Wetland near Hopong, Shan State, Myanmar

Environment

Environment

Human settlements

Human settlements

Compacted

Surrounding area

Hopong is located in the southern part of the Shan Plateau, at an elevation of 1.080 meters above sea level, approximately 19.3km east of the city of Taunggyi. The area of the settlement is 6.4232 km².

The town lies within the Salween (Thanlwin) River watershed and is situated about 35km northeast of Inle Lake. Hopong has a tropical climate, with an annual rainfall of approximately 755mm. The hottest month is April, when the average daytime temperature reaches 31°C.

Coffee cultivation plays a significant role in the town’s economy. In the Hopong Township, coffee is grown on more than 750ha and is exported to both local and international markets.

Inle Lake and the surrounding wetlands provide habitat for more than 100 species of birds.

Research conducted between 2016 and 2020 in the spring-fed areas around the settlement identified 25 fish species, including endemic ones such as Danio margaritatus and Petruichthys sp. rosy, as well as introduced alien species like Oreochromis niloticus and Gambusia affinis.

Underwater landscape

Flooded grasslands surround the town, created by the impoundment of nearby springs for agricultural purposes.

These wetlands are intersected by various small canals and streams, which also provide excellent habitats for fish species. The water in the floodplains is approximately 30cm deep and completely transparent.

The substrate is covered by a brownish sediment layer, which serves as a rich nutrient source for various plants.

Typical marsh vegetation in the area includes Typha angustifolia, Salix tetrasperma, Arundo donax and Cyperus helferi, while among aquatic plants, notable species include members of the genera Blyxa, Elodea, as well as Hygrophila polysperma, Hygroryza aristata, Spirodela polyrrhiza, and Salvinia cucullata.

Fish list:

• Danio margaritatus (Cyprinidae)
• Petruichthys sp. ‘rosy’ (Nemacheilidae)
• Devario sondhii (Cyprinidae)
• Microrasbora cf. rubescens (Cyprinidae)
• Channa harcourtbutleri (Channidae)
• Sawbwa resplendens (Cyprinidae)
• Inlecypris auropurpureus (Cyprinidae)
• Physoschistura rivulicola (Nemacheilidae)
• Esomus danrica (Danionidae)
• Pethia stoliczkana (Cyprinidae)
• Systomus rubripinnis (Cyprinidae)
• Lepidocephalichthys berdmorei (Cobitidae)
• Monopterus javanensis (Synbranchidae)
• Trichogaster labiosa (Osphronemidae)
• Gambusia affinis (Poeciliidae)

Aquatic plant list:

• Hygrophylla polysperma (Acanthaceae)
• Elodea sp. (Hydrocharitaceae)
• Hygroryza aristata (Poaceae)
• Blyxa sp. (Hydrocharitaceae)
• Salvinia cucullata (Salviniaceae)

Wetland plant list:

• Cyperus helferi (Cyperaceae)
• Murdannia keisak (Commelinaceae)

Threats to ecology

The area around Inle Lake and the surroundings of Hopong serve as important wetland habitats for more than 100 species of waterbirds, several of which are threatened, such as the White-bellied Heron, Black-bellied Tern, White-winged Duck, and Baer’s Pochard.

In addition, the wetlands around Hopong are home to several endemic fish species, including the previously mentioned Danio margaritatus, Petruichthys sp. “rosy”, Sawbwa resplendens, and Inlecypris auropurpureus.

However, their habitats are continuously shrinking due to the town’s ongoing expansion and increasing agricultural activities, putting the survival of these species at risk.

As a result of human activity, several non-native fish species have also been introduced to the area, such as Oreochromis niloticus and Gambusia affinis, which compete with native fish for habitat and food.

Preserving the wetlands of Hopong is crucial for maintaining local and regional biodiversity. Genetic studies have shown that the genetic makeup of several fish species in Hopong differs from the populations in Inle Lake, which highlights the uniqueness of the area and the need for conservation measures.

Some initiatives have already been launched locally — for instance, in July 2023, a community cleanup was organized along the KhoKala stream in Hopong Township to improve water drainage and promote a greener environment.

Nevertheless, there are currently no major conservation efforts in the Hopong region, only smaller local initiatives. This is why I felt it was important to draw attention to the significance of this area.

Riparian zone

Trees near the aquatic habitat

Few -

Bibliography

• → Biology, Environmental Science - The 'celestial pearl danio', a new genus and species of colourful minute cyprinid fish from Myanmar (Pisces: Cypriniformes) by T. R. Roberts
  
• → Biodiversity Data Journal - Fish diversity of a spring field in Hopong Town,Taunggyi District, Shan State, Myanmar (theSalween River Basin), with genetic comparisons to some “species endemic to Inle Lake” by Yuichi Kano, Yusuke Fuke, Prachya Musikasinthorn, Akihisa Iwata, Tin Mya Soe, Sein Tun, LKC Yun, Seint Seint Win, Shoko Matsui, Ryoichi Tabata, Katsutoshi Watanabe
  

Comment by the expert