Maubesi Mangrove Swamp
Location:
9°31'-9°34'S, 124°57'-125°00'E; Kabupaten Bulu, West Timor, East Nusa Tenggara.
Area:
1,830 ha.
Altitude:
0-30m.
Biogeographical Province:
4.23.12.
Wetland type:
02, 05 & 07.
Description of site:
A coastal area with sandy beaches, about 1,100 ha of undisturbed mangrove swamp and, further inland, some curious cold mud volcanoes.
Climatic conditions:
Tropical monsoonal climate. The average temperature is 33.1°C, and the average relative humidity, 82.4%.
Principal vegetation:
Mangrove forest with species of Rhizophora, Sonneratia, Bruguiera and Avicennia, still in good condition; also dry beach forest with Hibiscus tiliaceus, Terminalia catappa, Casuarina sp and Zizyphus horsfieldii.
Land tenure:
State owned (Forest Service of Nusa Tenggara Timur).
Conservation measures taken:
None.
Conservation measures proposed:
The area has been proposed as a Nature Reserve.
Land use:
Fishing.
Possible Changes in Land use:
A project to develop the water resources of the Besiham plain for agriculture would drastically alter the water regime and cause substantial changes to the mangrove forest.
Disturbances and threats:
Cutting of mangroves for firewood, illegal hunting and illegal fishing. Human population pressure is increasing rapidly in the area.
Economic and social values:
The cold mud volcanoes are of considerable geological interest, and could provide a novel attraction for tourists.
Fauna:
The mangrove swamps are important for a wide variety of waterbirds including Nycticorax nycticorax, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta intermedia, Ciconia episcopus, Plegadis falcinellus, Threskiornis sp, Dendrocygna sp, Anas sp, Pandion haliaetus, Numenius arquala and Actitis hypoleucos.
Mammals include a species of Macaca and a species of Cervus. The Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus occurs in the mangroves, and Hawksbill Turtles Eretmochelys imbricata have been recorded. Other reptiles include Varanus salvator, Cerberus rhynchops and Mabouya multifasciata.
Special floral values:
No information.
References:
Crippen International (1978); Direktorat P.P.A. (1980b); FAO (l981c).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1b, 2a, 3b.
Source:
Edi Djuharsa.