UNESCO/Toson-Khulstai Biosphere Reserve
Taka Bonerate-Kepulauan Selayar
General information
Taka Bonerate-Kepulauan Selayar Biosphere Reserve is located in the south of Sulawesi and belongs to the South Sulawesi Province, Selayar Island Regency. It covers a huge marine area encompassing small islands, a number of small fringing reefs and atolls. Mangrove forests serve as a barrier against strong sea waves and consequently as a shelter and spawning ground for various types of fish, as well as a habitat for numerous species of fauna such as birds. The mangrove forests include 22 to 26 species from 14 families, such as the Rhizophora stylosa and Ceriops tagal. Protected and threatened animals found at the proposed site include the scale turtle (Trionychidae), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), and napoleon fish (Cheilinus undulates).Â
Detailed information
Key data
Year of nomination
2015
Country
Indonesia
Total population
124455
Area
Surface
4,410,736.00 ha
Total terresterial area
115,647.00 ha
Total Marine area
4,295,090.00 ha
Location
Latitiude: -6.81891 - Longitude: 120.797
Contact
Ecological Characteristics
The reserve is located in the south of Sulawesi between the Flores Sea, Java Sea and Banda Sea. It hosts the largest atoll in Southeast Asia and the third largest in the world. Coral reefs, mangroves, lagoons, sand dunes and seagrass are the main habitats of the reserve. Coral reefs cover 91,382 ha and act as a principal habitat for several species. Among the different kinds of coral reefs found on the islands are atoll reefs (terembu karang cincin), fringing reefs (terembu karang tepi), barrier reefs (terembu karang penghalang), and patch reefs (karang gosong).The reserve has a high level of biodiversity including several protected marine fauna species such as the hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricate), green turtle (Chelonia mydas), dolphin (Delphinus delphis), napoleon fish (Cheilinus undulates), sperm whale (Physeter microcephalus) and fin whale (Globicephala macrorhyncus). The number of mangrove species varies between 22 and 26 species from 14 families. In addition, there are also 34 species of birds, consisting of 12 land bird species, 13 shore bird species and 9 species of seabirds.
Socio-Economics Characteristics
The reserve has a total population of approximately 125,000 inhabitants of which 6,700 live in the core area. This is due mainly to the fact that the local community inhabited the core area prior to its designation as a national park. Selayar Island is inhabited by a variety of local and ethnic immigrants of which the Selayar are the major group. Other ethnic groups include Bugis, Bajo, Buton and ethnic Chinese.The principal economic activity is fishery followed by tourism.
