Phong Nha (12043)
Vietnam, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Phong Nha
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.4833, Longitude: 106.2667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 150 to 400
Area of KBA (km2): 408.88736
Protected area coverage (%): 96.12
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA comprises Phong Nha Nature Reserve, close to the international border with Laos. The nature reserve is situated within one of the largest areas of contiguous limestone karst in Indochina, which also includes Hin Namno National Biodiversity Conservation Area in Laos, and the Ke Bang limestone area in Bo Trach and Minh Hoa districts, Vietnam. The topography of the Phong Nha area is characterised by precipitous karst ridges, which rise to elevations of around 400 m.
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: On the basis of the occurrence of three restricted-range bird species, Phong Nha lies within the Annamese Lowlands Endemic Bird Area. Six species in the this account were recorded by Eames et al. (1994) at the Rao Bong watershed, an area on the periphery of Phong Nha Nature Reserve. Non-bird biodiversity: Timmins et al.(1999) recorded the following globally threatened primate species at Phong Nha: Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis, Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides, Hatinh Langur Trachypithecus francoisi hatinhensis, Wulsin's Black Langur T. f. ebenus and White/Buff-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus leucogenys/gabrielle. However, Timmins et al. advise caution regarding the exact status and taxonomic identity of Wulsin's Black Langur. The globally endangered Red-shanked Douc Langur Pygathrix nemaeus nemaeus has been recorded by several authors, although the faliure of Timmins et al. to record this species led them to conclude that there may have been a major decline in the species at the site.Timmins et al. (1999) have also proviosionally recorded the occurrence of Southern Serow Naemorhedus sumatranesis at Phong Nha.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The nature of the terrain at Phong Nha Nature Reserve has restricted encroachment into limestone areas (Timmins et al., 1999). As a result, the limestone karst is almost entirely forested, apart from steep cliff faces. The only clearance of forest has been in flat valleys within the limestone massif, and in lowland areas bordering it. According to the investment plan, Phong Nha Nature Reserve supports 38,620 ha of natural forest, equivalent to 94% of the total area of the nature reserve. The most widespread forest type is limestone forest, which covers 24,861 ha, while lowland evergreen forest covers 13,617 ha and riparian forest covers 142 ha (Anon. 1992).
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 94 | |
| Shrubland | 6 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The major threats to biodiversity at Phong Nha are hunting and illegal timber extraction. In addition, two planned roads are likely to cause high levels of disturbance to Hatinh Langur and Wulsin's Langur.
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.Eames, J. C., Lambert, F. R. and Nguyen Cu (1994) A survey of the Annamese Lowlands, Vietnam, and its implications for the conservation of Vietnamese and Imperial Pheasants Lophura hatinhensis and L. imperialis, Bird Conservation International 4(4): 343-382.Nguyen Ngoc Chinh, Nguyen Quoc Dung and Bui Dac Tuyen (1998) [Investment plan for Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province]. Hanoi: Forest Inventory and Planning Institute. In Vietnamese.Anon. (1992) [Investment plan for Phong Nha Nature Reserve]. Dong Hoi; Quang Binh Provincial People's Committee. In Vietnamese.