Berbak (15819)
Indonesia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Berbak
Central coordinates: Latitude: -1.4500, Longitude: 104.3333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 15
Area of KBA (km2): 1174.2861
Protected area coverage (%): 99.57
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Berbak is one of two RAMSAR sites in Indonesia (Scott 1989). This swamp area recognise as an extensive peat-swamp forest in the Pacific Realm (Mijn & Rahman 1992), although the northern and the eastern parts of this area was cleared (along of Batang Hari River and enclave at coastal area). Long drought in 1997 caused fire, mainly at the edges around 18000 to 24000 ha.Fire occured in the middle part of the area caused by jelutung collection. More than 32000 ha forest on the northwest was cleared or damage by fire at the end of 1997. Sibuea (1998) report on fire of 60 ha, still questionable.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. KBA identified in the CI/CEPF Conservation Outcomes poster for Sumatra [Sundaland Hotspot] (2007). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat status follow the 2004 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: This area is important for swamp bird species, although more research is still needed. Storm's Stork Ciconia stormi recorded in Air Hitam Dalam (Silvius & Verheugt 1986), Jerdon's Baza Aviceda jerdoni, Wallace's Hawk-eagle Spizaetus nanus, Black Partridge Melanoperdix nigra and other hornbill species also exist in this area. Follow-up research for Air Hitam Dalam by Burn & Brickle (1992), confirm the existence of Storm's Stork Ciconia stormi, Milky Stork Mycterea cinerea, and White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata. White-winged Duck frequently seen feeding in Kumpeh upper course, and this area considered important for this species.Survey between 1995-1996 (Sibuea et.al. 1997) showed the three important areas for White-winged Duck along the Batang Hari River in the vicinity of Berbak, i.e. area in Kumpeh River, Rambut River and Air Hitam Dalam, which located in the border of Berbak, and Gedung Karya, with population estimated around 11-21 adult birds (+ 15 juveniles). New data is needed, after fire happened in this area in 1997. Non-bird biodiversity: Arctitis binturong, Dicerohinus sumatraensis, Helarctos malayanus, Hylobates agilis, Lutra sumatranus, Martes flavigula, Neofelis nebulosa and Tapirus indicus, Amyda cartilagenia, Tomistoma schlegelii (Silvus et.al 1984, Wibowo & Suyatno 1997 & 1998, Colijn 1999).There are 23 species of Palm and considered to be the richest area for palm in the world (Wibowo & Suyatno 1997).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Habitat type in Berbak are peat swamp forest (110000 ha), freshwater swamp forest (60000 ha) and mangrove (1500 ha) (Colijn 1999). Around 90% for conservation area, and 10% for agriculture (Sibuea 1998)
Land use: forestry | nature conservation and research (90%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 14 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 14 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 14 | |
| Forest | 57 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Forest clearing and illegal logging in the buffer zone, irrigation system surrounding the area, and forest fire. Boundary area on the coastal is converted into coconut plantation & settlement.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Anon. 1995. National Conservation Plan forIndonesia (3 A-H). Ministry of Forestry, Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, Jakarta.Anon. 1998. Statistik Perlindungan Hutan dan Pelestarian Alam 1997/1998. Departemen Kehutanan dan Perkebunan, Direktorat Jenderal Perlindungan Hutan dan Pelestarian Alam, Jakarta.Burn, J. and Brickle, N. 1992. Spirit of Sumatra 1992: preliminary report. Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, UK.Colijn, E.O. 2000. The Indonesian Nature Conservation Database. URL: http://www.bart.nl/-edcolijn/index.html.Scott, D.A. and Poole, C.M. 1989. A status overview of Asian wetlands (based on 'A Directory of Asian Wetlands'). Asian Wetland Bureau.Silvius, M.J. and Verheugt, W.J.M. 1986. The birds of Berbak Game Reserve, Jambi Province, Sumatra. Kukila 2(4): 76-84.Sibuea, T.H. 1998. Forest fire effect on population and habitat white-winged duck Cairina scutulata in Way Kambas, Lampung and Berbak, Jambi. PHPA/Wetlands International-Indonesia Programme, WWT Slimbridge, Bogor.Sibuea, T.H., Nurhayati and Whisnu, S. 1997. Survei White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata di Taman Nasional Berbak, Jambi dan sekitarnya. PHPA/Wetlands International-Indonesia Programme, WWT Slimbridge, Bogor.Silvius, M.J., Simons, H.W. and Verheugt, W.J.M. 1984. Soils, vegetation, fauna and nature conservation of the Berbak Game Reserve, Sumatra, Indonesia. RIN Contributions to Research on Management of Natural Resources 1984-3. Arnhem, the Netherlands.Wibowo, P. & Suyatno, N. 1998. An overview of Indonesian Wetland Sites - II: an update information - Included in the Indonesian Wetland Database. Wetlands Intenational-Indonesia Programme/PHPA; Bogor.Wibowo, P. & Suyatno, N. 1997. An overview of Indonesian Wetland Sites-included in Wetland database. Wetlands International-Indonesia Programme/PHPA, Bogor.