Difference between revisions of "Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area"

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[[Asia]] > [[Vietnam]] > [[Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area]]
  
[[Region]] > [[Country]] > [[Site]]
+
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with one sentence for each section. May include a site map -->
 
+
<div style="float: right">
= Summary = <!-- An overview of the site, with a one sentence overview of each of the following sections. can include a site map -->
+
{{#display_map: height=200px | width=300px | scrollzoom=off | zoom=5 | layers= OpenStreetMap, OpenTopoMap
 
+
|21.725966, 104.139148~[[Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area]]~Western black crested gibbons
* Ape taxa present  
+
}}
* Ape population size
+
</div>
* Ape population trend  
+
* Western black crested gibbons (''Nomascus concolor'') are present in Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area.
* This site has a total size of XX km².
+
* A minimum of 14 groups and 47 individuals were estimated to inhabit the site in 2010.
* Key threats to apes are ...
+
* The gibbon population trend is unknown.
* Additional information
+
* The site has a total size of 203 km².
 
+
* Key threats to gibbons are hunting and habitat degradation due to logging and agriculture.
 
+
* Conservation activities have focused on patrolling, awareness campaigns, and gun control.
= Site characteristics =
 
 
 
  
This section includes a paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, a brief history of the site and on animals and plants that are known to occur at the site.
+
= Site characteristics = <!-- A paragraph summary of physical and geographic aspects of the site, and a table of key information -->
  
 +
The Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation (SHCA) area was established in 2006. It is located approximately 30 km from the Mu Cang Chai town in the west of Yen Bai province, north-west Vietnam, in the southwestern part of the Hoang Lien mountain chain: from 21o 48'N to 21o 38'N, north to south, and 103o 56'E to 104o 10'E, west to east (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010). The protected area is located entirely within Mu Cang Chai District, which constitutes the most westerly protrusion of Yen Bai Province, bordered by Lao Cai Province to the north (Van Ban District), Lai Chau to the west (Than Uyen District), Son La to the south (Muong La District) and Van Chan District of Yen Bai to the east. The protected area is centered on Che Tao Commune, but includes surrounding areas of Lao Chai, De Xu Phinh, Pung Luong and Nam Khat communes along the north and eastern boundaries (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010).
 +
The site is of very high conservation importance within the Hoang Lien mountain range . The Hoang Lien Mountains are particularly important for conifers, amphibians, reptiles and birds. In addition, the site is known for its population of western black crested gibbons and Indochinese grey langurs (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010).
  
 
+
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area'''
'''Table 1: Basic site information for XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="basic-information"
| Area             <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha   -->
+
| Area <!-- Please include units: km2/ha e.g 200ha -->
|
+
|203 km²
 
|-
 
|-
| Coordinates
+
|Coordinates
|
+
|21.725966, 104.139148
 
|-
 
|-
| Designation     <!-- National Park, Nature Reserve, etc.  -->
+
|Designation
|
+
|Species and Habitat Conservation Area
 
|-
 
|-
|Habitat types   <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (Without number), see link below -->
+
|Habitat types <!-- List IUCN Habitat Classification 3.0 categories present (without number), see link below -->
|
+
|Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest
 
|}
 
|}
[http://www.unitar.org/hiroshima/sites/unitar.org.hiroshima/files/Annex%201%20-%20IUCN%20Classification%20Schemes.pdf IUCN habitat categories]   [[Site designations]]
+
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/habitat-classification-scheme IUCN habitat categories] [[Site designations]]
<br>
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
= Ape status =  <!-- a text overview of ape status (population sizes, trends etc), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This section includes a brief summary of the survey history, the most recent abundance estimate, date of the estimate, and, if available, the population trend (if explicitely stated in a report/paper).
 
