Established in July 2003, Núi Chúa Nature Reserve is a national park in Ninh Thuận, Vietnam. The reserve is located on a wide and mountainous promontory that extends into the East Sea, reaching a summit of 1,039 meters at Núi Chúa Peak and covering a vast area of 29,856 hectares. It received the title of Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 2021. Satellite imagery can play a crucial role in managing nature reserves like Núi Chúa, providing a unique perspective helping to create detailed maps, monitor changes in land cover, assess biodiversity and detect illegal activities.
Satellite imagery can be an invaluable tool for the conservation and management of nature reserves. With its vast coverage and high-resolution capabilities, satellite imagery can offer a comprehensive understanding of the reserve's dynamic ecosystem. It can provide detailed mapping and monitoring of the diverse landscapes, including forests, coastal areas and marine zones.
Furthermore, satellite imagery can play a crucial role in tracking changes in vegetation cover, identifying habitat shifts and assessing the impact of natural events or human activities on the flora and fauna. This information can help conservationists and park authorities in making informed decisions to protect and preserve the reserve.
Moreover, satellite imagery assists in monitoring wildlife populations and migration patterns, providing valuable insights into the health of the fauna within the reserve. It also facilitates the detection of potential threats, such as deforestation or illegal activities, allowing for timely interventions to safeguard the reserve's biodiversity. By leveraging satellite imagery, a nature reserve can enhance its conservation efforts and promote sustainable management practices.
Núi Chúa Nature Reserve is divided into five areas: a strict forest protection area of 16,087 hectares, a forest rehabilitation area of 8,261 hectares, an administration and services area of 5 hectares and a buffer zone of 11,200 hectares. Núi Chúa National Reserve also borders a protected marine area of 7,352 hectares.
The park is a unique area recognised by the World Wildlife Fund and is considered one of the priority areas for nature conservation in Vietnam. The coastal and marine habitats in the park remain relatively intact and support a diverse and impressive range of biodiversity. During the early 1990s, much of the forest in the area was destroyed due to over-exploitation. Currently, the only relatively undisturbed primary forest remaining is the lower montane evergreen forest located in the northern part of the park, at elevations above 800 meters.
Botanists have identified 1,265 species of plants in the park, including 390 species of medicinal plants and over 100 species of ornamental and fruit trees, such as the apricot trees that grow within the forest.
The reserve is home to 72 mammal species and 181 bird species. It supports several mammal and bird species of global conservation concern, including the black-shanked douc, the pygmy loris, the Asian black bear, the sun bear, and the large-antlered muntjac. Additionally, there are twelve species of bats, eleven species of turtles (both terrestrial and marine) and 307 species of coral found within the park.
