc.Prof. Pham Van Dien Ph.D, and
would like also to thank the Board of Director of Ba Vi National Park, forest rangers who
have created favorable conditions for me to complete the study. Especially forest rangers
have instructed us enthusiastically throughout the research. We also appreciate the heart of
local people who support enthusiastically to help us complete this study.
Due to time constraints, knowledge and capacity is limited, so this study will not
avoid flaws. I look forward to the contributions from teachers to more complete the study.
Sincerely thank you!
Hanoi, November, 2014

Nguyen Trung Kien

iii


SUMMARY
Based on collected data on 2 sample plots which are representative for 2 types of
forest plant communities, the study clearly described three main characteristics of forest
plant communities including (i) important value index; (ii) diversity index of tree species;
(iii) relationship within forest vegetation. The results of the study showed that number of

tree species, which has significance in communities varied from 6 to 11 species. Five (5)
species including Khao (Phoebe lanceolata); Mo (Manglietia conifer); Doi (Mangletia
sp.), Sai dat (Wedelia chinensis) and Rang rang (Ormosia pinnata) have the highest IV%
indices of 35.7, 25.4, 26.9, 26.6 and 25.1%, respectively. Former studies and research on
characteristics of natural forest vegetation that are through the review of important value
index of tree species (IV%) and diversity index of tree species (d, D, H’) are major.
However, there is little research using PCA (principal component analysis) value and
NMDS (non-metric multi dimensional scaling) graph to evaluate these characteristics. So,
this study will be more in-depth studied to evaluate characteristics of natural forest
vegetation and it follows the PCA value and NMDS graph with the branching diagram.
Generally, forest plant communities in the study sites have had a good rehabilitation
ability.

iv


I. INTRODUCTION
Research on characteristics of national forest vegetation takes an important role in
forest management. Having a through understanding of characteristics of national forest
vegetation, we can determine solutions to manage them better, especially for managing
special used forests such as Ba Vi National Park.
Ba Vi national park was established with the aim to protect and to restore biological
diversity, intact structure as well as values of natural forest ecosystems. There are some
surveys and investigations on vegetation which have been carried out since the year of
foundation (1991). However, most of the above-mentioned works focused on the name or
component of species, the coverage or volume of forests. Characteristics of natural forest
vegetation in the view of ecology and conservation such as important value and diversity
indices, relationship among tree species and its structure characteristics hasn’t captured
with much attention. This shortcoming leads to the lack of scientific data about
characteristics of forest plant vegetation, which can be described in more detail as:



Lack of information and scientific data about the important indicators and the

diversity of plant species in the forest plant vegetations in the study site.


Lack of intensive and systematic research on the relationship within tree species

in forest plant vegetation as well as the quantitative relationship among several factors
inventoried hence scientific basis for technical solutions is insufficient.
In order to contribute to solve this problem, the study was carried out and focused
on analyzing four key characteristics as follows:
+ Important value index;
+ Diversity index of tree species.
+ Relationship between forest vegetations.
+ Structure parameters of forest vegetation: density, forest canopy, canopy area
index, tree diameter and height, basal area and volume.
Final, we assessed resilience of natural forest plant vegetation in Ba Vi National
Park then recommend solutions to meet the new goals and requirements in terms of forest
management techniques.
1


II. STUDY OBJECTIVES AND METHODS
2.1. Study objectives
- To determine some characteristics of natural forest vegetations in the study site.
- To find out some implications for forest management in the study site.
2.2. Study site and scope
- Study site: Eco-restored zone of Ba Vi National Park, Ha Noi.

- Secondary natural forest in Ba Vi.
Ba Vi National Park has been effected by the north latitude factors, monsoon, they
combine together and create humid tropical climate (dry and cold in winter). The annual
average temperature is 23.40C, the lowest temperature is 2.70C and highest temperature
reach to 420C. At 400m height above sea level, average temperature is 20.60C, above
1,000m height asl, the average temperature is about 160C and sometimes in the winter
temperature can decrease to 0.20C. The annual rainfall is about 2,500mm and is distributed
from July to August. The air humidity is about 86.1%, at 400m height asl., there is no dry
season. With those characteristics, it has made the diversity of ecology and it becomes a
rich potential resort attracting tourists . Ba Vi National Park is higher than Cuc Phuong
National Park, so the weather in Ba Vi National Park is cooler than that in Cuc Phuong. In
the high peaks, it has more diversities about flora and fauna than Cuc Phuong National
Park.
Ba Vi has medium and low mountains. It has some some high mountain peaks
such as: Vua peak (296m asl.), Tan Vien Cao peak (1,227m asl.), Ngoc Hoa peak (1,131m
asl.), Vien Nam peak (1,031m asl.). Ba Vi mountain range consists of two main ridges.
The first ridge stretches from the East to the West (from Oi stream to Dat bridge then
through Vien and Lobster peak) with 9km long,

