Luang Prabang montane rain forests

The Luang Prabang range is the easternmost of the north-south mountain ranges of northern Thailand. Together with the highlands of north-central Loas they form an ecoregion of very high rainfall (2,000-3,000 mm/year) and a relatively long dry season.

The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical monsoon climate (Köppen climate classification (Aw)). This climate is characterized by relatively even temperatures throughout the year (all months being greater than 18 °C (64 °F) average temperature), and a pronounced dry season. The driest month has less than 60 mm of precipitation, but more than (100-(monthly average)/25) mm. The dry month usually at or right after the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.[4][5] Rainfall in the mountains of northern Laos can average 2,000-3,000 mm/year.[1]

There is not one single type of rainforest in the ecoregion. Rather, there are many different forest communities reflecting location, altitude, and local climate.[1] Starting at 800 meters elevation, the lower tropical seasonal rainforest becomes the montane rainforest, with a dominant canopy of Dipterocarpus turbinatus (source of keruing wood), and Wax tree ( Toxicodendron succedaneum). Also present at this transitional level are palm trees such as the Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata). At elevations of 1,500 meters, broadleaf evergreen forests of Castanopsis hystrix are found. The low, open nature of the forest may be due to past clearing or fire. At these levels there are also conifer hardwood forests of Quercus griffithii (an oak with an oblong crown) and Keteleeria (Keteleeria evelyniana). Thinner soils support (Engelhardia) on granitic soils, or Khasi pine (Pinus kesiya) on clay or sandstone.[1]

Due to the relative isolation area, there are significant populations of rare large mammals including the critically endangered Red-shanked douc, the endangered Asian elephant and the endangered Eld's deer. Over 540 bird species are known to have territory extending into the ecoregion.

Protected areas in the ecoregion include:

• Nam Phouy National Biodiversity Conservation Area, home to the largest population of wild elephants in Laos. (2,000 km2)
• Khun Nan National Park, on the Thai side of the Luang Prabang, known for its waterfalls and streams. (249 km2)
• Phou Khao Khouay, 40 km north of Vientaine in Laos, with three large rivers flowing into the Mekong River. (80,000 km2)
• Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary, i northern Thailand, supports a population of 100 wild Asian Elephants. (897 km2).
• Nam Nao National Park, in the Luang Prabang of northern, supporting Thailand different forest types, deciduous and evergreen. (1,000 km2)