Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area
{{Short description|Protected area in Laos}}
{{Infobox Protected area
| name = Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area
| alt_name =
| iucn_category = VI
| photo =
| photo_caption =
| map = Laos
| map_caption = Location in Laos
| map_width =
| relief = yes
| location = Salavan and Champasak provinces, Laos
| nearest_city = Pakse
| coordinates = {{coord|15|36|28|N|105|42|39|E|region:LA-SL|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|1200|km2|-1|abbr=on}} (decreed), {{convert|995|–|1003|km2|-1|abbr=on}} (as proposed in 1999)
| designated = {{start date|1993|10|29|df=y}}
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_ref =
| governing_body =
}}
Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area is a national protected area in Salavan and Champasak provinces of southern Laos. This park, the country's only park on the Mekong river, is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species, some endangered. The park is an ecotourism destination.
Geography
Phou Xieng Thong National Protected Area is located about {{convert|50|km|-1}} north of Pakse and covers parts of Salavan's Khongsedone and Lakhonepheng districts and Champasak's Sanasomboun district. The park's decreed area is {{convert|1200|km2|-1}}.
The park's western boundary is the Mekong river opposite Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani Province. Ubon's Pha Taem National Park is located on the western bank. Phou Xieng Thong elevations range from about {{convert|100|m|-1}} by the Mekong to the park's highest point, Phou Nangam at {{convert|716|m|-1}}. Near-vertical cliffs rise from the Mekong to the plateau where most of the park is located.
History
Flora and fauna
The park's main forest type is semi-evergreen forest. Forest coverage is broken up by the rocky flats of the park's plateau at altitudes from {{convert|300|m|-2}} to {{convert|500|m|-2}}.
The native forests of Phou Xieng Thong host a large variety of animals and birds, including endangered species. At least 16 mammal species and 188 bird species have been catalogued.
File:Serow Capricornis sumatraensis.JPG
Animal species include Asian black bear, Sumatran serow, banteng, pangolin, monitor lizard and leopard.
The Phou Xiang Thong Important Bird Area (IBA) is located within the park. The IBA covers an area of {{convert|367|km2|-1}} including part of the Mekong's eastern bank. Endangered bird species in the IBA include green peafowl, grey-headed parakeet and red-collared woodpecker. Bird species rare within the park include red-vented barbet, eared pitta and grey-faced tit-babbler.
Threats
Phou Xieng Thong faces a number of environmental threats. Attempts have been made to create and expand settlements along the Mekong section of the park. Destructive fishing practices, including the use of explosives, have occurred along the park's streams. Hunting of pangolins and monitor lizards is a concern. Logging is on a small scale but poses a long-term threat to forests and bird species.
See also
References
{{Reflist | 30em | refs =
{{cite web | title = Phou Xiang Thong | url = http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/directory/protected_areas/phouxiengthong.htm | publisher = Greater Mekong Subregion Sustainable Tourism Development Project in Lao PDR | accessdate = 3 December 2014 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303210830/http://www.ecotourismlaos.com/directory/protected_areas/phouxiengthong.htm | archivedate = 3 March 2016}}
{{cite book | last1 = Ray | first1 = Nick | last2 = Bloom | first2 = Greg | last3 = Waters | first3 = Richard | title = Lonely Planet Laos | edition = 8th | publisher = Lonely Planet | date = February 2014 | pages = 223 | isbn = 978-1-7432-1825-9 }}
{{cite web | url = http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/phou-xiang-thong-iba-laos/text | title = Birdlife Data Zone: Phou Xiang Thong | date = 2003 | publisher = BirdLife International | accessdate = 6 June 2017 }}
}}
Category:National Biodiversity Conservation Areas
Category:Protected areas established in 1993