Ea So (12037)
Vietnam, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Ea So
Central coordinates: Latitude: 12.9333, Longitude: 108.6167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 140 to 1046
Area of KBA (km2): 347.36913
Protected area coverage (%): 73.88
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA comprises Ea So proposed nature reserve, which is situated in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. To the north of the proposed nature reserve lie low mountains and to the south lie lowlands of around 300 m in altitude. Ea So proposed nature reserve supports a range of natural habitat types, including evergreen forest, semi-deciduous forest and deciduous forest. Blocks of forest are interspersed with areas of natural grassland, which is important habitat for large mammals, particularly wild cattle.
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: Two notable bird species that occur at the site are Green Peafowl Pavo muicus and Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea. Non-bird biodiversity: The proposed nature reserve supports populations of Gaur Bos gaurus and Banteng B. javanicus. Also of particular significance at Ea So is a record of Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata. Five globally threatened primate species are listed by Brickle et al. (1998) as occurring at Ea So: Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta, Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis, Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides, Black-shanked Douc Langur Pygathrix nigripes and Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon Nomascus gabrielle.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Ea So proposed nature reserve supports a range of natural habitat types, including 11,274 ha of evergreen forest, 4,513 ha of semi-deciduous forest and 144 ha of deciduous forest. Blocks of forest are interspersed with areas of natural grassland, which is an important habitat for large mammals, particularly wild cattle.
Land use: not utilised (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 57 | |
| Grassland | 43 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The major threats to biodiversity at Ea So proposed nature reserve are hunting, illegal extraction of forest products and clearance of forest for agriculture. These threats are being intensified by increasing population pressure resulting from migration into Ea So commune of people from northern Vietnam and elsewhere in Dak lak province. A new highway that is planned to be built through the proposed nature reserve will open up the forest further, and will be likely to increase levels of human disturbance.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | 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.Brickle, N. W., Nguyen Cu, Ha Quy Quynh, Nguyen Thai Tu Cuong and Hoang Van San (1998) The status and distribution of Green Peafowl Pavo muticus in Dak Lak province, Vietnam. Hanoi: BirdLife International Vietnam Programme and the Institute of ecology and Biological Resources.Le Xuan Canh, Pham Trong Anh, Duckworth, J. W., Vu Ngoc Thanh and Lic Vuthy (1997) A survey of large mammals in Dak Lak province, Vietnam. Hanoi: WWF Indochina Programme and IUCN.Anon. (1998) [Investment plan for Ea So Nature Reserve]. Buon Ma Thuot: Department of Agroforestry, Tay Nguyen University. In Vietnamese.