Research of landscape ecology in Son La province to serve socio - Economic planning and development

hierarchy of system  sub-system  class  sub-class  sub-class  type  sub-type  kind. CHAPTER 2. RESEARCH CONTENTS, VIEWPOINTS AND METHODS 2.1. Research Contents - Scientific bases of landscape ecology and landscape ecology classification - Characteristics of components of landscape ecology in Son La: Natural - social - economic conditions - human beings and human activities - System of landscape ecology in Son La - Change assessment of landscape ecology system in Son La - Suggestion of solutions for sustainable and proper use of natural resources in Son La 2.2. Theoretical viewpoints of the research 2.2.1. Systematic viewpoint The basis of the systemic viewpoints is the conception of the unity and completeness of internal relationships and the distribution of the external linkage of the system. 2.2.2. Synthetic viewpoint Synthesis is considered at two different views: (1) Synthesis is the process of comprehensive research on the natural and socio-economic conditions, the relationships between organisms in the ecosystem in the territory of the landscape. (2) Synthesis is a systematic and regulative combination based on comphrehensive and integrated analysis of the elements and factors of natural terrestrial aggregates, simultaneously, identifies biological laws, relationships between organisms in the geographic locations 2.2.3. Territorial viewpoint For the evaluation process to be effective, research should establish theoretical and practical issues related to organization and planning based on the approach of the territorial point of view. This ensures that the research territory is assessed not only in relation to neighbouring territories, but also for the specific characteristics of Son La province. 2.2.4. Historical perspective Every territorial unit or geographic entity has to go through the processes of formation, development and evolution over time. Thus, the process of assessing and perceiving the territory from a historical perspective is a full access to all aspects of territory in the past and forecast of their changes in the future. 2.2.5. Interdisciplinary and sustainable development viewpoints Sustainable Development (SD), a new and comprehensive aspect, has great concerned when the economic development affects on the human environment and natural resources. Research and assessment of landscape ecology from the SD point of view is understood to be an evaluation for each unit level based on an integrated assessment of the constituent elements, structure and functions of the landscape 7 ecology. Using landscape ecology units ensures economic, environmental and social factors in practice application. 2.3. Research methods 2.3.1. Fieldworks The fieldworks were conducted based on a detailed survey of the formation factors and the landscape slice. Main survey routes and timeframes include: - Route 1: Son La - Bac Yen - Phu Yen: April 15th - 14th, 2014. - Route 2: Son La - Thuan Chau - Muong La - Quynh Nhai: May 20 to 27, 2015. - Route 3: Son La - Mai Son - Yen Chau - Moc Chau: from March 1 to March 8, 2016. 2.3.2. Data and document analysis and synthesis Materials, data related to research topic, research areas are collected, selected, processed and systematized. 2.3.3. Mapping and GIS Map is considered as the second language of geography, because they are the most visible expressing spatial features of the research objects. Digital maps have enough spatial and attribute information for the features of interest, helping the composite mapping process to be performed accurately and objectively. Mapping and geographic information systems (GIS) are used in a various context throughout the research process. 