Vu Quang Nature Reserve, Vietnam Photograph by David Hulse   Southeastern Asia: Central Laos into Vietnam Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests   18,200 square miles (47,200 square kilometers) -- about the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined Relatively Stable/Intact

· Land of Discovery
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
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Land of Discovery

If it is fascinating to spot an animal in the wild, can you imagine discovering a new animal species? In the Annamite Mountain range, which forms the border between Laos and Vietnam, no less than five large or mid-sized mammal species have been discovered in the last decade. This ecoregion is known for having globally outstanding biodiversity.

Special Features

Because its terrain is relatively inaccessible, this ecoregion still retains large, intact blocks of wildlife habitat. At lower elevations, rich rain forests are filled with dipterocarp tree species, with an undergrowth made up of palms. Higher up, forests are dominated by stands of magnolias, pines, and other species. Although many species of plants and animals have already been discovered here, scientists believe more studies of the ecoregion will reveal even more about the region’s true biodiversity.

	Despite the fact that the saola resembles a wild goat or closely resembles an antelope found in India, DNA analyses show that it is more closely related to wild cattle and buffalo.

Wild Side

Every time a new wildlife survey is conducted in this region, more species are uncovered. Recently, the saola and the giant muntjak were found in the rugged and little-explored mountains of this ecoregion. The saola is a goat-like animal that is confined to the high, wet parts of the Annamites. The giant muntjak belongs to the barking deer family and is almost twice as big as any previously known muntjaks. Threatened or endangered animals live here as well, including the douc langur, Indochinese tiger, Asian elephant, gaur, banteng, and serow. These mountains are home to more than 525 bird species, but the endangered Imperial pheasant, Edwards’ pheasant, Vietnamese fireback, and white-winged duck are rarely seen.

Cause for Concern

More than half of this ecoregion has been cleared or degraded in other ways. However, forests in the northern areas are still fairly intact. Although human population density is moderate in the high elevations, shifting cultivation and logging have heavily impacted the forest and led to widespread erosion. Major hydroelectric projects (dams) will inundate large areas of habitat, further degrading the ecoregion.

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