Wae Mual (Mual River Nature Reserve) and Cagar Alam Wae Nua (Nua River

Nature Reserve)

IUCN Management Category II (National Park)

I (Strict Nature Reserve)

Biogeographical Province 5.01.13 (Papuan)

Geographical Location The park stretches for over 55km from the north to south coasts of central Seram island, in the administrative province of Maluku Tengah (Central Maluku). The boundary follows the coastline in the north between the villages of Labuan and Pasahari before extending southward along the Wae Isal, Wae Nasulu and Wae Lau rivers toward the south coast, to form the eastern limit of the park. The southern boundary then runs westward, some 4km inland as far as the Wae Kawa River which it follows to form the south-western boundary, before extending north to the coast at Seleman. The boundary then follows the north coast for some 5km before extending south-east and then north-east to Labuan to form a large coastal enclave. The Manusela River valley forms an enclave in the centre of the park which can be reached on foot along narrow trails. Access to the north and south of the park is by boat from Ambon Island. 2°48'-3°18'S, 129°05'-129°41'E

Date and History of Establishment Originally established in 1972 when the 20,000ha Wae Nua and 17,500ha Wae Mual areas were gazetted as nature reserves under ministerial decree. Wae Mual was extended to 35,000ha in 1980 and the property declared a national park in 1982.

Area 189,000ha

Land Tenure State

Altitude Ranges from sea level to 3,027m at the summit of Gunung Pinaia.

Physical Features Five major structural units are recognised within the park. Of these, the steep and rugged north-west to south-east aligned Merkele Ridge is the most prominent, with several peaks reaching over 2,000m, and one, Gunung Pinaia, reaching over 3,000m. To the north, the 700m Manusela Valley separates the Merkele Ridge from the lower Kobipoto Ridge which extends along a parallel axis for some 25km before descending steeply to the Wae Mual coastal plain in the north-west. The south-eastern component of the park is formed by the narrow Wae Kawa river valley.

Geologically, the park is separated into two major divisions with the mountains of the Merkele and Kobipoto ridges consisting of tertiary calcareous limestones, while the northern plains and the Manusela valley comprise alluvial deposits and conglomerates of marine sands and gravels. Drainage is dominated by the Merkele Ridge which forms the principal water catchment area for the national park, as well as the entire central Seram region as far west as Maschi and Amahai. The northern plains are drained by a number of wide, shallow rivers, while the southern section is drained by the eastward flowing Wae Kawa River and numerous fast-flowing streams.

Soils correspond with geological distinctions, two principal associations being recognised. Of these, well-drained, acid dystric cambisols are found on the Merkele and Kobipoto ridges, while orthic acrisols covers the Mual plains. Soils are generally shallow, and heavily prone to erosion, particularly in the lowlands where severe seasonal flooding may occur (Smiet and Siallagan, 1981).

Climate The area experiences a per humid tropical climate with a total annual rainfall regime of over 2000mm. Rainfall is seasonal and strongly influenced by the central mountains, the northern Wae Mual plains experiencing a wet season between November and April and the southern region between May and October, with a peak in July (Smiet and Siallagen, 1981).

