The present project will be conducted in the Ta Xua Nature Reserve, a rarely studied region within a biodiversity hotspot in north-western Vietnam. The diversity status of valuable timber tree species non-timber forest product (NTFP) tree species and locally rare tree species in the core zone and the buffer zone will be assessed to address the question whether conservation goals are met or need adjustment.

Expected results of this study are:

(1) Information about status and distribution of valuable timber tree species, NTFP tree species, and locally rare tree species will be documented.

(2) Differences of community structure of valuable timber tree species, NTFP tree species and locally rare tree species in the core zone and the buffer zone will be found out.

(3) The models of probability of the presence and/or absence of each tree species will be establish. Through these models, the impact of important variables on differences of these species will be identified. Then, forest managers will know the effect of threats on the tree level and the species level and whether or not conservation goals are met or need adjustment.

(4) Indigenous knowledge of using and harvesting of each NTFP species will be documented so that priority conservation measures will be recommended for over-exploitation species.