Central Indochina dry forests
Encyclopedia
The Central Indochina dry forests are a large tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests
ecoregion
in Southeast Asia
.
, Thailand
, Laos
, and Vietnam
and includes: in Thailand the large Khorat Plateau
, the higher elevation plains of the Chao Phraya River
basin, the foothills of the Tenasserim Hills
and other dry areas of the lower slopes of the mountain ranges of the north of the country; in central and southern Laos the wide valley of the Mekong
river system valley; a large area of the dry plains of northern, eastern, and south-central Cambodia; and finally the uplands of the upper Tonlé San
and Srepok River
s in Vietnam. These are the drier areas of Indochina
with 1,000-1,500 mm rainfall per year and a long dry season when regular fires occur in the undergrowth, some set intentionally to clear the forest or drive out wildlife for hunters.
Much of this ecoregion is densely populated and is used for agriculture or urban development, especially in Thailand.
dipterocarp forest has been cleared especially in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam while large areas do remain in northeastern Cambodia. The remaining woodlands consist of a variety of types of habitat and consequently a wide range of trees and undergrowth plants.
s (Elephas maximus), wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee), Eld's deer
(Cervus eldii) and three species of wild cattle the gaur
(Bos gaurus), the banteng
(Bos javanicus) and the kouprey
(Bos sauveli). Large herds of these grazing animals were once widespread across the region and were preyed upon by tiger
s (Panthera tigris), clouded leopard
(Felis nebulosa), leopard
s (Panthera pardus) and Dhole
(wild dogs) (Cuon alpinus). Both loss of habitat and hunting have seriously reduced numbers of all these animals many of which are endangered with the kouprey very rare indeed and other species such as the Javan rhinoceros
(Rhinoceros sondaicus), Sumatran rhinoceros
(Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and Schomburgk's Deer
(Cervus duvaucelli schomburgki) now extinct in the region.
Other mammals of the region include the pileated gibbon
, two leaf monkeys (the Silvery Lutung
and Phayre's Leaf Monkey
), and the sun bear
while there are two endemic species, both are vesper bat
s - the Szechwan Myotis
(Myotis altarium) and the Chinese Pipistrelle
(Pipistrellus pulveratus).
There are 500 species of bird in the region including the critically endangered and possibly extinct White-eyed River Martin
(Pseudochelidon sirintarae), the endemic Grey-faced Tit-babbler
(Macronous kelleyi) and the endangered or threatened Bengal florican
(Eupodotis bengalensis), Greater Adjutant
(Leptoptilos dubius) and White-shouldered Ibis
(Pseudibis davisoni). Other birds of the remaining woodlands of the area include the Silver Pheasant
(Lophura nycthemera), Siamese Fireback
(Lophura diardi), Mrs. Hume's Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae), Grey Peacock-pheasant
(Polyplectron bicalcaratum), Sarus Crane
(Grus antigone), Great Hornbill
(Buceros bicornis), Austen's Brown Hornbill (Anorrhinus austeni), and Wreathed Hornbill
(Aceros undulatus).
The reptile and amphibian populations require further study but most likely include endemic species such as a critically endangered Cantor's giant soft-shelled turtle (Pelochelys cantorii
), two geckos ( the dtella
Gehyra lacerata and the Sandstone Gecko
Gekko petricolus) and the Korat Supple Skink
Lygosoma koratense.
, Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary
and Phnom Prich
in Cambodia and Xe Piane National Biodiversity Conservation Area
in Laos.
Tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests
The tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forest biome, also known as tropical dry forest, is located at tropical and subtropical latitudes. Though these forests occur in climates that are warm year-round, and may receive several hundred centimeters of rain per year, they have long dry seasons...
ecoregion
Ecoregion
An ecoregion , sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area that is smaller than an ecozone and larger than an ecosystem. Ecoregions cover relatively large areas of land or water, and contain characteristic, geographically distinct assemblages of natural...
in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...
.
Location and description
The ecoregion consists of an area of plateau and low river basin in CambodiaCambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
, and Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
and includes: in Thailand the large Khorat Plateau
Khorat Plateau
The Khorat Plateau also Korat Plateau, is a plateau in the northeastern region of Thailand, named for the short form of Nakhon Ratchasima, an historical stronghold controlling access to and from the plateau.-Geography:...
