Teluk Air Tawar-Kuala Muda coast (16032)
Malaysia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Teluk Air Tawar-Kuala Muda coast
Central coordinates: Latitude: 5.5333, Longitude: 100.3667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 7
Area of KBA (km2): 9.06847
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Penaga-Kuala Muda area consists of a stretch coastal tidal mudflats and mangroves located north of mainland Pulau Pinang. Rice cultivation, coconut groves, fruit orchards dominate the landscape further inland. Other agriculture-related activities include medium-scale cattle rearing and aquaculture. Fishing villages dot the coastal stretch.
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: 61 species indentified. Important are for waterbirds especially shorebirds and egrets. The rural-like environment also supports several Biome-restricted species.Near-threatened species Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis, Asian Dowitcher (Yeap et al., 2003)Over 500 Forest Wagtail Dendronanthus indicus and over 3,000 Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava roost at this site.1% world population of Chinese Pond-Heron Non-bird biodiversity: (I) Globally threatened mammals (IUCN, 2002): NEAR THREATENED: Long-tailed Macaque Macaca fascicularisSilver leaf monkey(II) Globally threatened reptiles (IUCN, 2002): No information.(III) Globally threatened plants (IUCN, 2002): No information.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 40 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 40 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The Penaga-Kuala Muda agricultural belt is slowly undergoing changes as development moves northwards. Several issues pertinent to the area include:Poaching of birdsLand conversion to aquaculture and housingEncroachment into the mangroves and buffer areas for illegal housing.No buffer zone between the mangorve and legally developed area.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Kanda Kumar. No date. Penaga-Kuala Muda Birdlist. (Unpublished).Yeap, C.A., Sebastian, A. and Siti Hawa Yatim (compilers) 2003. The Asian Waterbird Census 2003 Country Report (Malaysia). Kuala Lumpur: Malaysian Nature Society.