Pulau Burung
Location:
0°25'N, l03°34'E; east of the mouth of the Kampar River, 12 km NNW of the village of Sungai Guntung, Riau Province, Sumatra.
Area:
c.200 ha.
Altitude:
Sea level.
Biogeographical Province:
4.21.12.
Wetland type:
06, 07 & 08.
Description of site:
A large island with a broad fringe of mangrove forests and intertidal mudflats, and peat swamp forests in the interior. According to local fishermen, there are several freshwater lakes in the interior of the island with breeding colonies of large waterbirds. However, no survey data are available other than observations made from a boat survey in 1984. The tidal amplitude is about 2.0-2.5m.
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical climate. There are five or six months with over 200 mm of rainfall, and two or three months with less than 100 mm.
Principal vegetation:
Mangrove forest dominated by Rhizophora mucronaza and R. apicutaza, with some Bruguiera parviflora, B. gymnorhiza, B. cylindrica and Avicennia sp.
Land tenure:
State owned (PHPA).
Conservation measures taken:
The area is protected as a Nature Reserve (Cagar Alam), established in 1968.
Conservation measures proposed:
There is a need for regular patrols in the area.
Land use:
Nature reserve.
Disturbances and threats:
Some illegal logging of mangrove poles was reported in April 1984.
Economic and social values:
The mangrove swamps are important in maintaining the local fishery. The lake is very rich in fish and is likely to be a breeding and nursery area for marine fishes and crustaceans.
Fauna:
According to local people, the mangrove forest around the lake is used as a breeding site by large waterbirds, including the Milky Stork Mycteria cinerea. Small numbers of migratory shorebirds were observed on the mudflats in April 1984.
Special floral values:
The Rhizophora forest is very tall and healthy, and is one of the best examples of primary mangrove forest in the region.
Research and facilities:
M.J. Silvius et al. carried out a brief survey of the island in April 1984.
References:
Silvius et al. (1986).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1b, 2a, 2c.
Source:
Marcel J. Silvius.