Lang Biang Biosphere Reserve, Lam Dong Province (Lang Biang Biosphere Reserve)

Lang Biang Biosphere Reserve (Lam Dong) – Photo on http://langbiang.gov.vn/

Lang Biang Biosphere Reserve was recognized on June 9, 2015 with a total area of ​​275,439 hectares, of which core area: 34,943 hectares, buffer zone: 72,232 hectares, transition area: 168,264 hectares.

It is one of four national biodiversity centers and includes many endangered species found on the International Red List. The core zone has a biodiversity corridor that maintains the integrity of 14 tropical ecosystems in the east of southern Vietnam and throughout Vietnam in general. With altitudes ranging from 650 meters to nearly 2,300 meters with a number of different forest systems, including low mountain evergreen forests, coniferous broadleaf forests, primary forests, alpine dwarf forests, moss forests, bamboo and savannas. The Lang Biang Biosphere Reserve also contains rare trees dating back 1,000 years, which are currently being studied by members of the Tree Laboratory at the Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory of Columbia University, New York. It is characterized by a rich diversity in vegetation, including the Krempf’s pine forest ecosystem ( Pinus krempfii ) and dwarf forests on mountainous terrain distributed over 60% of the total forest area. Plant species play an important role in conservation and medicinal uses.

It also functions as a habitat for many species of wildlife, including some species classified as rare and endangered. A total of 89 species of mammals, 247 species of birds, 46 species of reptiles, 46 species of amphibians, 30 species of fish and 335 species of insects have been recorded in the reserve. These include five globally endangered species: Indochinese tiger ( Panthera tigris corbetti ), black langur ( Pygathrix nigripes ), yellow-cheeked gibbon ( Nomascus gabriellae ), Indian bison ( Bos gaurus ) and Indochinese yellow leaf monkey ( Trachypithecus margarita  and some species classified as rare and endangered species and recorded in the Vietnam Red Book such as Sun Bear ( Helarctos malayanus ). This reserve is also home to inhabiting the Gong cultural space of Vietnam’s Central Highlands, which is listed on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list. Scientists and archaeologists have found a large number of archaeological relics in the Recent excavations in the area.

Source: Department of Natural Resources and Biodiversity ;  Collected photos