Kulamba Wildlife Reserve (16024)
Malaysia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Kulamba Wildlife Reserve
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.5167, Longitude: 118.6667
System: freshwater, marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 70
Area of KBA (km2): 314.37223
Protected area coverage (%): 66.24
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: (I) Physical CharacteristicsKulamba Wildlife Reserve lies between Dewhurst Bay and the lower Sungai Segama, on the north coast of the Dent Peninsula in eastern Sabah. The reserve is flat with several isolated, locally steep hills rising to about 70 m asl in the south and middle region. Much of the reserve is swampy, with acidic soils, and peat in some parts.(II) Climatic ConditionsThe climate is hot and humid, with a mean daily maximum temperature of about 32oC. Average annual rainfall is about 3,050 mm. The December-January period has the highest rainfall, with a lesser peak in May-June (Payne, 1985).
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)
Additional biodiversity: A survey in April 1984 recorded 59 resident bird species (Payne, 1985). The reserve's mixture of wetland and dry lowland forest and its contiguity with the Kinabatangan floodplains provides an important habitat for several resident (and presumably migrants too) globally threatened waterbirds and lowland specialist such as the Wrinkled Hornbill Rhyticeros corrugatus. Other Near Threatened species recorded is the Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster. Non-bird biodiversity: Eighteen species of mammals have been reported inhabiting the reserve (Payne, 1985). (I) Globally threatened mammals (IUCN, 2002): ENDANGERED: Tembadau Bos javanicus, Proboscis Monkey Nasalis larvatus; VULNERABLE: [Marbled Cat Pardofelis marmorata]; NEAR THREATENED: Bornean Gibbon Hylobates muelleri, Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularis; DATA DEFICIENT: Malayan Sun Bear Helarctos malayanus(II) Globally threatened reptiles (IUCN, 2002): No information.(III) Globally threatened plants (IUCN, 2002): CRITICAL: Dipterocarpus validus; ENDANGERED: Shorea leprosula; VULNERABLE: Cynometra inaequifolia, Aquilaria malaccensisNote: [ ] = unconfirmed record.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Due to its soil type, Kulamba supports few plant species. Several vegetation types have been identified with mixed swamp forest (open swamp forest and closed-canopy swamp forest) and dryland forest (primary dipterocarp forest) dominating the landscape. Nipah, riverine, butabuta, beach and grassland formations can be found in smaller pockets.The open swamp forest is dominated by with thick scrub and grasses, and frequently flooded. Large tree species include Terminalia sp.The closed-canopy swamp forest is more heterogenous and diverse plant community than the previous habitat, with a more complete tree cover. Prominent tree species Campnosperma auriculata, Alstonia spatulata, Homalanthus populneus, Baccaurea stipulata, Planchonia valida, Memecylon laevigatum, Pternandra caerulescens and Licuala sp.. In some areas, large wide-crowned trees dominate, while elsewhere the forest canopy consists mainly of small-crowned, widely-spaced trees. In parts, notably to the east of Sungai Kapis, Campnosperma auriculata is the most abundant tree and the ground is dominated by Hypolytrum nemorum. Such forest appears to be frequently inundated, depending on the tide and on rainfall.Dryland forest occurs on both flat land and on steep hills in the centre and south of the reserve. Tree species found include Dipterocarpus caudiferus, D. validus, Shorea leprosula, Vatica oblongifolia, Cymnometra inaequifolia, Sindora sp., Irvingia malayana and Aquilaria malaccensis.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Oil palm, coconut, rubber and rattan plantations are being developed at a fast rate to the south, west and south-west of the reserve.
Additional information
References: IUCN. 2002. 2002 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://www.redlist.org (23 June 2003).Payne, J. 1985. Kulamba Wildlife Reserve Survey Report and Management Recommendations. Report to the Wildlife Section, Sabah Forest Department. Project MYS 62/84. Kuala Lumpur: WWF Malaysia.Sheldon, F.H., Moyle, R.G. and Kennard, J. 2001. Ornithology of Sabah: History, Gazetteer, Annotated Checklist, and Bibliography. Ornithological Monographs 52: 1-285.Smythies, B.E. 1999. The Birds of Borneo (4th Edition). Revised by Davison, G.W.H.. Kota Kinabalu: Natural History Publications (Borneo) Sdn. Bhd.