Fan Si Pan (12060)
Vietnam, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e
Year of last assessment: 2018
National site name: Fan Si Pan
Central coordinates: Latitude: 22.2667, Longitude: 103.8833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 380 to 3143
Area of KBA (km2): 546.81042
Protected area coverage (%): 54.19
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This IBA comprises Hoang Lien Son-Sa Pa Nature Reserve. The Nature Reserve is located in the Hoang Lien mountains, which are an extension of the Ailao Shan mountains in China, the south-eastern extent of the Himalayan chain. The nature reserve is located on the north-east flank of these mountains and includes Vietnam's highest peak, Mount Fan Si Pan (3,143 m). Most of the site lies above 1,000 m. Hoang Lien Son-Sa Pa contains approximately 11,000 ha of natural forest. Variations in altitude, topography, hydrology and micro-climate within the nature reserve have produced a wide variety of habitat types, which can be broadly classified into scrub, savanna, submontane dry evergreen forest, montane deciduous forest, sub-alpine forest and dwarf bamboo. Mammal diversity and abundance are relatively low as a result of intensive hunting pressure. Biodiversity at the site is threatened by over-exploitation of natural resources, clearance of land for agriculture, accidental fire and hunting.
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: Hoang Lien Son-Sa Pa supports high bird diversity. 347 bird species have been recorded in and around the nature reserve, including 49 species that are restricted in Vietnam to north-west Tonkin. Non-bird biodiversity: Tordoff et al. (1999) recorded five threatened primate species at Hoang Lien Son-Sa Pa on the basis of interviews and specimens: Pygmy Loris Nycticebus pygmaeus, Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis, Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta, Stump-tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides and Black Crested Gibbon Nomascus concolor.Hoang Lien Son-Sa Pa supports Fokienia hodginsii (Tordoff et al., 1999).Tordoff et al. (1999) recorded the presence of Southern Serow Naemorhedus sumatraensis at Hoang Lien Son-Sa Pa, on the basis of interviews.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Hoang Lien Son-Sa Pa Nature Reserve contains 11,071 ha of natural forest (Tordoff et al., 1999). Variations in altitude, topography, hydrology and micro-climate within the nature reserve have produced a wide variety of habitat types, which can be broadly classified into scrub, savanna, submontane dry evergreen forest, montane deciduous forest, sub-alpine forest and dwarf bamboo (Tordoff et al., 1999). The vegetation cover of the reserve is as follows: Agriculture and settlements, 1,286 ha; Cultivated bamboo, 55 ha; Secondary scrub, 7,999 ha; Savanna (grouped with secondary scrub under Habitats and % Cover) 4,088 ha; Plantation forest, 102 ha; Broadleaf forest 700 to 1,600 m, 948 ha; Coniferous forest 700 to 1,600 m, 236 ha;Broadleaf forest 1,600 m to 2,400 m, 8,721 ha; Mixed broadleaf and coniferous forest 1,600 to 2,400 m, 312 ha; Forest above 2,400 m, 854 ha; Dwarf bamboo above 2,400 m, 59 ha.
Land use: agriculture (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 45 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 30 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Over-exploitation of natural resources, together with clearance of land for cultivation and by accidental fire, is rapidly destroying the natural vegetation cover of Hoang Lien Son-Sa Pa Nature Reserve. Already, natural forest covers less than half the of area of the nature reserve, and continued human disturbance threatens those areas that remain. Where forest has been cleared or burnt, soil fertility has decreased, and it will be a long time before the forest regenerates (Tordoff et al., 1999). Cardomom Amomum aromaticum cultivation, timber extraction and the collection of non-timber forest products are leading to deterioration in forest quality and changes in species composition. However, the long-term effects of these activities will be less severe as, firstly, some canopy cover remains, and, secondly, nutrients are not lost through erosion. If these activities cease, the forest may be able to recover relatively rapidly (Tordoff et al., 1999).Hunting, for food and the wildlife trade, threatens populations of certain mammals and song birds (Tordoff et al., 1999).
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., Swan, S., Grindley, M. and Siurua, H. (1999) Hoang Lien Nature Reserve: biodiversity survey and conservation evaluation 1997/1998. London: Society for Environmental Exploration.Ghazoul, J. and Le Mong Chan (1994) Scientific report for Nui Hoang Lien Nature Reserve, Vietnam. London: Society for Environmental Exploration.Kemp, N., Le Mong Chan and Dilger, M. (1995) Nui Hoang Lien Nature Reserve, Sa Pa district: biodiversity survey 1995. London: Society for Environmental Exploration.Korzun, L. P. and Kalyakin, M. V. (1998) [Materials of zoological and botanical studies in Fan Si Pan summit area (North Vietnam)]. Moscow and Hanoi: Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre. In Russia.Mauro, I. (1999) A preliminary report on birds recorded from South-East Asia. Unpublished report.Eames, J.C. and Tordoff, A.W. (in prep) Recent records and a conservation status review of some threatened and near threatened bird species in Vietnam.