Phu Khieo (15097)
Thailand, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Phu Khieo
Central coordinates: Latitude: 16.3333, Longitude: 101.6167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 250 to 1375
Area of KBA (km2): 1574.51818
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in the Phetchabun range of north-eastern Thailand. The site adjoins Nam Nao National Park (IBA TH017) to the north, Ta Bao-Huai Yai Wildlife Sanctuary to the south-west and Tad Mok National Park to the west. The topography of the site is dominated by a large, steep-sided plateau at around 900 m asl, with some limestone outcrops. The vegetation at the site comprises mixed deciduous forest with smaller areas of semi-evergreen forest below 800 m asl, accounting for c.20% of the total area, and hill evergreen forest with semi-natural clearings at higher elevations, covering c.55% of the total area. Some agricultural encroachment has occurred at the site, promoting successional grassland and other secondary habitats, especially around Tung Kramong and Bung Pan. The lowlands in the Phrom basin at c.500-600 m asl, along the border with Nam Nao National Park (IBA TH017), have been partly inundated following the construction of the Chulabhorn dam.
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 Nam Nao National Park (IBA TH017), Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most important sites for the conservation of the globally endangered White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata in Thailand. The total population in the two contiguous IBAs was estimated at c.24 individuals in 1993. Two other globally threatened species have been recorded at the site, although neither is thought to occur regularly in significant numbers. In addition, the site supports significant populations of four globally near-threatened species: White-rumped Falcon Polihierax insignis, Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi, Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis and Brown Hornbill Anhorrhinus tickelli. A fifth globally near-threatened species, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, has been recorded at the site but is not confirmed to regularly occur in significant numbers. Furthermore, both Green Peafowl Pavo muticus and Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, two globally vulnerable species, are regularly recorded near the wildlife sanctuary headquarters. However, these records are believed to refer to released birds. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals Hairy Rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis (CR) Asian Elephant Elephas maximus (EN) Tiger Panthera tigris (EN) Gaur Bos frontalis (VU) Southern Serow Capricornis sumatraensis (VU) Asian Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii (VU) Dhole Cuon alpinus (VU) East Asian Porcupine Hystrix brachyura (VU) Bear Macaque Macaca arctoides (VU) Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca leonina (VU) Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa (VU) Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus (VU) Bourret's Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus paradoxolophus (VU) Asian Black Bear Ursus thibetanus (VU) Reptiles Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis (CR) Big-headed Turtle Platysternon megacephalum (EN) Fish Puntius speleops (VU) Plants Afzelia xylocarpa (EN) Hopea ferrea (EN) Hopea odorata (VU)
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The IBA comprises Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in the Phetchabun range of north-eastern Thailand. The site adjoins Nam Nao National Park (IBA TH017) to the north, Ta Bao-Huai Yai Wildlife Sanctuary to the south-west and Tad Mok National Park to the west. The topography of the site is dominated by a large, steep-sided plateau at around 900 m asl, with some limestone outcrops. The vegetation at the site comprises mixed deciduous forest with smaller areas of semi-evergreen forest below 800 m asl, accounting for c.20% of the total area, and hill evergreen forest with semi-natural clearings at higher elevations, covering c.55% of the total area. Some agricultural encroachment has occurred at the site, promoting successional grassland and other secondary habitats, especially around Tung Kramong and Bung Pan. The lowlands in the Phrom basin at c.500-600 m asl, along the border with Nam Nao National Park (IBA TH017), have been partly inundated following the construction of the Chulabhorn dam.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 97 | |
| Grassland | 3 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: One of the main threats to biodiversity at the site is hunting, which is a potentially severe threat to the White-winged Duck population. Forest fire during the dry season is another major threat. Some lowland areas within the wildlife sanctuary have already been inundated following the construction of the Chulabhorn dam, and further infrastructure development is a potential threat.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: BirdLife International (1998) Proceedings of the Thailand IBA workshop, Bangkok, November 1998. Unpublished report. BirdLife International (2001) Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. Kasetsart University Forestry Faculty (1989) Final report of the Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary management master plan. Unpublished report. Khob Khat, O. (1989) Birds in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary. Bangkok: Biology Conservation Center, Science Faculty, Mahidol University. Kreetiyutanot, K. and Horata, T. (1995) Species diversity, habitats and status of mammals and birds in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Chaiyaphum province. Bangkok: Kasamsri. Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary and Khon Kean University (1995) Integrated information system for the management of Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary. Unpublished report. Round, P. D. (1988) Resident forest birds in Thailand: their status and conservation. Cambridge, UK: International Council for Bird Preservation. Sanguanyat, N. (1997) Species diversity, habitats and status of birds in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Chaiyaphum province. Bangkok: Kasamsri. UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Center website http//:www.wcmc.org.uk/protected_areas Wildlife Conservation Division (2000) Basic data for wildlife sanctuaries in Thailand. Bangkok: Office of Natural Resources Conservation, Forestry Department.