Cần Giờ Mangrove Forest

Cần Giờ Biosphere Reserve (Khu dự trữ sinh quyển rừng ngập mặn Cần Giờ) is a wetland located 40 km southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. This reserve has been listed as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. The site is an important wildlife sanctuary in Vietnam as it is characterized by a wetland biosystem dominated by mangrove and many rare species.

Cần Giờ Biosphere Reserve

The forest's area is 75,740 ha (757.4 km2), with over 150 botanical species.[1]

Biodiversity value

The major habitat types found at Cần Giờ are plantation mangrove, of which there is about 20,000 ha, and naturally regenerating mangrove, of which there is about 7,000 ha. Moreover, a total of 18 mollusc, 27 crustacean, 45 fish and three amphibian species have been recorded at the site. Saltwater crocodiles used to live in the wild here and are now living in the protected area. Also, Dugong have been reported to occur seasonally in seagrass beds at the site, although these reports have not been confirmed. The intertidal mudflats and sandbanks at the biosphere reserve are an important habitat for migratory shorebirds.[2]

Other documented values

The mangrove forest at Cần Giờ performs many valuable ecological functions, including coastal stabilisation, and protection against coastal erosion, oil spills and storm surges. The mangrove forest is a source of fuel wood and construction materials.[3]

References
  1. Can Gio, Ho Chí Minh, Vietnam
  2. Biodiversity Value of Can gio Biosphere Reserve. Active Travel Vietnam. Retrieved on 2008-11-02]
  3. Other Documented Values of Can Gio Biosphere Reserve. Active Travel Vietnam. Retrieved on 2008-11-02]

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