Data Zone
Country/territory: Indonesia
IBA criteria met: A1, A3, A4i (2001)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 300,000 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2001 | not assessed | medium | not assessed |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2003 baseline)
Berbak is one of two RAMSAR sites in Indonesia (Scott 1989). This swamp area recognise as an extensive peat-swamp forest in the Pacific Realm (Mijn & Rahman 1992), although the northern and the eastern parts of this area was cleared (along of Batang Hari River and enclave at coastal area). Long drought in 1997 caused fire, mainly at the edges around 18000 to 24000 ha.Fire occured in the middle part of the area caused by jelutung collection. More than 32000 ha forest on the northwest was cleared or damage by fire at the end of 1997. Sibuea (1998) report on fire of 60 ha, still questionable.
Key biodiversity
This area is important for swamp bird species, although more research is still needed. Storm's Stork Ciconia stormi recorded in Air Hitam Dalam (Silvius & Verheugt 1986), Jerdon's Baza Aviceda jerdoni, Wallace's Hawk-eagle Spizaetus nanus, Black Partridge Melanoperdix nigra and other hornbill species also exist in this area. Follow-up research for Air Hitam Dalam by Burn & Brickle (1992), confirm the existence of Storm's Stork Ciconia stormi, Milky Stork Mycterea cinerea, and White-winged Duck Cairina scutulata. White-winged Duck frequently seen feeding in Kumpeh upper course, and this area considered important for this species.Survey between 1995-1996 (Sibuea et.al. 1997) showed the three important areas for White-winged Duck along the Batang Hari River in the vicinity of Berbak, i.e. area in Kumpeh River, Rambut River and Air Hitam Dalam, which located in the border of Berbak, and Gedung Karya, with population estimated around 11-21 adult birds (+ 15 juveniles). New data is needed, after fire happened in this area in 1997.
Non-bird biodiversity: Arctitis binturong, Dicerohinus sumatraensis, Helarctos malayanus, Hylobates agilis, Lutra sumatranus, Martes flavigula, Neofelis nebulosa and Tapirus indicus, Amyda cartilagenia, Tomistoma schlegelii (Silvus et.al 1984, Wibowo & Suyatno 1997 & 1998, Colijn 1999).There are 23 species of Palm and considered to be the richest area for palm in the world (Wibowo & Suyatno 1997).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Berbak (Indonesia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/berbak-iba-indonesia on 23/11/2024.