THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS of the HEART of BORNEO V Introduction

REPORT HoB The Environmental Status 2014 of the Heart of Borneo

Main author: Stephan Wulffraat

GIS production: Khairil Fahmi Faisal; I Bagus Ketut Wedastra; Aurelie Shapiro

Photos: as credited in captions.

Published: January 2014 by WWF’s HoB Initiative

Any reproduction in full or in part must mention the title and credit the above-mentioned publisher as the copyright owner.

ISBN 978-602-19901-0-0

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most experienced independent conservation organisations, with more than five million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries.

WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by: conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO V Introduction

The island of Borneo, encompassing parts of HoB is also known for the cultural and linguistic Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei, is recognized diversity of the several ethnic groups of as a global conservation priority, yet over the indigenous peoples collectively known as Dayak. last few decades the lowland portions of the Local people depend on the forest for a variety island of Borneo in Indonesia has suffered of resources including: food, medicinal plants, from deforestation, forest fire, and conversion non-timber forest products for trade, wild game, to estate crops. The central upland portions of fish, construction materials and water. The the island are more remote and generally less traditional management practices of the Dayak suitable for industrial exploitation – these areas communities have contributed to sustainable are relatively intact. management of natural resources of the area over the last centuries. The urgent need to address the lowland conservation issues notwithstanding; initiatives The ultimate measure of the success or failure to take advantage of the opportunity represented of conservation initiatives will be the ecological in the intactness of central areas have gained health and sustainability of institutions which traction in the last ten years. In February support that ecological health. Therefore the 2007, the governments of Brunei Darussalam, development of a monitoring framework Indonesia and Malaysia signed the Heart of which could characterize both the ecological Borneo (HoB) Declaration which commits the health and conservation status of the HoB was three governments to a single conservation initiated in 2007.The objectives then were: (1) vision to ensure the effective management of Develop a set of practical indicators that might forest resources and conservation of a network be representative of the ecological status of the of protected areas, productive forests and other HoB and could be monitored at appropriate sustainable land uses in the upland HoB. The time intervals; (2) develop a larger set of major partners in this process are the local indicators that are representative of the overall and national government, in particular the conservation status of the HoB and (3) analyze agencies involved in land use planning, but the data for those indicators to assess the overall participation from the industrial sector (timber, ecological and conservation health of the HoB. oil palm, mining) is considered crucial. The environmental status of the Heart of The initial delineation of the Heart of Borneo Borneo (HoB) was measured for the first time encompassed all the interior highlands and in 2008 with historical data and spatial as well mountains of the headwaters of the major rivers as field data from 2007. A comprehensive set of Borneo. Later boundaries were expanded of indicators was developed that proved to be to include the foot hills and important intact informative while at the same time practical adjacent lowlands. enough to provide a useful overview of the status. The indicators consisted of three types: This interior area, known as the Heart of Borneo biological indicators, the major ecosystems and (HoB), comprises the upstream sections of all selected keystone species; threat indicators and the major river drainage areas of the island. The conservation management indicators. tropical rainforests of the HoB cover almost 30% of the third largest island in the world and form These indicators were measured for the second one of the largest contiguous forests remaining time in 2013, using data from 2012 and 2010. in all of Southeast Asia. Most of the original These assessments are used for monitoring, forest ecosystems and wildlife of Borneo is still followed by evaluation of effectiveness and then present in HoB and the preservation of this formulation of adaptive management. region is being given the highest conservation priority by WWF.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE VI HEART OF BORNEO Contents

Introduction...... VI Executive summary...... 2 Overall Status of The Ecosystems...... 4 Overall Threat Status...... 20 Overall Conservation Management Status...... 28 Comparison With (the environmental status for) the Whole of Borneo...... 32 the Environmental Status Per State and Province. 36 Putting the Heart of Borneo on the Map...... 47

