Profile of the endangered species of Thailand

This two-volume study profiles 155 threatened or endangered species in Thailand and describes their biological and management needs. These 155 species were selected on the basis of literature searches, site visits, and correspondence with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Volume 1 profiles 91 plants, invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds, while Volume 2 profiles 64 mammals. For each species, data are presented on: status, population size and trend, past and present distribution, geographic status (e.g., vagrant, migratory), habitat requirements and trends, and vulnerability of species and habitat. Also identified are causes of the threat, species" response to habitat modification, demographic characteristics, key behaviors, and conservation measures taken or proposed. Maps showing species" distributions are provided. Volume 1 also describes the following essential habitats, ranked according to number of endangered species present and the imminence of habitat conversion: wetlands, Mekong River basin, tropical lowland evergreen forest, hill evergreen forest, dry evergreen forest, dry dipterocarp, mixed deciduous-evergreen forest, mangrove forest, and southeastern coastal rivers. Maps of terrestial vegetation and deforested areas are provided in Volume 1 and a 692-item reference list (1666-1981) is included in Volume 2. The authors note, however, that the data presented in these volumes represent only the tip of the iceberg. Literally thousands of plant and animal species are threatened by continued deforestation, but not enough information exists to assess the status of these species, some of which may not yet be known to science. Habitat changes have resulted in the extirpation from Thailand of the large grass warbler, Shomburgk"s deer, and the eastern sarus crane, as well as in the probable extirpation of black and giant ibises, salt and freshwater crocodiles, the Asian bonytongue, burnt-tail carp, false gavials, the Javan rhino, Eld"s Brow-antlered deer, Indochinese hog deer, the Chinese crested tern, and the koupry.