Sanambin (15099)
Thailand, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Sanambin
Central coordinates: Latitude: 14.6333, Longitude: 103.0833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 160 to 161
Area of KBA (km2): 3.74281
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises Sanambin Non-hunting Area, a perennial reservoir, created in 1975, and consisting of 200 ha of open water surrounded by marshes. The reservoir is an important local fishery and provides a water supply for Pha Khon Chai district. The reservoir is fed by several small streams, and the main outflow is via irrigation and municipal water supply canals. Water depth generally averages 2 to 3 m. A causeway divides the site into two parts. The dominant aquatic vegetation fringing the open water includes Nymphoides indicum, N. lotus and Salvinia cucullata, while the dominant vegetation in the marshes around the reservoir includes Scirpus grossus, S. mucronatus and Eleocharis dulcis. Surrounding areas support rice paddies, grazing land and patches of deciduous dipterocarp woodland.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard. 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: Sanambin Non-hunting Area is an important wintering site for waterbirds, particularly herons and egrets. Each year, the site supports a significant number of waterfowl, including over 1% of the Asian biogeographic populations of Great Egret Casmerodius albus and Intermediate Egret Mesophoyx intermedia. Two globally threatened species have been recorded at the site, although not in significant numbers: Baer's Pochard Aythya baeri and Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis. In addition, the globally near-threatened Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala was recorded in 1999 and 2004 but, again, the site does not regularly support significant numbers. The site is also one of the only localities in Thailand where Comb Duck Sarkidiornis melanotos, a nationally threatened species, regularly occurs. Northern Pintail Anas acuta and Garganey A. querquedula are present, sometimes in thousands. Moreover, the site supports substantial wintering roosts of Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica; in January 2004, over 10,000 birds were counted roosting at the site. Non-bird biodiversity: No information is available about other globally threatened species at the site.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The IBA comprises Sanambin Non-hunting Area, a perennial reservoir, created in 1975, and consisting of 200 ha of open water surrounded by marshes. The reservoir is an important local fishery and provides a water supply for Pha Khon Chai district. The reservoir is fed by several small streams, and the main outflow is via irrigation and municipal water supply canals. Water depth generally averages 2 to 3 m. A causeway divides the site into two parts. The dominant aquatic vegetation fringing the open water includes Nymphoides indicum, N. lotus and Salvinia cucullata, while the dominant vegetation in the marshes around the reservoir includes Scirpus grossus, S. mucronatus and Eleocharis dulcis. Surrounding areas support rice paddies, grazing land and patches of deciduous dipterocarp woodland.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 33 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Conversion of wetlands to agriculture and over-fishing are considered to be the two main threats to biodiversity at the site.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Bird Conservation Society of Thailand (2002) Report of the mid-winter waterfowl census at Sanambin Non-hunting Area in 2002. Unpublished report. BirdLife International (2001) Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. Suntraraporn, T. (2004) Report of the mid-winter waterfowl census at Sanambin Non-hunting Area in 2004. Unpublished report to Bird Conservation Society of Thailand. Wolstencroft, J., Parr, J. W. K. and Goodey, M. (1993) A survey of wetlands in north-east Thailand. Kuala Lumpur: Asian Wetland Bureau.