The Vietnamese Wetlands Classification System

Abstract

The Vietnamese Wetlands Classification System is an important basis for governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, and scientists to identify wetlands that are under-represented in the List of Wetlands of International and National Importance in order to encourage their designation and appropriate long term management. The classification also serves as a broad framework to aid the rapid identification of the main wetland habitats represented at each site, to provide units for mapping, and to encourage uniformity of concepts and terms in national wetland inventory. The Vietnamese Wetlands Classification System is a hierarchy of systems, subsystems, classes, and types or sub-types of wetlands. The systems are defined based on salinity of water or distance of wetland from the sea - marine/coastal wetland (salty/brackish wetlands) and inland wetland (freshwater wetlands). The subsystems are based on the main origin of wetlands – natural or artificial wetlands. The classes are defined based on the hydrological regime, they would be permanent or non-permanent (covered by water) wetlands. The most important level in the classification system is the types. The types are defined based not only on geomorphologic, geologic features and origin of wetlands, but also the dominant life form of vegetation or physiography and composition of substrate features. Further, the modifiers of the classification systems (sub-types) can be added based on relevant criteria and using objectives; they must be developed by the users. There are 38 wetland types defined in the classification system purpose to ensure uniformity throughout the whole country and to serve individuals or organizations with varied interests and objectives. Building the Vietnamese Wetland Classification System is necessary now, when sustainable use of natural resources is an important task of development course of Vietnam.