Tanjung Bakung
Location:
0°13'-0°24'S, 103°35'-103°48'E; on Pulau Baso, Riau Province, Sumatra.
Area:
The proposed reserve covers c.40.000 ha of mangrove forest.
Altitude:
0-0.5m.
Biogeographical Province:
4.21.12.
Wetland type:
06 & 07.
Description of site:
Tanjung Bakung, a promontory of Baso Island, has extensive mudflats and primary mangrove forests. Several small lakes are present. The outermost tip of the promontory is accreting extremely rapidly. The tidal mudflats comprise very unripe clay sediments over 1.5m deep in places.
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical climate.
Principal vegetation:
Primary mangrove forest and Nypa fruticans swamp.
Land tenure:
No information.
Conservation measures taken:
None.
Conservation measures proposed:
Silvius et al. (1986) have recommended that the area be protected as a Nature Reserve (Cagar Alam).
Land use:
No information.
Disturbances and threats:
Small-scale logging and reclamation; possible disturbance of breeding colonies of waterbirds by egg collectors (for consumption).
Economic and social values:
The mangrove forest is important as a nursery and breeding area for commercially important species of fish and shellfish.
Fauna:
An important area for migratory shorebirds and resident large waterbirds; 10,000 shorebirds were present in November 1984, along with 190 Egretta alba, over 360 Mycteria cinerea and over 60 Threskiornis melanocephalus. According to local villagers, there may still be some breeding colonies of egrets and storks around the small lakes in the mangrove forests.
The Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus may still occur in the area.
Special floral values:
None known.
Research and facilities:
Silvius et al. carried out a preliminary waterfowl survey in November 1984.
References:
Karpowicz (1985); Silvius et al. (1986).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1b, 2a, 2c, 3a.
Source:
Marcel J. Silvius.