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Site description (2004 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA comprises Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in the Phetchabun range of north-eastern Thailand. The site adjoins Nam Nao National Park (IBA TH017) to the north, Ta Bao-Huai Yai Wildlife Sanctuary to the south-west and Tad Mok National Park to the west. The topography of the site is dominated by a large, steep-sided plateau at around 900 m asl, with some limestone outcrops. The vegetation at the site comprises mixed deciduous forest with smaller areas of semi-evergreen forest below 800 m asl, accounting for c.20% of the total area, and hill evergreen forest with semi-natural clearings at higher elevations, covering c.55% of the total area. Some agricultural encroachment has occurred at the site, promoting successional grassland and other secondary habitats, especially around Tung Kramong and Bung Pan. The lowlands in the Phrom basin at c.500-600 m asl, along the border with Nam Nao National Park (IBA TH017), have been partly inundated following the construction of the Chulabhorn dam.
Together with the adjacent Nam Nao National Park (IBA TH017), Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most important sites for the conservation of the globally endangered White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata in Thailand. The total population in the two contiguous IBAs was estimated at c.24 individuals in 1993. Two other globally threatened species have been recorded at the site, although neither is thought to occur regularly in significant numbers. In addition, the site supports significant populations of four globally near-threatened species: White-rumped Falcon Polihierax insignis, Siamese Fireback Lophura diardi, Great Hornbill Buceros bicornis and Brown Hornbill Anhorrhinus tickelli. A fifth globally near-threatened species, Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster, has been recorded at the site but is not confirmed to regularly occur in significant numbers. Furthermore, both Green Peafowl Pavo muticus and Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis, two globally vulnerable species, are regularly recorded near the wildlife sanctuary headquarters. However, these records are believed to refer to released birds.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals
Hairy Rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis (CR)
Asian Elephant Elephas maximus (EN)
Tiger Panthera tigris (EN)
Gaur Bos frontalis (VU)
Southern Serow Capricornis sumatraensis (VU)
Asian Golden Cat Catopuma temminckii (VU)
Dhole Cuon alpinus (VU)
East Asian Porcupine Hystrix brachyura (VU)
Bear Macaque Macaca arctoides (VU)
Northern Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca leonina (VU)
Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa (VU)
Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus (VU)
Bourret's Horseshoe Bat Rhinolophus paradoxolophus (VU)
Asian Black Bear Ursus thibetanus (VU)
Reptiles
Siamese Crocodile Crocodylus siamensis (CR)
Big-headed Turtle Platysternon megacephalum (EN)
Fish
Puntius speleops (VU)
Plants
Afzelia xylocarpa (EN)
Hopea ferrea (EN)
Hopea odorata (VU)
The IBA comprises Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary in the Phetchabun range of north-eastern Thailand. The site adjoins Nam Nao National Park (IBA TH017) to the north, Ta Bao-Huai Yai Wildlife Sanctuary to the south-west and Tad Mok National Park to the west. The topography of the site is dominated by a large, steep-sided plateau at around 900 m asl, with some limestone outcrops. The vegetation at the site comprises mixed deciduous forest with smaller areas of semi-evergreen forest below 800 m asl, accounting for c.20% of the total area, and hill evergreen forest with semi-natural clearings at higher elevations, covering c.55% of the total area. Some agricultural encroachment has occurred at the site, promoting successional grassland and other secondary habitats, especially around Tung Kramong and Bung Pan. The lowlands in the Phrom basin at c.500-600 m asl, along the border with Nam Nao National Park (IBA TH017), have been partly inundated following the construction of the Chulabhorn dam.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
One of the main threats to biodiversity at the site is hunting, which is a potentially severe threat to the White-winged Duck population. Forest fire during the dry season is another major threat. Some lowland areas within the wildlife sanctuary have already been inundated following the construction of the Chulabhorn dam, and further infrastructure development is a potential threat.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Phu Khieo (Thailand). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/phu-khieo-iba-thailand on 19/12/2024.
