Dakrong (12035)
Vietnam, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Dakrong
Central coordinates: Latitude: 16.5167, Longitude: 107.0167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 1102
Area of KBA (km2): 416.89085
Protected area coverage (%): 88.71
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA comprises Dakrong proposed nature reserve. Dakrong proposed nature reserve is situated on a ridge of low mountains, which extend south-east from the Annamite mountains.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) The site has been reviewed and re-confirmed as a KBA in the process of compiling the revised 2011 CEPF Ecosystem Profile for the Indo-Burma Hotspot.
Additional biodiversity: Dakrong proposed nature reserve is located in the southern part of the Annamese Lowlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA). Bird species of conservation concern inhabiting Dakrong proposed nature reserve include Edwards's Pheasant Lophura edwardsi and Imperial Pheasant Lophura imperialis.In 1996, Edwards's Pheasant Lophura edwardsi was rediscovered in Phong My commune, Thua Thien Hue province, and in Huong hoa commune, Quang Tri province. In December 1997, at least four specimens were trapped in Ba Long commune, Quang Tri province. Phong Dien and Dakrong proposed nature reserves support the only known population of Edwards's Pheasant in the world.One juvenile male Imperial Pheasant Lophura imperialis was captured at Dakrong in February 2000. Non-bird biodiversity: Le Trong Trai et al. (1999) reported the occurrence of four threatened primate species at Dakrong proposed nature reserve: Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta, Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides, Red-shanked Douc Langur Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus and Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon Nomascus gabrielle. Four threatened ungulate species have been reported to occur at Dakrong: Giant Muntjac Megamuntiacus vuquangensis, Gaur Bos gaurus, Southern Serow Naemorhedus sumatraensis ans Saola Pseudoryx nghetinhensis.Podocarpus neriifolius has also been recorded at Dakrong by Le Trong Trai et al. (1999).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The forest at Dakrong has been heavily disturbed, and primary forest only occupies around 60% of the total area of the proposed nature reserve. Previously, forest cover has been reduced by the spraying of chemical defoliants during the Second Indochina War. Forest cover has been considerably reduced, degraded and fragmented throughout most of Dakrong proposed nature reserve by a combination of logging, shifting cultivation, collection of non-timber forest products and aerial spraying of defoliants. However, not only are the fragments of primary forest relatively large, but they are contiguous with most remaining areas of mature secondary forest (Le Trong Trai et al., 1999).
Land use: agriculture (5%) | not utilised (95%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 70 | |
| Shrubland | 25 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Current threats to biodiversity at Dakrong include small-scale timber extraction, trapping and hunting, clearance of land for agriculture, mining and livestock grazing.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: BirdLife International and the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute (2001) Sourcebook of existing and proposed protected areas in Vietnam. Hanoi, Vietnam: BirdLife International Vietnam Programme and the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute.Le Trong Trai, Richardson, W. J., Le Van Cham, Tran Hieu Minh, Tran Quang Ngoc, Nguyen Van Sang, Monatstyskii, A. L. and Eames, J. C. (1999) A feasibility study for the establishment of Phong Dien (Thua Thien Hue province) and Dakrong (Quang Tri province) Nature Reserves, Vietnam. Hanoi: BirdLife International Vietnam Programme and the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute.Garson, P. (2001) Pheasant taxonomy: a cunning way to remove species from the Red List! Oriental Bird Club Bulletin, 33: 52.