Nam Ha (16628)
Laos, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Nam Ha
Central coordinates: Latitude: 21.0000, Longitude: 101.2333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 250 to 2094
Area of KBA (km2): 2816.47892
Protected area coverage (%): 75.06
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is situated inside Nam Ha Protected Area, in northern Lao P.D.R. The IBA lies along a mountainous ridge, between 1,000 and 2,094 m asl, that runs south-west from the international border with China. The natural vegetation of the IBA is dry evergreen forest with upper montane forest at higher elevations. Large areas of forest have, however, been cleared for shifting cultivation and now support Imperata grassland. Most of the remaining areas of forest have been disturbed, although there are some remnant patches of relatively undisturbed forest at high elevations. The IBA supports a rich montane avifauna, and was selected on the basis that it supports a significant number of biome-restricted bird species, including some that are not known to occur at any other IBA in Lao P.D.R., such as White-bellied Redstart Hodgsonius phaenicuroides, Crested Finchbill Spizixos canifrons and White-necked Laughingthrush Garrulax strepitans.
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 IBA is qualified under Biome-restricted assemblages (A3). The IBA supports many species of A3 of which some occur in less than three IBAs or only in this IBA. Nam Ha Northern Highlands IBA is not known to support any key bird species (Tizard et al. 1997). Non-bird biodiversity: Tizard et al. (1997) observed Assamese Macaque Macaca assamensis. In addition, Slow Loris Nycticebus coucang, Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta and Stump-tailed Macaque M. arctoides were reported but not confirmed.Tizard et al. (1997) confirmed that one ungulate species in the IBA: Gaur Bos gaurus occuring in the IBA, but the abundance uncertain.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 77 | |
| Grassland | 18 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: According to a preliminary survey of threats, the main threats to biodiversity at the IBA are shifting cultivation, which is resulting in habitat loss, and exploitation of NTFPs for sale, which is resulting in declines in the populations of certain species (Johnson 2000). Other threats include hunting for sale, exploitation of NTFPs for subsistence, hunting for food, infrastructure development, and grazing by free-ranging livestock (Johnson 2000).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Johnson, A. (2000) Use of a conceptual model and threat assessment to design and monitor effectiveness of the Nam Ha National Biodiversity Conservation Area, Lao P.D.R. Pp. 356-364 In: A. Galt, Sigaty, T. and Vinton, M. eds. The World Commission on Protected Areas, 2nd Southeast Asia regional forum. Pakse: IUCN Lao P.D.R.Tizard, R. J., Davidson, P., Khounboline, K. and Salivong, K. (1997) A wildlife and habitat survey of Nam Ha and Nam Kong Protected Areas, Luang Namtha province, Lao P.D.R. Vientiane: CPAWM/WCS.