Koh Rong Archipelago (16685)
Cambodia, Asia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2003

National site name: Koh Rong Archipelago

Central coordinates: Latitude: 10.7167, Longitude: 103.2500

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 317

Area of KBA (km²): 106.70241

Protected area coverage (%): 56.05

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The IBA comprises the Koh Rong archipelago a group of islands situated in the mouth of Kampong Saom bay, 20 km west of Sihanoukville. The largest islands are Koh Rong and Koh Rong Samlem, while smaller islands include Koh Ta and Koh Pos. The islands are characterized by sandy beaches, rocky shores, coral reefs (which are often degraded), and small areas of mangrove and seagrass. The vegetation of the islands is dominated by evergreen forest, although this is degraded by logging in many places. The sandy beaches, which fringe the islands, are important breeding sites for Malaysian Plover Charadrius peronii.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.

Additional biodiversity: 8 Lesser Frigatebirds, 1 Bridled Tern and 1 Peregrine Falcon were recorded on 23 February 1999. Non-bird biodiversity: Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) (Phay Somany, Department of Fisheries, pers. comm.).

Habitats

Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | urban/industrial/transport

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Marine Neritic	5
Forest	5
Marine Coastal/Supratidal	5
Marine Intertidal	85

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: With the exception of Koh Rong, the islands are mainly uninhabited, apart from a small military base on Koh Rong Samlem. Threats to biodiversity at the IBA include human disturbance, especially from fishing activities, and, potentially egg and chick collection by local people. Tourism development, particularly on Koh Pos, is a potential future threat, as it could disturb breeding beaches for Malaysian Plover.

Additional information