Ke Bang (12044)
Vietnam, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Ke Bang
Central coordinates: Latitude: 17.5833, Longitude: 106.0167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1174
Area of KBA (km2): 1038.19237
Protected area coverage (%): 81.26
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA concerns the Ke Bang limestone area, bordered by Laos to the south-west and Phong Nha Nature Reserve to the east. Ke Bang is situated in one of the largest areas of contiguous limestone karst in Indochina, which also includes Hin Namno National Biodiversity Conservation Area in Laos, and Phong Nha Nature Reserve in Bo Trach district, Vietnam. The topography of Ke Bang is composed of narrow valleys and precipitous karst ridges. The dominant habitat type at Ke Bang is limestone forest. The nature of the terrain has largelt restricted human encroachment into limestone areas. Ke Bang is significant for its populations of two endemic primates, Hatinh Langur Trachypithecus francoisi hatinhensis and Wulsin's Black Langur T. f. ebenus.
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, Ke Bang lies within the Annamese Lowlands Endemic Bird Area (EBA). Crested Argus Rheinardia ocellata was recorded by Timmins et al. (1999) by its vocalisations. A single bird was heard on 18 October 1998 to the south of Suoi Cat valley. Two different birds were heard from the Ta Ty area (from B. Cha Lo) on 25 October 1998. Two birds were heard from forest in the Suoi Ken area west of the road south of B. Cha Lo, on 27 October and a single bird was heard in the same area on 28 October.VRTC (1999) recorded one Crested Argus by its vocalisations on a slope of the Yen Hop River valley near Yen Hop village on 19 March 1999. Non-bird biodiversity: Timmins et al.(1999) recorded the following globally threatened primate species at Ke Bang: 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.Southern Serow Naemorhedus sumatraensis has been recorded at Ke Bang in two recent studies: Timmins et al. (1999, provisional record) and VRTC (1999).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The Phong Nha-Ke Bang area is one of the largest areas of continuous karstic limestone forest in Vietnam. The combined area of Phong Nha-Ke Bang-Hin Namno NBCA is certainly the largest contiguous block of such habitat within the protected areas of Indochina (Timmins et al., 1999). The low altitude valley forests of Phong Nha-Ke Bang are thought to be the most intact examples of this habitat type remaining in Vitenam, and therefore assume high conservation significance (Timmins et al., 1999).Approximately 90% of the habitat of Ke Bang area consists of limestone forest, while the reminaing 10% consists of lowland valley forest.
Land use: not utilised (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The major threats to biodiversity at Ke Bang are hunting and illegal timber extraction.
Additional information
References: Timmins, R. J., Do Tuoc, Trinh Viet Cuong and Hendrichsen, D. K. (1999) A preliminary assessment of the conservation importance and conservation priorities of the Phong Nha-Ke Bang proposed national park, Quang Binh province, Vietnam. Hanoi: Fauna and Flora International Indochina Programme.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.Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre (VRTC) (1999) Results of the complex zoological-botanical expedition to the Ke Bang area. Unpublished report to the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre, Hanoi