Conservation of three endemic and threatened Camellias in Vietnam

Mapping of three endemic and Critically Endangered (CR) wild camellias in Lam Dong province and conservation through propagating and replanting into Bidoup Nui Ba National Park.

Partner: Bidoup Nui Ba National Park, Vietnam
Years: 2020-2023

This project aims at mapping the distribution of three Critically Endangered (CR) species of camellias through on-the-ground surveys in Lam Dong province and ensure their long-term survival by propagating and replanting viable populations inside of Bidoup Nui Ba National Park.

Camellia is the largest genus in the family Theaceae, distributed in eastern and south-eastern Asia, ranging from north-eastern India in the west to Japan and the Philippines in the east and to Indonesia in the south. Lam Dong, where the project is implemented, is a province located in the southern part of the Central Highlands where 25 Camellia species from Vietnam were recorded. Some wild Camellia species of Lam Dong are endemic, narrowly distributed, and are facing serious threats due to deforestation and conversion of land use purpose from forestry to agriculture.

This project focuses on three main activities: new survey, propagation and replanting of 3 Critically Endangered wild camellias (Camellia piquetiana, Camellia dongnaiensis and Camellia duyana) in strictly protected areas such as Bidoup Nui Ba National Park.