2.3.4. Professional expert interview The researcher has consulted experts and scientists from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Institute of Geography, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Department of Science and Technology of Son La province; Son La Forest Protection Department, Son La Nature Reserve Management Board, University of Natural Sciences - VNU, Tay Bac University ... 2.3.5. Method group of landscape ecology research and assessment The methodology group includes: - Method of Conjugate component map analysis - Method of the dominant factor analysis - Method of LE mapping - Method of landscape zoning 2.4. Steps of research The research was done by this following main steps: Step 1. Difined the ojectives, duties and scales and contents of research Step 2. Collecting and reviewing typical issues related to thesis topic, at the same time, doing the field trips and identifying the differented characteristics of the constituent factors and their role in LE of Son La province. Step 3. Research the landscape and LE classification systems, then, construct the 1:100.000 scale map of LE in Son La. 8 Step 4. Calculate the area of each LE kind over time and the changes of each LE kind. Step 5. Give orientation of proper exploitation and use of territory toward socio-economic developmemt. CHAPTER 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 3.1. Natural conditions, human ecology elements - formation factors of landscape ecology 3.1.1. Natural conditions  Geographical location Son La is a mountainous province in northwestern Vietnam, far 280 km from south-east of Hanoi, with a total natural land area of 14,125 km², located in two large basins of Da River and Ma River. Located deeply in the continent, Son La is situated within the latitude of 20 °39’ N to 22 °02’ N and longitude of 103°11’ E to 105°02’ east longitude. It borders with Yen Bai, Lao Cai provinces to the north, with Phu Tho, Hoa Binh province to the east, with Lai Chau, Dien Bien provinces to the West and Thanh Hoa province, Laos to the south  Geology - Typography Geology: Son La belongs to the geosyncline zone of Da River, located between the two tectonic complexes of Hoang Lien Son mountain range and Ma River with deep-marine sediments of limestone, metamorphic schist and basis and acidic magma intrusive blocks. Typography: The arrangement of mountain ranges, terrain types and tropical monsoon regimes divide Son La into different natural areas such as: upland, midland and lowland with specific characteristics of climate. The largest limestone range in the north goes through Son La in the northwest - southeast direction, intercalated by the sediment of clay forming the system of Son La - Moc Chau plateau. This is a terrain type with special features of the province.  Climate and Hydrology Climate: Son La has a humid tropical monsoon climate, with mild winters and a dry season. Climate has a strong impact on the physical, chemical and biological processes of soil and rock. Hydrology: Territorial topography features create a dense network of rivers and streams in Son La that flow into the Da and Ma rivers. Therefore, these two rivers are the main hydrological systems of Son La and the natural boundary of the huge waterway of the Xu Xen Chao Chai Range.  Soil Results of soil survey, editing, land mapping at the rate of 1:100,000 (according to the soil classification system 1976-1984) in 2004 of the National Institute of Agricultural Planning and Projection shown that land resources in Son La province contain 7 groups with 24 types (mapping unit) with 1,329,644.1 ha, 9 accounting for 94.61% of the total natural area of the province (Table 3.1), (Figure 3.4).  