Biodiversity Monitoring

By WCS Cambodia

November 25^th, 2024

Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary (KSWS), along the Vietnam border in eastern Cambodia, is a biodiversity hotspot home to more than 1,000 species, including 85 globally threatened ones. Established as a protected area in 2002, KSWS is a cornerstone for conservation, habitat protection, and community development.

Its long-term biodiversity monitoring program - one of the most robust in Cambodia - is at the heart of these efforts, tracking population trends for 13 key species. From endangered primates to large mammals and the green peafowl, this data shapes targeted conservation actions to preserve the sanctuary’s rich biodiversity.

A Fragile Baseline

Before the monitoring program began, KSWS faced severe threats from deforestation, poaching, and the wildlife trade. Critically endangered species, including the Black-shanked douc langur, banteng, and giant ibis, were in steep decline. Ground-dwelling species such as wild pigs and red muntjac were particularly vulnerable to snaring and hunting. A baseline survey conducted in 2010 provided the first robust population estimates, revealing stable arboreal primates but alarming declines in ground-based mammals. This data laid the foundation for long-term conservation efforts.

Monitoring in Action

The biodiversity monitoring program at KSWS is one of the most extensive in Southeast Asia. Its methods include:

Line transect surveys cover over 1,280 kilometers annually, these surveys provide reliable data on species densities and distribution. Repeated every two years, they offer critical insights into population trends.
Camera trap deployments in remote areas have captured rare images, including Eld’s deer (first sighted in nearly two decades) and sunbears.
Involvement from the local Indigenous Bunong communities are integral to monitoring efforts, conducting patrols and collecting data. Their involvement strengthens conservation while fostering eco-friendly livelihoods through the REDD+ project.
Data analysis and statistical models help our estimate population sizes and guide management decisions to ensure interventions are evidence-based.

Progress and Achievements

Arboreal species such as the Yellow-cheeked crested gibbon and Black-shanked douc have shown stable or increasing populations due to strong forest protection and anti-poaching measures. However, declines in ground-dwelling species denote persistent threats and the need for targeted interventions.

In 2022, camera traps captured the first sighting of Eld’s deer in nearly 20 years and the return of a sunbear after a decade. The REDD+ project has also directed significant funding to community benefits, supporting education, eco-tourism, and sustainable agriculture.

More than 3,600 community members have benefited, with many villages focusing on scholarships, school improvements, and infrastructure upgrades. Poaching and habitat encroachment remain critical issues and have prompted the deployment of increased patrolling, community-led monitoring, and new technologies to address these challenges effectively.

The Path Ahead

Future investments will prioritize innovative tools for monitoring species with small populations. Drone technology and advanced acoustic methods will allow for more precise data collection, with AI enabling faster and more accurate analysis of species distribution and population trends.

Community engagement will also remain central to the program. Expanding outreach campaigns—like the one in 2024 that reached over 3,500 people—will deepen local knowledge of wildlife and conservation. Strengthening the capacity of local communities to protect forests and fostering their stewardship of the land will remain at the core of long-term success.

Substantial technical and financial resources will be required to achieve these goals. Expanding the workforce to connect with remote communities will ensure conservation and community well-being remain deeply intertwined.

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