The second ridge stretches from

Northwest to Southeast (from Yen Vien Son, through Tan Vien peak to Quit mountain
with 11km long then it extend to Vien Nam belonging to Hoa Binh province. Ba Vi has
2


many slopes, the average of slope is 250 and with the elevation above 400 the average of
slope is 350.

Figure 1. The sketch of study site

2.3. Studied methodologies
2.3.1. Sampling


Total number of sample plots: 2 sample plots of 10,000 m2 each, in which:
+ Plot 1 is located at East : X= 540.227,44; Y= 2.331.022,73 (VN2000).
+ Plot 2 is located at West : X=536.949,14; Y=2.326.647,89 (VN2000).



The area and shape of sample plots: each sample plot has the area of 10,000 m2
(200 x 50 m).



Structure of sample plots: multi-scale sampling plots.



For each sample plot we will arrange as bellow:
3


Figure 2. Primary and secondary sample plots
Sample plots were coordinated by GPS and marked for identifying and checking when
needed.
2.3.2. Data collection
On each secondary plot, we determined and measured criteria: tree's names, trunk
diameter at the breast high (D1.3, cm), diameter of canopy (DHR, m), total high (H, m),
height under branch (HL, m) and tree quality.

2.3.3. Data processing
- Determining important value index of tree species (IV, %) by using formula (1)
(1)
In which :
- IV%: important value index of tree species
- N%: percentage of the number of tree species
- G%: percentage of basal area of tree species
- Determining diversity index of tree species, include: Formula (2), (3), (4), (5).
+ Margalef's Diversity index (d)
(2)

4


Where:
d: diversity indicator Margalef
S: total species in the plot
N: total individual in the plot
+ Diversity indicator Shannon - Wiener (H’)
(3)
With:
H’: indicator Shannon - Wiener
S: the number of species in the plot
(4)
N: total individual in the plot
ni: the number of individual of i specie
+ Indicator Simpson (L - Lambada)
(5)


Determining structured characteristics: N (stem/Ha); d, D, H (m), HL (m), H’,

DCR (m).


The relationship within forest vegetation including: (i) relationship among

species; (ii) relationship between forest species; and (iii) relationship between structured
and growth factors. These relationships were determined by three tools such as
dendrogram cluster, graph NMDS (non-metric multidimensional scaling), graph PCA
(principal component analysis). The computing operation was implemented by R software
combined with Primer software installed on computer.

5


III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
3.1. Important value index
The species that has ecological significance in the community have an important
value index (IV,%) of equal and more than 5%. In this study, number of species that meet
this criterion ranged from 12 to 15 species. Important value indices also have differences
among species and change between two forest plant communities.
Plot 01 has 22 species that have high IV%, in which 12 species have ecological
significance and Khao (Phoebe lanceolata) and Mo (Manglietia conifer) have the highest
IV% values. Plot 02 has 34 species that have high IV%, in which 15 species have an
ecological significance and Sai dat (Wedelia chinensis ) and Rang rang (Ormosia pinnata)
have highest IV% values. Percentage of plots where species appeared in varied from
6.25% to 100%. 10 species which have the high important value indices (IV%) are shown
in Table 1.

6


Table 1. Important value index
Percentage

Plots No.

Name of species

Family

IV
(%)

of plot
containing
species
(F%)

1

2

1

Khao (Phoebe lanceolata)

Lauraceae

3.49 - 35.7

87.5

2

Mo (Manglietia conifer)

Magnoliaceae

6.86 - 25.40

93.75

3

Chan Chim (Schefflera octophylla)

Araliaceae

3.56 - 19.7

75

4

Sang Nhung (Sterculia lanceolata)

Sterculiaceae

1.07 - 16.90

43.75

5

Che Duoi Luon (Andinandra intalgerrima) Theaceae

1.24 - 15.6

68.75

6

Sau sau (Liquidambar formosana)

Altingiaceae

1.07 - 14.8

87.5

7

Ba sao ( Hopea odorata)

Dipterocarpaceae

2.53 - 13.9

12.5

8

De gai (Castanopsis indica)

