Tukang Besi Archipelago
Location:
5°15'-6°08'S, 123°27'-124°38'E; at the southeastern extremity of the Sulawesi islands, 30-180 km southeast of Pulau Buton, Kabupaten Buton, Southeast Sulawesi.
Area:
Unknown.
Altitude:
Sea level.
Biogeographical Province:
4.24.12.
Wetland type:
03, 04 & 05.
Description of site:
A number of small, offshore islands with an excellent range of coral reefs showing the progression from fringing reefs to barrier reefs and atolls. The remotest of the islands, Pulau Moromaho, supports a large breeding colony of sea-birds.
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical climate.
Principal vegetation:
No information.
Land tenure:
State owned (Indonesian Government).
Conservation measures taken:
None.
Conservation measures proposed:
The islands and adjacent seas have been proposed as a Marine Wildlife Reserve (Suaka Margasatwa Laut). It has also been proposed that Pulau Moromaho be designated as a Strict Nature Reserve (Cagar Alam).
Land use:
Fishing.
Disturbances and threats:
Over-fishing and the destruction of coral reefs.
Economic and social values:
No information.
Fauna:
The islands are known to be important for breeding sea-birds, Dugongs Dugong dugon, sea-turtles and other marine life, but no details are available.
Special floral values:
No information.
References:
MacKinnon & Artha (1982d).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1b, 2a, 2c.
Source:
Marcel J. Silvius.