New world biosphere reserve recognized in Vietnam

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) awarded a World Biosphere Reserve certificate to a coastal wetland zone in the Red River Delta on October 13, 2008, making it the sixth of its kind in Vietnam.The zone runs across Nam Dinh, Thai Binh and Ninh Binh provinces, and covers the Xuan Thuy - Ramsar National Park in Nam Dinh province, the Tien Hai wetland Natural Reserve in Thai Binh province, and the Kim Son alluvial deposits in Ninh Binh province. The Xuan Thuy-Ramsar National Park, which serves as the backbone of the reserve, boasts a diverse bio-system and provides a sanctuary to some 200 bird species, including over 50 migrant bird species. Many of the species are classified as endangered, such as the spoon-billed sandpiper (Eurynorhynchus pygmeus). With thousands of hectares of mangrove forest, wetlands and coastal and river mouth alluvial deposits, the zone acts as a nursery for approximately 500 species of sea-life, including a range of seafood and seaweed such as varieties of shrimp, crab and oysters. In addition, the mangrove forests are helpful in coping with the effects of climate change and rough seas and serve to protect dyke systems in the event of natural disasters, such as tsunamis.