Fagaceae

1.59 - 13.8

25

9

Hoac Quang (Wendlandia paniculata)

Rubiaceae

1.02 - 13.7

81.25

10

Lau (Psychotria balansae)

Rubiaceae

1.11 - 12.5

25

1

Gioi (Manglietia fordiana)

Magnoliaceae

2.82 - 26.90

81.25

2

Rang Rang (Ormosia pinnata)

Fabaceae

2.06 - 26.60

100.0

3

Sai dat (Wedelia chinensis)

Asteraceae

2.19 - 25.1

18.75

4

Soi (Castanopsis fissa Rehd et Wils)

Fagaceae

2.03 - 23.3

62.5

5

Khao (Phoebe lanceolata)

Lauraceae

2.71 - 22.70

93.75

6

Chan (Microdesmis caseariae)

Euphorbiaceae

2.19 - 22.60

25.0

7

Dau Da (Spondias lakonensis)

1.03 - 19.50

87.5

8

Soi Do (Lithocarpus corneus)

Fagaceae

1.35 - 17.40

37.5

9

Phan Ma (Teucrium viscidum Blume)

Laminaceae

1.24 - 16.20

75.0

10

Thanh Nganh (Cratoxyon cochinchinensis) Hypericaceae

1.23 - 16.00

81.25

7


According to Thai Van Trung (2001) [3], the dominant tree species must have IV
value of ≥ 50%. The calculated results show that there are 20 sub-plots (in 32 sub-plots )
that satisfy this condition.
3.2. Diversity indices of tree species
Diversity indices of tree species in the studies area are shown in Table 2. Number
of trees (S) ranged from 13 to 27.
Table 2: Diversity indices of tree species

S

d

H’

D

S

d

H’

D

1

16

8.92

0.92

0.78

17

27

13.27

1.22

0.91

2

25

13.5

1.28

0.93

18

21

10.63

1.18

0.92

3

18

8.81

1.04

0.86

19

19

10.59

1.17

0.92

4

17

8.73

0.96

0.83

20

19

11.31

1.16

0.91

5

15

7.38

0.87

0.79

21

19

10.26

1.06

0.87

6

20

9.96

1.06

0.88

22

23

12.55

1.27

0.93

7

14

6.95

0.79

0.72

23

22

10.88

1.17

0.91

8

15

7.49

0.93

0.84

24

21

10.31

1.05

0.86

9

18

9.12

1.02

0.85

25

20

11.3

1.2

0.92

10

13

6.72

0.88

0.81

26

16

8.37

1

0.86

11

20

10.03

1.11

0.88

27

20

10.48

1.13

0.9

12

23

12.1

1.14

0.88

28

22

11.03

1.13

0.88

13

18

9.25

1.07

0.87

29

18

9.64

1.11

0.89

14

20

10.6

0.96

0.79

30

21

11.71

1.24

0.93

15

27

14.7

1.27

0.92

31

20

11.2

1.17

0.91

16

25

13.6

1.21

0.91

32

23

12.9

1.27

0.93

PLOT Splot

PLOT Splot

I

II

8


Note:
- PLOT = primary plot
- Splot = secondary plot
Values of Margalef’s Diversity indice (d) reflects the richness of species in forest
plant communities. the more number of species, the less number of individuals of each
species, the value of d will be higher. the minimum value (d) is 6.72 revealing in plot 10 of
Plot 01, the maximum value (d) is 14.7 revealing in plot 15 of Plot 01.
Values of Shannon’s Diversity indice (H’) varied from 0.79 to 1.28; an average
value of 1.1. Many research show that the largest values of H' is approximately 5.0. If H'
increases, the richness of species will increase. So, H' in here is low.
Values of Shimpson’s indices (D) ranged from 0.72 to 0.93 with an average value
of 0.87. If D increases, extent of the dominance of the species will be increased.
Based on values of 4 indices indicators in table 2. we can see that sub-plots (O2,
O15, O16) in Plot 1 has the highest species diversity, sub-plots O10 in plot 1 has the
lowest species diversity. Study area has diversity index of tree species at weak level.