Floras Because of characteristics of geographical location, topography, climate and soil, Son La province has very different ecosystems, the floras of conservation areas, special- use forests, production forests and cultivated areas are also different from those in the North East, the Red River Delta and elsewhere. Over time, the area of natural forests, plantation forests have been evolved according to the demands of each period for war serves, economic construction and people's life. In general, the natural forests in Son La province have been degraded considerably, the areas of bare land and hills have been increased. Despite the investment of the province to restore the forest, create a material source to meet the essential needs, both positive and negative human impacts have changed the appearance of forests in Son La. Natural forests have retreated to areas with difficult terrain, few inhabitants, or only protected in nature reserves, instead of regenerating forests, plantation forests, industrial plants with industrial trees, fruit trees and up-land fields. Reforestation, zoning for protection and rehabilitation have great efforts, however, a large area of bare hills widely still distributes in all topographic types and forms. The vegetation cover in Son La province is classified into four classes according to the classification framework of UNESCO 1973 (Figure 3.5). Class I: Closed forests are determined by over 60% of the wood tree covers and from 5m height of the trees Class II: thin forests are defined by the canopy cover (k) from 0.3 to 0.6. Some authors argued that this type of forests exists in some small areas in Moc Chau, Thuan Chau and Yen Chau districts (Son La). Through the survey, this forest types in Son La was almost depleted or cut down and to be shrub or grass cover Class III: Shrubs include woody vegetation cover with a height of 0.5 - 5m, possibly with scattered wood trees with canopy cover under 0.3. This class mostly have secondary origin and was regenerated after clear cutting or slash and burn. Only bushes on high mountains are primeval nature. Class IV: Grassland Most of the grasslands in Son La have secondary origin and are formed after clear cutting or slash and burn to create large gaps for grass growing 3.1.2. Elements of human ecology  Ethnics and Population: There are 12 ethnic groups in Son Lan, in which, the Thai have the most population, following by the Kinh, the H'mong, the Muong, the Dao, the Khơ Mú and others (Kháng, La Ha, Lào, Hoa, Xinh Mun...).  Poverty reduction and employment: In recent years, the National Program on Hunger Eradication and Poverty Reduction, socio-economic development projects such as Program 135; 134; sedentary 10 farming program; rural clean water and sanitation, etc. along with policies such as policy 120; subsidy policy, have been done in Son La  Economic structure: The economic growth rate in 2014 was higher than that of 2013 (10.26% in 2013 and 11.28% in 2014). The economic structure continued to change positively: the service sector increased from 40.92% in 2013 to 42.3% in 2014, occupied high proportion and are the most contribution of the economy; the industry-construction sector grew from 24.92% in 2013 to 26.65% in 2014; the agriculture, forestry and fishery sector decreased from 34.16% in 2013 to 31.05% in 2014.  Human impacts on the natural environment Water Environment: Surface water and groundwater in Son La province are polluted mainly by agricultural activities, urban and industrial wastewater, loss of upstream forests, migration and resettlement. Air environment: Human activities that polluted the air environment include construction, transportation, industrial production, forest fire and mining. Soil environment: The soil environment in Son La province is polluted and degraded due to migration, resettlement, agricultural production, industrial production, natural disasters and environmental incidents. 