Mangrove Biodiversity Report, Cambodia 2023

With their incredible ability to absorb vast amounts of carbon dioxide, mangroves have recently been put in the global spotlight as one of nature’s heroes in the fight against climate change – but these coastal forest ecosystems are also teeming with wildlife. This report presents the first comprehensive biodiversity survey of Cambodia’s largest mangrove forest expanse: the 23,750-hectare Peam Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary and the adjacent 12,000-hectare Koh Kapik Ramsar site.

Led by Fauna & Flora’s Cambodia team and the Fishing Cat Ecological Enterprise, in collaboration with Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment, this survey report demonstrates the importance of mangroves for a multitude of other plants and animal species – from bats, to invertebrates, to birds – and showcases the vital need to protect old-growth mangrove forests in Cambodia and around the world.

Species of note identified in the survey include the critically endangered Sunda pangolin, the endangered long-tailed macaque, hairy-nosed otter and large-spotted civet, and the vulnerable fishing cat. Demonstrating the value of mangroves for both people and nature, the juvenile fish chapter reveals 74 species of fish living in the survey area, many of which are commercially important for local fishers.

Donors

Funding for this research was provided by Arcadia, Sir Joseph Hotung, Fauna & Flora, Fishing Cat Ecological Enterprise, Fishing Cat Conservation Alliance, Panthera Foundation, King Monkuts University of Technology Thonburi Petcha Pra Jom Klao Doctoral Scholarship, IUCN CEPF and an anonymous donation.