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An Observational Study of Nusa Penidas Herpetofauna: a Preliminary Examination of the Islands Biodiversity

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An Observational Study of Nusa Penidas Herpetofauna: a Preliminary Examination of the Islands Biodiversity http://www.fnpf.org/news/scientific-research An observational study of Nusa Penidas Herpetofauna: A preliminary examination of the islands biodiversity Research completed on behalf of FNPF by Sami Asad, 28/10/2011 Abstract The Friends of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF) have recently been attempting to implement a biodiversity monitoring program through its field center on the island of Nusa Penida. At this moment there is little baseline data concerning the islands fauna and flora due to a lack of previous research. Therefore, an examination of the islands herpetofauna will not only provide records for species presence and biodiversity, but will also provide a preliminary assessment of habitat health and ecosystem viability. As such the purpose of this study is to carry out a brief habitat assessment of the island in relation to specific study areas and then survey said areas for herpetofauna thus providing a database for their presence and distribution, as well as providing a measure of biodiversity and habitat health. 1 http://www.fnpf.org/news/scientific-research Contents 1. Introduction…………………………………………………………….…..4 1.1 Project outline…………………………………………….…….…...4 1.2 Nusa penida…………………………………………………..…………5 1.3 Project overview ………………………………………..…………..6 1.3.1. Objectives…………………………………………….……………6 1.3.2. Applications………………………………………..………………6 2. Methods……………………………………………………………...….……7 2.1 Habitat assessment………………………………......….……….7 2.1.1 Vegetation types/diversity……………………………...…..…..7 2.1.2 Anthropogenic disturbance……………..………………...…….8 2.1.3 Elevation ……………………………………………..…….….……8 2.1.4 Soil quality ………………………………………...……..…….......8 2.2 Hereptofuana diversity survey…………………………...…9 3. Results………………………………………………………………………10 3.1 Habitat assessment…………....………………….……………10 3.2 Herpetofauna diversity surveys………………………..….11 4. Discussion……………………………………….......……………...……14 4.1 Habitat assessment……………….........……...………..……..14 4.1.1 Savannah……………………………….....……………………...14 2 http://www.fnpf.org/news/scientific-research 4.1.2 Plantation………...…………………………………………..…15 4.1.3 Scrubland……………………..…………..…………………..…15 4.1.4 Tropical monsoon forest…………...............................……16 4.1.5 Tropical rainforest…………...…………………....………..…16 4.1.6 Wetland……………………….....…………….....……………16 4.1.7 Conclusion………………………………………………...…...16 4.2 Herpetofauna diversity surveys…………………………18 4.2.1 Amphibians……………….………………………………….18 4.2.2 Reptiles………………………………………………….……19 4.2.2.1 Lizards……………………………………………....……19 4.2.2.2 Snakes……………………………………………....….…21 4.2.3 Conclusion………………………………………………..…..23 5. Acknowledgments…………………………………………………......24 6. References…………………………………………………………………..25 7. Appendix……………………………………………………………………..27 3 http://www.fnpf.org/news/scientific-research Introduction With the assistance of FNPF the aim of this particular study is to carry out a herpetofauna species survey and undertake a basic habitat assessment of the island. The overall aim of which is to create not only a database of herpetofauna species present, but also provide a better understanding of the islands biodiversity. As the islands flora and fauna have been poorly documented little is known concerning its biodiversity and at present there is no definitive species database. As such if further wildlife studies and conservation programs are to be implemented there must first be a biodiversity and ecological census initiated to provide baseline data for future projects. Project outline This study seeks to examine the reptile and amphibian species present as well as defining and identifying the various habitat types of the island and their relative herpetofauna diversity. Without which information, future studies and conservation implementations would be impossible. The studies emphasis is primarily concerning herpetofauna as various organisms within this group provide excellent environmental indicators. Ideally, in a rich tropical environment with little species knowledge one would focus ones indicator species on larger mammal species with fairly demanding ecological requirements (Sunderland 2006). However due to the islands poor size and fairly impoverished natural habitats mammal diversity is likely to be poor. In fact only a handful of species have ever been recorded on the island and these have been identified by unconfirmed sightings. The islands reptile and amphibian species however seem to be present in some numbers, and groups within these classes should provide ample information concerning habitat health. Within the reptilian group, the presence of many snake species is indication that specific prey items (small mammals, other reptiles and amphibians, birds, invertebrates) 