Landscape conservation in the Greater Mekong region

To manage the growing pressures facing the Greater Mekong region’s natural capital and ecosystems, we are focusing our conservation efforts at a much larger scale--landscapes.
Find out more about landscape conservation
WWF-Greater Mekong has identified 8 priority landscapes that cover approximately 245,000 km2 (or 11% of the area of the Greater Mekong Subregion) (see map below).

These large areas support many of the rarest and most distinctive species in the region, including Southeast Asia’s largest populations of tiger, elephant, and saola.

Additionally, we coordinate closely with WWF-China to ensure effective protection of the headwaters of the Mekong—high on the Tibetan Plateau.

Approximately 28% of these focal landscapes is under formal protection. WWF works through partners to extend this landscape approach to other critical conservation areas in the Greater Mekong region.
  • The misty mountain ranges of Kayah Karen Tenasserim ecoregion. © Peter Cutter / WWF Greater Mekong

    The misty mountain ranges of Kayah Karen Tenasserim ecoregion.

  • Mekong Area of Sambor, where one of the 11 mainstream dam projects is proposed, is located between Cambodia's Kratie and Steung Treng towns covering the globally important biodiversity hotspot known as Central Section. This area is home to many endangered wildlife including the Irrawaddy dolphin and water birds like White-shouldered Ibis, River Tern and Greater and Lesser Adjutants. © Adam Oswell / WWF Cambodia

    Mekong Area of Sambor, where one of the 11 mainstream dam projects ...

  • Forests of the Greater Annamites. By sustainably managing this important carbon sink, many endangered species will also be conserved. © WWF Greater Mekong

    Forests of the Greater Annamites. By sustainably managing this ...

  • A fish farmer at one of the Hung Vuong pangasius fish farms in the Mekong Delta, searches the pond for fish. © © WWF-Canon / Greg Funnell

    A fish farmer at one of the Hung Vuong pangasius fish farms in the ...


View WWF - Landscapes in the Greater Mekong region in a larger map
Landscapes
  1. Dawna Tenasserim Landscape (DTL) – KKTE: Thailand/Myanmar
  2. Eastern Plains Landscape (EPL) – DF/MR: Cambodia/Vietnam
  3. Southern Laos / Central Vietnam Landscape (SLCVL) (DF/GA/MR: Laos/Vietnam)
  4. Southern Annamites Landscape (SAL) ** (GA – Vietnam)
  5. Mekong Source Area (MSA) (China)
  6. Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Bolikhamsay, Khammeun (NNBK) (Thailand/Laos)
  7. Siphandone, Stung Treng, Kratie section (SSK) (Cambodia/Laos)
  8. Mekong River Delta (MRD) (Vietnam)
Other priority areas
  1. Nam Pouy (Elephant recovery)
  2. Khao Yai/Thap Lan Complex (Tiger recovery)

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Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Text available under a Creative Commons licence.