Subaun (16257)
Timor-Leste, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2014
National site name: Subaun
Central coordinates: Latitude: -8.5270, Longitude: 125.8700
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 1320
Area of KBA (km2): 235.3914
Protected area coverage (%): 8.56
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of steep to moderately steep hills rising from sea level to more than 1,300 m on the isolated peak of Mount Curi, with a fine example of near pristine Eucalyptus savanna woodland extending from sea level to the steep hill slopes. The dominant vegetation below c.400 m is Eucalyptus alba savanna woodland with a tall grassy understorey (mostly Heteropogon and Themeda), with Eucalyptus urophylla dominant above c.400 m. Topographically protected tropical dry forest (or riparian semi-evergreen forest) occurs in gullies and on isolated hill slopes but is nowhere extensive (all patches <1 km2). The grassy understorey is burnt regularly (1–3 year periodicity) maintaining the open woodland. Locally, closed forest and savanna woodland is converted to small shifting agriculture plots to grow corn and other vegetables.
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: Fourteen restricted-range species have been recorded in this IBA, including during a brief visit to the Weoadolak area in April 2003 by Trainor et al. (2004), who considered that this IBA should be a priority for further field survey work.
Delineation rationale: Revised by TLS Workshop (CEPF). 2015-06-10 (BL Secretariat): site area changed from 20086 ha to 23665 ha, following 2014 CEPF Ecosystem Profile.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: An area of steep to moderately steep hills rising from sea level to more than 1,300 m on the isolated peak of Mount Curi, with a fine example of near pristine Eucalyptus savanna woodland extending from sea level to the steep hill slopes. The dominant vegetation below c.400 m is Eucalyptus alba savanna woodland with a tall grassy understorey (mostly Heteropogon and Themeda), with Eucalyptus urophylla dominant above c.400 m. Topographically protected tropical dry forest (or riparian semi-evergreen forest) occurs in gullies and on isolated hill slopes but is nowhere extensive (all patches <1 km2). The grassy understorey is burnt regularly (1–3 year periodicity) maintaining the open woodland. Locally, closed forest and savanna woodland is converted to small shifting agriculture plots to grow corn and other vegetables.
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Savanna | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats to habitat integrity in this IBA include regular burning and limited shifting agriculture. There is interest in the recommencement of marble mining which represents a significant threat to this site and its habitats.