Kim Hy Proposed Nature Reserve - Frontier-publications.co.uk

genera usually represented by sizeable individuals, such as Garcinia and Pometia, instead
share the fluid middle storey with members of the Euphorbiaceae and Fagaceae. This
forest has large amounts of ambient light, and a diverse herbaceous content at the ground
level.
Past surveys (FREC, 1997; Birdlife International/FIPI, 2000) have identified fairly
distinct forest types upper slopes. However, Frontier’s survey suggested the
Excentiodendron sp. is widely dominant across the altitudinal range, except at the very
summits of the karst outcrops, and it is the middle and ground layers that are more
heterogenous according to geographical location and, to a lesser extent, altitude and
topography. The results of Frontier’s work indicated that, rather than there being a
‘threshold’ altitude at which vegetation types change here, both mixed Excentiodendron
and Streblus/Excentiodendron forest are distributed between the fringes of the limestone
basins (c.500m) to well over 600m. Both FPE at 520m and FPD at 730m were broadly
similar in their composition and structure, yet FPD and FPI (780m), both relatively high
altitude plots, were markedly different in their structure and levels of diversity. It seems
from these results that the forest type and constitution depends significantly more upon
micro-environment factors such as soil depth, gradient, aspect, disturbance regimes
(including stochastic factors like natural tree falls), and local climate. With the exception
of the karst summits, these factors do not correspond strongly to altitudinal variation,
given that even the highest points in the area are less than 1,000m. It is thus unlikely that
the two forest types identified in this report are found in any particular areas or altitudes,
but are instead dispersed together across the limestone block.
3.4.3 Important flora of Kim Hy P.N.R.
Within the high floral diversity of Kim Hy P.N.R., a number of species suffer varying
levels of risk and rarity, a list of which is given in Figure 3.6. This list may not be
comprehensive, but as with the list of endangered mammals previously listed for Kim
Hy’s scientific appraisal, some of the plant species listed for the area may require further
confirmation. Many of these are important from an economic as well as conservation
viewpoint, both locally and nationally, their over-exploitation contributing to their
threatened status. Important timber species here include Markhamia stipulata, Madhuca
passquiere and Excentiodendron tonkinensis. FIPI consider 107 species from 43 families
of tree found at Kim Hy to be in need of special protection at the local level. About 18%
of the total number of species in the area -102 plant species from 54 families - are of
medicinal value (FIPI, 1997). These include red listed species such as Drynaria fortunei,
Tetrapanax papyiferum, Cimbodium barometz, and Morinda officinalis. There are 34
species from 24 families (principally Rosaceae) of edible food trees and 22 species from
18 families of forest vegetables. Six species from four families are used for their essential
oils (FIPI, 1997). Another main economic feature of the local ground flora is the
ornamental value, especially regarding the Orchidaceae. Dendrobium sp., Anoectichilus
setaceus and species of Bulbophyllum are especially at risk here due to profitable Chinese
markets for these plants. Other ornamental plants at Kim Hy include Cibotium barometz,
and some species of Cycas. Species identifications were undertaken by FIPI for the
Frontier Vietnam Forest Research Programme Technical Report No.24. 35