Ngoc Linh (12046)
Vietnam, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e, B2
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Ngoc Linh
Central coordinates: Latitude: 15.0667, Longitude: 107.9833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 2598
Area of KBA (km2): 1579.35645
Protected area coverage (%): 94.50
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA is centred on Mt Ngoc Linh in Ngoc Linh (Kon Tum) Nature Reserve and Ngoc Linh (Quang Nam) proposed nature reserve. The IBA boundary follows that of Ngoc Linh (Quang Nam) proposed nature reserve as recommended by BirdLife International and FIPI (Tordoff et al., 2000), together with the areas of Ngoc Linh (Kon Tum) Nature Reserve that lie within Muong Hoong and Ngoc Linh communes. Mt Ngoc Linh is situated on the Kon Tum plateau, a mountain isolate, which is separated by relatively long distances from other high altitude areas. Mt Ngoc Linh is the highest point in the Central Highlands.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. Alliance for Zero Extinction (2018): site confirmed as an AZE site during the AZE project (2015-2018). Taxonomy, nomenclature and Red List category follow the IUCN 2016 Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The known global range of one bird species, Golden-winged Laughingthrush Garrulax ngoclinhensis, is confined to Mt Ngoc Linh. As a result of the presence of golden-winged Laughingthrush and three other restricted-range bird species, the site qualifies for inclusion in the Kon Tum Plateau Endemic Bird Area (EBA), the most recently discovered of Vietnam's four EBAs. Non-bird biodiversity: Three globally threatened primate species were recorded by Tordoff et al. (2000) at Mt Ngoc Linh: Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta, Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides and Douc Langur Pygathrix nemaeus ssp.The following threatened gymnosperm species have been recorded at Mt Ngoc Linh: Pinus dalatensis, Podocarpus neriifolius, Cephalotaxus mannii and Amenotaxus poilanei (Le Trong Trai et al., 1999). The Ngoc Linh massive is the only area in the world known to support Amenotaxus poilanei.The site also supports a population of the recently discovered, endemic mammal species, Truong Son Muntjac Muntiacus truongsonensis.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Between 1,000 and 1,700 m, the site supports lower montane evergreen forest. This vegetation type exhibits low levels of disturbance, with human impact limited to hunting and non-timber forest product (NTFP) collection. Above 1,700 m, upper montane evergreen forest is distributed. Elfin forest is distributed at the highest elevations along mountain ridges.
Land use: nature conservation and research (38%) | not utilised (62%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 90 | |
| Shrubland | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The overall level of human impact on the forest ecosystem of Mt Ngoc Linh is moderately low. Threats to biodiversity at the site include hunting and unsustainable exploitation of NTFPs.
| 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 |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the future |
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.Tordoff, A. W., Tran Hieu Minh and Tran Quang Ngoc (2000) A feasibility study for the establishment of Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Quang Nam province, Vietnam. Hanoi: BirdLife International Vietnam Programme and the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute.Le Trong Trai, Richardson, W. J., Bui Dac Tuyen, Le Van Cham, Nguyen Huy Dung, Ha Van Hoach, Nguyen Van Sang, Monastyrskii, A. L. and Eames, J. C. (1999) An investment plan for Ngoc Linh Nature Reserve, Kon Tum province: a contribution to the management plan. Hanoi: BirdLife International Vietnam Programme and the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute.Eames, J. C., Le Trong Trai and Nguyen Cu (1999a) A new species of Laughingthrush (Passeriformes: Garrulacinae) from the Western Highlands of Vietnam. Bulletin of the British Ornithological Club 119: 4-15.Eames, J. C., Le Trong Trai, Nguyen Cu and Eve, R. (1999b) New species of barwing Actinodura (Passeriformes: Sylviinae: Timaliini) from the western highlands of Vietnam. Ibis 141: 1-10.