Current view: Text account
Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA is located at the western edge of the Mekong Delta, and comprises an area of seasonally inundated grassland, interspersed with Melaleuca scrub, along the international border with Vietnam. The IBA is located at the northern extent of the Ha Tien plain, a once extensive area of seasonally inundated grassland and other natural habitats, which extends into Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. Large areas of natural habitat in the Vietnamese part of the Ha Tien plain have been converted into agriculture and aquaculture, while the mosaic of natural habitats in the Cambodian part have been reduced to around 1,000 ha in extent. The seasonally inundated grasslands support a non-breeding population of Sarus Crane Grus antigone, estimated by local people to number 80 to 150 birds. Whether these birds are part of the non-breeding population that regularly visits Kien Luong IBA (VN005) in the Vietnamese part of the Ha Tien plain is not known but, given the proximity of the two sites, this seems likely.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The biodiversity of the IBA is under severe and immediate threat. Local people report that, each year, poison is used to hunt Sarus Cranes for food. However, the most serious threat is habitat loss. In recent years, a large proportion of the natural habitat at the IBA has been converted into agricultural land and aquacultural ponds. Drainage canals have already been dug into the most significant remaining areas of seasonally inundated grassland, and it is very likely that, without immediate and effective conservation action, all remaining areas of natural habitat at the IBA will soon be lost.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Recommendationshe biodiversity of the IBA is under severe and immediate threat. Local people report that, each year, poison is used to hunt Sarus Cranes for food. However, the most serious threat is habitat loss. In recent years, a large proportion of the natural habitat at the IBA has been converted into agricultural land and aquacultural ponds. Drainage canals have already been dug into the most significant remaining areas of seasonally inundated grassland, and it is very likely that, without immediate and effective conservation action, all remaining areas of natural habitat at the IBA will soon be lost.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Kampong Trach (Cambodia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/kampong-trach-iba-cambodia on 23/12/2024.
