The Vietnam Red Book 2004, set to be released, will officially include numerous endangered species of animals and plants (extinct or at high risk of extinction).
From 2001 to 2003, the project to revise and compile the Vietnam Red Book 2004, led by the National Center for Natural Science and Technology, now known as the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, involved the participation of a large number of scientific staff from various sectors across the country.
The results of the project indicate a worrying change in the threat levels for various animal and plant species in nature.
Revision of the Red Book
The Vietnam Red Book consists of two sections: Animals and Plants. Initially drafted and published in 1992 and 1996, the Vietnam Red Book quickly became a vital resource, widely utilized across various sectors and localities as a basis for reviewing, evaluating, and addressing violations of state laws and regulations regarding the hunting, exploitation, transportation, and trade of wildlife species at risk of extinction, as well as proposing necessary protective measures for each species.
Since the publication of the Vietnam Red Book 1992-1996, the state of nature in our country in general and biodiversity in particular has changed and requires updates with new information.
Therefore, the revision and compilation of the Vietnam Red Book 2004 is essential.
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The Sika Deer is now extinct in the wild |
After two years of implementation, with the collaboration of over 70 scientists, the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology has completed the drafting of both essential documents: the Vietnam Red Data List 2004 and the Vietnam Red Book 2004, which were highly praised by the State Acceptance Council.
The results of the project to revise and compile the Vietnam Red Book 2004 (not yet released) reveal new situations regarding biodiversity in our country after a decade.
Increase in endangered species…
The total number of wild animal and plant species threatened at various levels has risen to 857 species, including 407 animal species and 450 plant species.
Compared to the data published in the Vietnam Red Book 1992-1996, which listed 709 threatened species (359 animal species and 350 plant species), it is evident that the current number of threatened species has significantly increased.
What is even more concerning is the alarming change in the threat levels for individual animal and plant components in nature.
In the animal category, the highest threat level in the Vietnam Red Book 1992 was classified as Critically Endangered, but by 2004, there are now six species deemed extinct within the territory.
Regarding wild mammals, there are three species: The Javan Rhinoceros, the Sunda Pangolin, and the Otter are now considered completely extinct. The Sika Deer only exists in a controlled environment and is extinct in the wild.
Among aquatic species, the native carp and the saltwater crocodile are also considered completely extinct in nature.
Currently, there are 149 aquatic animal species classified as Critically Endangered, a significant increase from the 71 species listed in the Vietnam Red Book 1992.
There are 46 species classified as Extremely Endangered, with the highest numbers found in the following groups: Mammals (12 species), Birds (11 species), Amphibians and Reptiles (9 species), Insects (4 species)…
Notably, some beautiful insect species with striking shapes and colors are facing high levels of hunting pressure and are classified as Extremely Endangered such as: the Stag Beetle, the Giant Horned Beetle, the Three-Horned Scarab, and the Four-Spotted Butterfly.
In the plant category, while no species are currently classified as extinct, some species previously listed as Vulnerable in the Vietnam Red Book 1996 have been reclassified to Endangered and Critically Endangered.
The Vietnam Red Book 1996 listed only 24 species as Endangered, which has now increased to 192 species, of which 45 species are considered Critically Endangered. Most of these species belong to the Magnoliophyta (Angiosperms) and Pinophyta (Gymnosperms) groups.
Among the currently Critically Endangered plant species, there are valuable timber trees such as: the Weeping Cedar, the Yellow Cedar, the Taiwan Cypress, and some valuable medicinal plants like: Red Flower Ginseng, Vũ Diệp Ginseng, Wild Ginseng, and endemic species of Vietnam such as: Tam Đảo’s Giác đế and the Curved Leaf Star.
Rare ornamental plants such as: Red Lady’s Slipper, Jewel Orchid, Tam Đảo’s Lady’s Slipper, and Helen’s Lady’s Slipper are also classified as Extremely Endangered.
In the Vietnam Red Book 2004, the number of species assessed as Vulnerable has also significantly increased. For plants and animals, the numbers classified in this category are 209 and 173 species, respectively.
The group that has seen the highest increase includes: Birds, Freshwater Fish, Mammals, Insects, and Marine Animals. For plants, the Magnoliophyta group, which previously had only 48 species classified as Vulnerable, has now surged to 180 species.
It is worth noting that some wild animal species are considered extinct in the wild within our territory, such as: the Javan Rhinoceros, the Sunda Pangolin, the Otter; or may have gone extinct like some reptiles that still exist in neighboring countries.
Protecting Wild Animals and Plants: An Urgent Task
From the above results, it is evident that the level of biodiversity in our country is under serious threat.
The completion of the Vietnam Red Book 2004 not only contributes to assessing the current state of biodiversity but also predicts developmental trends in the future while providing a basis for drafting the Biodiversity Protection Law in Vietnam, which is currently underway.
At the same time, it raises urgent tasks concerning the conservation of our country’s natural biological resources, focusing not only on economically valuable species but also on those with scientific and cultural significance. The Vietnam Red Book will be released in the near future. By then, will the situation be even more critical?
Dr. Dang Ngoc Thanh (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) – according to Hà Nội Mới
