EVALUATING THE ECONOMIC - SOCIAL POTENTIAL OF THE RED SYMCAMORE TREE IN THE CHAM ISLANDS, HOI AN CITY, QUANG NAM PROVINCE

Abstract

The Red Symcamore (Firmiana Colorata R. Br or Fiery Scarlet Sterculia in English) in the Cham Islands is a native species of woody plant which has recently become an interest of the scientific world. However, to the local community, this is a relatively familiar species, which has been used by the local people for ages. Several past decades have witnessed the fast-growing socio-economic development of the Cham Islands in particular and Hoi An city in general; consequently, many resources including the fiery scarlet sterculia have been mobilized for the local social-economic development. This paper is to present the results of a study on the status quo, the situation of exploitation, usage and economic potential of the fiery scarlet sterculia on Hon Lao in the Cham Islands, thereby proposing a number of measures for protection and sustainable exploitation with a view to facilitating the local social - economic development.