  
 +
= Ape status = <!--An overview of ape population status (population sizes, trends, etc.), followed by a table of specific surveys and results -->
  
 +
Mu Cang Chai SHCA is the most important site in Vietnam for conservation of ''N. concolor''. The gibbon population in this protected area is one of  the best documented in Vietnam. A census in spring 2010 recorded at least 14 groups containing a minimum of 47 individuals (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010), within a population of 20 groups including those in neighbouring Muong La District (Rawson et al. 2011). This is slightly higher than survey results in 2006, 2007 and 2008 (11 groups with >40 individuals). These data indicate the gibbon population is stable or has increased slightly in Mu Cang Chai in recent years, although previous declines between 2000 and 2006 were significant despite conservation interventions. In 2010, gibbon numbers were significantly lower than in 2000, when at least 23 groups were thought to be present within a total population of 39 groups. The methods used for gibbon surveys from 2006 to 2010 were similar, with full surveys across Mu Cang Chai and Muong La conducted in the springtime, so the results are directly comparable. A severe decline appears to have occurred during the first half of the decade, despite on-going conservation efforts at the time (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010).
  
'''Table 2: Ape population estimates in XXXX'''
+
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates in Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area'''
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="population-estimate-table"
 
! Species
 
! Species
 
! Year
 
! Year
! Abundance estimate (95% confidence interval)
+
! Total number indiv. (95% CI)
! Density estimate (per km²)
+
! Total number groups (95% CI)
! Encounter rate (nests/km)
+
! Density ​​[groups/km²​] (95% CI)
 
! Area
 
! Area
 
! Method
 
! Method
Line 72: Line 60:
 
! A.P.E.S. database ID
 
! A.P.E.S. database ID
 
|-
 
|-
 +
|''Nomascus concolor''
 +
|2010
 +
|47
 +
|14
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Mu Cang Chai SHCA
|
+
|Fixed-point triangulation
|
+
|Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 86: Line 74:
 
= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
 
= Threats =    <!-- a text overview of threats, followed by a table of key threats -->
  
 +
Hunting is the primary threat to gibbons at Mu Cang Chai SHCA. Hunting intensity is thought to have decreased since 2003, following a gun confiscation and awareness campaign when 2,618 guns were confiscated. However, in 2010, the number of gunshots heard in the forest during gibbon survey days had increased (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010). Ongoing loss and degradation of gibbon habitats is due to selective logging for ''Fokienia hodginsii'' and clearance for cardamom cultivation, livestock grazing and agriculture. The use of chainsaws to collect timber has increased (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010), suggesting that efficiency and/or quantity of timber extraction in and near the protected area has increased (Rawson et al. 2011). Due to its remoteness, threats to this forest were less severe than other sites with N. concolor, but this will soon change with the completion of two new district roads,  and the impending construction of two hydropower dams (Rawson et al. 2011).
  
This sections describes threats at the site, particularly those relevant for apes and thereby provides context for the threats listed in the table below.
+
'''Table 3. Threats to apes in Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area'''
 
 
 
 
'''Table 3: Threats to apes in XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="threats-table"
!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
+
!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE THREAT CATEGORIES -->
!Specific threats   <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
+
!Specific threats <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the IUCN list linked below -->
!Threat level       <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: unknown, low, high -->
+
!Threat level <!-- For threat level, please use keywords: low, medium, high, present, absent, unknown-->
!Quantified severity <!-- e.g., encounter rate, number of miners etc. (with reference)-->
+
!Quantified severity <!-- Enter any available quantification of the threat, e.g., the proportion of the area affected by the threat, hunting sign encounter rates-->
!Description         <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
+
!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
!Year of threat     <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets-->
+
!Year of threat <!-- Enter specific year(s), “ongoing”, or “unknown”. If the threat is ongoing, please add the year of reference in parentheses -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 107: Line 93:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 +
|2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops
 +
|High
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Cardamom cultivation and other crops (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010).
|
+
|Ongoing (2010)
|
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 121: Line 107:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 +
|4.1 Roads & railroads
 +
|Present, but threat severity is unknown
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Two new district roads, which link up with at least two villages partially enclosed by this horseshoe-shaped protected area (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010).
|
+
|Ongoing (2010)
|
 
