Vietnam Primate Conservation Status Review 2002 - Hoang Lien ...

Vietnam Primate Conservation Status Review Part 2: LEAF MONKEYS
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deciduous and evergreen forest. Yok Don has a reputation as an important site for the conservation
of large mammals. The occurance of elephant, gaur, banteng and tiger is confirmed (Duckworth &
Hedges, 1998), but hunting is the greatest direct threat to the fauna. Surveys demonstrated that,
despite the availibility of significant areas of suitable habitat, population sizes of key mammal and
bird species have declined over recent years, indicating that current management actions are not
stabilising populations of this species (BirdLife International & FIPI, 2001).
Migration into the area surrounding Yok Don National Park is leading to an increase in human pressure
on natural ressources, and threatens to undermine conservation activities at the national park. Dak
Lak Province has the highest immigration rate of any province in Vietnam. In a five-year period (1990 to
1995) the population of the province rose by 21%. The increased demand for forest products, including
timber and wild animals, contributes to biodiversity loss at Yok Don National Park.
Cu Jut District (DAK LAK)
Special use forest: Partly included (2,782 ha) in proposed extension of Yok Don National Park
Forest size: NA
Forest type: deciduous, semi-deciduous, lowland evergreen forest
Elevation: 300m to 500m a.s.l.
Leaf monkey and gibbon species: Trachypithecus germaini; Pygathrix nigripes; [Pygathrix cinerea];
Nomascus gabriellae
Cu Jut is located on hills with several large streams running into Srepok river. Deciduous and semideciduous
forests are the main type of vegetation. Evergreen forest is found only in the central part of
the district (Trinh Viet Cuong & Ngo Van Tri, 2000).
In 1992, the human population was approximately 22,500 people. Following the relocation of ethnic
groups from provinces in the north, the population increased to about 88,000 people in 1997 accoss
the whole district (Trinh Viet Cuong & Ngo Van Tri, 2000).
The forest fringes are subject to cultivation and industrial use. The eastern part of the district is a
densely populated resettled area and newcomers continue to arrive. It seems probable that the flat
land, agricultural soils and increased population pressures will promote increased rates of deforestation
in the future (Trinh Viet Cuong & Ngo Van Tri, 2000).
Da Lat Plateau (DAK LAK, LAM DONG, KHANH HOA and NINH THUAN)
Special use forest: Partly included in Chu Yang Sinh (59,278 ha), Bi Dup-Nui Ba (71,062 ha) and Deo
Ngoan Muc (2,000 ha) Nature Reserves
Forest size: NA
Forest type: Bi Dup-Nui Ba Nature Reserve: coniferous, evergreen, broadleaf evergreen (small parts)
Chu Yang Sinh Nature Reserve: semi-decidiuos, lowland evergreen, montane evergreen, elfin
Deo Ngoan Muc Nature Reserve: evergreen, lower montane evergreen (heavily degraded)
Elevation: Bi Dup-Nui Ba Nature Reserve: above 1,400m reaching 2,287m a.s.l. (Mount Bi Dup),
Chu Yang Sinh Nature Reserve: 300m to 2,442m a.s.l.
Deo Ngoan Muc Nature Resreve: 200m to 980m a.s.l.
Leaf monkey and gibbon species: [Trachypithecus germaini], Pygathrix nigripes, [Nomascus gabriellae]
The area is comprised of a mountainous plateau forming the southern edge of the western highlands
and includes three nature reserves. The change in elevation is large.
Shifting cultivation, practiced by ethnic minorities has had a great impact on vegetation composition.
This activity has reduced the area of evergreen forest and led to its fragmentation. Most remaining
areas of evergreen forest are on mountains and steep slopes. Frequent use of fire prevents the