Attapu Plain (16637)
Laos, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Attapu Plain
Central coordinates: Latitude: 14.8000, Longitude: 106.9667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 400
Area of KBA (km2): 717.72906
Protected area coverage (%): 0.02
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is situated on the Attapu plain, immediately outside of Dong Ampham National Protected Area, in southern Lao P.D.R. The vegetation of the IBA is dominated by dry dipterocarp forest, with smaller patches of mixed deciduous forest. Although the IBA is, in general, very dry, with a gravelly substrate and few permanent watercourses, there are a number of seasonal pools of varying sizes scattered throughout it (Davidson et al. 1997). The major permanent watercourses in the IBA are the Xe Khaman, which flows through the centre, and the Xe Xou, which flows through the south. The avifauna of the IBA is characteristic of dry forest landscapes in central Indochina. The IBA is thought to support small numbers of White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis and Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus. While, by itself, the IBA is almost certainly not large enough to support viable populations of these two species in the long-term, it forms part of a network of sites throughout southern Lao P.D.R. and northern Cambodia that may be able to. In addition, the IBA may be used, at least periodically, by large waterbirds (R. J. Timmins in litt. 2002). Furthermore, the rivers within the IBA are known to support Lesser Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis, and may also be important for a number of other riverine species.
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)
Additional biodiversity: Non-bird biodiversity: Davidson et al (1997) recorded one species of primate in the IBA site: Rhesus/Long-tailed Macaque Macaca mulatta/fascicularis. However, the author suggested that the species is likely to be Long-tailed Macaque.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 67 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The major threats to biodiversity at the IBA are clearance of forest for agriculture and human settlements, timber extraction and hunting, of which the last is probably the main threat to the remaining vultures. Underlying all these threats is human population expansion. The Attapu plain is currently under consideration as a resettlement area. Such a large increase in the human population in and around the IBA, combined with associated road and other infrastructure developments, would very likely to lead to increased pressure on natural resources (Davidson et al. 1997)
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Only in the past and unlikely to return | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Davidson, P., Robichaud, W. G., Tizard, R. J., Vongkhamheng, C. and Wolstencroft, J. (1997) A wildlife and habitat survey of Dong Ampham NBCA and Phou Khathong proposed NBCA, Attapeu province, Lao P.D.R. Vientiane: CPAWM/WCS.