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|5. Biological resource use
 
|5. Biological resource use
 +
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
 +
|High
 
|
 
|
 +
|Gunshots heard during 2010 survey in spite of an awareness campaign and gun confiscation in 2003 (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010).
 +
|Ongoing (2010)
 +
|-
 
|
 
|
 +
|5.3 Logging & wood harvesting
 +
|High
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Selective logging for ''Fokienia hodginsii'' and clearance for cardamom cultivation, livestock grazing and agriculture. The use of chainsaws to collect timber has increased, suggesting that efficiency and/or quantity of timber extraction in and near the protected area has increased (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010).
|
+
|Ongoing (2010)
 
|-
 
|-
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
+
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 142: Line 135:
 
|-
 
|-
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 +
|7.2 Dams & water management/use
 +
|High
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Impending construction of two hydropower dams will cause further loss and degradation of gibbon habitats and increase access to the site for hunters and traders (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010).
|
+
 
|
+
|Ongoing (2010)
|
 
 
|-
 
|-
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 157: Line 151:
 
|9. Pollution
 
|9. Pollution
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 164: Line 158:
 
|10. Geological Events
 
|10. Geological Events
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
|11. Climate change & severe weather
+
| 11. Climate change & severe weather
|
 
 
|
 
|
 +
|Unknown
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 178: Line 172:
 
|12. Other options
 
|12. Other options
 
|
 
|
|
+
|Absent
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 186: Line 180:
 
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
 
[https://www.iucnredlist.org/resources/threat-classification-scheme IUCN Threats list]
  
 +
= Conservation activities =      <!-- A summary of the conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
  
 +
Since 1999, FFI has worked at the site and promoted ''N. concolor'' as a flagship species for conservation. The decline in gibbons between 2000 and 2006 in Che Tao Commune occurred despite it being the focal location for FFI’s activities, which included a gun control programme, awareness campaigns, community-based patrols, livelihood initiatives in two villages, and community participation in zoning and establishing the protected area (Rawson et al. 2011).
 +
From 2007, FFI has focussed on maintaining and strengthening the patrols, which are now directly managed by protected area staff, and developing the model for local stakeholder involvement in managing the protected area (Rawson et al. 2011).
  
= Conservation activities =      <!-- a text overview of conservation activities, followed by a table of key activities -->
+
'''Table 4. Conservation activities in Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area'''
 
 
 
 
This sections describes conservation interventions implemented at the site, including information on which organizations are implementing them and thereby provides context for the conservation activities listed in the table below.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
'''Table 4: Conservation activities in XXXX'''
 
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="conservation-actions-table"
!align="left"|Category <!-- Do not change threat categories -->
+
!align="left"|Category <!-- PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THE CATEGORIES -->
!Specific activity   <!-- For specific threats, please use list of comma separated keywords from the list linked below -->
+
!Specific activity <!-- For specific threats, please use list from the list linked below, OR enter “Not reported” -->
!Description         <!-- You can add descriptive information here -->
+
!Description <!-- Add descriptive information -->
!Year of activity         <!-- if ongoing or unknown add year of reference in brackets -->
+
!Year of activity <!-- Add descriptive information -->
 
|-
 
|-
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
 
|1. Residential & commercial development
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
 
|2. Agriculture & aquaculture
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|3. Energy production & mining
 
|3. Energy production & mining
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
 
|4. Transportation & service corridors
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|5. Biological resource use
 
|5. Biological resource use
|
+
|5.16. Implement community control of patrolling, banning hunting and removing snares
|
+
|Community-based patrol (Rawson et al. 2011).
|
+
|Ongoing (2011)
 
|-
 
|-
|6. Human intrusions & disturbance
+
|6. Human intrusion & disturbance
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|7. Natural system modifications
 
|7. Natural system modifications
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
 
|8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|9. Pollution
 
|9. Pollution
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|10. Education & Awareness  
 
|10. Education & Awareness  
|
+
|10.1. Educate local communities about primates and sustainable use
|
+
|FFI has conducted awareness campaigns (Rawson et al. 2011).
|
+
|Ongoing (2011)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|11. Habitat Protection
 
|11. Habitat Protection
|
+
|11.2. Legally protect primate habitat
|
+
|Protected area established with the participation of the community (Rawson et al. 2011).
|
+
|Ongoing (2011)
 
|-
 
|-
 
|12. Species Management
 
|12. Species Management
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives  
 
|13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives  
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
Line 270: Line 260:
 
