ASSESSMENT OF THE CONSERVATION STATUS OF PARTRIDGES AND PHEASANTS IN SOUTH EAST-ASIA

The recent compilation of IUCN Action Plans for partridges and pheasan ts has highlighted the need for locality data to be used in conservati on evaluation. Here we used locality data to measure changes in the pr oportion of localities from which each of 25 South East Asian species has been recorded, changes in their geographic extent and the amount o f habitat that is potentially available to them. These are measures th at use the data which are most readily available. Single landmass ende mics from both montane and lowland forests appear to have fared badly with peacock pheasants Polyplectron and hill-partridges Arborophila su ffering particularly large declines, although for montane forest speci es, these apparent declines are probably the result of relatively less survey effort in highland areas. Species previously widespread that g ive cause for concern include the green peafowl, Pave muticus, and the blue-breasted quail, Coturnix chinensis. Conservation priorities incl ude action on behalf of lowland forest specialists, some of which have suffered substantial reductions in the area of habitat that is potent ially available. Surveys are required on the hills and mountains of Bo rneo, the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, and in the Lesser Sundas. Incre ased resolution of vegetation data would permit more accurate predicti on of species ranges.