Ijen Merapi Ungup
Location:
8°04'S, 114°15'E; on the west slope of Merapi Volcano, 50 km ESE of Bondowoso, Bondowoso and Banyawangi Districts, East Java.
Area:
Lake c.50 ha Nature Reserve 2,560 ha.
Altitude:
Lake 2,560m; Nature Reserve 1,000-2,800m.
Biogeographical Province:
4.22.12.
Wetland type:
14 & 17.
Description of site:
A small crater lake (Ijen Lake) with many sulphur fumeroles, on the Ijen Massif in the Ijen Merapi Ungup Nature Reserve. The lake measures approximately 910m from east to west and 60Dm from north to south. Most of the reserve is hilly with sharp relief (over 30%) except in the eastern and southern parts which are relatively flat. Much of the area retains climax forest, but the western slope of Ijen Crater is frequently burned and has lost most of its forest. The Ijen Massif is the source of many rivers which are used to irrigate large areas of rice paddy in the densely populated lowlands.
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical to subtropical climate, depending on altitude, with an average annual rainfall of 1,997 mm. Temperatures on the plateau average about 20°C. There is a pronounced dry season during the southeast monsoon, particularly in northern areas which lie in the rain shadow of the high mountains. Most of the rain falls during the west monsoon, the rain commencing in the south and moving northwards.
Principal vegetation:
The aquatic vegetation includes Ficus spp. Schleichera oleosa and Pternis wallichiana. Forests at lower elevations are dominated by Casuarina sp; the higher, montane forest is dominated by Albizzia montana. Grasslands in the highlands are dominated by Themida sp, Saccharum spontaneum and Cymbopogon vardus.
Land tenure:
State owned; managed by PHPA.
Conservation measures taken:
The crater lake is protected in a Nature Reserve (2,560 ha) established in October 1920.
Conservation measures proposed:
There has been a proposal to link the Nature Reserve with the existing Maelang Reserve and proposed Raung Mountain Reserve for possible future development as a National Park.
Land use:
The lake acts as a natural water storage reservoir. The Nature Reserve was established to protect the forested water catchment areas of several rivers. Sulphur is mined in the area, and the surrounding lowlands are under intensive cultivation.
Possible Changes in Land use:
The sulphur industry may be expanded.
Disturbances and threats:
Man-made fires, erosion in sulphur mining areas, shifting cultivation, and illegal logging and wood-cutting.
Economic and social values:
The area is of considerable geological and botanical interest, and has high scenic values. The reserve performs a valuable function in protecting forested watersheds and preserving water supplies to the surrounding lowlands.
Fauna:
Little information is available. The only waterbirds known to occur are Ardeola speciosa, Bubulcus ibis and several species of kingfishers. Mammals known to occur in the Nature Reserve include Sus sp, Muntiacus muntjak, Macaca sp. Cuon javanicus, Paradoxurus hermaphroditus and Panihera pardus.
Special floral values:
No information.
References:
Direktorat P.P.A. (1976b); FAO (1979b & 1982a).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1a.
Source:
Agustinus W. Taufik.