Morowali Bay
Location:
1°40'-2°10'S, 121°10'-121°35'E; at the head of Tomari Bay, Kabupaten of Poso, Central Sulawesi.
Area:
200,000 ha, including 45,000 ha of alluvial plains along the coast.
Altitude:
Sea level to 3,000m.
Biogeographical Province:
4.24.12.
Wetland type:
01, 02, 03, 06, 07, 11, 12, 14 & 21.
Description of site:
The main watershed of the eastern peninsula of Sulawesi, extending south towards Tomari Bay and including the water catchment basins of the Solato, Tiworo, Morowali and Ranu Rivers. There are three major mountain ridges running in a northwest to southeast direction. Most of the area is covered with primary forest. There are some mangrove forests on the coast, especially in the estuaries of the Ranu, Morowali, Sumara, Tiworo and Solato Rivers.The extensive alluvial plains are covered with mixed swamp forest, some of which is permanently inundated and some of which is seasonally inundated. There are two lakes (the Ranu Lakes) with large areas of open water, some muddy margins overgrown with sedges and rushes, and some small areas of Pandanus and sago palms. There are several small islands in Tomari Bay including Pulau Tokobae and Pulau Tomari. These islands are covered in virtually untouched forest and contribute largely to the spectacular views of the bay.
Climatic conditions:
Tropical monsoonal climate with an average annual rainfall of 3,500-4,500 mm. Temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C (average at sea level 27°C). The average relative humidity is 75%.
Principal vegetation:
Rhizophora apiculata is the dominant tree species in the mangroves. Other species include R. mucronata, Sonneratia alba, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Lumnitzera racemosa, Ceriops tagal, Xylocarpus granatum and Acrostichum sp. The mixed swamp forests include Pandanus sp, Aistonia scholaris, Calophyllum soulattri, Gonystylus macrophyllus and Palaquiuni sp. Slender bamboos and rattans are abundant, and Pandanus is abundant in the undergrowth. Some areas of swamp forest are dominated by Agathis sp. Dominant plants in adjacent areas include Acrostichum spp, Pandanus tectorius. Ficus spp, Eugenia sp and Casuarina sp.
Land tenure:
Partly state owned (Indonesian government, PHPA) and partly owned by the Mon and Wana tribes.
Conservation measures taken:
The area has been protected as a Strict Nature Reserve (Cagar Alam) since 1980.
Land use:
Fishing in coastal areas; shifting cultivation and the collection of rattan and damar (resin of the Agathis tree) in the forests. Local production amounts to 1,000 tons of rattan and 200 tons of damar per year. Local people hunt with blow-pipes. The Wana Tribe in the mountain forests are said to attack strangers with blow-pipes and darts. This is probably the main reason why the shores of the Ranu Lakes still remain unsettled. There are about 6,000 people registered in the area. Activities in surrounding areas include forestry and mining.
Disturbances and threats:
Virtually the whole lower part of the Morowali Reserve has been allocated in timber concessions. There is some logging of Agathis trees, and the collection of resin kills the trees. The local people also collect the eggs of the Maleo Bird Macrocephalon maleo.
Economic and social values:
The area has great potential for tourism and scientific research. The bulk of the production of ratan and damar is exported to Singapore and Hong Kong. The reserve incorporates the traditional hunting grounds and areas of shifting cultivation for several local tribes. The protected watersheds are also important for their irrigation capacity.
Fauna:
The reserve is very rich in waterbirds. A great variety of species has been recorded including Podiceps ruficollis, Pelecanus conspicillatus, Phalacrocorax sulcirostris, P. melanoleucos, Anhinga melanogaster, Ixobrychus sinensis, I. eurhythmus, 1. cinnamomeus, I. flavicollis, Gorsachius goisagi, Ardeola speciosa, Bubulcus ibis, Butorides striatus, Egretta sacra, E. eulophotes, E. garzetta, E. intermedia, Ardea purpurea, A. sumatrana, Ciconia episcopus, Plegadis falcinellus, Dendrocygna arcuata, Nettapus coromandelianus, Anas gibberifrons, A. superciliosa, A. querquedula, Aythya australis, Rallus striatus, R. philippensis, Rallina eurizonoides, Porzana cinerea, Amaurornis isabellina, A. phoenicurus, Gallicrex cinerea, Gallinula tenebrosa, Porphyrio porphyrio and Irediparra gallinacea.
Tomari Bay supports a variety of sea-birds including Sula leucogaster, S. dactylatra, Fregala minor, F. ariel, Sterna sumatrana, S. albifrons, S. bergii and Anous stolidus. The coastal zone is also of considerable importance for migratory shorebirds. The following species have been recorded in the area: Pluvialis dominica, P. squatarola, Charadrius dubius, C. alexandrinus, C. mongolus, C. leschenaultii, C. asiaticus, Limosa limosa, L. lapponica, Numenius minulus, N. phaeopus, N. madagascariensis, Tringa totanus, T. stagnatilis, T. nebularia, Xenus cinereus, Actitis hypoleucos, Heteroscelus brevipes, Phalaropus lobatus, Gallinago stenura, G. megala, Calidris tenuirostris, C. ruficollis, C. subminuta and Limicola falcinellus.
Resident shorebirds include the White-headed Stilt, Beach Thick-knee, Malay Sand Plover (Himantopus leucocephalus, Esacus magnirostris, Charadrius peroni) and the endemic Sulawesi Woodcock Scolopax celebensis. Other resident birds include Pandion haliaetus, the megapodes Macrocephalon maleo, Megapodius freycinet, and the kingfishers Alcedo meninhing, A. atthis, Pelargopsis capensis, P. melanorhyncha, Halcyon chloris, H. monachus and H. princeps. Mammals known to occur in the Morowali area include Phalanger celebensis, P. ursinus, approximately 29 species of bats, Tarsius spectrum, Macaca tonkeana, Macrogalidia musschenbroeki, Viverra tangalunga, Babirousa babirussa, Sus verrucosus, Cervus timorensis and Bubalus quarlesi. Many of these species are endemic to Sulawesi.
The Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus is still fairly common in coastal areas and especially at the Ranu Lakes. Other reptiles include Varanus sp, Hydrosaurus amboinensis, Testudo sp, Python reticulatus, Natrix sp, Psammodynastes sp, Dryophis sp and Trimersurus wagleri.
About 230 species of butterflies have been collected in the reserve, mainly in the montane areas. The dominant families are Lycaimidae and Hesperiidae.
Special floral values:
No information.
Research and facilities:
The importance of the area for nature conservation was first recognized by A.P.M van der Zon and Yaya Mulyana in 1978. In 1980, a survey was carried out under the "Operation Drake" programme. This was based in Morowali from January to April 1980. A management plan has been prepared by A. Laurie (1980).
References:
FAO (1978b); IUCN (in prep); Laurie (1980).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1b, 2a, 2b, 2c, 3b.
Source:
Marcel J. Silvius and Edi Djuharsa.