Xe Khampho / Xe Pian (16643)
Laos, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2003
National site name: Xe Khampho / Xe Pian
Central coordinates: Latitude: 14.7333, Longitude: 106.2667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 150 to 800
Area of KBA (km2): 1169.23045
Protected area coverage (%): 11.88
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is centred on Bolaven South-west and Xe Khampho proposed national protected areas, in southern Lao P.D.R., and also includes parts of Xe Pian and Dong Hua Sao National Protected Areas. The IBA contains the middle stretches and large parts of the catchments of the Xe Pian and Xe Khampho, which flow south from the Bolaven plateau, to Xe Pian National Protected Area. The landscape of the IBA comprises lowlands and rolling hills, generally below 700 m asl, which support semi-evergreen forest (Thewlis et al. 1996, Duckworth et al. 1998). There is a high density of non-flowing wetlands within the IBA, many of which are permanent. The IBA is of high importance for the conservation of White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata, as it supports one of only three known significant populations in the country (Thewlis et al. 1998). The riverine habitats within the IBA are also important for Masked Finfoot Heliopais personata and Lesser Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga humilis. The non-flowing wetlands within the IBA may also be important for a number of large waterbird species. However, they have been the focus of little ornithological survey to date, particularly those within Xe Khampho proposed national protected area. Finally, the semi-evergreen forest at the IBA, which is the largest area of such forest in Lao P.D.R. and as large as any in Indochina or Thailand, supports a relatively intact bird community, and is important for Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi, Red-collared Woodpecker Picus rabieri and Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis (R. J. Timmins in litt. 2002).
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: The IBA is one of few sites that suports population of White-winged Duck more than four birds. The IBA also is one of the most important site for Grey-faced Tit Babbler as it supports a great number of the birds Non-bird biodiversity: (WCS 1995) found some signs (incl. scratch marks on trees, torn open trunks and droppings) of either Sun Bear U. malayanus or Asiatic Black Bear U. thibetanus.WCS (1995) recorded three species of primate: Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis, Silvered Langur Semnopithecus cristatus and a gibbon species Hylobates species.CS found remains of one species of turtle in local villages: Impressed Tortoise Manouria impressa.WCS recorded tracks and dung several months old of one species of elephant: Asian Elphant Elephas maximus.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 67 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Human population density is relatively low within the IBA, but relatively high around it. Much of the lowland semi-evergreen forest along the middle reaches of the Xe Pian has been logged, and there appear to be patches of secondary growth aound abandoned villages (Thewlis et al. 1998). Hunting is presumably a threat to populations of a number of species. The major threat to biodiversity at the IBA is the Xe Namnoy hydropower scheme, which includes a planned dam on the upper Xe Pian. This development could lead to changes in downstream flow patterns, with potentially severe impacts on populations of bird species dependent upon aquatic habitats, such as Masked Finfoot and White-winged Duck. A potential future threat is construction of roads and establishment of new settlements within the IBA.
Additional information
References: Claridge, G. (2000) Logging in Xe Pian National Biodiversity Conservation Area: ramifications formanagement planning. Advisor report to the FOMACOP/GEF project, Vientiane, April 2000.Duckworth, J. W. (1996) Moustached Hawk-Cuckoo Cuculus vagans and Booted Eagle Hieraaetus pennatus in Laos: two species new for Indochina. Forktail 11: 159-160.Duckworth, J. W., Tizard, R. J., Timmins, R. J., Thewlis, R. M., Robichaud, W. G. and Evans, T. D. (1998) Bird records from Laos, October 1994-August 1995. Forktail 13: 33-68 (including errata sheet distributed with Forktail 14).Poulsen, M. K. (unpubl.) Full list of bird species known from Xe Pian NBCA. Unpublished list of birds compiled from Thewlis et al. (1996), Duckworth et al. (1998) and M. K. Poulsen pers. obs.Thewlis, R. M., Duckworth, J. W., Anderson, G. Q. A., Dvorak, M., Evans, T. D., Nemeth, E., Timmins, R. J. and Wilkinson, R. J. (1996) Ornithological records from Laos, 1992-1993. Forktail 11: 47-100.Thewlis, R. M., Timmins, R. J., Evans, T. D. and Duckworth, J. W. (1998) The conservation status of birds in Laos: a review of key species. Bird Conserv. Internat. 8(suppl.): 1-159.