Wetlands in Lorenz Proposed National Park
Location:
3°52'N-5°17'S, 136°40'-138°20'E; from the highest peaks of the central highlands east of Enarotali south to the sea, Kabupaten Paniai, Jayawijaya, Fakfak and Merauke (Southern Division), Irian Jaya.
Area:
Area of wetlands unknown; Nature Reserve 2,150,000 ha, proposed National Park 1,560,250 ha.
Altitude:
Sea level to 4,884m.
Biogeographical Province:
5.1.13.
Wetland type:
01, 02, 05, 06, 07, 11, 12 & 21.
Description of site:
The Gunung Lorenz Nature Reserve is one of the few places in the world where glaciers still exist at tropical latitudes. The reserve includes a wide spectrum of habitats from the alpine and upper montane zones down through the lower montane and foothill zones to lowland alluvial plains and fans, fresh, saline and brackish water swamps, beach ridges and coastal mudflats. The wetlands form part of one of the largest swamp areas in the world. They consist of seasonally flooded alluvium forests, peat swamp forests, grassy swamps, sago woodlands, Nypa swamps, coastal mangrove swamps and littoral forests. The reserve contains the entire water catchment areas of several major rivers, from their headwaters in the perpetual snow fields of the highest peaks to the coast, and thus incorporates the full range of riverine habitats. It is estimated that there are 301,500 ha of mangrove swamp and 351,750 ha of peat swamp in the reserve, along with 335,000 ha of wet lowland forest on rocky ground.
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical to alpine climate, depending on altitude.
Principal vegetation:
Mangrove forest, Nypa swamp, peat swamp forest and grassy swamp.
Land tenure:
Partly state owned (Indonesian Government) and partly owned by the local people.
Conservation measures taken:
A Nature Reserve of 2,150,000 ha was established in January 1978.
Conservation measures proposed:
Part of the Nature Reserve has been proposed as a National Park (1,560,250 ha) and World Heritage Site.
Land use:
The area is inhabited by indigenous tribes of hunter-gatherers employing some shifting cultivation.
Possible Changes in Land use:
The current proposal to establish a National Park of 1,560,250 ha in place of the existing Nature Reserve (2,150,000 ha) would reduce the area under protection by 589,750 ha.
Disturbances and threats:
Mining operations cause a considerable amount of disturbance in the reserve, and have caused some pollution of rivers and swamps. More than half of the reserve is under lease for petroleum exploration. Highland trails are a major threat to wildlife.
Economic and social values:
The reserve is of considerable value, not only in terms of the commercial value of its forests, but also for its medicinal plants, genetic resources and tribal cultures. Its biological values, together with the spectacular scenery and unique culture of the inhabitants, rank the reserve as one of the most important conservation areas in the entire Pacific Basin.
Fauna:
There are thought to be over 100 species of freshwater and brackish water fishes in the reserve, including 50 or more species which are known only from this area or its immediate vicinity.
Some 411 species of birds have been recorded, at least 20 of which are endemic to this region. Waterbirds include Tachybaptus novaehollandiae, Phalacrocorax melanoleucos, P. carbo, P. sulcinostris, Anhinga novaehollandiae, Ixobrychus flavicollis, Zonerodius heliosylus, Butorides stniatus, Egretta picata, E. sacra, E. ganzetta, E. intermedia, E. alba, Ardea novaehollandiae, A. sumatnana, Threskiornis molucca, Anseranas semipalinata, Dendnocygna arcuata, D. guttata, Tadorna radjah, Nettapus puichellus, Anas waigiuensis (a montane species), Anas superciliosa, A. gibberifrons, Aythya australis, Haliastur indus, Haliaeetus leucogaster, Circus (aeruginosus) spilonotus, Rallina tricolor, Gymnocrex plumbeiventris, Megacrex inepta, Porzana tabuensis, Porphyrio porphyrio, several montane species of Rallidae, larra gallinacea, Esacus magninostris, Stiltia isabella, Pluvialis dominica, Charadnius dubius, Limosa lapponica Numenius madagascaniensis, Act itis hypoleucos, Arenaria intenpres, Gallinago hardwickil, G. megala, Scolopax satunata (above I ,000m elevation), and thirteen species of kingfishers (Alcedinidae).
One hundred and twenty-three species of mammals (80% of the total mammalian fauna of Irian Jaya) have been recorded. These include at least four species of phalangers, four bandicoots, four possums, four ringtails, three wallabies, one tree kangaroo, five marsupial mice, three marsupial cats and numerous bats and rodents.
Reptiles include both the Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus and the New Guinea Crocodile C. novaeguineae.
Special floral values:
The reserve includes examples of all swamp habitat types occurring in this biogeographical region.
Research and facilities:
Various faunal and floral surveys have been carried out in the reserve, but no serious ecological studies have been undertaken and much of the region remains poorly known.
References:
Allen & Boeseman (1982); IUCN (in prep); Karpowicz (1985); Lever (1980); MacKinnon & Artha (1981b); Petocz (1983a, 1983b & 1984); Whitaker et al. (1985).
Criteria for Inclusion:
123.
Source:
Marcel J. Silvius.