Wetlands of Berbak National Park (Indonesia)

Abstract

Berbak National Park extends over 162,700 ha and is the largest relatively intact swamp forest reserve on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. One third of the park consists of freshwater swamp forests and the remainder consists of peat swamp forests. Berbak is highly important for biodiversity conservation, especially for species such as false gharial Tomistoma schlegelii, painted terrapin Batagur borneoensis, Storm's stork Ciconia stormi, white-winged duck Cairina scutulata and Sumatran tiger Panthera tigris sumatrae. Although officially protected since 1935 it is under severe threat from illegal logging, encroachment by agriculture (oil palm) and fires, the latter mainly occurring in peatland areas drained by canals excavated for agriculture.