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
 
[[Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)]]
  
 +
= Challenges = <!-- Overview of challenges in ape conservation -->
  
 +
Although not entirely conclusive, the main reasons for the decline of gibbons between 2000 and 2006 were identified as a local propensity for hunting, weaknesses in the patrolling model, weak government support and unfocussed conservation interventions inhibiting effective responses to urgent and emerging conservation needs (Swan unpublished data; Rawson et al. 2011).
  
= Impediments = <!-- Overview of impediments to ape conservation -->
+
'''Table 5. Challenges reported for Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area'''
 
+
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="challenges-table"
 
+
!align="left"|Challenge <!-- Do not change categories -->
Description of impediments that may hamper conservation activities.
+
!Source <!-- Source for challenge mentioned -->
 
+
|-
 
+
|Weak government support
'''Table 5: Impediments reported for XXXX'''
+
|Rawson et al. 2011
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="impediments-table"
 
!align="left"|Impediment  <!-- Do not change categories -->
 
!Source   <!-- source for impediment mentioned -->
 
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|Lack of law enforcement
|
+
|Rawson et al. 2011
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
 
 
  
 
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
 
= Research activities = <!-- Overview of research activities -->
 
 
Short description of past and ongoing research activities at the site.
 
  
  
 
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
 
===Documented behaviours===  <!-- List of any behaviours observed at the site, including citations -->
  
'''Table 6: Ape behaviors reported for XXXX'''
+
'''Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area'''
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
 
{| border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" class="behaviors-table"
!align="left"|Behavior <!-- Do not change categories -->
+
!align="left"|Behavior
!Source   <!-- source for behavior -->
+
!Source
 
|-
 
|-
|
+
|Not reported
 
|
 
|
 
|-
 
|-
 
|}
 
|}
  
 
+
=External links=
===Relevant datasets===
+
[https://www.fauna-flora.org/app/uploads/old-images/2010-MCC-ML-Gibbon-census-report_EN.pdf]
[http://apesportal.eva.mpg.de/database/archiveMap A.P.E.S Portal]
 
 
 
<br>
 
 
 
  
 
= References =
 
= References =
 
+
Rawson, B. M, Insua-Cao, P., Nguyen Manh Ha, Van Ngoc Thinh, Hoang Minh Duc, Mahood, S., Geissmann, T. and Roos, C. 2011. The Conservation Status of Gibbons in Vietnam. Fauna & Flora International/Conservation International, Hanoi, Vietnam.  <br>
 +
Le Trong Dat, and Le Minh Phong. 2010. 2010 census of western black crested gibbon Nomascus concolor in Mu Cang Chai Species/Habitat Conservation Area (Yen Bai Province) and adjacent forests in Muong La District (Son La Province). Fauna & Flora International Vietnam Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam. <br>
  
 
<br>
 
<br>
'''Page completed by:'''XXXX '''   Date:''' DD/MM/YY  <br>
+
'''Page completed by: '''A.P.E.S. Wiki team''' Date:''' 17/04/2023 <!-- If you don't want to add your name, you can add "A.P.E.S. Wiki team" -->
 
 
<i>Please consider whether any information you would like to add is sensitive and could be misused to harm apes. Please do not add such information. If unsure, you can contact the Wiki manager (contact details on start page) for clarification.</i>
 
<br><br>
 

Latest revision as of 05:54, 17 April 2023

Asia > Vietnam > Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area

Summary

Loading map...
  • Western black crested gibbons (Nomascus concolor) are present in Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area.
  • A minimum of 14 groups and 47 individuals were estimated to inhabit the site in 2010.
  • The gibbon population trend is unknown.
  • The site has a total size of 203 km².
  • Key threats to gibbons are hunting and habitat degradation due to logging and agriculture.
  • Conservation activities have focused on patrolling, awareness campaigns, and gun control.

