Assesing water quality by habitats at Tram Chim National Park

Abstract

The study assessed the current status and analyzed the trend of water quality in Tram Chim National Park (TCNP) to assess the impacts on the Sarus crane population. The research analyzed 08 water quality parameters from 60 water samples collected in two seasons at 10 difference habitats of TCNP. The analysis results show that the water quality in the core and buffer zones of the park is organically polluted. In the core zone habitats, DO value tends to decrease in the dry season and lower than the study in year 2006, posing a risk of hypoxia for aquatic species. The high EC value in the buffer zone indicates the excessive use of fertilizers, agrochemicals, etc., as a potential source of pollution for the core zone of the National Park. The high pH value along with retaining deep water continuously has caused impacts on the Eleocharis ochrostachys populations that threaten the food source of the Sarus cranes. TCNP needs to carry out regular water quality monitoring to promptly detect the encroachment of pollution sources from outside. In addition, there should be a water control regime for the Crane's food source area to ensure enough food to attract the Crane's return.