Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area
Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area | |
---|---|
Champasak provinces, Laos | |
Nearest city | Pakse |
Coordinates | 15°36′28″N 105°42′39″E / 15.60778°N 105.71083°E |
Area | 1,200 km2 (460 sq mi) (decreed), 995–1,003 km2 (380–390 sq mi) (as proposed in 1999)[1] |
Designated | 29 October 1993 |
Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area is a
Geography
Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area is located about 50 kilometres (30 mi) north of
The park's western boundary is the
History
In 1983 Phou Kang Heuan, an area within the present park, was declared a Forest Reserve. Logging was ended within current park boundaries in 1992. In 1993 Phou Xieng Thong was declared a National Reserved Forest and National Biodiversity Conservation Area. Wildlife surveys began in 1996.[1]
Flora and fauna
The park's main forest type is semi-evergreen forest. Forest coverage is broken up by the rocky flats of the park's plateau at altitudes from 300 metres (1,000 ft) to 500 metres (1,600 ft).[1]
The native forests of Phou Xieng Thong host a large variety of animals and birds, including endangered species. At least 16 mammal species and 188 bird species have been catalogued.[1]
Animal species include Asian black bear, Sumatran serow, banteng, pangolin, monitor lizard and leopard.[1][3]
The Phou Xiang Thong Important Bird Area (IBA) is located within the park. The IBA covers an area of 367 square kilometres (140 sq mi) including part of the Mekong's eastern bank. Endangered bird species in the IBA include green peafowl, grey-headed parakeet and red-collared woodpecker. Bird species rare within the park include red-vented barbet, eared pitta and grey-faced tit-babbler.[3]
Threats
Phou Xieng Thong faces a number of environmental threats. Attempts have been made to create and expand settlements along the Mekong section of the park. Destructive fishing practices, including the use of explosives, have occurred along the park's streams. Hunting of pangolins and monitor lizards is a concern. Logging is on a small scale but poses a long-term threat to forests and bird species.[1][3]
See also
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Phou Xiang Thong". Greater Mekong Subregion Sustainable Tourism Development Project in Lao PDR. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
- ^
Ray, Nick; Bloom, Greg; Waters, Richard (February 2014). Lonely Planet Laos (8th ed.). ISBN 978-1-7432-1825-9.
- ^ a b c "Birdlife Data Zone: Phou Xiang Thong". BirdLife International. 2003. Retrieved 6 June 2017.