IUCN Management Category V (Protected Landscape)

Biogeographical Province 4.10.04 (Thailandian Monsoon Forest)

Geographical Location Situated in northern central Thailand in Loei Province, the park comprises an isolated massif to the east of the Petchabun Mountains. The Loei to Chum Phae road passes close to the east and provides access. The boundary follows a lowland stream valley from north-west around to south-east and generally follows the break of slope at the foot of the mountain at about 300m. The nearest major town is Loei, 82km to the north.

16°48'-16°58'N, 101°40'-101°52'E

Date and History of Establishment 23 November 1962

Area 34,812ha

Land Tenure Government

Altitude Approximately 300m to a maximum of 1,360m.

Physical Features The park comprises a steep sided, isolated sandstone plateau at about 1,200m surrounded by lowlands. The plateau features gently undulating hills over 6,000ha, and falls away steeply with cliffs occuring frequently. There are several streams, waterfalls, a number of small marshy areas and two small reservoirs on the plateau (Dobias, 1982; Sayer, 1981).

Climate The mean annual rainfall is 1215mm with a mean 19-21 rainy days during May to September and only three rainy days or less from November to February. The mean annual temperature is 26°C increasing to a mean maximum of 32-36°C between February and August and decreasing to a mean minimum of 13-14°C from December to January. Night temperatures can fall to near freezing during winter (Dobias, 1982).

Vegetation The plateau is largely covered with fire-climax short grass savanna with scattered stands of fire resistant Pinus merkusii. Patches of evergreen forest occur on the plateau and are probably relicts of the climax vegetation (Sayer, 1981). Soils are poor and ground flora includes violets, orchids, daisies and carnivorous and parasitic species. A large number of Himalayan species, with a restricted Thai distribution, occur including pines, Rhododendron spp., oak Quercus spp., birch Betula spp. and Carpinus spp. The Australasian conifers Dacrydium sp. and Beckia sp. are also found. The slope communities range from deciduous dipterocarp, to mixed deciduous and hill evergreen forest with large areas dominated by bamboo (Sayer, 1981; Storer, 1982).

Fauna The abundance of large mammals has been greatly reduced in recent years (Sayer, 1981). However, estimates of elephant Elephas maximus (E) populations have increased from 5-20 individuals in 1979 (Storer, 1981) to 50-60 in 1985 (Dobias, 1987). Tiger Panthera tigris (E), sambar Cervus unicolor, Indian muntjac Muntiacus muntjak occur but are rarely seen. Wild boar Sus scrofa, white handed gibbon Hylobates lar and long-tailed macaque Macaca fascicularis are relatively plentiful and serow Capricornis sumatraensis inhabit cliff areas. Mole Talpa micrura and common tree shrew Tupaia glis are common. A total of 135 species of resident and migrant birds have been recorded. Isolated forest patches on the plateau contain some montane and sub-montane species, although species diversity is probably highest on the slopes (P.D. Round, pers. comm.). A partial inventory is given in Dickinson and Chaiyaphun (1973). The Chinese big-headed turtle Platysternon megacephalum has been reported.

Cultural Heritage There are two legendary stories about the naming of the mountain (Dobias, 1982).

Local Human Population The surrounding lowlands are settled and cultivated up to the eastern boundary (Sayer, 1981) and many local villagers hire out their services as porters, assisting visitors to the summit plateau (Dobias, 1982). However, details concerning any resident human population are not available.

Visitors and Visitor Facilities The park received 30,000 visitors annually in the early 1980s and this figure has probably increased greatly (Sayer, 1981). A steep trail in the east is the only means of access to the mountain. An extensive network of foot trails on the plateau provides access to a number of cliff-top viewpoints, waterfalls and the mountain summit (Dobias, 1982). Accommodation is available in bungalows and dormitories for 110 and 120 people respectively. Camping facilities are available (Kasetsart University, 1987). Other facilities include a visitor centre at the Sithan station, a souvenir shop and a number of private concession food stalls and general stores (Dobias, 1982; Kasetsart University, 1987).

Scientific Research and Facilities The National Meteorological Office maintains a weather station on the plateau (Sayer, 1981).

Conservation Value No information

Conservation Management Phu Kradung is not considered nationally important for large mammal species and the principal value of the site lies in recreation and the unusual montane flora. The cool montane climate is an important attraction for visitors (Sayer, 1981). Burning on the plateau is used to maintain the climax habitat of some of the rare plants (Dobias, 1982; Sayer, 1981). A number of recommendations aimed at reducing extensive visitor impact are made in Sayer (1981). There are four guard stations in addition to the park headquarters. The preparation of a management plan is scheduled for 1988 (Kasetsart University, 1987).

Management Constraints Poaching for smaller species such as sambar and Indian muntjac is common and five elephants were killed in a five-year period in the late 1970s. The high number of tourists on the open grass areas have restricted elephant to the tall forested areas on the north slope. Furthermore, traditional migration routes between Phu Kradung, the Dong San Reserve Forest and the much larger Nam Nao National Park and Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary to the west and south have been severed by agricultural expansion in intervening valleys (Storer, 1981). Cattle are grazed on the lower slopes of the park and a number of feral dogs live around the headquarters (Sayer, 1981). A cable-car has been proposed although this would probably damage moist forest on steep hill slopes and deprive local villagers of their livelihood. Trampling may damage sensitive plateau vegetation (P.D. Round, pers. comm.).

Staff Comprises three technical officers, two forest technicians and one other officer, 25 guards, four other full time staff and up to 100 seasonal workers (Kasetsart University, 1987).

Budget 1,665,000 baht (US$16,000) in 1986, not including allocations for construction materials and durables (Kasetsart University, 1987).

Local Addresses

No information

References

Dickinson, E.C. and Chaiyaphun, S. (1973). Notes on Thai birds 4. Birds collected in Phu Kradeung National Park, Loei Province. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 25: 33-38.

Dobias, R.J. (1982). The Shell Guide to the national parks of Thailand. The Shell Company of Thailand Limited. Bangkok. 137 pp.

Dobias, R.J. (1987). Elephants in Thailand: an overview of their status and conservation. Tigerpaper 14: 19-24.

Kasetsart University (1987). Assessment of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and other preserves in Thailand. Draft report. Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Royal Forest Department, Office of the National Environment Board, USAID. 124 pp.

Round, P. (1985). Status and conservation of resident birds in Thailand. Association for the Conservation of Wildlife. Bangkok. 143 pp.

Sayer, J.A. (1981). A Review of the Nature Conservation and Policies of the Royal Forest Department, Thailand. FAO, Rome.

Storer, P.J. (1981). Elephant populations in Thailand. A preliminary survey of wild elephant populations and their prospects for conservation in Thailand. Natural History Bulletin of the Siam Society 29: 1-30.

Date July 1987