Hunstein Range (26363)
Papua New Guinea, Australasia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1e
Year of last assessment: 2023
National site name: Hunstein Range
Central coordinates: Latitude: -4.5000, Longitude: 142.7000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 120 to 1525
Area of KBA (km2): 2301.1443
Protected area coverage (%): 96.02
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site includes the Hunstein Range. Cox and Emmel (2010) say "The Hunstein Range is a densely forested and almost uninhabited cluster of low mountains located in southern East Sepik Province, and forms part of the vast Sepik River watershed". They also say the Hunstein Range is home to "extensive wetlands and lowland forests associated with the Sepik
floodplain. The main crest of the Hunstein is a 20 km east-west ridge at 1000-1300 m elevation, and includes Mt. Samsai (= Mt. Hunstein), at 1525 m the highest peak in the range."
Cox, JH and Emmel TC (2010) Ecological surveys of the lepidoptera fauna of the Hunstein Range, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, emphasising butterfly populations and habitat in the Mt. Samsai area. Trop. Lepid.Res. 20(2):88-99.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site contains the only known locality for the Critically Endangered tree species Alangium ledermannii which qualifies under the criteria A1e. The other legacy biodiversity elements which previously triggered this KBA were 13 species of amphibians, 3 mammals and a plant.
Manageability of the site: This area is based on the Hunstein Range Wildlife Management Area, which is a protected site.
Delineation rationale: This area is based on the Hunstein Range Wildlife Management Area, which is a protected site.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Annual & perennial non-timber crops
Biological resource use
Logging & wood harvesting
Additional information
Contributors: Tiberius Jimbo, Papua New Guinea Forest Research Institute.
Katharine Davies, Botanic Gardens Conservation International.