Tasitolu (15795)
Timor-Leste, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Tasitolu
Central coordinates: Latitude: -8.5730, Longitude: 125.5120
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 403
Area of KBA (km2): 15.30519
Protected area coverage (%): 16.25
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A small catchment of near Dili with a variety of habitats including beach, grassland, mangrove, permanent saline lakes, and Eucalyptus alba savanna woodland along an altitudinal gradient. Tropical dry forest is developing in topographically protected gullies and on headwater ridges but is not extensive. Tasitolu literally means ‘three seas’ in the Timor-Leste Tetum language, and refers to the three permanent shallow saline lakes that comprise the Tasitolu wetlands. The area is of national cultural, social and historical significance being an important symbol of the East Timorese struggle for independence. Pope John Paul II held mass at the site in 1989 and it was the location for the restoration of independence celebrations on 20 May 2002.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) KBA identified by the 2014 CEPF Wallacea Ecosystem Profile process. Taxonomy and threat status follow the 2013 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: Fifteen restricted-range species have been recorded in this IBA (Trainor et al. 2004).
Delineation rationale: 2015-06-10 (BL Secretariat): site area changed from 1540 ha to 1543 ha, following 2014 CEPF Ecosystem Profile.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: A small catchment of near Dili with a variety of habitats including beach, grassland, mangrove, permanent saline lakes, and Eucalyptus alba savanna woodland along an altitudinal gradient. Tropical dry forest is developing in topographically protected gullies and on headwater ridges but is not extensive. Tasitolu literally means ‘three seas’ in the Timor-Leste Tetum language, and refers to the three permanent shallow saline lakes that comprise the Tasitolu wetlands. The area is of national cultural, social and historical significance being an important symbol of the East Timorese struggle for independence. Pope John Paul II held mass at the site in 1989 and it was the location for the restoration of independence celebrations on 20 May 2002.
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Savanna | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 85 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: This IBA is very close to the capital city of Dili and under threat from intensive human use. The known threats to the site include timber collection (of mangrove and Eucalyptus), rubbish dumping, extraction of rock and sand, annual horse racing events and learner drivers using the seasonally dry saltpans. It is currently being used as a base by the international military Peace Keeping Forces.