Sre Ambel (16680)
Cambodia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Sre Ambel
Central coordinates: Latitude: 11.1000, Longitude: 103.6833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 16
Area of KBA (km2): 80.51197
Protected area coverage (%): 98.83
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is comprised of the estuary of the Sre Ambel River, and the associated wetland habitats. The vegetation of the IBA comprises an area of intertidal mudflats and mangrove, backed by an extensive area of Melaleuca swamp, which contains numerous small wetlands. Although the IBA has received little recent ornithological study, a range of large waterbirds in small numbers, including Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea, Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Woolly-necked Stork Ciconia episcopus, Black-necked Stork Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus and Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus. Perhaps most notably, the IBA supports a small non-breeding population of Sarus Crane Grus antigone. In addition, there are historical records of both Giant and White-shouldered Ibises Pseudibis gigantea and P. davisoni from what is believed to be the general vicinity of the IBA, although there are no recent records. The IBA is included within Dong Peng Multiple Use Area, designated under the 1993 Royal Decree on Protected Areas.
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: The site holds the Globally threatened species such as Sarus Crane (Grus antigone), Milky Stork (Mycteria cinerea), Painted Stork (Myctetria leucocephala) and Lesser Adjutant (Leptoptilos javanicus). During the survey on 29-30 May 2002, 23 Woolly-necked Storks were observed feeding where Prang villagers reported to have Sarus Cranes from 4-10 birds coming every year to feed in cultivated area (UTM: 0357181-1229107) located in the northeast of Prang village about 500m. Sarus Cranes reportedly present in this area from February to early May. Non-bird biodiversity: Long-tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis).River Terrapin (Batagur baska).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Forest | 23 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 23 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 23 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 23 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Perhaps the major threat to biodiversity at the IBA is conversion of natural habitat to agriculture. Significant parts of the Melaleuca swamp have already been converted to agriculture, and the wetlands within the swamp appear to be a particular focus for conversion. This is a particular threat to Sarus Crane, which is dependent upon seasonally inundated grasslands. In addition, cutting of Melaleuca, and, to a lesser (nonetheless significant) extent, mangrove, is taking place for pole and charcoal production.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Small dams | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Document nameGoes, F. and Davidson, P. (eds.) (2001) Recent Sightings. Cambodia Bird News 8: 44-51Goes, F. and Davidson, P. (eds.) (2002) Recent Sightings. Cambodia Bird News 9: 47-59.Edwards, P.J. (1996) Cambodia wetlands ornithological survey. Xenus Ecology. Newmarket, UK.Mundkur, T., Carr, P., Sun Hean and Chhim Somean 1995. Surveys for large waterbirds in Cambodia. March - April 1994. Cambridge, UK: IUCN/SSC.Seng Kim Hout, Tan Setha, Pech Bunnat and Song Chansocheat (2001) Survey of waterbirds and shorebirds at Kampong Saom Bay from 13-18/12/2001. Unpublished report, Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia.Seng Kim Hout et al. (2002) Survey of waterbirds around Prang village. Unpublished report, Wildlife Conservation Society, Cambodia.Williamson, W. J. F. (1921) The Giant Ibis (Thaumatibis gigantea) in Cambodia. J. Nat. Hist. Soc. Siam 4: 196.BirdLife International (2001) Threatened bird of Asia: the BirdLife International Red Data Book.Draft final report (June 1994). A report on surveys of large waterbirds in Cambodia. Asian Wetland Bureau and Wildlife Protection Office, Forestry Department, Kingdom of Cambodia.