, the higher elevation plains of the Chao Phraya River
Chao Phraya River
The Chao Phraya is a major river in Thailand, with its low alluvial plain forming the centre of the country. It runs through Bangkok, the capital city, and then empties into the Gulf of Thailand.-Etymology:...
basin, the foothills of the Tenasserim Hills
Tenasserim Hills
Tenasserim Hills or Tenasserim Range is the geographical name of a mountain chain in Southeast Asia. Despite their relatively scant altitude these mountains form an effective barrier between Thailand and Burma in their northern and central region, extending to the Kra Isthmus into the Malay...
and other dry areas of the lower slopes of the mountain ranges of the north of the country; in central and southern Laos the wide valley of the Mekong
Mekong
The Mekong is a river that runs through China, Burma, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is the world's 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is , and it drains an area of , discharging of water annually....
river system valley; a large area of the dry plains of northern, eastern, and south-central Cambodia; and finally the uplands of the upper Tonlé San
Tonlé San
Tonlé San, also known as Tonlé Se San or Sesan River, is a river that flows through central Vietnam and northeast Cambodia. It is a major tributary of the Mekong River. A short portion of the river forms a part of the international border between Cambodia and Vietnam.-External links:*...
and Srepok River
Srepok River
The Srepok River is a major tributary of the Mekong River. It runs from the Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam through the Ratanakiri and Stung Treng Provinces in Cambodia to join the Mekong near Stung Treng town. Its length varies from 406 km to 450 km in which the last 281 km...
s in Vietnam. These are the drier areas of Indochina
Indochina
The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...
with 1,000-1,500 mm rainfall per year and a long dry season when regular fires occur in the undergrowth, some set intentionally to clear the forest or drive out wildlife for hunters.
Much of this ecoregion is densely populated and is used for agriculture or urban development, especially in Thailand.
Flora
Much of the original deciduousDeciduous
Deciduous means "falling off at maturity" or "tending to fall off", and is typically used in reference to trees or shrubs that lose their leaves seasonally, and to the shedding of other plant structures such as petals after flowering or fruit when ripe...
dipterocarp forest has been cleared especially in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam while large areas do remain in northeastern Cambodia. The remaining woodlands consist of a variety of types of habitat and consequently a wide range of trees and undergrowth plants.
Fauna
The remaining forests are home to some large mammals including Asian ElephantAsian Elephant
The Asian or Asiatic elephant is the only living species of the genus Elephas and distributed in Southeast Asia from India in the west to Borneo in the east. Three subspecies are recognized — Elephas maximus maximus from Sri Lanka, the Indian elephant or E. m. indicus from mainland Asia, and E. m....
s (Elephas maximus), wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee), Eld's deer
Eld's Deer
Eld's Deer , also known as the Thamin or Brow-antlered Deer, is an endangered species of deer indigenous to southeastern Asia. The species was first discovered by westerners in Manipur in India in 1839. The original scientific name Cervus eldi was coined in 1844 in honour of Lt. Percy Eld – a...
(Cervus eldii) and three species of wild cattle the gaur
Gaur
The gaur , also called Indian bison, is a large bovine native to South Asia and Southeast Asia. The species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1986 as the population decline in parts of the species' range is likely to be well over 70% over the last three generations...
(Bos gaurus), the banteng
Banteng
The banteng , also known as tembadau, is a species of wild cattle found in Southeast Asia.Banteng have been domesticated in several places in Southeast Asia, and there are around 1.5 million domestic banteng, which are called Bali cattle. These animals are used as working animals and for their meat...
(Bos javanicus) and the kouprey
Kouprey
A kouprey , is a wild, forest-dwelling ox found mainly in northern Cambodia, but also believed to exist in southern Laos, western Vietnam, and eastern Thailand. It was discovered in 1937.Koupreys are very large ungulates, and can approach similar sizes to the wild Asian water buffalo...
(Bos sauveli). Large herds of these grazing animals were once widespread across the region and were preyed upon by tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
s (Panthera tigris), clouded leopard
Clouded Leopard
The clouded leopard is a felid found from the Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia into China, and has been classified as vulnerable in 2008 by IUCN...
(Felis nebulosa), leopard
Leopard
The leopard , Panthera pardus, is a member of the Felidae family and the smallest of the four "big cats" in the genus Panthera, the other three being the tiger, lion, and jaguar. The leopard was once distributed across eastern and southern Asia and Africa, from Siberia to South Africa, but its...
s (Panthera pardus) and Dhole
Dhole
The dhole is a species of canid native to South and Southeast Asia. It is the only extant member of the genus Cuon, which differs from Canis by the reduced number of molars and greater number of teats...
