Flooded forests surrounding Tonlé Sap Lake in Cambodia form one of the most productive freshwater ecosystems in the world. These seasonally inundated forests provide critical habitats for fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals while supporting nutrient cycling and ecosystem productivity. The seasonal flood pulse from the Mekong River inundates extensive floodplain forests, creating breeding and feeding habitats for aquatic and terrestrial species. However, increasing environmental pressures, including land conversion, hydrological alteration, and climate change, threaten the ecological integrity of these ecosystems. This review synthesizes existing literature on the ecological functions of flooded forests in supporting biodiversity within the Tonlé Sap ecosystem. The findings highlight the importance of flooded forests as biodiversity hotspots and essential components of the Mekong Basin ecological network.

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