IUCN MANAGEMENT CATEGORY I (Strict Nature Reserve)

BIOGEOGRAPHICAL PROVINCE 5.01.13 (Papuan)

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION The reserve stretches for over 150km, from the Central Cordillera mountains in the north, to the Arafura Sea in the south. Access is by air from Jayapura. The reserve lies within the administrative districts of Jayawijaya, Paniai, Fak-fak and Merauke. 3°52'-5°17'S, 136°50'-138°25'E

DATE AND HISTORY OF ESTABLISHMENT Established in January 1978 under Minister of Agriculture Decree No. Sk. Mentan 44/kpts/Um/1/78. It has since been proposed to decrease the area under protection to 1,483,000ha and change the status to Taman Nasional (national park).

AREA 2,150,000ha

LAND TENURE State

ALTITUDE Ranges from sea level to 4,884m at the summit of Puncak Jaya, Indonesia's highest mountain.

PHYSICAL FEATURES A spectrum of physiographic types is represented, ranging from the alpine peaks of the Cartentz massif in the north, to the lowlands and coastal plains of the south. At the highest altitudes, some 6,900ha of snowfields represent one of only three places in the world where glaciers exist in equatorial latitudes. The main snowfields comprise five separate areas of ice on the outer margins of Mount Puncak Jaya. These include two small fields which feed the Meren and Cartensz glaciers, and a small hanging glacier on the Cartensz pyramid. In addition, Mt. Idenburg (4,717m), approximately 8km to the east has a small ice cap.

The mountains and foothills are characterised by an extremely rugged topography, deeply incised by a large number of streams and rivers that drain to the southern coastal plain. These have ultimately coalesced to form meandering, silt-laden rivers interspersed with numerous, permanent and seasonal lakes and extensive swamplands. To the north, periglacial features such as moraines, meltwater lakes and hillocks occur over an extremely rugged karst topography of sharply weathered and etched limestone formations. Further north the dip slopes of the central cordillera give way to the extensive plateaux of the Zengillorong and Kemabu, and further east the large south-east draining Baliem river valley.

Geologically the central Cordillera Mountains represent a central mobile belt of folded and metamorphosed oceanic sediments of cretaceous and Eocene origin. Surface deposits consist of material eroded from metamorphic gneiss, shists, basalt, and calcareous and non-calcareous sediment, including limestones, mudstones and siltstones. To the south of the Central Cordillera, alluvial deposits predominate (Kartawinata and Widjaja, 1988; Petocz, 1989; WWF, 1990).

CLIMATE Lies within the humid tropical climatic zone. The region experiences a variable mean annual rain fall ranging from less than 2000mm to over 6000mm. Air temperatures decrease with increasing elevation: between 1,500m and 1,700m maximum temperature is 30°C, while mean daily lowland temperature is 27°C (Kartawinata and Widjaja, 1988).

