Current view: Text account
Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA is situated in northern Santuk District, to the north-east of Stung Sen/Santuk/Baray IBA (KH021). The vegetation of the IBA chiefly comprises degraded deciduous dipterocarp forest, interspersed with seasonal wetlands and patches of paddy rice cultivation. The IBA is one of the only areas in Cambodia currently known to support non-breeding Bengal Floricans (Houbaropsis bengalensis), which visit the site during the wet season when their breeding areas in the inundation zone of Tonle Sap Lake are flooded. Also during the wet season, the seasonal wetlands at the IBA support a number of other globally threatened and near-threatened bird species, including Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala), Lesser Adjutant ( Leptoptilos javanicus) and Greater Adjutant (Leptoptilos dubius).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
One of the major threats to biodiversity at the IBA is hunting, which is a particular threat to Bengal Florican. While hunting pressure on this species at the IBA may not be as severe as in the breeding areas, the level and impact of hunting are not yet fully understood. Another threat is disturbance caused by local people cultivating wet-season rice in the IBA but this is not thought to be great. Finally, agricultural expansion is a potential future threat to both forest and wetland habitats at the IBA.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Recommendations- Law enforcement and community awareness activities should be initiated based on the successful model at Stung Sen / Santuk / Baray (IBA #21). These should focus on controlling the hunting and trade of key species, particularly Bengal Floricans and large waterbirds, and the potential benefits to local communities.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Northern Santuk (Cambodia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/northern-santuk-iba-cambodia on 23/11/2024.
