Laboratory of Terrestrial Ecology
Head of Department: Ph.D. Vu Manh
The department of terrestrial tropical ecology is a research unit of the Southern Branch of the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Center and was established in 1992. The department performs research functions, applying and transferring technologies, providing scientific and technical services, and training human resources in the field of terrestrial ecology.
Main research directions
- Researching biodiversity and biological resources of terrestrial ecosystems; proposing solutions for conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of forest ecosystems.
- Researching the factors affecting climate change and proposing adaptation solutions.
- Studying the impacts of chemical warfare on the ecological environment.
- Researching applied ecology and ecological security issues.
Facility and equipment
The department is fully provided with equipment for terrestrial ecological research such as a system of 02 climate monitoring stations in Cat Tien and Can Gio National Parks; a mobile soil-derived emissions survey chamber; a multiphase fluorescence meter; E-Instrument E4500-S flue gas and flue gas analyzer; Oregon 550 GPS locator; Leica Disto Dx Distance Meter; Night vision camcorder sony AXP35 Handycam…
Main results
Completed about 40 scientific and technological topics and tasks of all levels.
Some outstanding results:
- Collecting and describing a large amount of data on biodiversity and the current state of various tropical ecosystems in a number of national parks and reserves of the southern provinces (including the national parks of Yokdon, Cat Tien, Bidoup-Nui Ba, Lo Go - Sa Mat, Con Dao, Phu Quoc, Bu Gia Map; national reserves of Vinh Cuu, Binh Chau - Phuoc Buu, Can Gio, etc.). Solutions for the restoration, protection, and sustainable use of natural resources have been proposed. A large number of new species of animals, plants, and microorganisms have been described, which are of great practical importance for science and society;
- A large amount of data has been obtained on the dynamics of heat, moisture, and CO2 flow in tropical forest ecosystems to determine and evaluate the role of forest ecosystems in the context of climate change in southern Vietnam;
- Evaluating changes in temperature, humidity, and CO2 flow in the tropical forest ecosystems in the South of Vietnam.
- Applied ecology research has given solutions for the conservation of the environment in terms of reducing air and soil pollution. Solutions have been developed to prevent bird-related accidents at military airfields; some valuable plant and animal genetic resources of significance in biomedicine have been identified;
- Training: Participating in organizing internships for students of Moscow State University (Russian Federation) in some national parks in the South; participating in guiding students majoring in biology at a number of universities in Ho Chi Minh City.
Form of cooperation
- Coordinating with units inside and outside the Center to conduct research on biodiversity and ecology of tropical forests and climate change in order to publish results in prestigious international journals.
- Carrying out consulting activities on issues to improve the quality of the ecological environment.
