Khao Laem (15106)
Thailand, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Khao Laem
Central coordinates: Latitude: 14.9167, Longitude: 98.5000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 1700
Area of KBA (km2): 1741.2757
Protected area coverage (%): 92.32
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises Khao Laem National Park, which is situated in the Tenasserim range. The site is located in the Western Forest Complex, and is contiguous with Thung Yai-Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH025) to the north and Lam Khlong Ngu National Park to the south. The site includes the catchments of several rivers, including the Kwai Noi, which feeds Khao Laem reservoir (c.38,800 ha). The topography of the site is dominated by a chain of steep limestone mountains, which traverse the site on a north-south axis. The site also includes more gently sloping, forested lands around Khao Laem reservoir. Vegetation at the site chiefly comprises deciduous forest types, which cover c.94,100 ha, with smaller areas of hill evergreen forest, dry evergreen forest and bamboo.
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 small population of the globally threatened Plain-pouched Hornbill Aceros subruficollis. There is also an historical record of the globally vulnerable Brown-chested Jungle Flycatcher Rhinomyias brunneata from 1987. Two globally near-threatened species have also been recorded at the site, Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis and Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, although neither have been regularly recorded in significant numbers. Khao Laem National Park also supports a number of species restricted species to the Indochinese Tropical Moist Forests (Biome 09). The site qualifies under criterion A3 because it supports 12 species restricted to the Indochinese Tropical Moist Forests (Biome 09). Non-bird biodiversity: Asian Elephant Elephas maximus (EN) Tiger Panthera tigris (EN) Southern Serow Capricornis sumatraensis (VU) Dhole Cuon alpinus (VU) East Asian Porcupine Hystrix brachyura (VU) Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca leonina (VU) Plants Dipterocarpus gracilis (CR) Parashorea stellata (CR) Dipterocarpus alatus (EN) Aglaia perviridis (VU) Dipterocarpus retusus (VU) Hopea odorata (VU)
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The IBA comprises Khao Laem National Park, which is situated in the Tenasserim range. The site is located in the Western Forest Complex, and is contiguous with Thung Yai-Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH025) to the north and Lam Khlong Ngu National Park to the south. The site includes the catchments of several rivers, including the Kwai Noi, which feeds Khao Laem reservoir (c.38,800 ha). The topography of the site is dominated by a chain of steep limestone mountains, which traverse the site on a north-south axis. The site also includes more gently sloping, forested lands around Khao Laem reservoir. Vegetation at the site chiefly comprises deciduous forest types, which cover c.94,100 ha, with smaller areas of hill evergreen forest, dry evergreen forest and bamboo.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 37 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 26 | |
| Forest | 37 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Hunting, burning, illegal logging and encroachment by agriculture are the main threats to biodiversity at the site. Tourism development also represents another potential threat, particularly rafting, and sightseeing around Khao Laem reservoir.
| 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: 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. Chantrarathien, R. et al. (2001) The Western Forest Complex: the largest forest in Thailand. Bangkok: Seub Nakhasathien Foundation. Institute of Science and Technology of Thailand (1991) Master plan for Khao Laem National Park, Kanchanaburi province, 1992-1999. Unpublished report. National Park Division (2001) National parks in Thailand. Bangkok: Office of Natural Resource Conservation, Royal Forestry Department.