There are about 300 species of butterflies seen in Vietnam. That number may increase, since butterflies have not previously been studied here.

Species of butterfly can vary depending on the latitude and altitude. Scientists estimate that there are approximately 15,000 species of butterflies worldwide, and 250,000 species of moths worldwide. They also think that not all of them have yet been discovered.

We are in the north, and observing butterflies specifically in the Tam Dao mountain region. We have seen a total of 83 species since our arrival, and a total of 1133 individuals.

I don't think there is enough concern about preservation and natural resources in Vietnam just yet. Projects like this one bring a larger awareness about such problems, but for the most part, Vietnamese do not know what they have, so have no idea what they could lose.

Researchers want to study butterflies and other insects in order to preserve the forest. Butterflies are not the main concern here, the forest is. Without the forest, other resources will vanish. Butterflies are really only being 'used' as a measuring stick for forest health. While they are lovely and necessary, extinction is not the primary concern.

Because I have not observed this area before I myself do not have anything to compare it with. I did notice though, from the data charts, that overall species types have been increasing, while forest indicator types have significantly decreased.

The new road construction is one thing that has affected the butterfly population. Because workers do not have education in proper methods of tree removal, large areas are just bulldozed with little concern for wildlife. Education is probably the best thing to bring a lasting change in natural resource conservation. These people just don't know how to care for the forest, and don't think how much damage they do when they just help themselves to cutting it down.

The wars that have occurred in Vietnam over the last 100 year period are not the primary factors in the loss of habitat. That might be surprising, especially considering the sad fact that in the American War in Vietnam so many chemicals were dispersed designed to destroy the habitat (to clear the groundcover). While these sad truths have done their part in damaging the ecosystems here, there are other factors that continue to devastate the forest.

The main problem is the ever increasing population (Vietnam is home to 80 million people) - and the uncontrolled clearing of forest area for homes, farms and firewood. There is little visible wildlife in the forest around Tam Dao. Much of the problem is poaching - hunting illegally to either eat or sell animals. I heard so few birds while in the area, it seemed eerie. I saw no squirrels, chipmunks or other small forest animals.

How do you catch a butterfly?

You must use a butterfly net, which sort of looks like a fish net with a fine mesh. It is on a long extendable pole. When you spot a butterfly it is best to wait until they land, but some species don't land a lot so you have to be quick to get them in the air. You pass the net above them - then in a quick, almost jerking motion, you scoop downward and twist the net quickly. If the butterfly tries to fly it should end up in the bottom of the net. Then you grab the net above the butterfly and with the other hand you reach in and carefully take hold of the thorax - not the wings. Then you can bring it out to look at it, holding the wings apart by keeping your fingers gently on the thorax area. When you are ready to let go you can either just open your hand, or you can place the butterfly on something to get a foothold.

You must hold a butterfly on the thorax - keeping the wings separated carefully, not touching them. If you rub off their scales the wings will not provide good flight any longer and the butterfly will die.

The tiny hairs on a caterpillar are a warning that it carries some sort of toxin - the hairy caterpillars will give you a rash if you touch them. Harry caterpillars also tend to be moths, for the most part. Moths don't eat the nectar of flowers and plants - they also eat the leaves and stalks, even sometimes the fruit - moths fall more into the 'pest' category than the butterfly category.

The war did not affect this area of the Tam Dao mountains as much as others. You should understand, though, that the war is not the only contributing factor to poor forest health; population increase and uncontrolled deforestation is a huge problem. Farmers who need bamboo for fences simply go to the forest and cut it down. Farmers also burn land to grow more crops, and there is little government control or regulation that stops them.

Also, the general population is not being educated about how to properly care for natural resources. In the past there was little concern about preserving forests, they were more concerned with preserving human life. It is only in recent years that people have come to value any resources that the land might have to offer.

The most noticeable thing about the forest is that there is little to no wild life. There are two reasons for this; the first is, people eat nearly anything they find in the forest. Many of the birds, such as pheasant, are actually endangered in the area due to this practice. Another reason is illegal poaching - in order to sell animals to the black market. Vietnamese people value animal parts as medicinal in many ways, including monkey and other wild forest creatures. Wildlife is becoming scarce - and again, there is little police action that prevents such destruction.

Agent orange and other chemicals were not used in North Vietnam. These chemicals do have a long residual life but are not a danger to volunteers in northern regions although effects of its use are still being seen in central and southern Vietnam, even after 30 years. In the south, residents still see birth defects due to the chemical toxins that remain in the soil and seep into the water table, as well as the vegetation.

It is estimated that over 19 million gallons of 'agent orange' were used in South Vietnam for the purpose of destroying groundcover as well as many other dangerous chemicals. More information about 'agent orange' can be found at Wikepedia or Digger History.

There are two parts to this answer - the overall part and the species specific part - as indicators.

The number of species observed has actually increased - but this could be due to the fact that they are now being observed more, due to this study. Compared to the same time last year, when 49 species were observed in the area, this year's comparison is 83 species - nearly double of the species types observed.

However, the forest indicator species have dropped in population more than 50% over the last two years, and more over the last three. Forest indicator species are considered butterfly not common to other areas of Vietnam - these are the ones that show the effects of forest health. When their population decreases there is indication that parts of the forest may be in trouble.