Maliau Basin Conservation Area (16026)
Malaysia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Maliau Basin Conservation Area
Central coordinates: Latitude: 4.8000, Longitude: 116.8833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1600
Area of KBA (km2): 988.24226
Protected area coverage (%): 90.16
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Maliau Basin is one of the most pristine natural features in Malaysia. The region is rugged, remote and forested and is distinguished by its circular perimeter. The Basin is sharply delimited on all sides by cliffs or very steep slopes up to 1,500 m in height. The highest point is Gunung Lutong (1,900 m asl) on the north rim. The shape had been moulded by faults and earth movements resulting in the Tanjung Formation during the early to middle Miocene age. The Tanjung Formation consists of rocks which are mudstones intercalated with thin and thicker layers of siltstone to medium-grained sandstone (Maryati Mohamed, 1998).The area is drained by radiating tributaries of the Sungai Maliau, forming a unique and important catchment for the south-central zone of Sabah. The drainage system comprises mainly of tea-coloured rivers caused by brown, humic compounds, which leach from the heath forest vegetation. Sungai Maliau gorges out of the south-eastern corner of the basin into Sungai Kuamut which in turns feeds Sungai Kinabatangan, the longest and largest river in Sabah (Maryati Mohamed, 1998; Anton and Alexander, 1998; Waidi Sinun et al., 1998). Maliau Basin also has an exceptionally high number of waterfalls.
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: Maliau Basin's avifaunal diversity is reflected by its habitat type, which is unique in Malaysia. Over 280 species of birds have been recorded in Maliau Basin which include several rare and endemic species (Anon., 2001, 2002; Lim-Hasegawa, 2002; Yong et al., 1989, 1998). The area also supports a diverse hornbill population (5 species) and pheasants. Other Near Threatened species found in basin includes the Oriental Darter Anhinga melanogaster and Grey-headed Fish-eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus. Non-bird biodiversity: The scientific surveys of Maliau Basin have documented several interesting findings, some which is unique to the area. 181 commercial tree species from 11 families, dominated by Araucariaceae, Dipterocarpaceae and Casuarinaceae (Barnabas Gait et al., 1998).34 species from 14 families and 26 genera of fern and fern allies (Susup Akin, 1998).The rare Rafflesia tengku-adlini has also been discovered in the area, one of only two known localities in Sabah (Marsh, 1989).35 species of freshwater algae (Anton et al., 1998).16 genera representing 10 families of bryophytes (Susup Akin and Suleiman, 1998).23 species of aquatic and semi-aquatic bugs from 7 families (Yang et al., 1998).29 species of dung beetles (Davis, 1998).37 species of butterflies from 5 families dominated by Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae, Lycaenidae and Hesperiidae (Maryati Mohamed et al., 1998).36 species of termites (Isoptera) (Jones et al., 1998).Presence of Weaver Ants Oecophylla smaragdina in the heath forest (Widodo and Maryati Mohamed, 1998).Three species of freshwater fishes namely Puntius sealei (Cyprinidae), Betta cf. unimaculata (Belontiidae) and Hemibagrus nemurus (Bagridae) and three species of crustaceans: Parathelphusa valida (Parathelphusidae), Thelphusula sp. nov. (Gecarcinucidae) and Macrobrachiun sabanus (Palaemonidae) (Martin-Smith et al., 1998).25 species of amphibians from 5 families (Abdul-Hamid Ahmad and Wong, 1998).Four species of small mammals dominated by Whitehead's Rat Maxomys whiteheadi (Joseph Gasis et al., 1998. The presence of large and rare mammals (Marsh, 1989; Joseph Gasis et al., 1998). The area has been earmarked as an important refuge for Sumatran Rhinoceroses (WWF, 2002a).(I) Globally threatened mammals (IUCN, 2002): CRITICAL: Sumatran Rhinoceros Dicerorhinnus sumatrensis; ENDANGERED: Asian Elephant Elephas maximus, Tembadau Bos javanicus, Proboscis Monkey Nasalis larvatus, Bay Cat Catopuma badia, Orang-Utan Pongo pygmaeus; VULNERABLE: Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa, Pig-tailed Macaque Macaca nemestrina; NEAR THREATENED: Bornean Gibbon Hylobates muelleri, Long-tailed Macaque M. fascicularis; DATA DEFICIENT: Hose's Langur Presbytis hosei, Malayan Sun Bear Helarctos malayanus(II) Globally threatened reptiles (IUCN, 2002): No information.(III) Globally threatened plants (IUCN, 2002): CRITICAL: Shorea platycarpa, S. johorensis, S. acuminatissima, S. almon, S. asahii, S. flemmichii, S. foxworthyi, S. platycarpa, S. smithiana, S. superba, S. waltoni, Hopea nervosa, H. beccariana, H. sangal, Parashorea malaanonan, Dipterocarpus gracilis; ENDANGERED: Shorea andulensis, S. argentifolia, S. faguetiana, S. leprosula, S. bracteolata, S. obscura, S. pauciflora, Dryobalanops lanceolata, Dipterocarpus crinitus; VULNERABLE: Durio acutifolius, D. kutejensis, Agathis dammara; NEAR THREATENED: Nepenthes veitchii, Aglaia oligophylla; LOWER RISK/conservation dependent: Nepenthes hirsuta, Koompassia excelsa, K. malaccensis; DATA DEFICIENT: Mangifera bullata
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The vegetation of Maliau Basin can be divided into five broad types (Marsh, 1989; Maryati Mohamed, 1998):lowland (hill) dipterocarp forest is confined mainly along the slope draining the Sungai Maliau, comprised of multi-layered and dense forest with emergents exceeding 30 m; riverine forest is conditioned by more exposed light conditions and rocky soils;the lower montane forest is comprised of two types: upper dipterocarp forest and Agathis-Shorea platyclados oak-laurel forest. The upper dipterocarp forest is generally found up to altitudinal limits of 830m. Between 1,000-2,000 m asl, the forest is dominated by oak/laurel or by Agathis and Shorea platyclados. The lower montane forest is the dominant forest type, making up 62% of the Basin.upper montane forest; andedaphic climax forest comprised of heath forest, which is the second most abundant forest type covering 20.5% of the basin. Most of the heath forest of the Basin is at upper montane elevation, but there is a 10 km2 of well-developed heath forest on flattish land near the southern rim (Southern Plateau) at 1,100 m asl. It comprises of trees with small crown and short stature and a relatively open canopy to about 12 m in height dominated by Tristania spp. and Dacrydium beccarii (Marsh, 1989). The ground vegetation is comprised of a dense, mossy mixture of low species diversity including Ternstroemia spp., Calophyllum spp., Syzigium spp. as well as pitcher plants (Nepentaceae), rhododendrons (Ericaceae) and orchids (Orchidaceae) (Marsh, 1989).