VEGETATION Some 34 distinct ecosystems are represented within the reserve (Kartawinata and Widjaja, 1988). Of these, the principal vegetation type is lowland rain forest which occurs up to 1,000m. Within this broad classification the forest can be subdivided into lowland alluvial rain forest and lowland hill rain forest. Alluvial rain forest is characterised by a high species diversity, with a multi-layered canopy studded with tall emergents, up to 50m in height. Characteristic genera include Pometia, Ficus, Alstonia and Terminalia. The understorey comprises numerous ferns, climbers and epiphytes and trees are characterised by extensive buttress and stilt root systems. Typical genera include Garcinia, Diospyros, Myristica, Maniltoa and Microcos, as well as numerous palms, rattans and orchids. Lowland hill rain forest differs structurally from alluvial forest in being lower and more closed, although species composition remains similar. Emergents on hills and ridge crests include Araucaria sp. and Agathis sp., while the dipterocarps Anisoptera sp., Vatica sp. and Hopea sp. are present in more sheltered areas. Casuarina papuana is common in mixed forests and frequent on poor, shallow soils. In addition to lowland rain forest, swamp vegetation is extensive, ranging from both tidal and freshwater swamp and riparian forest; through sedge, Pandanus and sago palm formations to permanently and seasonally inundated peat swamp forest. Extensive mangrove formations, characterised by Avicennia sp., Sonneratia sp., Rhizophora sp., Bruguiera sp., Ceriops sp., Nypa sp. and Xylocarpus sp., occur on the coast. Lower montane rain forest occurs between 1,000m and 3,000m and is characterised by a decrease in tree species diversity. Altitudinal succession progresses from the Castanopsis sp. dominated lowland regions through moss-covered, monotypic stands of Antarctic beech Nothofagus sp., to a dense coniferous forest which includes Podocarpus sp., Dacrycarpus sp., Dacridium sp. and Papuacedrus sp. Above 3,000m, an abrupt vegetation change takes place, numerous tree ferns Cyathea sp., savannahs, bogs and grasslands becoming common. Heath vegetation includes rhododendrons and Vaccinium sp, as well as the shrubs Coprosma sp., Rapanea sp. and Saurauia sp. These species form the limit of tree line shrubs in the sub-alpine forest. Above 4,000m, communities of low shrubs and Deschampsia tussock grassland form a 200m transition to the alpine zone which is characterised by low grasses, heaths and tundra. Ground flora includes low herbs Ranunculus sp., Potentilla sp., Gentiana sp. and Epilobium sp., as well as grasses Poa sp. and Deschampsia sp. and lichens and bryophytes. The highest area of this zone is capped by permanent snow and ice fields (Petocz, 1984; Kartawinata and Widjaja, 1988).

FAUNA Some 123 of Irian Jaya's 172 mammals are known or are expected to occur within the reserve (Petocz, 1989). These include at least four species of phalanger, four bandicoots, four possums, four ringtails, three wallabies, five marsupial mice, three marsupial cats and a tree kangaroo. Of the two Irian Jaya endemic monotremes, long-beaked echidna Zaglossus bruijni is confirmed within the reserve, while short-beaked echidna Tachyglossus aculeatus is expected to occur (Petocz and de Fretes, 1983).

The avifauna is extremely rich, with 411 species, many of which are endemic, known or expected to occur (Petocz, 1989). Notable among these are two species of cassowary, four megapodes, several montane species of Rallidae and Jacanidae including comb-crested jacanaIrediparra gallinacea, 31 collumbiformes, 30 parrots and lorikeets, 13 kingfishers, 41 flycatchers, 39 honey-eaters, 20 birds of paradise and six bowerbirds.

Of the endemic species, snow mountain quail Anurophasis monorthonyx, green-backed babbler Androphobus viridis, and orange-cheeked honey eater Oreornis chysogenys are notable. Some of the more spectacular endemics include splendid Astrapia bird of paradise Astrapia splendissima helios, long-tailed Paradigalla bird of paradise Paradigalla carunculata, Archibald's bowerbird Archboldia papuensis and alpine rock robin flycatcher Petroica Archboldi (Petocz, 1983). The lowland swamplands, mangroves and intertidal mudflats support a diversity of waterfowl including black-throated grebe Tachybaptus novaehollandiae, little pied cormorant Phalacrocorax melanoleucos, cormorant P. carbo, little black cormorant P. sulcirostris, Australian darter Anhinga novaehollandiae and black bittern Ixobrychus flavicollis (Petocz et al., 1983).

Reptiles include estuarine crocodile Crocodylus porosus (V) and New Guinea crocodile C. novaeguineae (Silvius, 1989).

CULTURAL HERITAGE The indigenous population comprises six tribal groups, namely; Nduga, Amungme (Damal), Nakai (Asmat Keenok), Sempan, West Dani and Komoro. The region has been inhabited for over 24,000 years and has evolved some of the most distinctive and long isolated cultures in the world. Of these, the agricultural Dani tribe of the Baliem valley is the best documented. To the south, the Komoro, Asmat and Sempan tribes inhabit the lowland rivers and swamps and follow a semi-nomadic lifestyle, which is supplemented by simple but effective forms of agriculture. These traditional economies have evolved in harmony with the environment and are controlled by a complex system of cultural taboos and rituals that have helped to prevent over-exploitation of forest resources (Kartawinata and Widjaja, 1988; Petocz, 1989, Manembu, 1991).

