Satellite view of the swamp forest along the Chao Phraya River, just north of Bangkok, Thailand Photograph by USGS   Southeastern Asia: Thailand Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   15,100 square miles (39,000 square kilometers) -- about half the size of South Carolina Critical/Endangered

· Ghosts of the Forest
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Ghosts of the Forest

This once was a land of tigers, Asian elephants, and Javan rhinoceroses, but you will not find them here now. These large mammals are among a growing number of animals that have not been seen in this ecoregion for decades. Surrounding one of Asia’s most populous cities, Bangkok, the ecoregion’s natural habitat has been severely degraded.

Special Features

Rivers are the dominant force in this ecoregion, creating vast alluvial plains that support swampy freshwater forests. Although virtually none of the original vegetation remains, at one time these swampy lands included open water, mats of floating vegetation, scrub, and forests of towering dipterocarp trees that gradually give way to mangroves along the coast. Marsh grasses were once widespread as well but have now disappeared and been replaced by the non-native Typha angustifolia, a narrow-leaved cattail.

	The last known wild specimen of Schomburgk’s deer was shot in 1932. These deer were a favorite of hunters because of their magnificent "basket-like" set of antlers, which could have as many as 33 points.

Wild Side

As habitat has been increasingly converted to agricultural uses, birds and mammals alike have been severely threatened or extirpated entirely. In addition to larger mammals, a species endemic to the ecoregion, the Schomburgk’s deer, has virtually disappeared. Oriental darters, Sarus cranes, vultures, white-eyed river martins, and other birds have not been seen in decades. Still, a few adaptable species manage to survive here. Most of Thailand’s remaining colonies of large waterbirds roost in the wetlands, such as Asian openbills, painted storks, spot-billed pelicans, black-headed ibises, gray-headed lapwings, and several species of egrets. The Lyle’s flying foxes make their home here as well.

Cause for Concern

Rice paddies have replaced the original freshwater swamps and monsoon forests of this ecoregion. Although rice paddies offer a modified form of wetland habitat, they too are being replaced by other, more profitable types of agricultural production. Building and industrialization continue to take place without benefit of zoning or planning. Pesticide use is on the rise as well.

For more information on this ecoregion, go to the World Wildlife Fund Scientific Report.