Tanjung Datuk
Location:
0°00'N/S, 103°45'E; on the equator, 15 km east of Desa Bekawan and 50 km south of Sungai Gunning, Riau Province, Sumatra.
Area:
The proposed reserve covers c.25,000 ha of mangrove forest.
Altitude:
0-0.5m.
Biogeographical Province:
4.21.12.
Wetland type:
06 & 07.
Description of site:
A rich mangrove area consisting of almost untouched Rhizophora forest; extensive mudflats and several unspoiled tidal creeks. There are several brackish lakes in the interior of the mangrove forest. The tidal range is about 2.0-2.5m.
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical climate.
Principal vegetation:
Mangrove forest with Avicennia as the accreting species and Rhizophora dominating further inland.
Land tenure:
State owned (Government of Indonesia).
Conservation measures taken:
None.
Conservation measures proposed:
Silvius et al. (1986) have recommended that the entire area be protected as a Nature Reserve (Cagar Alam). Saim and Halim (1984) have proposed the establishment of a Marine Sanctuary of 5,000 ha.
Land use:
Fisheries, crocodile hunting and small-scale logging; fisheries and some agriculture in surrounding areas.
Possible Changes in Land use:
There is a possibility that some of the mangrove forett, especially around the small lakes, will be reclaimed for agriculture by spontaneour transmigrants from local villages. Further reclamation of mangrove forest is likely in adjacent areas.
Disturbances and threats:
Crocodile hunting, illegal logging and spontaneous reclamatios projects.
Economic and social values:
The mangrove forest is very important as a nursery and breeding area for commercially important species of fish and shellfish.
Fauna:
An important area for both resident and migratory waterfowl, notably Mycieda~ cinerea and shorebirds. Over 10,000 migratory shorebirds were present on the mudflats in November 1984, along with over 190 Mycteria cinerea and smaller numbers of Egretta sacra. E. alba and Leptoptilos javanicus. The lakes within the mangrove forest may support breeding colonies of large waterbirds including M. cinerea.
The creeks are still inhabited by the Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus, making this ares one of the last refuges for this endangered species in Riau Province.
Special floral values:
No information.
Research and facilities:
The area has been surveyed only once, in November 1984.
References:
Karpowicz (1985); Saim & Halim (1984); Silvius et al. (1986).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1b, 2a, 2c, 3a.
Source:
Marcel J. Silvius.