Karimun Jawa Archipelago
Location:
5°43'-5°55'S, 1 l0°l0'-ll0°37'E; 70 km off the north coast of Central Java, Kabupaten Jepara, Central Java.
Area:
7,026 ha.
Altitude:
Sea level to 5l2m.
Biogeographical Province:
4.22.12.
Wetland type:
03, 04, 05, 06 & 07.
Description of site:
The Karimun Jawa Islands comprise an archipelago of 27 small islets, of which Karimun Jawa is the largest. Only seven of the islands are inhabited. The vegetation consists mainly of mangrove and beach forest, although there is some lowland rain forest on Karimun Jawa. Most of the islands are surrounded by sandy beaches and fringing coral reefs. Fresh water is confined to a few small wells and forest streams on Karimun Jawa. The average tidal range is 92 cm.
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical maritime climate with an average annual rainfall of 2,632 mm. Average temperatures range from 20-30°C.
Principal vegetation:
Mangrove forest with species of Rhizophora, Avicennia and Bruguiera dry beach forest with Casuarina fistula, Barringtonia asiatica and Hibiscus tiliaceus.
Land tenure:
State owned; managed by PHPA.
Conservation measures taken:
The islands have been designated as a Marine Nature Reserve (Cagar Alam Laut).
Land use:
Wildlife conservation; there is some agriculture on the inhabited islands and fishing in the surrounding waters.
Possible Changes in Land use:
There is a project to develop rice cultivation and aquaculture (fish ponds) on the islands.
Disturbances and threats:
Cutting of mangroves for firewood; the collection of shells, particularly clams; the killing of sea- turtles and harvesting of their eggs; development of fish ponds; dynamite fishing on the coral reefs.
Economic and social values:
The archipelago has considerable potential for scientific research.
Fauna:
The rich fish fauna includes many edible species and a great variety of ornamental fishes.
Many waterbirds and sea-birds have been recorded including Phalacrocorax niger, Ixobrychus sinensis, I. eurhythmus, Ardeola speciosa, Egretta sacra, Pandion haliaetus, Esacus magnirosiris, Glareola maldivarum, Numenius phaeopus, Gallinago stenura, Actitis hypoleucos, Sterna bergii, Anous stolidus and the kingfishers Halcyon sancta and H. chioris.
Mammals include Felis bengalensis, Cervus timorensis, Muntiacus muntjak, Sus sp, Macaca sp and small cetaceans.
The sandy beaches are important nesting sites for the sea-turtles Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricata. Other reptiles include Varanus salvator and Python sp. Invertebrates include Tridacna gigas.
Special floral values:
No information.
Research and facilities:
Basic faunal and floral surveys have been carried out.
References:
Direktorat P.P.A. (1980g & l986c).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1b, 2a, 2c, 3b.
Source:
Marcel J. Silvius and Agustinus W. Taufik.