9


3.3. Relationship in forest vegetation
3.3.1. Relationship among tree species

Figure 3. Diagram of the relationship among tree species
If species have a similar low level, they will appear together and will have little in

a plant community because they are not familiar. Diagram of the relationship among
species is a facility of the proposed measures to regulate the species composition. Species
that have a close relationship should be located in the same community. Species show a
similar low level but they have value to conservation, then they may be arranged together
with a lower proportion of mixed species. Under a conservation perspective, species that
show a similar low level will be priority because the risk of decline of these species is very
significant.
Similar levels varying from 17-20% show that most of the species are the same
group. Similar levels ranging from 40% to less than 60% will be splited into 10 groups of
species which are De bop (Castanopsis lecomtei ) vesus (vs.) Ngoa long (Ficus fulva
Reinw), Muong (Cassia sp) vs. Ngat (Gironniera subequalis); Long mang (Pterospermum
10


diversifolium) vs. Soi tia (Sapium discolor); Soi (Sapium sebiferum) vs. Chan
(Microdesmis caseariae) vs. Tram chim (Canarium parvum); Dung (Symplocos laurina)
vs. Thanh nganh (Cratoxyon cochinchinensis) etc. Similar levels of from 60% to less than
80% have some groups of Ba sao ( Hopea odorata) vs. Ngoa long (Ficus spp); De gai
(Castanopsis indica) vs. Khao nuoc (Phoebe pallida); Soi trang (Pasania hemiphaerica
Hicket et Camus) vs. Soi tia (Sapium discolor); Den 5 la (Victex holrungii) vs. Dom
(Bridelia retusa); Choi moi (Antidesma ghasembilla) vs. Gang (Aidia chantonea) etc.
Level of more than 80% includes some groups of Mo (Manglietia conifera) vs. Ngoa
(Ficus sp.), Ngoa khi (Ficus fulva) vs. Son (Melanorrhoea Laccifera Pierre); Loi tho
(Gmelina arborea Roxb) vs. Thoi ba (Alangium Chinensis Harms); Che rung (Aidia
cochinchinensis) vs. Boi loi (Litsea glutinosa) vs. De soi (Lithocapus ducampii); Ba gac
(Rauvolfia verticillata) vs. Bua (Garcinia oblongifolia) vs. Nang (Alangium ridleyi) etc.
Based on the aboved results, in order to plant mixed forest, tree species which have
levels of equal and more than 80% will be selected, For example: Mo (Manglietia
conifera) vs. Ngoa (Ficus sp), Ngoa khi (Ficus fulva) vs. Son (Melanorrhoea Laccifera
Pierre); Loi tho (Gmelina arborea Roxb) vs. Thoi ba (Alangium Chinensis Harms) etc.

Relationships within species were expressed by value of PCA and shown in Table 3
and Figure 4 and 5.

11


Table 3: PCA values of tree species at the studied area
No.

Species

PC1

PC2

PC3

PC4

PC5

1

Cryptocarya annamensis

-0.001

0.005

-0.002

-0.004

0.011

2

Mallotus canii

-0.005

0.023

0.019

0.037

0.014

3

Croton tiglium L

0.006

0.011

0.000

-0.011

0.047

4

Rauvolfia verticillata

-0.005

-0.013

0.014

0.006

-0.001

5

Hopea odorata

0.01

0.042

-0.003

-0.041

0.093

6

Macaranga denticulata

-0.005

0.012

-0.006

-0.013 -0.021

7

Styrax tonkinensis

-0.001

-0.013

-0.016

0.001

0.018

8

Litsea glutinosa

0.005

-0.003

0.005

0.000

-0.007

9

Listea monopetala

0.003

-0.002

-0.005

0.004

-0.002

10

Garcinia oblongifolia

-0.002

-0.014

0.003

-0.003

0.004

………
………
………
122

Clerodendrum inerme

-0.024

-0.031

0.037

0.013

-0.057

123

Endospermum chinense

0.002

0.001

0.000

-0.001

0.002

124

Ficus trivia

-0.001

0.004

-0.007

0.001

0.014

125

Ficus hirta

0.012

0.01

-0.008

-0.002

0.033

12


Figure 4: PCA graph on relationship between species

According to studied results, the tree species in the forest community can be splited
into 5 groups:
+ Group 01 includes Sai dat (Wedelia chinensis), Thanh nganh (Cratoxyon
cochinchinensis), etc..
+ Group 2 includes: Truong (Mischocarpus sundaicus), Rang rang (Ormosia
pinnata), Soi trang (Pasania hemiphaerica Hicket et Camus), Soi (Sapium sebiferum),
etc..
+ Group 3 includes: Cheo (Engelhardtia roburghiana), Khao (Phoebe lanceolata),
Mo (Manglietia conifer). etc..
+ Group 4 includes: Mo (Manglietia conifer)

