Mae Wong (15102)
Thailand, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Mae Wong
Central coordinates: Latitude: 15.8833, Longitude: 99.2333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 140 to 1960
Area of KBA (km2): 928.8665
Protected area coverage (%): 96.48
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises Mae Wong National Park, which forms part of the Western Forest Complex, the largest block of contiguous natural forest in Thailand. The site adjoins Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH024) to the west, Khlong Lan National Park to the north and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH026) to the south. Mixed deciduous forest is the dominant forest type, covering c.66,300 ha of the site. Hill evergreen forest is found at higher elevations and covers c.16,200 ha. Dry evergreen forest and deciduous dipterocarp forest are found locally in smaller patches. Shifting cultivation has modified some of the middle and lower elevation forest habitats in some areas.
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: The site supports a population of the globally threatened Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis. Two other globally threatened species, Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea and Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, occur irregularly as non-breeding visitors. The site is situated within the Myanmar-Thailand Mountains Secondary Area (SA080), as it supports Burmese Yuhina Yuhina humilis, the restricted-range species that defines this Secondary Area. The site also supports two globally near-threatened species: Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis and Brown Hornbill Anorrhinus tickelli. The highest mountain at the site, Doi Mukoju, supports a number of bird species characteristic of upper montane forest that reach the southern edge of their distributions in this and adjacent areas, including Rusty-capped Fulvetta Alcippe dubia, Chestnut-tailed Minla Minla strigula, Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha, Brown-throated Treecreeper Certhia discolor, White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana and Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis. The latter may be the endemic subspecies A. n. angkanensis known from Doi Inthanon National Park (IBA TH001). In addition, Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris, a nationally threatened species, also occurs. The site qualifies under criterion A3 because it supports 15 species restricted to the Indochinese Tropical Moist Forests (Biome 09). Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals Banteng Bos javanicus EN Asian Asian Elephant Elephas maximus EN Tiger Panthera tigris EN Southern Serow Capricornis sumatraensis VU Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii VU Dhole Cuon alpinus VU East Asian Porcupine Hystrix brachyura VU Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca leonina VU Plants Afzelia xylocarpa EN Anisoptera costata EN Dalbergia oliveri EN Dipterocarpus alatus EN Shorea roxburghii EN Hopea odorata VU Wrightia lecomtei VU
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The IBA comprises Mae Wong National Park, which forms part of the Western Forest Complex, the largest block of contiguous natural forest in Thailand. The site adjoins Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH024) to the west, Khlong Lan National Park to the north and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH026) to the south. Mixed deciduous forest is the dominant forest type, covering c.66,300 ha of the site. Hill evergreen forest is found at higher elevations and covers c.16,200 ha. Dry evergreen forest and deciduous dipterocarp forest are found locally in smaller patches. Shifting cultivation has modified some of the middle and lower elevation forest habitats in some areas.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Hunting, illegal logging and collection of non-timber forest products, encroachment by agriculture from the surrounding lowlands and plains, and tourism development are currently the main threats to biodiversity at the site. In addition, there exist proposals for a hydro-electric dam, which, if constructed, would flood some parts of the site.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Bird Conservation Society of Thailand Bulletin 20(4):16-20 (April 2003). 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. Chantraratien, R. et al. (2001) The Western Forest Complex: the largest forest in Thailand. Bangkok: Seub Nakhasathien Foundation. Conservation Data Center, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok. Division of Survey and Natural Resources Management Planning (undated) Preliminary master plan for Mae Wong National Park land use management. Unpublished report to the Land Resources and Forest Section, Office of Natural Resources Conservation, Royal Forestry Department. National Park Division (2001) National parks in Thailand. Bangkok: Office of Natural Resource Conservation, Royal Forestry Department.