Anlung Pring Sarus Crane Reserve, located in Cambodia’s coastal zone in Kampot Province, is a small but ecologically significant wetland system comprising seasonally inundated grasslands, marshes, and agricultural landscapes. The site is internationally recognized as a key dry-season feeding ground for the Eastern Sarus Crane and supports a range of wetland-dependent bird species. Despite its relatively small size, it plays a critical role in the conservation of the regional crane population and contributes to the ecological connectivity of wetland habitats along the coastal plain.

 

The site supports surrounding communities that depend on rice cultivation and wetland resources for their livelihoods. It provides important ecosystem services, including water regulation, habitat provision, and support to agricultural productivity. However, the site faces increasing pressures from land conversion, agricultural intensification, water management challenges, and climate change. Strengthening site protection, promoting sustainable agriculture, and enhancing community-based conservation initiatives offer opportunities to improve livelihood outcomes while maintaining the ecological functions and conservation value of this critical crane habitat.

 

RFI Site Snapshot

City Municipality Province Region	Boeung Sala Khang Tboung and Prek Kroes communes, Kampong Trach district, Kampot Province
Area Size	220 ha
Geographical Coordinates	10.48º N, 104.53º E
Conservation Designation	Anlung Pring Protected Landscape recognised as an EAAFP Flyway Network Site, the first for Cambodia
Key Habitats and Biomes	wet grasslands with a high density of Eleocharis and Melaleuca shrubs, freshwater and brackish marshland, open water, and patches of remnant Melaleuca swamp forest
Key Ecosystem Services and Values	Provisioning: fish, water Regulating: water purification and waste treatment, salinity regulation, noise and visual buffering, flood mitigation Cultural: recreation, ecotourism, knowledge systems, and education
Global Climate Regulation: Estimated Carbon Storage and Sequestration	3,720 to 5,380 tonnes, while the annual carbon sequestration rate is estimated at 262 tonnes per year
EAAF Species	Globally significant congregations: Sarus Crane Antigone antigone sharpii (VU) Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa bohaii (NT)   Significant numbers: Garganey Spatula querquedula (LC) Eurasian Curlew Numenius arquata (NT)
Notable Biodiversity	Aquatic plants - Eleocharis spiralios and E. dulcis are an important food source for Sarus Crane, and stands of Melaleuca shrubs are important roosting sites for the cranes
Site Management	Ministry of Environment, Kampot Provincial Department of Environment, Boeung, Sala Khang Tboung Commune
Key Drivers of Change	livestock farming and grazing, tourism and recreation, fishing, killing, and harvesting of aquatic resources, storm and flooding events, climate impacts, sea-level rise (in the long term)
Opportunities for RFI Interventions	Improving site management, stronger wildlife protection, improving tourism infrastructure, expanding ecotourism, strengthening community capacity, upscaling sustainable, regenerative rice farming, improving waste management
Investment Range Over Time Period	$7,930,000 for 5 years