4 http://www.fnpf.org/news/scientific-research are in relative abundance, with the amphibian presence indicating water quality(Noss 1990). The secondary aim and arguably the most important of the project is identifying and outlining the major habitat types on the island. Once these areas have been measured in terms of vegetation types/diversity, soil quality and anthropogenic influence a further habitat type database can be compiled which will serve as baseline habitat information for more in depth biodiversity monitoring and species specific research. Also, the outlining of habitat types can be used to further assist conservation projects on the island. Infact, once the survey outlines suitable habitat the FNPFs reforestation program could be implemented on such sites throughout the island thus improving habitat health. Nusa penida The island of Nusa Penida lies 14km SE off the coast of Bali and is a branch of the Klungkung regency. The island is a typically dry habitat with rolling hills cleared of vegetation and predominantly used for agriculture. Despite its proximity to mainland Bali, Nusa Penida and its two neighboring islands (Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan) originated as coral islands as opposed to Balis volcanic origins. This coupled with its significantly lower annual rainfall has led to the islands poor soil quality and apparent dry and barren qualities (Giambelli 1999) Although the island is significantly dryer than Bali it has not always been devoid of vegetation. In fact the areas surviving primary forest are believed to be remnants of forest which once covered the majority of the island. These areas are believed to have begun being cleared over 4oo years ago by convicts exiled to the island by the king and ordered to clear the forests to supply timber to the mainland. Despite this some areas of primary and secondary forest still remain, and are confined to valleys, ravines and gullys, which have proved too difficult and costly to clear and utilize (McKay 2006). 5 http://www.fnpf.org/news/scientific-research The islands flora and fauna as well as Bali’s exhibits classic Wallacean transitional diversity with the majority of organisms being associated with the Asian assemblage with a few Sundanese specimens. Indeed, Bali and neighboring Lombok represent the most easterly of many Asian species ranges and the most westerly of the Austronesian species. (Jonsson. Et.al. 2008) The island of Nusa Pendia however is likely to contain far lower species diversity than Bali, due to its small size and few areas of primary habitat. Project overview Objectives To compile a preliminary database of the islands habitat types with reference to the presence of herpetofauna species. With which the integration of future biodiversity and species abundance surveys may provide useful information to further scientific research and conservation projects on Nusa Penida. Applications Once the information from this project has been collected and catalogued it may be used to further a number of scientific research and conservation activities. -Offers information on the islands hereptofauna and habitat types -Provides repeatable study sites for future species diversity research. The collaboration of which can be used to implement a biodiversity monitoring program -Presents an indicator species inventory which can be applied to the foundations reforestation scheme as a measure of colonization success. -Offers a information on habitat types which may be suitable for the foundations rehabilitation and release program. 6 http://www.fnpf.org/news/scientific-research Methodology Habitat assessment Before any herpetofauna studies can be implemented the priority will be the assigning of study areas and habitat assessment of these areas. For the purpose of the study 17 sites have been assigned based on distribution throughout Nusa Penida and accessibility. Ideally, to provide a more accurate overview of the entire island areas would be assigned with equal spacing and cover a set area (Sunderland 2006). However due to accessibility issues and time constraints only areas within reasonable distance from roads and paths have been chosen. Basic habitat assessments will be carried out throughout these sites to provide a habitat type database and for the purpose of repeatability, a GPS device will be used to record the co-ordinates and elevation of each study site. The assessment of habitats will be based on- Vegetation types/diversity As literature concerning vegetation identification is limited on the island, the majority of specimens will merely be identified to groups, ie ferns, deciduous trees etc as to provide an example of the major vegetation groups present. Once The habitats have been assessed they can be assigned into board groups outlining the islands environments. Ideally, vegetation would be identified down to species and specimens measured via
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