Current view: Text account
Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
The IBA is centred on Bolaven South-west and Xe Khampho proposed national protected areas, in southern Lao P.D.R., and also includes parts of Xe Pian and Dong Hua Sao National Protected Areas. The IBA contains the middle stretches and large parts of the catchments of the Xe Pian and Xe Khampho, which flow south from the Bolaven plateau, to Xe Pian National Protected Area. The landscape of the IBA comprises lowlands and rolling hills, generally below 700 m asl, which support semi-evergreen forest (Thewlis
et al. 1996, Duckworth
et al. 1998). There is a high density of non-flowing wetlands within the IBA, many of which are permanent. The IBA is of high importance for the conservation of White-winged Duck
Cairina scutulata, as it supports one of only three known significant populations in the country (Thewlis
et al. 1998). The riverine habitats within the IBA are also important for Masked Finfoot
Heliopais personata and Lesser Fish Eagle
Ichthyophaga humilis. The non-flowing wetlands within the IBA may also be important for a number of large waterbird species. However, they have been the focus of little ornithological survey to date, particularly those within Xe Khampho proposed national protected area. Finally, the semi-evergreen forest at the IBA, which is the largest area of such forest in Lao P.D.R. and as large as any in Indochina or Thailand, supports a relatively intact bird community, and is important for Siamese Fireback
Lophura diardi, Red-collared Woodpecker
Picus rabieri and Great Hornbill
Buceros bicornis (R. J. Timmins
in litt. 2002).
The IBA is one of few sites that suports population of White-winged Duck more than four birds. The IBA also is one of the most important site for Grey-faced Tit Babbler as it supports a great number of the birds
Non-bird biodiversity: (WCS 1995) found some signs (incl. scratch marks on trees, torn open trunks and droppings) of either Sun Bear U. malayanus or Asiatic Black Bear U. thibetanus.WCS (1995) recorded three species of primate: Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis, Silvered Langur Semnopithecus cristatus and a gibbon species Hylobates species.CS found remains of one species of turtle in local villages: Impressed Tortoise Manouria impressa.WCS recorded tracks and dung several months old of one species of elephant: Asian Elphant Elephas maximus.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Human population density is relatively low within the IBA, but relatively high around it. Much of the lowland semi-evergreen forest along the middle reaches of the Xe Pian has been logged, and there appear to be patches of secondary growth aound abandoned villages (Thewlis et al. 1998). Hunting is presumably a threat to populations of a number of species. The major threat to biodiversity at the IBA is the Xe Namnoy hydropower scheme, which includes a planned dam on the upper Xe Pian. This development could lead to changes in downstream flow patterns, with potentially severe impacts on populations of bird species dependent upon aquatic habitats, such as Masked Finfoot and White-winged Duck. A potential future threat is construction of roads and establishment of new settlements within the IBA.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Xe Khampho / Xe Pian (Laos). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/xe-khampho--xe-pian-iba-laos on 22/11/2024.
