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Hang Kia – Pa Co Nature Reserve (Hoa Binh) – Source: https://vietgoing.com/
Hang Kia – Pa Co Nature Reserve covers an area of 7,091 hectares, of which the strictly protected area covers 2,680 hectares and the ecological restoration area covers 4,411 hectares. In addition, the buffer zone covers an area of 8,010 hectares.
Within the reserve, there are many high, sharp limestone mountains, the highest peak reaching 1,536 m is located in the Northwest of the reserve, the height gradually decreasing towards the East. Most of the reserve is at an altitude of over 500 m.
According to published data, the flora of Hang Kia – Pa Co Nature Reserve has 1,051 species, 639 genera, 171 families belonging to 5 phyla of vascular plants, accounting for about 10% of the total number of species, 28% of the total number of genera and 56% of the total number of families of the flora of Vietnam. The only phylum not found in Hang Kia – Pa Co Nature Reserve is Psilotophyta. However, this is the oldest phylum of the flora of Vietnam, with only 1 family, 1 genus and 1 species.
The flora of Hang Kia – Pa Co Nature Reserve has recorded 17 species listed in the Vietnam Red Book, including 10 endangered species (VU) and 7 endangered species (EN). In addition, there are 5 species endemic to Vietnam such as: Dyospyros choboensis, Cinnamomum balansac, Alniphyllum eberhardtii, Eurya tonkinensis and Melodinus annamensis. The flora of Hang Kia – Pa Co Nature Reserve has many medicinal plants, including some rare species such as Codonopsis javanica, Morinda offcinalis, Paris polyphylla, Smilax grabla… Many valuable timber species have high economic value such as Fokienia hodginsii, Markhamia stipulatha, Garcinia faraecoides, Parashorea chinensis, Cinnamomum balansae, Madhuca pasquieri, Nghien. (Burretiodendron tonkinensis)… Some orchid species are beautiful ornamental plants such as Dendrobium amabile, Dendrobium chrysanthum, Anoectochilus calareus…
At an altitude of over 1,000 m above sea level, in places that have not been affected or have not been significantly affected, Hang Kia – Pa Co Nature Reserve is covered by pure subtropical coniferous forest with species such as Northern red pine (Taxus chinensis), Pa Co 5-leaf pine (Pinus kwangtungensis), short-leaf bamboo pine (Podocargus pidgeri)… It can also be a mixed subtropical coniferous and broad-leaf forest with the composition of broad-leaf trees mainly belonging to the Fagaceae family, and coniferous trees including long-leaf bamboo pine (Podocarpus neriifolius), Dacrycarpus imbricatus, narrow-striped white pine (Amentotaxus argotaenia).
In the early 80s of the 20th century, the limestone forest in Hang Kia – Pa Co was known because Professor Phan Ke Loc discovered 2 new species of gymnosperms to add to the flora of Vietnam, which are Northern red pine (Taxus chinensis) and Pa Co 5-leaf pine (Pinus Kwangtungensis). Currently, both of these species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book, as endangered species, rare genetic resources, in need of protection.
Thus, the flora of Hang Kia – Pa Co nature reserve is not only a resource with high biodiversity but also preserves many valuable genetic resources for science.