VietnamSurprise – Located in the plain of the Mekong Delta with the maximum elevation at the site is only 2.5 m. The Vo Doi Nature Reserve is situated in U Minh Ha (lower U Minh), the southern of the two extensive peatswamp forests in province of Kien Giang and Ca Mau. The other peat swamp forest, U Minh Thuong (upper U Minh), is situated 30 km to the north. The nature reserve is seasonally inundated and, therefore, supports a mixture of Melaleuca forest, seasonally inundated grassland and open swamp.
The three major vegetation types at the Vo Doi Nature Reserve are ‘semi-natural’ (originally planted but no longer tended) Melaleuca forest, Melaleuca plantation and seasonally inundated grassland. Semi-natural Melaleuca forest covers a large area in the west of the site. The tree flora is dominated by Melaleuca cajuputi, although other tree species are also present, including Ilex cymosa and Alstonia spathulata. Melaleuca plantations of varying ages are distributed in the east of the nature reserve. In the center of the nature reserve, there are areas of grassland with scattered, young, naturally regenerating Melaleuca trees. The most widespread grassland community is one dominated by Eleocharis dulcis, with Cyperus halpan, C. polystachyos, Fuirena umbellata, Philydrum lanuginosum and Phragmites vallatoria also present. On a slightly higher ground, a grassland community dominated by P. vallatoria is found.
Vo Doi Nature Reserve and the surrounding area support high bird species richness. In particular, the area supports a high abundance and species richness of waterbirds, including small bitterns, Bronze-winged Jacana Metopidius indicus and Purple Swamphen Porphyrio porphyrio. There are recent records of the adjutants, probably Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, from Vo Doi. This species was believed to breed at the nature reserve in the past but appears to no longer do so. However, the species may still occur outside of the nature reserve to the north. In addition, Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus has been reported to occur in the area to the north of the nature reserve, where it might breed.
The Vo Do Nature Reserve is part of the larger U Minh Ha peat swamp forest, a rare example of this ecosystem in Vietnam. Although no visitor facilities currently exist, if well managed and protected, it is believed that the area has high potential for nature recreation, conservation education and scientific research.
Source: activetravelvietnam.com