(wild dogs) (Cuon alpinus). Both loss of habitat and hunting have seriously reduced numbers of all these animals many of which are endangered with the kouprey very rare indeed and other species such as the Javan rhinoceros
Javan Rhinoceros
The Javan Rhinoceros or Lesser One-horned Rhinoceros is a member of the family Rhinocerotidae and one of five extant rhinoceroses...
(Rhinoceros sondaicus), Sumatran rhinoceros
Sumatran Rhinoceros
The Sumatran Rhinoceros is a member of the family Rhinocerotidae and one of five extant rhinoceroses. It is the only extant species of the genus Dicerorhinus. It is the smallest rhinoceros, although is still a large mammal. This rhino stands high at the shoulder, with a head-and-body length of ...
(Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and Schomburgk's Deer
Schomburgk's Deer
Schomburgk's Deer was a member of the family Cervidae. This deer was endemic to Thailand. Schomburgk's deer was described by Edward Blyth in 1863 and named after Sir Robert H. Schomburgk, who was the British consul in Bangkok from 1857-1864.This deer was a graceful species similar in appearance to...
(Cervus duvaucelli schomburgki) now extinct in the region.
Other mammals of the region include the pileated gibbon
Pileated Gibbon
The pileated gibbon is a primate in the Hylobatidae or gibbon family.The pileated gibbon has sexual dimorphism in fur coloration: males have a purely black fur, while the females have a white-grey colored fur with only the belly and head black...
, two leaf monkeys (the Silvery Lutung
Silvery Lutung
The silvery lutung , also known as the silvered leaf monkey or the silvery langur, is an Old World monkey. It is arboreal, living in coastal, mangrove, and riverine forests in Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo....
and Phayre's Leaf Monkey
Phayre's Leaf Monkey
Phayre's leaf monkey , also known as Phayre's langur, is a species of lutung found in Southeast Asia. The species epithet commemorates Arthur Purves Phayre....
), and the sun bear
Sun Bear
The sun bear , sometimes known as the honey bear, is a bear found primarily in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia; North-East India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Southern China, Peninsular Malaysia, and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.-Description:The sun bear...
while there are two endemic species, both are vesper bat
Vesper bat
Vesper bats , also known as Evening bats or Common bats, are the largest and best-known family of bats. They belong to the suborder Microchiroptera . There are over three hundred species distributed all over the world, on every continent except Antarctica...
s - the Szechwan Myotis
Szechwan Myotis
The Szechwan Myotis is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found in China and Thailand.-References:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
(Myotis altarium) and the Chinese Pipistrelle
Chinese Pipistrelle
The Chinese Pipistrelle is a species of vesper bat in the Vespertilionidae family.It is found in China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam.-Source:* Chiroptera Specialist Group 1996. . Downloaded on 19 July 2007....
(Pipistrellus pulveratus).
There are 500 species of bird in the region including the critically endangered and possibly extinct White-eyed River Martin
White-eyed River Martin
The White-eyed River Martin is a passerine bird, one of only two members of the river martin subfamily of the swallow family Hirundinidae...
(Pseudochelidon sirintarae), the endemic Grey-faced Tit-babbler
Grey-faced Tit-babbler
The Grey-faced Tit-babbler is a species of bird in the Timaliidae family.It is found in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam.Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.-References:...
(Macronous kelleyi) and the endangered or threatened Bengal florican
Bengal Florican
The Bengal Florican , also called Bengal Bustard, is a very rare bustard species from tropical southern Asia. It is the only member of the genus Houbaropsis...
(Eupodotis bengalensis), Greater Adjutant
Greater Adjutant
The Greater Adjutant is a member of the stork family, Ciconiidae. Its genus includes the Lesser Adjutant of Asia and the Marabou Stork of Africa...
(Leptoptilos dubius) and White-shouldered Ibis
White-shouldered Ibis
The White-shouldered Ibis, Pseudibis davisoni, is a species of wading bird of the ibis family, Threskiornithidae. It occurs at a few sites in northern Cambodia, southern Vietnam, extreme southern Laos and East Kalimantan in Indonesia....
(Pseudibis davisoni). Other birds of the remaining woodlands of the area include the Silver Pheasant
Silver Pheasant
The Silver Pheasant is a species of pheasant found in forests, mainly in mountains, of mainland Southeast Asia, and eastern and southern China, with introduced populations in Hawaii and various locations in the US mainland. The male is black and white, while the female is mainly brown...
