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Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA is situated in the upper catchment of the Stung Sen River, and comprises a large patch of evergreen and semi-evergreen forest, within a landscape dominated by open deciduous dipterocarp forest. The IBA contains a high density of freshwater wetlands, including rivers, streams, lakes and pools. The IBA is located within a forest concession managed by the Chendar Plywood Company, and is contiguous with the newly decreed Protected Forest for Conservation of Genetic Diversity, Vegetation and Wildlife Resources in Chhep and Chom Khsan districts. The IBA is important for the conservation of a range of forest bird species, including Green Peafowl Pavo muticus, Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi and Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis. Most notably, the IBA supports a breeding population of White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata, the most significant known in Cambodia.
Non-bird biodiversity: Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang), Pig-tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina), Long-tailed Macaque( M. fascicularis), Silvered Langur (Semnopithecus cristatus) and Pileated Gibbon (Hylobates pileatus) (Mr. Song Chansocheat, Ministry of Environment, pers. comm.).Asiatic Softshell Turtle (Amyda cartilaginea)Asian Elephant (Elepas maximus), Banteng (Bos javanicus), Gaur (Bos gaurus) (Prum Sovanna, Wildlife Protection Office, pers. comm.).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
One of the major threats to biodiversity at the IBA is habitat loss, from both legal and illegal logging, particularly as this activity reduces the number of large trees suitable for hole-nesting species, such as White-winged Duck. In addition, hunting is rife throughout the area, and a particular problem is hunting with dogs, which is a severe threat to flightless, molting White-winged Ducks during in the wet season. A further, although less severe, threat is disturbance caused by resin collectors, who travel and camp along rivers and streams.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Recommendations- Designate important riverine areas for White-winged Duck as special protection areas for biodiversity conservation within the concession management plan and it should be ensured that they are not further logged or disturbed.- Establish community hunting agreements limiting the use dogs, and increase village-based awareness of White-winged Duck.- Ensure that all logging activity takes place in line with legal requirements for good practice.- Concession staff and contractors should uphold the laws and guidelines preventing illegal hunting within the concession.
Adjacent to Kulen Prum Tep Wildlife Sanctuary
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: O Skach (Cambodia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/o-skach-iba-cambodia on 22/11/2024.