3.2. Classification system of landscape ecology in Son La province Based on analyzing the components of the landscape ecology system in Son La province, we set up the system of classifying the landscape ecologies in Son La province as follows: Son La is in the monsoon tropical zone, has a cold winter and a dry season. Thus landscape ecology is formed 4 classes, 5 sub-classes, 13 types, 33 sub- types and 63 kinds (table 3.2) Table 3.2. Statistics of landscape ecology units in Son La province System/ sub- systems Class Sub- class Type Sub-type Area (ha) LE system of moonso on tropical, LE sub- type of moonso on tropical with a mild cold winter and a Mounta in LE class (SLI) High mountai n LE sub- class (SLI-1) 1. Evergreen temperate and sub- tropical forests on high mountains, total of annual temperature under 5.500ºC, average annual temperature <10ºC, amount of rain: moderate to high, cold season has at least 8 months, dry season from 3-4 month, and a drought month (SLI-1-k1) 1. Forests on Humic Chromic Luvisol, including LE kind of 1a, 1b 2,172.56 11 System/ sub- systems Class Sub- class Type Sub-type Area (ha) dry season 2. Temperate and sub-tropical evergreen shrub on high mountain, annual temperature total: under 5.500ºC, annual average temperature: under 10ºC, cold season:8 months (SLI-1-k2) 2. Evergreen shrub on Humic Alisols including kind of 2g 35.21 LE sub- calss of everage mountai n (SLI-2) 3. Evergreen temperate on everage mountain forest, total of annual temperature under 5500°C, annual average temperature of 10 - 15°C, moderate rainfall, cold season in over 8 months, dry season in 5 - 6 months, in which 0÷3-month drought (SLI-2-k1) 3. Closed evergreen closed forests on Humic Alisols, including LE kind of 3c 745.90 4. Forests on Humic Ferrasols including LE kind of 4c 21,925.52 4. Sub-tropical bushes and grasses. Total of annual temperature under <5.500°C, average temperature from 10°C to 15° C, moderate rain. Cold season is less than 8 months, dry season is 5-6 months. The major botanical components are sub- tropical taxa. (SLI- 2-k2) 5. Shrubs and grasses on Humic Ferralsols, incl. kind of 5g. 1,189.71 6. Shrubs and grasses on Orthic Ferralsols, incl. kind of 6g 852.37 LE sub- class of low 5. Closed evergreen sub-tropical forests The total 7. Forests on Chromic Ferrasols, incl. kind of 7c 172,591.01 12 System/ sub- systems Class Sub- class Type Sub-type Area (ha) mountai ns (SLI-3) temperature of 5.500° - 7.300°C, the average temperature is 15 - 20°C, heavy rain, 4÷7-month seasons, 3÷4 month dry seasons, 0÷1-month drought (SLI-3-k1) 8. Closed evergreen sub-tropical forests on Orthic Ferralsols, incl. kind of 8c 96,940.17 9. Closed evergreen sub-tropical forests on Ferralic Acrisols, incl. kinds of 9c, 9e, 9f, 9k 63,845.74 10. Closed evergreen rainforests on Ferralsols, incl. kind of 10c 18,553.47 11. Mix bamboo forests on Ferralsols, incl. kind of 11e 5,341.79 6. Closed deciduous and semi-deciduous tropical rainforest (SLI-3-k2) 12. Closed deciduous and semi-deciduous tropical rainforests on Orthic Ferrasols, incl. kind of 12d 4,376.52 7. Tropical bushes and grasses (SLI-3- k3) 13. Tropical bushes and grasses on Orthic Ferralsols incl. kinds of 13g, 13i, 13k 43,383.45 14. Shrubs and bushes on Ferralic Acrisols, incl. kinds of 14g, 14i, 14k 103,482.64 15. Shrubs and bushes on other Ferrasols, incl. kinds of 15i, 15k 78,271.41 16. Shrubs and bushes onn Dystric Gleysols, incl. kind of 16i, 16k 3,620.75 17. Bushes on Chromic Ferralsols, incl. kinds of 17g, 17i, 17k 32,556.56 LE class of Pleatau LE subclas s of Son 8. Closed evergreen tropical rainforests, on the altitude of 18. Closed evergreen tropical rainforests Chromic Ferralsols, 37,314.74 13 System/ sub- systems Class Sub- class Type Sub-type Area (ha) (SLII) La pleatau 500 - 900m (1000m). Total of annual temperature over 7,300°C. Annual rainfalls from 500 - 2500 mm. <4 cold months. Everage temperature >20 ° C, 3÷4-month dry season, 0÷1-month drought. Major botanical components are tropical taxa (SLII- k1) incl. kinds of 18c, 18e, 18f 19. Closed evergreen tropical rainforests on Ferrasols, incl. kinds of 19c, 19f 32,720.81 20. Closed deciduous and semi-deciduous tropical