Wetlands in Danau Bian Game Reserve
Location:
6°52'-7°32'S, 140°13'-l40°43'E; around Muting, 50 km from the Papua New Guinea border, Kabupaten Merauke, Irian Jaya.
Area:
c.50,000 ha of wetlands; Game Reserve 90,875 ha.
Altitude:
c.50m.
Biogeographical Province:
5.1.13.
Wetland type:
11, 13, 14 & 21.
Description of site:
Seasonal lakes and swamps, and some permanent lakes in the upper reaches of the Bian River and its tributaries on the Oriomo Plateau. The substrate is sedimentary in origin. Poor drainage has led to the formation of extensive seasonal swamps (15,000 ha) and freshwater lakes (20,000 ha); the site also includes 15,000 ha of wet lowland forest on alluvium.
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical climate.
Principal vegetation:
No information is available on the aquatic vegetation. The wetlands lie in a region of tall monsoon forest with trees up to 30-35m in height.
Land tenure:
State owned.
Conservation measures taken:
The entire area (90,875 ha) has been designated as a Game Reserve (Suaka Margasatwa).
Conservation measures proposed:
Bishop (1984) has outlined management requirements for the reserve, including the prohibition of hunting of all native species, provision of adequately equipped guards and patrols, and the implementation of a conservation education programme.
Land use:
There are a few villages and indigenous settlements within the reserve. Disturbances and threats: Some hunting. Feral dogs are a menace to wildlife.
Possible Changes in Land use:
No information.
Disturbances and threats:
Some hunting. Feral dogs are a menace to wildlife.
Economic and social values:
No information.
Fauna:
A total of 143 species of birds has been recorded in the reserve. Waterbirds include Pelecanus conspicillatus, Phalacrocorax melanoleucos, P. sulcirostnis, Anhinga novaehollandiae, Ixobrychus flavicollis, Butonides stniatus, Nycticorax caledonicus, Egretta picata, E. intermedia, E. alba, Ardea sumatrana, Ephippionhynchus asiaticus, Threskionnis molucca, Platalea regia, Anseranas semipalmala, Dendnocygna guttata, D. arcuata, Netlapus pulchellus, Haliastun sphenurus, H. indus, Haliaeetus leucogaster, Gnus rubicunda, Amaurornis olivacea, trediparra gallinacea and Vanellus miles.
Mammals include the Timor Deer, Wild Boar, Beaver Rat, Spotted Phalanger, Common Forest Wallaby and Agile Wallaby (Cervus timorensis, Sus scrofa, Hydromus chnysogaster, Phalanger macullatus, Dorcopsos veterum and Macropus agilis).
The wetlands are particularly important for the New Guinea Crocodile Crocodylus novaeguineae (a freshwater species), and young Estuarine Crocodiles C. porosus have also been reported.
Special floral values:
No information.
Research and facilities:
Preliminary faunal and floral surveys have been carried out in the Game Reserve.
References:
Bishop (1984); IUCN (in prep); Karpowicz (1985); Whitaker et al. (1985).
Criteria for Inclusion:
1b, 2a, 2b, 3b.
Source:
Marcel J. Silvius.