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Site description (2003 baseline)
The topography of the IBA is characterised by limestone karst outcrops, interspersed with undulating limestone hills and valleys. The vegetation of the IBA is dominated by sparsely vegetated limestone karst, with semi-evergreen forest and mixed deciduous forest in valley bottoms (Thewlis et al. 1998, Walston and Vinton 1999). Forest in the east of the IBA, close to the international border with Vietnam, may be the only example of wet evergreen forest on limestone in Lao P.D.R.

Key biodiversity
The previous surveys did not focus sufficiently on birds in the IBA area. Only well surveyed area was at Houay Gouan Xiem, but very much on the edge of the IBA and the Protected Area. Large area of IBA, deeping into the eastern side close to the Vietnamese border is the least known area. In the furture, more bird surveys in such area are required.There were records of undescribed Phylloscopus leaf warbler species, that may be a new species in the IBA.

Non-bird biodiversity: Walston and Vinton (1999) recorded two species of other important fauna: Inornate Squirrel C. inornatus and either Asiatic Black Bear U. thibetanus or Sun Bear U. malayanus. Seven species were also reported (or their specimens were observed during the survey at local villages) occur in the area: Dhole C. alpinus, Oriental Small-clawed Otter A. cinereal, Owston's Palm Civet H. owstoni, Leopard Cat P. bengalensis, Marbled Cat P. marmorata, Clouded Leopard P. nebulosa and Tiger P. tigris.Walston and Vinton (1999) observed seven species of primate: Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca nemestrina, Assamese Macaque M. assamensis, Rhesus Macaque M. mulatta, Bear Macaque M. arctoides, Francois's Langur Semnopithecus francoisi, Douc Langur Pygathrix nemaeus and White/Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon Hylobates leucogenys/gabriellae.The results of interviewing local people showed that six species of turtle to occur within the survey area by Walston and Vinton (1999), but the sighting sites of these species were not confirmed and they might not occur inside this IBA area. The species reported include Asian Leaf Turtle Cyclemys dentata complex, Yellow-headed Temple Turtle Hieremys annandalii, Keeled Box Turtle Pyxidea mouhotii, Elongated Tortoise Indotestudo elongata, Asiatic Softshell Turtle Amyda cartilaginea and Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle Palea steindacheri (Walston and Vinton 1999).There are the evidences or reports of Gaur Bos gaurus.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hin Namno (Laos). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hin-namno-iba-laos on 22/12/2024.