rainforests on Chromic Ferralsols, incl. kind of 20f 917.49 21. Closed deciduous and semi-deciduous tropical rainforests on Acric Ferralsols, incl. kind of 21i 57,103.79 10. Tropical Shrubs and grasses (SLII-k3) 22. Shrubs and grasses on Chromic Ferralsols, incl. kinds of 22g, 22i, 22k 125,837.86 LE class of hills and lowland s at the altitude under 500m (SLIII) 11. Closed evergreeen tropical rainforests Total of annual temperature over 7300°C, average annual temperature >20°C, annual rainfalls are 1500- 2500 mm, <4-month cold season, 3÷4- month dry season, 0÷1-month drought, major botanical 23. Closed evergreeen tropical rainforests on Orthic Ferralsols, incl. kind of 23e 5,539.85 24. Closed evergreeen tropical rainforests on Chromic Ferralsols, incl. kinds of 24c, 24e, 24f, 24k 133,088.76 25. Closed deciduous and semi-deciduous tropical rainforests on 12,697.82 14 System/ sub- systems Class Sub- class Type Sub-type Area (ha) components are tropical taxa (SLIII- K1) other Ferrasols, incl. kinds of 25c, 25e 26. Closed deciduous and semi-deciduous tropical rainforests Ferralic Acrisols, incl. kind of 26e 1,943.37 12. Closed evergreen tropical rainforests Total of annual temperature >7300°C; evarage annual temperature > 20°C, annual rainfalls are 1500 - 2500 mm, <4-month cold season, 3÷4 - month dry season; 0÷1-month drought; major botanical components are tropical taxa, some of them migrate from the easth (SLIII-k2) 27. Closed deciduous and semi-deciduous tropical rainforests on Ferralic Acrisols, incl. kinds of 27c, 27e 25,541.54 28. Closed deciduous and semi-deciduous tropical rainforests on Chromic Ferralsols, incl. kind of 28d 263.07 29. Tropical shrubs and grasses on other Ferralsols, incl. kinds of 29g, 29i, 29k 87,688.30 13. Tropical shrubs and grasses (SLIII- k3) 30. Tropical shrubs and grasses on Chromic Ferralsol, incl. kind of 30i 3,263.44 31. Tropical shrubs and grasses on other Ferralsols, incl. kinds of 31i, 31k 187,967.04 32. Shrubs and grasses on Acric Ferralsols, incl. kinds of 32g, 32i, 32k 24,144.93 33. Bushes and grasses on Aluvisols, incl. kind of 33i 1,041.84 Rivers, streams , ponds, Rivers, streams , ponds, 25,490.64 15 System/ sub- systems Class Sub- class Type Sub-type Area (ha) lakes (SLIV) lakes Total 1,412,500.00 3.3. Change of Landscape ecology in Son La province Based on the results of the formulation factor study of LE (terrain, soil, climate) and hydrography, especially, the results of the vegetation cover survey in 2015 and documents collected from 2005, the thesis has established the map of LE in 2 periods of the year 2005 and 2015, and then assessed the variation of all types of LE in Son La province. 3.3.1. Map of landscape ecology in 2005 Based on LE analysis, synthesis and mapping in Son La province in 2005 (Figure 3.16), then determined the area and position of each LE type, the area of LE kinds in Son La province in 2005 is illustrated in Table 3.5 and figure 3.17. Figure 3.17. The area of LE kinds in Son La province in 2005 At the year 2005, the major LE kinds in Son La were 7c, 24c with an area of approximately 225,515.33 ha and 154,397.95 ha, respectively, followed by kind of 31i with an area of 149,101.44 ha and kinds of 22i with an area of 126,196.90 ha. Some LE kinds have smaller area such as 8c, 18c and 9c with a total of area is about 240,029.69 ha. The smallest kinds are scrubs on humic Alisols (2g) with 35.24 ha; residential land on low mountain (13k) with 59.79 ha; broadleaved deciduous and semi-deciduous forests on Ferralsols (27d) with 51.22 ha; residential land in class of hills and lowland (32k) with 63.16 ha; mixed broadleaved-coniferous forests on Humic Chromic Luvisol (1b) with an area of 269.25 ha. 16 3.3.2. Map of landscape ecology in 2015 By analyzing, synthesizing, mapping the STCQ of Son La province in 2015 (Figure 3.18), then determine the area and position of each type of STCQ. The area of STCQs in Son La province in 2015 is shown in Table 3.5 and figure 3.19. 