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Site description (2004 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA comprises Mae Wong National Park, which forms part of the Western Forest Complex, the largest block of contiguous natural forest in Thailand. The site adjoins Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH024) to the west, Khlong Lan National Park to the north and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH026) to the south. Mixed deciduous forest is the dominant forest type, covering c.66,300 ha of the site. Hill evergreen forest is found at higher elevations and covers c.16,200 ha. Dry evergreen forest and deciduous dipterocarp forest are found locally in smaller patches. Shifting cultivation has modified some of the middle and lower elevation forest habitats in some areas.
The site supports a population of the globally threatened Rufous-necked Hornbill Aceros nipalensis. Two other globally threatened species, Pale-capped Pigeon Columba punicea and Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, occur irregularly as non-breeding visitors. The site is situated within the Myanmar-Thailand Mountains Secondary Area (SA080), as it supports Burmese Yuhina Yuhina humilis, the restricted-range species that defines this Secondary Area. The site also supports two globally near-threatened species: Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis and Brown Hornbill Anorrhinus tickelli. The highest mountain at the site, Doi Mukoju, supports a number of bird species characteristic of upper montane forest that reach the southern edge of their distributions in this and adjacent areas, including Rusty-capped Fulvetta Alcippe dubia, Chestnut-tailed Minla Minla strigula, Yellow-bellied Fantail Rhipidura hypoxantha, Brown-throated Treecreeper Certhia discolor, White-browed Shortwing Brachypteryx montana and Green-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga nipalensis. The latter may be the endemic subspecies A. n. angkanensis known from Doi Inthanon National Park (IBA TH001). In addition, Crested Kingfisher Megaceryle lugubris, a nationally threatened species, also occurs.
The site qualifies under criterion A3 because it supports 15 species restricted to the Indochinese Tropical Moist Forests (Biome 09).
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals
Banteng Bos javanicus EN Asian
Asian Elephant Elephas maximus EN
Tiger Panthera tigris EN
Southern Serow Capricornis sumatraensis VU
Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii VU
Dhole Cuon alpinus VU
East Asian Porcupine Hystrix brachyura VU
Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca leonina VU
Plants
Afzelia xylocarpa EN
Anisoptera costata EN
Dalbergia oliveri EN
Dipterocarpus alatus EN
Shorea roxburghii EN
Hopea odorata VU
Wrightia lecomtei VU
The IBA comprises Mae Wong National Park, which forms part of the Western Forest Complex, the largest block of contiguous natural forest in Thailand. The site adjoins Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH024) to the west, Khlong Lan National Park to the north and Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (IBA TH026) to the south. Mixed deciduous forest is the dominant forest type, covering c.66,300 ha of the site. Hill evergreen forest is found at higher elevations and covers c.16,200 ha. Dry evergreen forest and deciduous dipterocarp forest are found locally in smaller patches. Shifting cultivation has modified some of the middle and lower elevation forest habitats in some areas.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Hunting, illegal logging and collection of non-timber forest products, encroachment by agriculture from the surrounding lowlands and plains, and tourism development are currently the main threats to biodiversity at the site. In addition, there exist proposals for a hydro-electric dam, which, if constructed, would flood some parts of the site.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Mae Wong (Thailand). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/mae-wong-iba-thailand on 23/12/2024.