Site characteristics

The Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation (SHCA) area was established in 2006. It is located approximately 30 km from the Mu Cang Chai town in the west of Yen Bai province, north-west Vietnam, in the southwestern part of the Hoang Lien mountain chain: from 21o 48'N to 21o 38'N, north to south, and 103o 56'E to 104o 10'E, west to east (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010). The protected area is located entirely within Mu Cang Chai District, which constitutes the most westerly protrusion of Yen Bai Province, bordered by Lao Cai Province to the north (Van Ban District), Lai Chau to the west (Than Uyen District), Son La to the south (Muong La District) and Van Chan District of Yen Bai to the east. The protected area is centered on Che Tao Commune, but includes surrounding areas of Lao Chai, De Xu Phinh, Pung Luong and Nam Khat communes along the north and eastern boundaries (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010). The site is of very high conservation importance within the Hoang Lien mountain range . The Hoang Lien Mountains are particularly important for conifers, amphibians, reptiles and birds. In addition, the site is known for its population of western black crested gibbons and Indochinese grey langurs (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010).

Table 1. Basic site information for Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area

Area 203 km²
Coordinates 21.725966, 104.139148
Designation Species and Habitat Conservation Area
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest

IUCN habitat categories Site designations

Ape status

Mu Cang Chai SHCA is the most important site in Vietnam for conservation of N. concolor. The gibbon population in this protected area is one of the best documented in Vietnam. A census in spring 2010 recorded at least 14 groups containing a minimum of 47 individuals (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010), within a population of 20 groups including those in neighbouring Muong La District (Rawson et al. 2011). This is slightly higher than survey results in 2006, 2007 and 2008 (11 groups with >40 individuals). These data indicate the gibbon population is stable or has increased slightly in Mu Cang Chai in recent years, although previous declines between 2000 and 2006 were significant despite conservation interventions. In 2010, gibbon numbers were significantly lower than in 2000, when at least 23 groups were thought to be present within a total population of 39 groups. The methods used for gibbon surveys from 2006 to 2010 were similar, with full surveys across Mu Cang Chai and Muong La conducted in the springtime, so the results are directly comparable. A severe decline appears to have occurred during the first half of the decade, despite on-going conservation efforts at the time (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010).

Table 2. Ape population estimates in Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area

Species Year Total number indiv. (95% CI) Total number groups (95% CI) Density ​​[groups/km²​] (95% CI) Area Method Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Nomascus concolor 2010 47 14 Mu Cang Chai SHCA Fixed-point triangulation Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010

Threats

Hunting is the primary threat to gibbons at Mu Cang Chai SHCA. Hunting intensity is thought to have decreased since 2003, following a gun confiscation and awareness campaign when 2,618 guns were confiscated. However, in 2010, the number of gunshots heard in the forest during gibbon survey days had increased (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010). Ongoing loss and degradation of gibbon habitats is due to selective logging for Fokienia hodginsii and clearance for cardamom cultivation, livestock grazing and agriculture. The use of chainsaws to collect timber has increased (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010), suggesting that efficiency and/or quantity of timber extraction in and near the protected area has increased (Rawson et al. 2011). Due to its remoteness, threats to this forest were less severe than other sites with N. concolor, but this will soon change with the completion of two new district roads, and the impending construction of two hydropower dams (Rawson et al. 2011).