(Lophura nycthemera), Siamese Fireback
Siamese Fireback
The Siamese Fireback, Lophura diardi also known as Diard's Fireback is a medium-sized, approximately 80 cm long, pheasant. The male has a grey plumage with an extensive red facial skin, crimson legs and feet, ornamental black crest feathers, reddish brown iris and long curved blackish tail...
(Lophura diardi), Mrs. Hume's Pheasant (Syrmaticus humiae), Grey Peacock-pheasant
Grey Peacock-pheasant
The Grey Peacock-Pheasant, Polyplectron bicalcaratum also known as Burmese Peacock is a large Southeast Asian member of the order Galliformes. It is rather closely related to the peafowl , and like these – and like most other Polyplectron – has brilliant eyespots on its plumage...
(Polyplectron bicalcaratum), Sarus Crane
Sarus Crane
The Sarus Crane is a large non-migratory crane found in parts of the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia and Australia. The tallest of the flying birds, standing at a height of up to 1.8 m , they are conspicuous and iconic species of open wetlands...
(Grus antigone), Great Hornbill
Great Hornbill
The Great Hornbill also known as Great Indian Hornbill or Great Pied Hornbill, is one of the larger members of the hornbill family. Great Hornbills are found in the forests of Nepal, India, the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, Indonesia. Their impressive size and colour have made them important in...
(Buceros bicornis), Austen's Brown Hornbill (Anorrhinus austeni), and Wreathed Hornbill
Wreathed Hornbill
The Wreathed Hornbill , also known as the Bar-pouched Wreathed Hornbill, is a species of hornbill found in forests from far north-eastern India and Bhutan, east and south through mainland south-east Asia and the Greater Sundas, except Sulawesi. It is 75–100 cm long...
(Aceros undulatus).
The reptile and amphibian populations require further study but most likely include endemic species such as a critically endangered Cantor's giant soft-shelled turtle (Pelochelys cantorii
Pelochelys cantorii
The Cantor's giant softshell turtle or Asian giant softshell turtle is a species of fresh water turtle. The turtle has a broad head and small eyes close to the tip of its snout. The carapace is smooth and olive colored...
), two geckos ( the dtella
Gehyra
Gehyra is a genus of geckos known commonly as Web-toed Geckos or Dtellas. Dtellas are moderately-sized geckos; the species have a wide range of habitat, covering most of the Oceania and Melanesian Islands up to Ryukyu Islands and Thailand....
Gehyra lacerata and the Sandstone Gecko
Gekko
Gekko is a genus of colorful and diverse Southeast Asian geckos commonly known as true geckos or calling geckos. Although species such as the Tokay Gecko are very widespread and common, some species in the same genus have a very small range and are considered rare or endangered.-External links:* ...
Gekko petricolus) and the Korat Supple Skink
Korat Supple Skink
The Korat Supple Skink is a species of skink in the Scincidae family.It is found only in Thailand.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1996. . Downloaded on 20 July 2007....
Lygosoma koratense.
Threats and preservation
Active preservation is required to keep large tracts of the remaining habitat intact and connected rather than being broken into small patches. This is particularly important for the survival of the remaining tiger populations in the wild. About 6% of the area is protected with the largest areas including Kulen Promtep Wildlife SanctuaryKulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary
The Kulen Promtep Wildlife Sanctuary is the largest protected area in Cambodia and was set aside to protect the critically endangered, possibly extinct Kouprey. It is located in the northern plains of Cambodia, near the border to Thailand....
, Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary
Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary
Lomphat Wildlife Sanctuary is a heavily forested area straddling Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, and Kratie provinces in eastern Cambodia set aside by the Cambodian government as a wildlife preserve...
and Phnom Prich
Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary
Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary is located in eastern Cambodia and is part of maybe the largest protected area complex in southeast Asia. Phnom Prich Wildlife Sanctuary is one of several protected areas in Cambodia and Vietnam that borders Mondulkiri Protected Forest.- External :* - article in...
in Cambodia and Xe Piane National Biodiversity Conservation Area
National Biodiversity Conservation Areas
A National Biodiversity Conservation Area is an environmentally protected area in Laos. There are all together 21 different NBCAs in Laos, protecting 29,775 square kilometers...
in Laos.