Koh Kapik (16679)
Cambodia, Asia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2012

National site name: Koh Kapik

Central coordinates: Latitude: 11.5000, Longitude: 103.0333

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 110

Area of KBA (km²): 160.10908

Protected area coverage (%): 86.71

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The IBA is situated to the south of Koh Kong provincial town, and comprises all areas of mangrove forest on Koh Kapik island and associated coastal areas on the mainland. The IBA supports the most intact mature mangrove forest in Cambodia and, arguably, in the whole of the Gulf of Thailand. The mangroves around Koh Kapik island are bisected by many creeks. Along the western coastline of the island, there are well developed mudflats, while the northern coastline is more sandy. There is a single village (Koh Kapik) on the island, where the main industry is fishing. Much of the IBA is included within Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary, and the southern parts, centred on the island, have been designated as Koh Kapik Ramsar site. The IBA is an important site for migratory waterbirds, including Nordmann's Greenshank Tringa guttifer and Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus. In addition, there are historical records of Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus from 1944, although there have been no recent records, and the current status of these globally vulnerable species at the IBA is unknown.

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: 3649 waders of 17 species recorded in January 1996. Non-bird biodiversity: Long tailed Macaque (Mamaca fascicularis) occurs in the mangrove. The best, most mature mangrove forest in Cambodia and arguably in the whole of Indochina and the gulf of Thailand.Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis)

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Marine Intertidal	50
Forest	50

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There has been extensive cutting of the mature mangrove forest at the IBA, particularly for charcoal production. Establishment and expansion of aquacultural ponds has also contributed significantly to loss of mangrove forest. In addition, there is some hunting of shorebirds at the IBA, primarily by the local Cham (ethnic muslim) communities.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Pollution	Industrial & military effluents	Type Unknown/Unrecorded	Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Housing & urban areas		Ongoing

Additional information