Chhep (16658)
Cambodia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Chhep
Central coordinates: Latitude: 14.0667, Longitude: 105.5000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 35 to 767
Area of KBA (km2): 2573.32618
Protected area coverage (%): 90.50
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is located in the northern plains of Cambodia, and is centred on the recently decreed Forest Reserve for Conservation of Genetic Diversity, Vegetation and Wildlife Resources in Chhep and Chom Khsan districts. The vegetation of the IBA is characterised by a complex mosaic of habitats, determined by soil quality, proximity to water and topography. Poorer, sandy soils, support a variety of open deciduous dipterocarp forest types, often dominated by only a few species, that characterizes this landscape. Richer, alluvial soils, often near watercourses, support more species-rich forest, dominated by tall, mature dipterocarps, with multiple canopy layers shading a complex herbaceous understorey. Extensive grasslands and seasonal meadows form a patchwork within the open deciduous dipterocarp forest that is unique to the area, and is arguably one of the richest remaining grasslands in the whole of Asia. To the north, the IBA is contiguous with areas of similar natural habitat in Laos.The IBA supports one of the most intact remaining examples of the bird community of the dry forests of central Indochina. The IBA supports a large number of globally threatened and near-threatened bird species, including Green Peafowl Pavo muticus, White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata, Sarus Crane Grus antigone, White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis, Long-billed Vulture G. indicus, Red-headed Vulture Sarcogyps calvus, Greater Adjutant Leptoptilos dubius, Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus and Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus. Most notably, the IBA supports one of the largest remaining populations of Giant Ibis Pseudibis gigantea in the world. In addition it supports small numbers of wintering Manchurian Reed Warbler Acrocephalus tangorum.
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: Other regionally significant bird species: Great Slaty Woodpecker, Streak-throated Woodpecker, White-bellied Woodpecker, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Stork-billed Kingfisher, Alexandrine Parakeet, Green Imperial Pigeon, Orange-breasted Green Pigeon, Woolly-necked Stork, Grey Heron. Non-bird biodiversity: Red listed mammals occuring (all from Prum Sovanna, mammal list in Preah Vihea province): Asian Elephant, Leopard, Guar, Banteng, Eld's Deer, Dhole, Tiger.Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis), Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina ), Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang).Asiatic Softshell Turtle (Amyda cartilaginea), Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata), Yellow-headed Temple Turtle (Hieremys annandalii), Giant Asian Pond Turtle (Heosemys grandis), Malayan Box Turtle (Cuora ambionensis).Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Banteng (Bos javanicus), Gaur (Bos gaurus), Eld's Deer (Cervus eldii).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | military | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Forest | 80 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Hunting is only occurring at low levels, primarily for subsistence, and, although it is thought to be potentially increasing, it is not currently a severe threat to populations of large waterbirds. Perhaps the greatest threat to these populations is opportunistic collection of eggs and chicks from the nest, particularly in the case of Sarus Crane. Local people close to the international border with Laos report that poison, which is used to catch fish in permanent pools and streams, can also kill waterbirds. Dynamite fishing is also reported to be an increasing problem at seasonal pools. Another significant threat to biodiversity at the IBA is illegal logging in areas of semi-evergreen forest, particularly along watercourses. Major potential future threats to biodiversity at the IBA include human in-migration, provincial road development plans, and the agricultural expansion and increase in hunting that would accompany it.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Barzen, J. (2002) Waterbirds and Wetlands of Northern Cambodia. Bugle.Barzen, J. (2002) Waterbirds and Wetlands of Northern Cambodia. Cambodia Bird News 9:36-38.Davidson, P. (2001) A further twelve new species for Cambodia. Cambodia Bird News 7: 26-35Davidson, P., Poole, C.M. and Walston, J. (2001). Cambodia's Northern Plains: heartland of the Giant Ibis. World Birdwatch 23 (4): 15-19.Prum Sovanna (2001) Mammal list from Preah Vihear Province. Unpublished report, Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia.Goes, F. (2001). L'Ibis Géant, un oiseau légendaire et misanthrope. Cambodia Bird News 7: 2-6.Goes, F. and Davidson, P. (eds.) (2001) Recent Sightings. Cambodia Bird News 7: 38-45.Goes, F. and Davidson, P. (eds.) (2002) Recent Sightings. Cambodia Bird News 9: 47-59.Tan Setha (2001) Bird checklist from Preah Vihear Province. Unpublished report, Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia.