Lo Xo Pass (12049)
Vietnam, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Lo Xo Pass
Central coordinates: Latitude: 15.2333, Longitude: 107.7500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1500 to 2032
Area of KBA (km2): 402.86709
Protected area coverage (%): 34.22
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA comprises the Lo Xo Pass and Cong Troi areas in the north-west of Ngoc Linh (Kon Tum) Nature Reserve. The boundary of the IBA is difficult to define, but includes the mountains on either side of Lo Xo Pass in Dak Man and east Dak Plo communes, Kon Tum province, and parts of Phuoc My commune, Quang Nam province. Three high mountains lie within the site: Ngok Peng Pek, Ngok Ti On and an unnamed 1988 m peak. The IBA is situated in an area of the Central Highlands known as the Kon Tum plateau. The main forest type at the site is lower montane evergreen forest. Two recently described large mammal species have been recorded at the site: Truong Son Muntjac Muntiacus truongsonensis and Giant muntjac Megamuntiacus vuquangensis.
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: Black-crowned Barwing Actinodura sodangorum was discovered at Ngoc Linh (Kon Tum) Nature Reserve, and is found in the IBA. In addition to black-crowned Barwing, four other restricted-range bird species have been recorded at the site, qualifying the site for inclusion within the Kon Tum Plateau Endemic Bird Area. Non-bird biodiversity: Three globally threatened primate species were recorded at Lo Xo Pass by Le Trong Trai et al. (1999): Buff-cheeked Crested Gibbon Nomascus gabrielle, Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta and Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides.Three globally threatened ungulate species were recorded at Lo Xo Pass by Le Trong Trai et al. (1999): Giant Muntjac Megamuntiacus vuquangensis, Truong Son Muntjac muntiacus truongsonensis and Southern Serow Naemorhedus sumatraensis.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 95 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats to biodiversity at the site include hunting, exploitation of forest products and forest fire.
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., 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, Nguyen Cu and Eve, R. (1999) New species of barwing Actinodura (Passeriformes: Sylviinae: Timaliini) from the western highlands of Vietnam. Ibis 141: 1-10.