13


+ Group 5 includes: Tram (Canarium spp), Thung muc (Wrightia annamensis), Thau
tau (Aporosa dioica). etc.
Graph PCA reflects the relationship between species and between species and plots:

Group of sub-plots O21, O28, O3, O5, O7 and O24, .. is more independent. It proves that
they have fewer species occurring in the remaining plots. In other words, the relationship
of the species in this group is weak or un-significant.
3.3.2. Relationship between forest species

Figure 5: Geometric class of tree species
Majority of plots have a similar relationship. But some splots including O2, O5,
O8, O7,.. have different species which do not appear in the other plots. They will help to
increase diversity index of tree species and have significant value of conservation.
Analized results also showed that plots have the similar level of 60%-72% will be
considered as a close relationship groups, it means that tree species within that plots appear
together. According to Figure 06, they include sub-plots O5 and sub-plots O7, O8-O9,
O10-O11, O3-O4, O26-O27, O30-O31.,etc.

14


Figure 6. Diagram of the relationship between sub-plots
O17-O24 and O13-O14 have similar level is 60% so geographical location does not affect
to the growth of species and ecosystems.

Figure 7: Graph diversity criteria and growth structure of forest.
15


To assess the differences in characteristic, growing structure of 2 plant
communities in 2 plots, this study established branch diagrams for the two communities.
Results showed that, at a height of 15m, accumulation level of the factor pairs is 0.81 and
the factors of remaining pairs have a high level of compatibility with other commonly at 2
plots/pair, we can sometimes see 3 pairs of standard sub-plots (such as sub-plots O3,O 23,

O24)...
The relationship between the species is also shown by the graph NMDS (Figure 8)

Figure 8: NMDS Graph about the relationship between plots
Numbers of species differ between the groups. The groups that have many species
are central group. They include O20, O30, O11, O12, O13, O16, etc. Sub-plots which live
near together will have the more similar species living there. According to the principle of
conservation, groups having less number of species are increasingly concerned.

16


3.3.3. Relationship between some factors in forest
A) Some structured and growth factors
Table 4. Some structured and growth factors

DBH

H

HL

DCR

Total

Density

(cm)

(m)

(m)

(m)

species

(trees/Ha)

1

14.2

9.47

4.81

3.48

88

1,079

2

11.9

8.25

3.84

3.91

73

1,031

Plots

b) The relationship between some factors
The number of species in the plot S has a close relationship with diversity indices
of tree species (D, H ', L) are 0.97, 0.94, 0.81, respectively. Diversity indices of tree
species (D, H ', L) has close relationship together but has very little relationship with N. H,
has little relationship with S, H’, and D. HL has a strong relationship with H and has little
relationship with S, D, H’, L. DRC, only has relationship with N and DBH (Figure 9a).

17


Figure 9a: Scattering chart for Plot 1
There is a little bit difference with plot 1. In plot 2, value of relationship between L
and S is smaller but the relationship between H and S, N is bigger than in Plot 1. DCR
value doesn’t have relationship with other indices here (Figure 9b).

18


Figure 9b: Scattering chart for Plot 2

According to Figure 9c, these relationships are more closely and distinctly. The
species are more focus, the number of species in the plot S has a close relationship with
diversity indicies of tree species (D, H ', L) and these diversity values are 0.95, 0.85, 0.71,
respectively. Number of trees N has small relationship with high indices (H, HL) of 0.46,
0.60. DCR show a small relationship with HL. H and HL have a strong relationship with
all indices without S.
Combinations which mixed planting species in two communities will increase the diversity
of species in the communities (Figure 9c).

19


Figure 9c: Scattering charts for both Plot 1 and Plot 2
3.4. Implication of the study
* In the field of conservation
- It is the basis for Ba Vi National Park to focus on building conservation measures
and developing rare plant species.
- Forest which is object of research is poor secondary forest; therefore, it is the
basis for Ba Vi National Park to refer to make this area into forest restoration plan in the
coming years.
* In the field of silvicultural
- Research results about the relationship between species shown that species with
IV% of equal and more than 80% show a close relationship and This is basis for

20


developing mixed forest with the involvement of these species at the Ba Vi as well as other
similar areas.
- Results of branch diagrams also showed that althought splots are disposed

together, they don’t have similarities. So, in a narrow range (in the same plot) diversity is
also demonstrated and has mark able differences. Therefore, conservation of the diversity
of forest vegetation is essential and should be taken in the narrow scope.

21