Vegetation Flora of Maluku is generally considered poor in comparison with neighbouring Sulawesi and Irian Jaya, being an impoverished derivative of the Asian/Sulawesian flora with a few Australo/Papuan elements. Principal vegetation types are lowland and lower montane rain forest which occur between 500m and 1,500m on the slopes and lower ridges of Merkele and Kobipoto. Principal tree species include Agathis alba, Casuarina sp., Diospyros sp., Calophyllum sp., Pterocarpus sp., Pinanga sp. and Duabanga moluccana. Both forest types are characterised by a relatively open canopy with a sparse understorey although this may become more dense at higher altitudes and include herb species such as Impatiens sp., Burmannia sp., and Dianella sp. Above 1,300m, true montane rain forest occurs. Physical characteristics are a low, stunted canopy draped with extensive bryophyte and epiphyte growth. Orchids and ferns are common in the understorey which also includes Rhododendron sp. Below altitudes of 500m in the Mual plains and Wae Kawa Valley true lowland rain forest occurs over a number of different substrates. Preliminary investigations have revealed the presence of Shorea selanica, the only dipterocarp present in Seram, which occurs in association with at least three species of Canarium, as well as Elaeocarpus sphaericus sp., Calophyllum sp., Intsia sp. and Myristica sp. Understorey is sparse and the forest floor is often swept clean by floods during the wet season. Other lowland vegetation types include a well-developed riverine forest along major rivers in the Mual plains and the Wae Kawa valleys. Dominant tree species include Octomeles sumatrana, Eucalyptus deglupta, Pometia pinnata, Casuarina equisetifolia, Ficus spp., Litsea sp. and Eugenia spp. In addition, a poorly developed lowland swamp forest ocurs in small pockets close to the coast, and is characterised by tree species such as Nauclea sp., Barringtonia racemosa, Ficus nodosa and Melaleuca leucodendron. Principal coastal vegetation is a well-developed mangrove forest which occurs in a narrow belt behind a beach along the north coast. Principal tree species include Sonneratia sp., Rhizophora sp., Bruguiera sp. and Avicennia sp., with nypa palm Nypa fruticans occurring further inland and along river banks at lower salinity levels. Other coastal vegetation includes pioneering beach formations dominated by Ipomea pescapre, as well as later successional stages characterised by species such as Spinifex sp., Terminalia sp., Pandanus sp. and Casuarina equisetifolia. Various types of anthropogenic disturbance have modified the above habitats to varying degrees. Logging activities within the park area have disturbed large areas of forest in the coastal region of the Mual plains and clearance for agriculture has affected large areas of lowland forest in the Manusela valley and around the villages of Kaola and Solea (Smiet and Siallagan, 1981). A floral inventory can be found in Smiet and Siallagan (1981).

Fauna As with vegetation, the fauna of the Seram region is also impoverished compared to that of surrounding regions such as Irian Jaya and Sulawesi, and is dominated by volant mammals, birds and butterflies. Endemic mammals include Celebes cuscus Phalanger celebensis, Ceram flying fox Pteropus ocularis and Ceram bandicoot Rhynchomeles prattorum as well as four species of Rodentia including Melomys fulgens, M. fraterculus and Nesoromys ceramicus. Introduced mammals include rusa deer Cervus timorensis and Malay civet Viverra tangalunga.

Some 177 species of avifauna had been recorded from Seram island by 1981, including 14 endemic to the Moluccas, such as blue-eared lory Eos semilarvata. Other notable species include Casuarius casuarius, salmon-crested cockatoo Cacatua moluccensis (E), purple-naped lory Lorius domicellus (R), and New Guinea hornbill Rhyticeros plicatus (Smiet and Siallagan, 1981). A Macrocephalon maleo (V) nesting beach has been recorded 1km west of Wahai (Skene, 1989). An avifaunal inventory has been compiled by Bowler and Taylor (1989).

Some 41 species of reptiles have been recorded from Seram, of which the majority range within the park. Notable among these are an endemic snake Calamaria ceramensis and possibly estuarine crocodile Crocodylus porosus (E). In addition, green turtle Chelonia mydas (E) is known to nest on the northern beaches. Amphibians, of which six have been recorded from Seram, include a large frog Hyla amboiensis. Invertebrate fauna includes more than 90 species of butterflies, many of which are endemic including Epimastida staudingeri and Hypochrysops doleschallii (Smiet and Siallagan, 1981). A preliminary faunal inventory can be found in Smiet and Siallagan (1981).

Cultural Heritage No information

Local Human Population A growing population of some 19,000 people lived on the periphery of the park in 1981, with the majority (15,000) living on the narrow coastal strip between the Merkele ridge and Taluti Bay. Some 4,000 people live outside the northern boundary in five villages in the coastal region of the Mual plains. A total of six villages with a population of 1,000 lie within the park itself. The majority of these (840) live in Manusela valley enclave in the centre of the park, although the population is declining due to emigration to coastal villages. Land use is predominantly subsistence agriculture, supplemented by plantation crops such as cloves and coconuts. (Smiet and Siallagan, 1981).

