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Site description (2003 baseline):
Site location and context
This area is probably the most fertile area in Kalimantan, and as a result, population is very high compare with other area in Kalimantan.Rawa Negara located between Barito River and Meratus mountains. Swamp with open surface and depth water, up to Bangkau Lake, Panggang Lake and Sembujur Lake formed seasonal floodplain and protect down stream from flood and salt water intruition (MacKinnon
et.al. 1996). Local people genarally from Banjar ethnic has an interesting landuse system. They utilized several rice varieties, which grow on dry land and variety that can float during flood. They also do buffallo and duck farming.
Some species such Snakebirds, Storks and Herons have become rare. Hornbill already extinct from the remaining swamp forest. There is no significant waterbird colony although population of Javan Pond-heron
Ardeola speciosa is very high & probably live in this area for breeding. Lesser Adjutant
Leptoptilus javanicus still can be found in small population. There are bird flock in medium size group such as Ducks. Opened swamp is important for Rails and Morhen habitat, especially for Comb-crestled Jacana
Irediparra gallinacea, a species which only known from this site in Kalimantan. Dusky Morhen
Gallinula tenebrosa breeds in Danau Bangkau (Grabowsky 1985) and has not been recorded from other area in Kalimantan. Beside that, migratory bird such as Whiskered Tern
Chlidonias hybridus and White-winged Tern
Chlidonias leucopterus sometime visit this site in substantial number. Also recorded is Red-breasted Parakeet
Psittacula alexandri although this species has become very rare now. White-shouldered Ibis
Pseudibis davisoni probably lives in this area.
Non-bird biodiversity: Nasalis larvatus, Pongo pygmeus, Hylobates agilis, Presbytis rubicunda, Presbytis melalophos, Helarctos malayanus, Tomistoma schlegelii and might be Scleropages formosus (Scott 1989).
van Balen & Prentice (1997) identified that the main habitat are cutted peat-swamp forest and riparian forest, Melaleuca/Combretocarpus swamp forest and any kind of opened swamp area with surface vegetation or grass swamp, open waterbodies and agriculture land.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Unsustainable exploitation of fishes and birds. Impact of coal mining on dry area probably not yet significant, but road which is builded crossing the peat swamp forest probably will threat this site. There is a request to alocat upper swamp for plantation, and if its realized will influenced water level in this area.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lembah Sungai Negara (Indonesia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lembah-sungai-negara-iba-indonesia on 25/12/2024.
