Nam Nao (15096)
Thailand, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Nam Nao
Central coordinates: Latitude: 16.7167, Longitude: 101.5500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 220 to 1271
Area of KBA (km2): 969.80886
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises Nam Nao National Park in the Phetchabun Range of north-eastern Thailand. The site is contiguous with Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH018) to the south, Phu Pa Daeng Wildlife Sanctuary to the west and Tad Mok National Park to the south-west. The topography of the site is characterised by rolling sandstone hills, and there is a limited area at higher elevations. Several large, perennial streams, featuring scenic waterfalls, rise within the site, which forms part of the catchment of the Nam Phorm reservoir. The vegetation at the site mainly comprises mixed deciduous forest (covering c.42,700 ha) and dry evergreen forest (covering c.40,500 ha), with smaller areas of deciduous dipterocarp forest and bamboo. In addition, the site supports an unusual formation of deciduous forest dominated by large pines, which covers c.1,053 ha.
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: Together with the adjacent Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH018), Nam Nao National Park is perhaps the most important site in Thailand for the conservation of the globally endangered White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata. The key area for the species is a small patch of lowland forest along the Huai Pham Leang stream, which is contiguous with Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary. In addition to its importance for White-winged Duck, the site supports three globally near-threatened species: Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi, Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis and Brown Hornbill Anorrhinus tickelli. The site qualifies under criterion A3 because it supports 10 species restricted to the Indo-Malayan Tropical Dry Zone (Biome 11). Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals Asian Elephant Elephas maximus (EN) Tiger Panthera tigris (EN) Gaur Bos frontalis (VU) Southern Serow Capricornis sumatra(EN)sis (VU) Asian Gold(EN) Cat Catopuma temminckii (VU) Dhole Cuon alpinus (VU) East Asian Porcupine Hystrix brachyura (VU) Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca leonina (VU) Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa (VU) Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata (VU) Asian Black Bear Ursus thibetanus (VU) Reptiles Big-headed Turtle Platysternon megacephalum (EN) Plants Dipterocarpus turbinatus (CR) Dalbergia oliveri (EN) Dipterocarpus costatus (EN)
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The IBA comprises Nam Nao National Park in the Phetchabun Range of north-eastern Thailand. The site is contiguous with Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH018) to the south, Phu Pa Daeng Wildlife Sanctuary to the west and Tad Mok National Park to the south-west. The topography of the site is characterised by rolling sandstone hills, and there is a limited area at higher elevations. Several large, perennial streams, featuring scenic waterfalls, rise within the site, which forms part of the catchment of the Nam Phorm reservoir. The vegetation at the site mainly comprises mixed deciduous forest (covering c.42,700 ha) and dry evergreen forest (covering c.40,500 ha), with smaller areas of deciduous dipterocarp forest and bamboo. In addition, the site supports an unusual formation of deciduous forest dominated by large pines, which covers c.1,053 ha.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Hunting, forest fire during the dry season and unsustainable tourism development are among the main threats to biodiversity at the site. Conversion of forest to agriculture is another main threat: over 1,000 ha of natural habitat in the north of the site has been degraded or cleared by encroachment. Infrastructure development is another major conservation issue: the site is traversed by a major highway, and a portion of the key habitat for White-winged Duck along the boundary with Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary has been inundated by the Chulabhorn dam.
Additional information
References: BirdLife International (2001) Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. National Park Division (2001) National parks in Thailand. Bangkok: Office of Natural Resource Conservation, Royal Forestry Department. Royal Forestry Department (1991) The management master plan of Nam Nao National Park. Bangkok: Royal Forestry Department. Parr, J. W. K., Laothong, P. and Ruangsree, G. (1993) A survey of the White-winged Wood Duck Cairina scutulata in Thailand. Bangkok: Royal Forest Department and Slimbridge, UK: Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust.