Habitat: Semi-dry evergreen forest is the
dominant vegetation type in the lowlands
and the uplands. Lowland plains comprise well over half of the protected area at elevations from 100 - 300 m. Steep to very steep slopes rise to the edge of the Boloven Plateau at an elevation of around 1,000 m. Peaks near the plateau rim reach almost 1,300 m.
Access: Dong Houa Sao is easily accessed from major hard-top, all-weather roads in the west (Route 13 South) and north (Pakse-Paksong). Another east-west road skirts DHS in the south.
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
Name
Dong Hua Sao. Abbreviated: DHS
Status
Established by PM Decree 164, 29 October 1993
Location
Latitude: 14o 50' - 15o 11' N
Longitude: 105o 55' - 106o 18' E
Map Sheets
Scale I: 50,0
6139-2
6238-1
238-4
6239-2
6239-3
Scale I: 100,000
D 48-32
48-33
D48-44
D 48-45
Scale I: 200,000
D 48-X
D 48-XI
Scale I: 200,000
In addition
- Soil capability and ground cover maps at scale 1:100,000 (Mekong Committee, 1988; four sheets)
- Aerial photographs and satellite imagery:
◦ 1981: complete coverage
◦ 1995: partial coverage of mainly the uplands
- In the process of obtaining 3 m resolution IKONOS imagery for upland areas affected by clearing for coffee
Province
Champassak
Districts
Patoumphon
Paksong
Bachiang
Perimeter
As decreed: 127 km
As proposed in 1995: 160 km
As proposed in 1999: 196 km
As proposed in 2000: open
Boundary
(as recommended in 1999, detailed description at the BCP office)
The boundary is well defined in the W, NW, N by the Bangliang river, and in the E and SE by the Kampho river. Considerable uncertainties remain about the optimal routing of the boundary in the uplands affected by clearing for coffee plantations. It is also poorly defined along stretches of the southern and eastern boundary that are without conspicuous terrain features.
Area
as decreed: 1,100 km²
as proposed in 1995: 910 km²
as proposed in 1999: 867 km2
as proposed in 2000: open (on the basis of recent satellite imagery)
Proposed
Extension &
Excisions
(Relative to boundary as in decree 164)
Total proposed extensions at end 1999: 45 km2 detailed as follows:
Extensions are mainly to the South to include more riverine habitat, gallery forest and patches of unlogged forest along the Xe Kampho. The extension also covers more open forest (potential peafowl habitat) which was barely represented before.
Contiguity with adjacent wildlands:
Proposed NBCAs of Xe Kampho, and (via Xe Kampho) connected to proposed NBCA Bolovens SW and declared NBCA Xe Pian.
Total proposed excisions at end 1999: 278 km2 detailed as follows:
Northwest of H. Bangliang: 86 km2|
Uplands (fringes of the Bolovens Plateau): 156 km2
West (areas close to route 13 south): 36 km2
Excisions are proposed wherever original dense and contiguous forest cover has been reduced to a forest mosaic of near 50% cover or less. Uplands excisions are entirely due to clearing for coffee. Enclaves have not yet been considered for excision. Evidence of continued encroachment may require further excisions.
Access
DHS is easily accessed from major hard-top all weather roads in the west (route 13 south) and north (Pakse-Paksong). Another east-west road skirts DHS in the south. Old logging roads reach most of the lowland flats and access roads to coffee plantations facilitate access to formerly remote sections of the uplands. Of the 5 enclaves two (Nong Khae, Houay Poung) can be accessed by four-wheel drive.
Stakeholder
Villages and
Population
District
No. of Villages
No. Households
No. of People
Patoumphone
32
2,464
13,400
Paksong
29
2,487
14,700
Bachiang
22
1,179
5,986
Atopeu (estimate)
7
518
2,901
Total
90
6,648
36,987
Principal Loca
Resourcel
Uses
Ethnic
Composition
Patoumphone: predominantly Lao Loum
Paksong: predominantly Lao Theung, some Lao Loum
Bachiang: predominantly Lao Theung, few Lao Loum
2. BRIEF HISTORY
1850 - 1950
Early French explorers mention place names still in use today and are obviously I impressed by the biological richness of the Bolovens plateau (Harmand, 1879). Coffee is first introduced in the late 1940ies.
1950
The Dong Hua Sao Forest Reserve is declared on 23 June 1950 and then covers 260 km2 in the uplands.
1965-75
Migration by ethnic minorities from Attopeu and the Bolovens plateau to settlements in the Mekong plains to escape the ravages of war. The ethnic mix of many villages stems from these migrations. Small holder teak plantations are established starting in the early 1960ies. Logging begins in the lowlands.
1975-1990
The late 1970ies see the beginning of massive logging and there are renewed efforts in coffee planting. The coffee enclave of Nong Khae is formed as collective. Water is diverted from H. Namphak for irrigation.Coffee prices decline in the late 1980ies.
1990-2000
Illegal clearing is on the increase driven by rising coffee prices.
1993
Dong Hua Sao is formally declared a National Reserved Forest in October 1993 (area 1,100 km2) and locally proclaimed in December. The last official logging is carried out in the Nong Eek enclave.First wildlife survey (May/July).
1996
Second wildlife survey (March).
Management implementation (started in January).
Declaration of DHS NBCA announced in Patoumphon meeting 12/1993; in 1993/94 unsuccessful attempts to survey enclave coffee plots and compensate owners; field management started 01/1995;
- PRA in all user villages
- registration of ownership claims inside the protected area
- wildlife and habitat survey
- drafting of protected area rules with village input
- key-species and impact monitoring
- conservation education in local schools
- small-scale village development assistance
- support to village operated nature tourism
- ICAD consultancy
- technical support to Dong Khanthung Small Environment Fund Project
3. ECOLOGY
Physical
Features
Most of Dong Hua Sao is in the lowlands of the eastern Mekong plains. Part of it traddles the rim of the Bolovens Plateau. This plateau rises abruptly from the surrounding plains and it is climatically and biologically quite different from the lowlands. Drainage is west and southwest via 5 major streams.
Elevation
Lowland plains comprise well over half of the protected area at elevations from 100 to 300 m. Steep to very steep slopes rise to the edge of the Bolovens Plateau at an elevation of around 1,000 m. Peaks near the plateau rim reach almost 1,300 m. The plateau itself is flat to undulating.
Climate
Tropical monsoon climate with high rainfall (3,400 mm per annum on the plateau, decreasing to 2,700 mm in the lowlands of Patoumphone) and a distinct dry season. However, on the plateau it is quite short (3-4 months).
Main Forest
Types
Semi (dry)-evergreen forest is the dominant vegetation type in the lowlands and the uplands. Most of the lowland forest was logged in the 1970ies and 80ies. Forest on the slopes remains in pristine condition.The upland forest is appreciably different in species composition as rainfall and duration of the dry season comes close to the requirements for a moist evergreen forest. At the highest elevations it is occasionaly subject to sub-zero temperatures.
Other Habitat
Types
Terrestrial:
Rocky flats on the plateau support pine forest and heath type vegetation. Some dry forest (mixed deciduous, dry dipterocarp, bamboo) stemming partly from past disturbance. One peculiar stand of pure Lagerstroemia without understory or herbal layer.
Bat caves, two saltlicks.
Wetlands:
Five major streams rise from or have a major portion of their watersheds within the protected area. All are actual or potential sources of water for irrigation downstream. Significant stretches of little disturbed riverine habitat. About 150 seasonal and permanent ponds are scattered throughout Dong Hua Sao.
Recorded
Vertebrates
No. of species
No. of key species
Mammals / Bats
62 / 30
25
Birds
291
26
Reptiles & Amphibians
41
survey results being processed
Fish
not surveyed
4. EVALUATION
Principal Contributions to the NBCA System
Biodiversity
Values
These are mostly inherent in the habitat. DHS is to date the only declared NBCA that protects semi-evergreen forests of the Bolovens Plateau. It also contains significant tracts of lowland semi-evergreen forest interspersed with wetlands.
Populations of wildlife key-species are generally low. Of these, only one bird species (Grey-faced Tit-Babbler/Macronous kelleyi) and one mammal species (Yellow-cheeked Gibbon/Hylobates gabriellae) are present in globally significant populations.
No botanical surveys have yet been conducted.
Watershed
Values
DHS contains most or all of the drainage basins of four major streams flowing through densely populated areas along route 13. All five streams rising from the reserve are potential sources of irrigation water. One existing and six planned irrigation schemes draw water from DHS streams
Cultural
Values
Long history of elephant capture and domestication. Elephants are still used as a mode of transport between villages.
Laven cemetery in the Nong Ek enclave.
Security
Values
None
Recreationn
& Tourism
Values
High potential for nature and cultural tourism as well as local outdoor recreation. BCP is supporting village efforts to offer overnight trips on elephant. One tourist lodge is under construction under a foreign investment agreement.
Main Threats
Conversion of mature forest to establish coffee plantations
Uplands and lowlands are affected. Impacts on prime semi-evergreen forest and is often associated with road construction. By far the most pressing and difficult problem.
Destructive and commercial fishing
Fishing with explosives and poison affects even remote stretches of major streams.The intensity and frequency of traditional fishing is increasing and may be causing a decline in fisheries productivity. Apparent decline in large water bird records probably due to the continuous disturbance of wetlands.
Hunting
Traplines and the targeting of key-species continue to be of concern.
Unrestrained collecting of forest products
This applies to rattan, orchids, resin, malva nuts, bat guano. The concern is mainly over destructive forms of collecting and a decline in resource productivity. District issue of permits is part of the problem.
Occupation of wetlands for rice cultivation and fish culture This is of concern in a few central locations. The draining of pools and stocking with tilapia is a problem in some ponds close to villages along the western boundary.
Timber cutting, irrigation water diversion, livestock grazing
5. CURRENT MANAGEMENT
Contact
C/o Champassak Forestry Section
P.O. Box 19 , Pakse, Champassak Province ; Tel./Fax: 213 446
Staffing
Currently 10 male, 2 female staff (government 6, hired 6)
Extension section (5 staff), patrolling section (7 staff)
Organizational
Structure
Buildings
Field station with office, meeting room, staff accommodation
Equipment
7 motorcycles, 2 GPS devices
Financial
Support &
Training
Dutch government funded under the Biodiversity Conservation Project, total budget over 5 years $ 193,500.
Current
Management
Priorities
•Stop the conversion of prime forest to non-forest in priority sectors.
•Improve the enforcement of existing regulations.
•Clearly link conservation and development in a trial focused on the two villages Somsouk and Laonga.
•Enable Saming village to organize and operate overnight tours into the protected area.
Other
Management
Opportunities
- Consistent implementation of a basic monitoring system replicable under Lao conditions
- Village and protected area based nature tourism
- Establishment of a local conservation fund
Other Related
Project
Initiatives
FOMACOP Xe Pian NBCA (Patoumphone, Khong districts)
Village based fisheries conservation (Khong district)
Nong Khoum Khiaw integrated farming project (Paksong district)
6. REPORTS AND PUBLICATIONS
Anon. (1992). Village interviews from reconnaissance survey. DAFO, Pakse.
Anon. (1995). Guidelines for first year extension work based on training topics. BCP report. [Lao]
Anon. (1996). Summary of Village Data obtained by RRA for the Dong Hua Sao NBCA. BCP report.
Anon. (1996b). Analysis of Land Claims Registration in Dong Hua Sao NBCA and Resulting Management Recommendations. BCP report. [English, Lao]
Anon. (1997a). Project Policy and Criteria with Respect to Material Incentives. DAFO, Pakse. [English, Lao]
Anon. (1997b). Ten Guides on the Topics of Poster Use, Protected Area Facts, Status of Selected Key Species. DAFO, Pakse.
Anon. (1997c). Rules booklet [for DHS] [English, Lao]
Anon. (2000). Illustrated briefing and management guidelines [Lao, English; in loose leaf binder]
Berkmüller, K., Vannalath, V. and Vannalathsamy, P. (1999). Coffee or conservation? Experiences from 4 years of management implementation at the National Biodiversity Conservation Area of Dong Hua Sao. BCP, Pakse.
Boonrattana, R. (1998). Wildlife survey training at Dong Hua Sao and Phou Xiang Thong National Biodiversity Conservation Areas. Report to BCP, Pakse.
Boonrattana, R. (1999). Training in Wildlife Survey and Data Analysis for the National Biodiversity Conservation Areas Dong Hua Sao and Phou Xiang Thong. Report to BCP, Pakse.
Evans, T. D., Stones, A. J. and Thewlis, R. C. M. (1996) A Wildlife and Habitat Survey of the Dong Hua Sao Protected Area. Biodiversity Conservation Project, Pakse
Flint , C. (1999). Integrating Conservation and Development in Dong Hua Sao NBCA. Consultancy Report to BCP, Pakse.
Francis, C. M. and Salivong, K. (1998). Report on 1998 Survey of Bats in Dong Hua Sao NBCA. Wildlife Conservation Society, Vientiane .
Laviziano, A. and Walter, C. (1995). Eco-friendly Tourism in the Dong Hua Sao Area in the South of Lao PDR. Paper prepared for the Lao Tourism Authority, Vientiane .
PADECT. (1997). Extension training report. Pakse. [Lao]
Timmins , R. J., Evans, T. D. and Duckworth, J. W. (1993): A Wildlife and Habitat Survey of Dong Hua Sao Proposed Protected Area. National Office for Nature Conservation and Watershed Management, Vientiane .
