Sadong Swamp Forest
Location:
1°13'-1°23'N, 110°41'-110°50'E; along the eastern side of Batang Sadong, south of Simunjan, north and east of Pasar Gedong, about 50 km southeast of Kuching, First Division, Sarawak.
Area:
17,200 ha.
Altitude:
c.10m.
Biogeographical Province:
4.25.12.
Wetland type:
11 & 21.
Description of site:
A large expanse of flat low-lying peat swamp forest, drained by the Batang Sadong on the western side and the Sungei Simunjan and its tributaries on the eastern side. Most, if not all, of the area has been logged-over. The water supply comes from local rainfall and the Sadong and Simunjan Rivers and their tributaries. The domed surfaces of the peat swamps generally drain radially at the surface. The water table lies close to the surface of the swamp, and may be above the surface in the wet season. The salinity in the Sadong ranges from 0.8 p.p.t. at Gedong to 4.6 p.p.t. at Lubok Menaga. The river level fluctuates by 5.3m at Kuala Sadong and Pendam. There is a monthly tidal bore or "Bena".
Climatic conditions:
Humid tropical climate with an annual rainfall of 3,500-4,000 mm. The region is directly exposed to the northeast monsoon. 50-60% of the rainfall occurs in November-February, and June and July are the driest months.
Principal vegetation:
Peat swamp forest and possibly still some remnants of mixed dipterocarp forest; rubber plantations and rice paddies in surrounding areas.
Land tenure:
State owned (Sarawak State Government).
Conservation measures taken:
The whole site lies within the Sadong Forest Reserve.
Conservation measures proposed:
None.
Land use:
Timber extraction; cultivation of rubber and rice, fishing and timber extraction in surrounding areas.
Possible Changes in Land use:
None.
Disturbances and threats:
Over-exploitation of the forest resources.
Economic and social values:
The swamp forest is a valuable source of timber. The domed surfaces of the peat swamps reduce the extent of local flooding. Except for a narrow fringe along Batang Sadong, the area has no agricultural potential.
Fauna:
The swamp forest lies within the range of a population of Orang-utans Pongo pygmaeus. The endangered Flat-headed Cat Felis planiceps and the Earless Monitor Lizard Lanthanotus borneensis may also occur in the area.
Special floral values:
A large tract of lowland peat swamp forest.
Research and facilities:
A soil survey has been carried out by the Department of Agriculture.
References:
Anderson (1964); Department of Agriculture (1982a); DID Sarawak (1979/80); Kavanagh (undated); National Parks and Wildlife Office & WWF Malaysia (1983); Watson (1985).
Criteria for Inclusion:
0.
Source:
See references.