The Research Centre for Forest Ecology and Environment (RCFEE) is a specialized research organization working independently under the Forest Science Institute of Vietnam (FSIV).
The centre was established in 1990 to carry out basic researches on the physiology, ecology, forest soils and environment and transfer research results so that they can be applied as solutions for effective use and sustainable development of forest resources. Scientific research and technological development activities of the centre focus on three fields: 1) Sustainable use of forest land resources, 2) Forest physiology, ecology and resources, and 3) Forest environment impact assessment.
The centre has a staff of 30 systematically-trained, highly qualified researchers, of which more than half holding postgraduate degrees. The center has modern equipment facilities and research stations as well as laboratories for forest soils, vegetation and environment analysis. All activities of the centre are for an ultimate objective - to make the best use of forest resources for economic development, and at the same time preserve these resources for the future generations.
Over the past 18 years the centre has been known as a reputable specialized research institution that has contributed significantly to the forestry sector, especially in the field of forest land and forest resources utilization and forest environment conservation.
The year 2007 marked considerable changes in scientific research and technological development activities in Vietnam. Despite these changes, RCFEE successfully completed five ministerial-level research projects, three basic research projects, two research projects under Project 661, two international cooperation projects and many technological transfer contracts.
Examples include the research on valuation of forest environment services in Vietnam, the proposal of measures to restore mangrove forests to prevent natural disasters, forest pricing in Vietnam in 2006-2007, and the identification of seriously degraded protective forests in some major areas (2007-2008). Based on the results of research projects carried out by RCFEE, the State has made a number of important documents and polices such as the Decree on Forest Pricing and a circular guiding the implementation of this decree, the piloting policy regarding the payment for forest environment services, the software applied in land classification, and the policy on the restoration of mangrove forests to prevent natural disasters.
Under Project 661 and international cooperation projects, RCFEE has researched on forest restoration models, for example, rehabilitation of forests on bareland, forest enrichment, natural assisted regeneration, improving acacia plantation and forest plantation on semi-flooded land areas. These research results have been successfully applied in practical production through forestry extension programs, forest development projects and technological transfer contracts. Based on these research results, the technical guidelines and regulations on forest reforestation and restoration are prepared.
The centre has successfully cooperated with many domestic and international organizations to provide consulting services for reforestation projects funded by KfW, WB, ADB, JICA, and GTZ, to prepare forestry development projects, to implement clean development mechanism in the forestry sector, and to build a suitable mechanism for the payment for forest environment services.
Since 1990 the centre has made and released annual scientific reports and many kinds of publications and all of them are highly appreciated by both Vietnamese and foreign experts. In the past five years, the centre published 13 specialized book titles. These include proposed measures for restoring mangrove and cajeput forests in Vietnam, the assessment of potential production of forest land, and a handbook of land assessments for reforestation. In addition, more than 30 articles have been published on specialized magazines and presented at domestic and international workshops and conferences. The website of RCFEE provides update information in Vietnamese and English languages and is linked with related websites such as www.mekonginfo.org and www.oare.sciences.org.
From 2008 onward, the centre will have to be financially self-reliant and it continues to strengthen its position as a leading scientific research and technological development organization of Vietnam. In the years to come, RCFEE will give a priority to research projects on matters related to climate changes and the restoration of mangrove forests in coastal areas, forest environment services and solutions for sustainable utilization of forest resources