Land use: water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Maliau Basin may be vulnerable to future resource exploration as the area has been found to be mineral-rich. The threats come in the form of timber and of more concern, coal extraction (S.S. Yoga, 2001). Despite having the potential of coal mining, the State Government has no intentions to entertain applications for coal mining (Anon., 2000). The area also has the potential as a hydroelectric dam site (Marsh, 1989). Poaching is considered under control (Tan Cheng Li, 2001).
Additional information
References: Abdul-Hamid Ahmad and Wong, A. 1998. The Amphibian Fauna of the Maliau Basin. In Maryati Mohamed, Waidi Sinun, A. Anton, Mohd. Noh Dalimin and Abdul-Hamid Ahmad. (eds.). Maliau Basin Scientific Expedition 1996, pp. 133-138. Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah.Anon. 2000. Maliau Basin to stay protected: Deputy CM. The Sun, 3 December.Anon. 2001. Birds of Maliau Basin (Unpublished).Anon. 2002. Birds of Maliau Basin (Unpublished).Anton, A. and Alexander, J. 1998. Limnology of Maliau Basin. In Maryati Mohamed, Waidi Sinun, A. Anton, Mohd. Noh Dalimin and Abdul-Hamid Ahmad. (eds.). Maliau Basin Scientific Expedition 1996, pp. 29-36. Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah.Anton, A., Alexander, J. and Chan, A. 1998. The Algae of Maliau Rivers. In Maryati Mohamed, Waidi Sinun, A. Anton, Mohd. Noh Dalimin and Abdul-Hamid Ahmad. (eds.). Maliau Basin Scientific Expedition 1996, pp. 37-48. Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah.Barnabas Gait, Rainus Awang and Lasius M. Urit. 1998. Checklist of Commercial Timber and Rattans in the Maliau Basin. In Maryati Mohamed, Waidi Sinun, A. Anton, Mohd. Noh Dalimin and Abdul-Hamid Ahmad. (eds.). Maliau Basin Scientific Expedition 1996, pp. 63-72. Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah.Colenutt, S. 2002. Little-known Oriental bird: Bornean Bristlehead Pityriasis gymnocephala. OBC Bulletin 35: 75-77.Davis, A.J. 1998. Beetle Abundance and Diversity in the Maliau Basin, with Special Reference to the Dung and Carrion Beetle Fauna. In Maryati Mohamed, Waidi Sinun, A. Anton, Mohd. Noh Dalimin and Abdul-Hamid Ahmad. (eds.). Maliau Basin Scientific Expedition 1996, pp. 77-86. Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah.IUCN. 2002. 2002 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. http://www.redlist.org (23 June 2003).Jones, D.T., Tan, J. and Bakhtiar Effendi Yahya. 1998. The Termite (Insecta: Isoptera) of the Maliau Basin, Sabah. In Maryati Mohamed, Waidi Sinun, A. Anton, Mohd. Noh Dalimin and Abdul-Hamid Ahmad. (eds.). Maliau Basin Scientific Expedition 1996, pp. 95-112. Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah.Joseph Gasis, Mustamin Mansah, Abdul-Hamid Ahmad and Arifin Awang Ali. 1998. Maliau Basin Scientific Expedition May 1996: Mammal Survey. In Maryati Mohamed, Waidi Sinun, A. Anton, Mohd. Noh Dalimin and Abdul-Hamid Ahmad. (eds.). Maliau Basin Scientific Expedition 1996, pp. 149-154. Kota Kinabalu: Universiti Malaysia Sabah.Lim-Hasegawa, D. (ed.) 2002. Pictorial Report 2001: Maliau Basin Conservation Area. Kota Kinabalu: Forestry Division, Wisma Innoprise.Marsh, C. 1989. Management. In Marsh, C. Expedition to Maliau Basin, Sabah (April-May 1988), pp. 167-172. Project MYS 126/88. Kuala Lumpur: WWFM and Kota Kinabalu: Yayasan Sabah.Marsh, C. and Gasis, J. 1990. An Expedition to Sabah's Lost World: The Maliau Basin. Malayan Naturalist 43(3): 15-22.Martin-Smith, K., Abdullah Samat, Tan, S.H. and Tan, H.T. 1998. The Fish and Crustacean Fauna of the Maliau Basin, Sabah. 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