Koh Tang Archipelago (16686)
Cambodia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2012
National site name: Koh Tang Archipelago
Central coordinates: Latitude: 10.3000, Longitude: 103.1333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 134
Area of KBA (km2): 7.60166
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA comprises the Koh Tang archipelago, a small group of islands situated in the Gulf of Thailand, c. 50 km south-west of Sihanoukville. The islands are situated in shallow water (up to c.50 m deep), and are characterised by small, sandy beaches, rocky shores and coral reefs. The islands all support degraded evergreen forest. The IBA supports Nicobar Pigeon Caloenas nicobarica, a species largely restricted to offshore, forested islands. In addition, Christmas Island Frigatebird Fregata andrewsi has been recorded at the IBA and potentially roosts on the satellite islands.
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: Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) (Phay Somany, Department of Fisheries, pers. comm.).
Delineation rationale: Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations.
Habitats
Land use: military | not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 25 | |
| Marine Neritic | 25 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 25 | |
| Forest | 25 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Although the IBA is uninhabited, apart from a small military base, the major threats to biodiversity are disturbance from human activities, especially fishing, and, potentially, hunting and egg and chick collection by resident military personnel and visiting fishermen. Another potential threat is introduction of alien predators, such as cats and dogs, to the islands, which could threaten the largely terrestrial Nicobar Pigeon.
Additional information
References: Document nameDavidson, P. (2001) A further twelve new species for Cambodia. Cambodia Bird News 7: 26-35Goes, F. and Davidson, P. (eds.) (2001) Recent Sightings. Cambodia Bird News 8: 44-51