LOCAL HUMAN POPULATION The majority of the local population is located in the numerous settlements in the Baliem valley to the north-east, the large towns of Atawanop, and Tembagapura to the west and the towns of Jila, Bulialangki, Aramsolki and Akimuga in the centre of the reserve. The mining town of Freeport lies close to the north-western boundary below the Cartentz massif.

VISITORS AND VISITOR FACILITIES No information

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND FACILITIES Manembu (1991) has carried out socio-economic studies of four indigenous tribes.

CONSERVATION VALUE The reserve, the largest in Irian Jaya, is of great significance for the preservation of biodiversity, and plant genetic resources. In addition, the unique range of habitats combined with spectacular scenery and the unique cultures of the indigenous inhabitants make the reserve nationally and internationally important (Petocz, 1989; WWF, 1990).

CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT None, as yet, although a management plan is currently in preparation. It is hoped this will ensure integrity of the reserve by incorporating indigenous people into a management system fully integrated with local, provincial andnational requirements, that is implemented through community participation and supported through community development (WWF, 1990).

MANAGEMENT CONSTRAINTS A number of management problems have been attributed to the activities of the large Freeport copper mine, which is located on the slopes of the Cartentz massif near Mount Puncak Jaya.

The predominantly open cast mining techniques have had a number of negative environmental impacts, including river pollution, oil spillages, logging for fuel supplies and extensive building development for the 4,000 strong work force (Kartawinata and Widjaja, 1988; Petocz, 1989). According to Survival International (1988), the development has also had a negative impact upon the local indigenous Amungme tribe, many of whom have become displaced by the operation. Other threats include the planned construction of a road between Timika on the western boundary and Aramsolki in the centre of the reserve (Kartawinata and Widjaja, 1988). Over half the reserve is currently under concession for petroleum exploitation (Petocz, 1989).

STAFF No information

BUDGET No information

LOCAL ADDRESSES

Project Executant, WWF Irian Jaya Conservation Project (Projek Pelestarian Alam di Irian Jaya), Kotak Pos 525, Jayapura 99001, Irian Jaya

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

SBKSDA Irian Jaya II (Sub Balai), Jln. Tanjung Ria, Kotak Pos 6, Jayapura 99001

REFERENCES

Kartawinata, K., and Widjaja, E. (1988). Consultants' Report on Preparation for Development of Lorentz National Park, Irian Jaya. Unesco/Government of Indonesia UNDP/IBRD Project INS/83/013. 73 pp.

Manembu, N. (1991). The Sempan, Nduga, Nakai and Amungme peoples of the Lorentz area. WWF Project 4521. WWF - Indonesia, Jayapura. 117 pp.

Petocz, R.G. and de Fretes, Y. (1983). Mammals of the reserves in Irian Jaya. WWF/IUCN Conservation for Development Programme in Indonesia. WWF - Indonesia, Jayapura. Pp. 72-75.

Petocz, R.G., Kirenius, M. and de Fretes, Y. (1989). Avifauna of the reserves in Irian Jaya. WWF/IUCN Conservation for Development Programme in Indonesia. WWF - Indonesia, Jayapura. 226 pp.

Petocz, R.G. (1983). Recommended reserves for Irian Jaya province: statements prepared for the formal gazettement of 31 conservation areas. WWF-Indonesia, Jayapura. Pp. 1-3.

Petocz, R.G. (1989). Conservation and development in Irian Jaya: a strategy for rational resource utilization. E.J. Brill. Leiden, the Netherlands. 218 pp.

Schodde, R., van Tets, G.F., Champion, C.R., and Hope, G.S. (1974). Observations on Birds at Glacial Altitudes on the Carstensz Massif, Western New Guinea. Papuasian Ornithology 4: 65.

Silvius, M.J. (1989). Wetlands in Lorentz Proposed National Park, Indonesia. In: Scott, D.A. (Ed.), A directory of Asian wetlands. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. Pp. 1091-1092.

Survival International (1986). Tribal Peoples in Indonesia. Survival International News 12. 5 pp.

WWF (1990). The WWF in Indonesia's Irian Jaya conservation programme (summary). November 1990. The Lorentz National Park Project 1991-1995. WWF - Indonesia, Jayapura. Pp. 6-13.

DATE December 1981, updated January 1991