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 100000 120000 140000 160000 180000 200000 1a 3c 6g 9c 9k 12d 13k 14k 15k 17g 18c 19c 21i 22k 24e 25c 27c 29g 30i 32g 33i Diện tích (ha) Loại cảnh quan Diện tích (ha) Các loại sinh thái cảnh quan Figure 3.19. The area of LE kinds in Son La province in 2015 In 2015, the major LE kinds are 7c with an area of 172,591.01 ha, 31i with an area of approximately 155,293.45 ha, 24c with an area of 128,613,93 ha and 22i with an area of 104,795.24 ha. Some smaller LE kinds are 8c, 9c and 14g with a total area of about 211,110.95 ha. The smallest area of LE kinds are grasses and bushes on humic Alisols (2g) with 35.21 ha; broadleaved deciduous and semi-deciduous forests on Chromic Ferralsols (28d) with an area of 263.07 ha; mixed broadleaved- coniferous forests on Humic Chromic Luvisols (1b) with an area of 268.98 ha. 3.3.3. Changes of landscape ecology in Son La over periods Based on data of area of LE kinds in 2005 and 2015, the changes of area of LE kinds between 2005-2015 are shown in Table 3.5 and figure 3.20. Table 3.5. Changes of ara of landscape ecology kinds between 2005 and 2015 Unit: ha No. Code of LE kinds Area of LE kinds in 2005 Area of LE kinds in 2015 Changes between 2005 - 2015 1 1a 1,905.50 1,903.58 -1.92 2 1b 269.25 268.98 -0.27 3 2g 35.24 35.21 -0.03 4 3c 746.66 745.90 -0.76 5 4c 22,330.56 21,925.52 -405.04 17 No. Code of LE kinds Area of LE kinds in 2005 Area of LE kinds in 2015 Changes between 2005 - 2015 6 5g 1,190.91 1,189.71 -1.20 7 6g 853.23 852.37 -0.86 8 7c 225,515.33 172,591.01 -52,924.32 9 8c 102,901.40 96,940.17 -5,961.23 10 9c 65,702.57 59,107.08 -6,595.49 11 9e 133.76 133.62 -0.14 12 9f 3,749.50 1,912.24 -1,837.26 13 9k - 2,692.80 2,692.80 14 10c 21,641.40 18,553.47 -3,087.93 15 11e 5,567.10 5,341.79 -225.31 16 12d 4,380.95 4.376,52 -4.43 17 13g 5,530.24 8,747.37 3,217.13 18 13i 22,196.71 33,437.08 11,240.37 19 13k 59.79 1,199.00 1,139.21 20 14g 33,609.97 55,063.70 21,453.73 21 14i 26,212.11 45,738.75 19,526.64 22 14k 912.05 2,680.19 1,768.14 23 15g 21,175.06 21,959.09 784.03 24 15i 59,685.44 50,666.54 -9,018.90 25 15k 6,163.54 5,645.78 -517.76 26 16i 2,649.09 2,646.42 -2.67 27 16k 372.54 974.33 601.79 28 17g 8,645.78 8,629.80 -15.98 29 17i 20,175.52 17,160.58 -3,014.94 30 17k 2,927.74 6,766.18 3,838.44 31 18c 71,425.72 33,455.82 -37,969.90 32 18e 2,470.05 547.39 -1,922.66 33 18f 1,972.82 3,311.53 1,338.71 34 19c 21,082.33 29,477.79 8,395.46 35 19f 2,121.67 3,243.02 1,121.35 36 20f 918.41 917.49 -0.92 37 21i 1,241.73 57,103.79 55,862.06 38 22g 17,012.97 16,593.36 -419.61 39 22i 126,196.90 104,795.24 -21,401.66 40 22k 4,827.12 4,449.23 -377.89 41 23e 5,407.59 5,539.85 132.26 42 24c 154,397.95 128,613.93 -25,784.02 43 24e 962.80 964.66 1.86 44 24f 1,835.76 2,945.67 1,109.91 18 No. Code of LE kinds Area of LE kinds in 2005 Area of LE kinds in 2015 Changes between 2005 - 2015 45 24k - 564.50 564.50 46 25c 10,249.44 9,232.27 -1,017.17 47 25e 3,800.54 3,465.55 -334.99 48 26e 2,202.95 1,943.37 -259.58 49 27c 31,299.49 23,925.28 -7,374.21 50 27d 51.22 0 -51.22 51 27e 1.752.85 1,616.26 -136.59 52 28d 212.11 263.07 50.96 53 29g 52,418.83 50,964.86 -1,453.97 54 29i 20,616.71 20,724.18 107.47 55 29k 3,131.90 15,999.26 12,867.36 56 30i 1,723.80 3,263.44 1,539.64 57 31i 149,101.44 155,293.45 6,192.01 58 31k 22,775.38 32,673.59 9,898.21 59 32g 17,452.49 22,320.89 4,868.40 60 32i 1,102.12 1,547.29 445.17 61 32k 63.16 276.75 213.59 62 33i 232.81 1,091.84 859.03 63 34l 15,200.00 25,490.64 10,290.64 Total of area 1,412,500.00 1,412,500.00 0 -60000 -40000 -20000 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 1a 3c 6g 9c 9k 12d 13k 14k 15k 17g 18c 19c 21i 22k 24e 25c 27c 28d 29k 31k 32k Loại cảnh quan Diện tích (ha) Các loại sinh thái cảnh quan Figure 3.20: The area changes of LE kinds in Son La overtime 19 Overlapi