Luang Prabang montane rain forests

The Luang Prabang montane rain forests ecoregion (WWF ID:IM0121) covers elevations over 800 meters in the Luang Prabang mountains that straddle the border between northern Thailand and north-central Laos, and the highlands that stretch eastward across north-central Laos. While much of the forest cover has been degraded, there are still large areas of relatively untouched forest.[1][2][3]

Ecoregion: Luang Prabang montane rain forests
Landscape in Phou Khao Khouay National Conservation Area
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmIndomalayan
BiomeTropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Geography
Area71,743 km2 (27,700 sq mi)
CountryThailand, Laos, Vietnam
Coordinates19°N 103°E

Location and description
Main article: Luang Prabang Range

The Luang Prabang range is the easternmost of the north-south mountain ranges of northern Thailand. Together with the highlands of north-central Loas they form an ecoregion of very high rainfall (2,000-3,000 mm/year) and a relatively long dry season.

Climate

The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification (Aw)). This climate is characterized by relatively even temperatures throughout the year (all months being greater than 18 °C (64 °F) average temperature), and a pronounced dry season. The driest month has less than 60 mm of precipitation, but more than (100-(monthly average)/25) mm. The dry month usually at or right after the winter solstice in the Nothern Hemisphere.[4][5] Rainfall in the mountains of northern Laos can average 2,000-3,000 mm/year.[1]

Flora and fauna

There is not one single type of rainforest in the ecoregion. Rather, there are many different forest communities reflecting location, altitude, and local climate.[1] Starting at 800 meters elevation, the lower tropical seasonal rainforest becomes the montane rainforest, with a dominant canopy of Dipterocarpus turbinatus (source of keruing wood), and Wax tree ( Toxicodendron succedaneum). Also oresent at this transitional level are palm trees such as the Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata). At elevations of 1,500 meters, broadleaf evergreen forests of Castanopsis hystrix are found. The low, open nature of the forest may be due to past clearing or fire. At these levels there are also conifer hardwood forests of Quercus griffithii (an oak with an oblong crown) and Keteleeria (Keteleeria evelyniana). Thinner soils support (Engelhardia) on granitic soils, or Khasi pine (Pinus kesiya) on clay or sandstone.[1]

Due to the relative isolation area, there are significant populations of rare large mammals including the critically endangered Red-shanked douc, the endangered Asian elephant and the endangered Eld's deer. Over 540 bird species are known to have territory extending into the ecoregion.

Protected areas

Protected areas in the ecoregion include:

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References
  1. "Luang Prabang montane rain forests". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  2. "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  3. "Luang Prabang montane rain forests". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  4. Kottek, M., J. Grieser, C. Beck, B. Rudolf, and F. Rubel, 2006. "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
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