Tropical rain forests are known to be among the most biodiverse ecosystems globally, making them a key focus for conservation initiatives. Recent research by a group of scientists from Viet Nam and Germany reveals that in Nui Chua National Park, Viet Nam, the greatest variety of ground-dwelling mammals and birds is found in the semi-dry forest—a transition zone where dry and wet evergreen broadleaf forests intersect. This study underscores the significance of these transitional habitats in conservation, as noted in a paper published in the journal “Biotropica.”
Nui Chua National Park, situated in southern Viet Nam, is the only National Park within the country’s coastal dry forest region. This protected area stands out due to its diverse habitats, featuring dry forest at lower elevations, semi-dry forests in transitional zones, and wet evergreen forests at higher altitudes. The park garnered attention in 2018 when scientists rediscovered the silver-backed chevrotain (Tragulus versicolor) there.
To gather foundational data on wildlife presence and distribution in Nui Chua NP, researchers conducted five camera trap surveys from 2018 to 2022. An Nguyen, a PhD student at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, expressed, “While searching for the silver-backed chevrotain, I was amazed at the numerous records of other species in the same area where we found this unique species again. This motivated us to explore beyond individual species and assess the broader community of ground-dwelling mammals and birds in Nui Chua NP.” The team installed 145 camera trap stations throughout the park to monitor these fauna. “We discovered the highest diversity in the semi-dry transition zones between the coastal dry forest and the rainforests at higher elevations.”
Tran Van Tiep, the Director of Nui Chua National Park, remarked, “Detailed knowledge of wildlife presence and distribution is crucial for conservation planning and the effective use of limited resources. Our findings indicate the need for special focus on semi-dry forest regions in Nui Chua NP, particularly as this habitat supports both the richest biodiversity and the highest population of the critically endangered silver-backed chevrotain, a key species for our park. Given that these vital transition habitats lie within the buffer zone but outside the National Park boundaries, we should explore incorporating them into the park’s core area.” The revelation that the silver-backed chevrotain may have its largest population in Nui Chua’s semi-dry forests further emphasizes the need for habitat protection. The researchers also advised that conservationists look for other semi-dry forest areas within the broader coastal dry forest landscape to ensure their preservation.
“The results of this survey complement the extraordinarily high botanical diversity we have identified in the semi-dry coastal forest,” stated Truong, a botanist and Director of the Southern Institute of Ecology. “This reinforces the conservation significance of this transitional habitat and highlights the urgent need to protect it throughout the coastal regions of southern Viet Nam.”
