national park ecosystem, with an increased area of Melaleuca forest in 2014 compared to that in 1997. The mixed semi-natural forest has not been much affected by
forest fires, its area has decreased only slightly (Table 29.2).
29.4.4 Biodiversity
Ecosystems in the U Minh National Parks are home to a range of animals and plants,
many of which were recorded as rare, endemic, and endangered species (Thang and
Tam 1998; Safford et al. 1998; Buckton et al. 1999; Triet 2000; Dang et al. 2001;
Tordoff 2002; BirdLife 2004). Unfortunately, the number of plant and animal
species have significantly declined over the years due to many causes, especially
Time of water level measurement -------->
Fig. 29.14 Canal blocking to prevent water loss during dry season (Photo: UMHNP 2014) (left).
Supplemental water was provided to re-wet peatlands in the dry season in the U Minh Thuong
National Park (Photo: Quoi 2015) (right)
(a) Vegetation cover 2006
(b) Vegetation cover 2009
(c) Vegetation cover 2014
Fig. 29.15 Changes in vegetation covers in the U Minh Thuong National Park from 2006 to 2014.
(a) Vegetation cover 2006. (b) Vegetation cover 2009. (c) Vegetation cover 2014 (Sources: Quoi
2010b; Ha and Quoi 2014; APFP and SEApeat 2015a, b)
29 Management of Peatland in the Mekong River Delta of Vietnam
797