Table 3. Threats to apes in Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area

Category Specific threats Threat level Quantified severity Description Year of threat
1. Residential & commercial development Unknown
2. Agriculture & aquaculture 2.1 Annual & perennial non-timber crops High Cardamom cultivation and other crops (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010). Ongoing (2010)
3. Energy production & mining Unknown
4. Transportation & service corridors 4.1 Roads & railroads Present, but threat severity is unknown Two new district roads, which link up with at least two villages partially enclosed by this horseshoe-shaped protected area (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010). Ongoing (2010)
5. Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals High Gunshots heard during 2010 survey in spite of an awareness campaign and gun confiscation in 2003 (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010). Ongoing (2010)
5.3 Logging & wood harvesting High Selective logging for Fokienia hodginsii and clearance for cardamom cultivation, livestock grazing and agriculture. The use of chainsaws to collect timber has increased, suggesting that efficiency and/or quantity of timber extraction in and near the protected area has increased (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010). Ongoing (2010)
6. Human intrusion & disturbance Unknown
7. Natural system modifications 7.2 Dams & water management/use High Impending construction of two hydropower dams will cause further loss and degradation of gibbon habitats and increase access to the site for hunters and traders (Le Trong Dat & Le Minh Phong 2010). Ongoing (2010)
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Unknown
9. Pollution Unknown
10. Geological Events Absent
11. Climate change & severe weather Unknown
12. Other options Absent

IUCN Threats list

Conservation activities

Since 1999, FFI has worked at the site and promoted N. concolor as a flagship species for conservation. The decline in gibbons between 2000 and 2006 in Che Tao Commune occurred despite it being the focal location for FFI’s activities, which included a gun control programme, awareness campaigns, community-based patrols, livelihood initiatives in two villages, and community participation in zoning and establishing the protected area (Rawson et al. 2011). From 2007, FFI has focussed on maintaining and strengthening the patrols, which are now directly managed by protected area staff, and developing the model for local stakeholder involvement in managing the protected area (Rawson et al. 2011).

Table 4. Conservation activities in Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area

Category Specific activity Description Year of activity
1. Residential & commercial development Not reported
2. Agriculture & aquaculture Not reported
3. Energy production & mining Not reported
4. Transportation & service corridors Not reported
5. Biological resource use 5.16. Implement community control of patrolling, banning hunting and removing snares Community-based patrol (Rawson et al. 2011). Ongoing (2011)
6. Human intrusion & disturbance Not reported
7. Natural system modifications Not reported
8. Invasive & other problematic species, genes, diseases Not reported
9. Pollution Not reported
10. Education & Awareness 10.1. Educate local communities about primates and sustainable use FFI has conducted awareness campaigns (Rawson et al. 2011). Ongoing (2011)
11. Habitat Protection 11.2. Legally protect primate habitat Protected area established with the participation of the community (Rawson et al. 2011). Ongoing (2011)
12. Species Management Not reported
13. Livelihood; Economic & Other Incentives Not reported

Conservation activities list (Junker et al. 2017)

Challenges

Although not entirely conclusive, the main reasons for the decline of gibbons between 2000 and 2006 were identified as a local propensity for hunting, weaknesses in the patrolling model, weak government support and unfocussed conservation interventions inhibiting effective responses to urgent and emerging conservation needs (Swan unpublished data; Rawson et al. 2011).

Table 5. Challenges reported for Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area

Challenge Source
Weak government support Rawson et al. 2011
Lack of law enforcement Rawson et al. 2011

Research activities

Documented behaviours

Table 6. Ape behaviors reported for Mu Cang Chai Species and Habitat Conservation Area

Behavior Source
Not reported

External links

[1]

References

Rawson, B. M, Insua-Cao, P., Nguyen Manh Ha, Van Ngoc Thinh, Hoang Minh Duc, Mahood, S., Geissmann, T. and Roos, C. 2011. The Conservation Status of Gibbons in Vietnam. Fauna & Flora International/Conservation International, Hanoi, Vietnam.
Le Trong Dat, and Le Minh Phong. 2010. 2010 census of western black crested gibbon Nomascus concolor in Mu Cang Chai Species/Habitat Conservation Area (Yen Bai Province) and adjacent forests in Muong La District (Son La Province). Fauna & Flora International Vietnam Programme, Hanoi, Vietnam.


Page completed by: A.P.E.S. Wiki team Date: 17/04/2023