Tonle Sap–Mekong peat swamp forests
Tonle Sap-Mekong peat swamp forests | |
---|---|
Indomalayan | |
Biome | Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests |
Geography | |
Area | 29,526 km2 (11,400 sq mi) |
Country | Cambodia, Vietnam |
Coordinates | 10°N 105°E / 10°N 105°E |
The Tonle Sap-Mekong peat swamp forests
Location and description
There are four main sectors to the ecoregion. The smallest is northwest of
Climate
The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical savanna climate - dry winter (Köppen climate classification (Aw)). This climate is characterized by relatively even temperatures throughout the year, and a pronounced dry season. The driest month has less than 60 mm of precipitation, and is drier than the average month.[4][5]
Flora and fauna
85% of the region has been brought under cultivation; only 15% of the land is forested.[3] On alluvial clay soils in the region there are extensive wetlands featuring sedge and grass species such as Phragmites karka, hardy sugar cane (Tripidium arundinaceum, and Coix gigantea. A type of swamp found nearest the brackish mangroves are known as 'paperbark swamps', dominated by Long-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca leucadendra), a member of the myrtle family. The paperbark swamps have been reduced but are currently the focus of reforesting efforts as they store water and help to reduce flooding.
Protected areas
Except for small portions of the ecoregion extending into the Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve, there are few protected areas.
- Tonle Sap Lake
- Borey Cholsar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Boeung Prek Lapouv Ramsar Site
- Tràm Chim National Park an important wetland of reed beds used by vulnerable waterbirds
- U Minh Thượng National Park and U Minh Hạ National Park are two areas of high biodiversity in the southern Mekong Delta
- Láng Sen Wetland Reserve
- Gáo Giồng Nature Reserve
- Trà Sư Cajuput Forest
References
- ^ a b "Tonle Sap-Mekong peat swamp forests". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
- ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ a b "Tonle Sap-Mekong peat swamp forests". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
- ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
- ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.