Visitors and Visitor Facilities Some 25 visitors per year were recorded during the period 1989-1990.

Scientific Research and Facilities Wind and Amir (1978) and Smiet and Siallagan (1981) have carried out preliminary ecological surveys. The 1987 Operation Drake expedition has undertaken avifaunal surveys and other research (Bowler and Taylor, 1988).

Conservation Value The park encompasses the complete spectrum of Seram's forest ecosystems and is the principal site for protection of Moluccan flora and fauna, with its numerous endemic and endangered species. Other functions include water catchment protection for the central Seram region and protection of genetic resources. The property has great potential for scientific research, environmental education and tourism (Smiet and Siallagan, 1981).

Conservation Management According to the 1982 management plan, aims are to conserve natural ecosystems, in order to preserve biodiversity and watershed protection functions. Priorities include improvement of the administrative infrastructure, intensification of presently inadequate guarding activities, boundary demarcation and development of a series of three management zones. Of these, some 4,000ha of sanctuary zone would afford strict protection to the coastal beach mangrove belt and swamp forest on Tanjung Mual, by restricting access to PHPA and authorised research personnel. The rest of the park area would be designated a wilderness zone which would allow controlled access for visitors and local people resident within the park. Development of a 7,500ha buffer zone outside the park boundaries is seen as essential to stabilise land use along the densely populated coastal strip between Saunulu and Laimu. To date, management has been minimal although boundaries have been surveyed and marked and some infrastructure development has taken place. A number of further recommendations have been made by Petocz (1989) which include revision of the management plan and initiation of a sectorally-coordinated management strategy in cooperation with the local government and population. Other proposals include the restructuring of the north-east and south-east boundaries as recommended by the 1987 Operation Raleigh studies, an environmental impact assessment of plans to develop a hydroelectric dam on the eastern boundary of the reserve and initiation of a community conservation awareness programme in critical areas. The park is currently the subject of a management study under Package 'B' of a World Bank forestry project.

Management Constraints The park faces a number of increasingly serious management problems, of which development activities and population expansion around the park perimeter are the most pressing. Road developments such as the trans-Seram highway will facilitate access to the previously inaccesible north-eastern boundary, while the now paved northern coastal road (a former logging road) crosses, and provides access to, more than 20km of the park. Other developments include a rapidly expanding cocoa estate on the north-eastern boundary and two transmigration settlements west of Sariputih river. Planned developments include coal mining along the north Seram coast and a hydroelectric dam at Hatuolo on the eastern boundary which would control water levels of the Isal River within the park. Other serious management problems include poaching of birds and butterflies for international trade, over-exploitation of forest products, such as damar resin, and collection of green turtle eggs for human consumption. Attempts to control management problems are heavily constrained by an inadequate guard force and insufficient funding and equipment (Petocz, 1989).

Staff A total of 14 field staff are currently operating within the park.

Budget Rp. 75,000,000 (US$ 46,875) in 1989

Local Addresses

BKSDA (Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam) Ambon VIII, Jln. Raya Passo, Kotak pos 1, Ambon

References

Petocz, R. (1989). Strategic planning for the WWF Indonesia conservation programme. A review of current programme components, planning strategy, recommended project concepts. WWF-Indonesia, Bogor. Unpublished report. Pp. 108-113.

Skene, A. (1989). Wetlands in Manusela Proposed National Park, Indonesia. In: Scott, D.A. (Ed.) (1989), A directory of Asian wetlands. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. Pp. 1075-1077.

Wind, J. and Amir, H. (1978). Wae Mual and Way Nua Nature Reserves Central Seram, Maluku. Nature conservation and wildlife management project INS/73/013. Field Report No. 8. FAO, Bogor. 27 pp.

Bowler, J. and Taylor, J. (1989). An annotated checklist of the birds of Manusela National Park, Seram. Kukila 4(1-2): 3-30.

Smiet, F. and Siallagan, T. (1981). Proposed Manusela National Park management plan 1982-1987. UNDP/FAO National Park Development Project INS/78/061. Field Report No. 15. FAO, Bogor. 34 pp.

Date April 1991