Mondulkiri - Kratie Lowlands (16677)
Cambodia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Mondulkiri - Kratie Lowlands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 12.4667, Longitude: 106.6333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 29 to 515
Area of KBA (km2): 4824.08897
Protected area coverage (%): 68.23
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises a large area of lowlands in south-western Mondulkiri and eastern Kratie provinces, which forms part of one of the largest remaining relatively undisturbed natural landscapes in mainland South-east Asia. The topography of the IBA is gently undulating, with elevations ranging from c.50 to 350 m asl. The vegetation of the IBA is characterised by a mosaic of semi-evergreen forest and deciduous dipterocarp forest, varying from open savanna to tall, closed canopy forest. Interspersed among these forest formations are pools, permanent streams and seasonally wet meadows, which are a major factor influencing the distribution of wildlife communities. The north-eastern part of the IBA is included within Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary.The IBA supports one of the most intact remaining examples of the bird community of the dry forests of central Indochina, including such species as Giant Ibis Pseudibis gigantea, Green Peafowl Pavo muticus and Sarus Crane Grus antigone. Notably, the relative abundance of large ungulates means that the IBA may have greater potential to support viable populations of White-rumped, Long-billed and Red-headed Vultures Gyps bengalensis, G. indicus and Sarcogyps calvus than most other areas in mainland South-east Asia.
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: Non-bird biodiversity: Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis), Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina), Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang), Silvered Langur (Semnopithecus cristatus), Douc Langur (Pygathrix nemaeus), Silvered Langur (Semnopithecus cristatus).Yellow-headed Temple Turtle (Hieremys annandalii), Elongated Tortoise (Indotestudo elongata) Malayan Box Turtle (Cuora ambionensis).Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus), Gaur (Bos gaurus) and Banteng ( B. javanicus).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | nature conservation and research | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Forest | 25 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Human settlement within the IBA is largely restricted to Memong town, with little settlement outside of this area. Commercial hunting is a particular threat to populations of large mammals but is less of a threat to bird populations, but for the notable exception of Green Peafowl, which is specifically targeted due to its value in the wildlife trade.. In addition, subsistence hunting of smaller species is currently low. The major potential future threat to biodiversity at the IBA is planned and unplanned human in-migration, 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 | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Unspecified species | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Barzen, J. (2001) Waterbirds and Wetlands of Northern Cambodia. Bugle. 27(4): 1-2. Barzen, J. (2002) Waterbirds and Wetlands of Northern Cambodia. Cambodia Bird News 9:36-38. Goes, F. and Davidson, P. (eds.) (2002) Recent Sightings. Cambodia Bird News 9: 47-59. Long, B., Swan, S.R. and Kry Masphal (2000). Biological surveys in northeast Mondulkiri, Cambodia. Hanoi and Phnom Penh: Fauna & Flora International and Wildlife Protection Office. Tan Setha and Pich Bunnat (2001) Recent information on the status and conservation of Galliformes in Cambodia. Pp. 39-44 in McGowan, P. (ed.) Galliformes 2000: Proceedings of the 2nd International Galliformes Symposium. World Pheasant Association, Reading, UK. Tan Seth and Pich Bunnat (2001) The status and distribution of Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus) in southern Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia. Tragopan 16: 20. Newsletter of the WPA/BirdLife/Species Survival Commission/Pheasant Specialist Group. Tan Setha et al. (2001) The status and distribution of Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus) in Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia. Unpublished report, Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia. Timmins, R.J. and Ou Rattanak (2001) The Importance of Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary and Adjacent Areas for the Conservation of Tigers and Other Key Species. Worldwide Fund for Nature, Phnom Penh. Walston, J., Davidson, P. and Men Soriyun (2001) A Wildlife Survey of southern Mondulkiri Province, Cambodia. Wildlife Conservation Society, Phnom Penh.