Conservation of threatened Fagaceae species in Laos and Vietnam

Conservation and range restoration of ten threatened Fagaceae species in Laos and Vietnam

Partner: The Morton Arboretum
Years: 2025-2027

A regional team that spans Laos and Vietnam has been assembled to identify, collect and propagate threatened Fagaceae species. This will result in significantly increased representation of these species in restoration efforts in buffer zones of protected areas and other sites that need reforestation in both countries. The consortium, led by the Morton Arboretum includes the Alliance for Conservation Tree Genomics, Institute of Research for Sustainable Development (IRD) – Centre International de Recherche Environnementale de Nakaï (CIREN), Dalat University, and the Vietnam National University of Forestry.

Quercus xanthotricha(EN)

This second phase of funding contributes to the long-term vision of BETA-Resilience’s activities in the Bengbis community since 2021. As with the 22 ha of forest created in Yanda village, the 15,678 trees planted will be maintained until they reach an acceptable level of maturity.
The organisation also aims to secure this area as a private forest, to be used for research and conservation of the species targeted by the project. This will also enable the establishment of a seed bank for threatened species in the region.
The distribution of 5,000 seedlings will support 50 individual local reforestation initiatives in Bengbis, following strong demand from the local population during phase 1.
The promotion and development of economic value chains based on the sustainable use of non-timber forest products, as well as income alternatives to activities that cause forest degradation, such as beekeeping, should ensure a more sustainable future for the threatened trees and the people of the Bengbis community.