Ko Phra Thong (15125)
Thailand, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Ko Phra Thong
Central coordinates: Latitude: 9.0833, Longitude: 98.2833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 200
Area of KBA (km2): 91.97748
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises Ko Pra Thong, a large island off the coast of Kuraburi district, Phang-nga province, which forms part of a spectacular natural harbour in the Andaman Sea. Habitats at the site comprise grassy flats, freshwater pools and mangroves. In spite of there being no permanent sources of freshwater on the island, it supports four human settlements. In 2001, Ko Pra Thong was proposed for designation as a marine national park.
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: Ko Pra Thong is the last remaining site in Thailand known to support a significant breeding population of the globally threatened Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus. Over half of the total number of Lesser Adjutants recorded annually in Thailand occur at the site. In addition, the site supports significant populations of the globally threatened Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea and three globally near-threatened species: Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon Treron fulvicollis, Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus and White-chested Babbler Trichastoma rostratum. A fourth globally near-threatened species, Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii, has also been recorded at the site but not in significant numbers. In addition, the site supports populations of a number of nationally threatened species, such as Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus, Orange-breasted Pigeon Treron bicincta and White-bellied Woodpecker Dryocopus javensis. The site qualifies under criterion A3 because it supports one species (Pale-capped Pigeon) restricted to the Indochinese Tropical Moist Forests (Biome 09) and two species (Cinnamon-headed Green Pigeon and White-chested Babbler) restricted to Sundaic Lowland Forests (Biome 14). Non-bird biodiversity: No information is available about other globally threatened species at the site.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The IBA comprises Ko Pra Thong, a large island off the coast of Kuraburi district, Phang-nga province, which forms part of a spectacular natural harbour in the Andaman Sea. Habitats at the site comprise grassy flats, freshwater pools and mangroves. In spite of there being no permanent sources of freshwater on the island, it supports four human settlements. In 2001, Ko Pra Thong was proposed for designation as a marine national park.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 33 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats to biodiversity at the site are collection of Lesser Adjutant nestlings (for food) and unsustainable tourism development. Disturbance resulting from increasing tourism has recently caused the Lesser Adjutants to leave their nests. In addition, tourism developments are encroaching into natural habitats at the site.
Additional information
References: Advanced Thailand Geographic (2001) Vol. 6. BirdLife International (2001) Threatened birds of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book. Cambridge, UK: BirdLife International. Office of Environmental Policy and Planning (1999) Directory of internationally important wetlands in Thailand. Bangkok: Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment. (In Thai.)