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 1 Executive summary

Size of HoB: • Endemic groups of key plant families are doing well with most of the histori- The total area of the HoB is 23.4 million cal locations still present. hectare. The total forest cover of the HoB is 17.4 Key land uses: million hectare, almost three-quarters of • Almost 3 million ha of the Heart of the HoB. Borneo is inside protected areas (national parks, nature reserves), which Forest cover of the HoB per state/ is 12.6% of the HoB, and 17% of its province: forests. • Brunei- 0.63 million ha • The extent of established oil palm • Sabah- 1.81 million ha plantations in the Indonesian part of • Sarawak- 1.83 million ha the HoB was 1.03million ha in 2012, • East Kalimantan- 7.99 million ha and another 0.33 million ha of forest inside concessions are about to be • West Kalimantan- 2.92 million ha converted to oil palm plantations. The • Central Kalimantan- 2.43 million ha land use planning has allocated 0.25 million ha inside the HoB for future Key ecosystems: conversions. • Lowland rainforest- 3.54 million ha • 0.49 million ha timber plantations • Upland rainforest- 7.78 million ha were already established in the Indo- • Montane forest- 5.30 million ha nesian part of the HoB in 2012, while • Peat swamp forest- 0.41 million ha there were another 0.077 million of natural forestsinside concessions to be • Heath forest- 0.18 million ha converted. • Smaller areas of freshwater swamps, limestone forest, mangroves • 4.4 million ha of the Indonesian part of the HoB is inside active logging Key species status: concessions. Another 1.8 million ha of forests are allocated to future logging • The elephant population is estimated concessions. to numberabout 2200 individuals, distributed over 2.23 million ha, with • A total area of 2.1 million ha of the fair connectiviy. hoB is inside mining concessions, but this includes exploration concessions. • An estimated 80% of the historical lo- The actual area that will be exploited cations of banteng distribution within is only a portion of this. the HoB are still occupied. • Clouded leopards still have almost 17 Comparison to Borneo as a whole: million ha of habitats available that • 8.3% of the the total area of Borneo is are suitable for viable populations. inside protected areas, compared to • The orangutans have a distribution of 12.6% of the HoB. 3.3 million ha within the HoB. • Oil palm and timber plantations com- • Probably less than 25 individuals of prise 32% of the Indonesian part of the Borneo rhinoceros are remaining. Borneo, versus 9% of the Indonesian part of the HoB.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 2 HEART OF BORNEO • 22% of the Indonesian part of Borneo is inside logging concessions, but the • Although the total population of percentage for the HoB is 31%. Bornean elephants is still good, the • The extent of mining concessions in distribution of this population de- Borneo is 4.5 million ha, and almost creased between 2007-2012. half of this is within the HoB. This • The orangutan distribution decreased makes a ratio of 6% for Borneo versus by 14% between 2007-2012. This 18% for the HoB. occurred mainly in West Kalimantan Overall rate of deforestation: and in Sabah. The standardized annual rate of defor- Projections for the future: estation of the HoB between 2007-2012 The projections with the current defor- was 2.19%. The standardized annual rate estation rates for 2020 indicate that way of deforestation for the whole of Borneo conversion rates for particularly lowland (2007-2012) was 4.68%. rainforest and heath forest but also many Key ecosystems/species suffering of the other ecosystems are too high to be deforestation: able to reach the conservation goals. It is however still possible to reach the goals There are still considerable large areas for most of the ecosystems if serious con- remaining of most of the ecosystems of servation interventions are applied. the HoB. Forest conversion however still continued to occur, though deforestation Main drivers of deforestation: rates for the HoBwere considerably lower than for the whole of Borneo. • Industrial conversion of forests into oil palm and timber plantations is the • Lowland rainforestwas one of the eco- major driver of deforestation. systems affected most by forest conversion between 2007-2012. Defor- • Uncontrolled conversion by local com- estation rates were particularly high in munities needing land for subsistence Sabah and Central Kalimantan. agriculture occurred in areas without concession holders and a large portion • Most of the heath forests of the HoB of these are actually protection forests. had been converted by 2012. This occurred particularly in West Kaliman- • Many of the forests of the HoB, par- tan and in East Kalimantan. ticularly lowland, heath, peat swamp and upland forest, have suffered from • Peat swamp forestwithin the HoB is forest fires. This is a severe issue in found mainly in West Kalimantan, and particularly in West Kalimantan, Cen- much of this had been converted by tral Kalimantan and in Sabah. Burnt 2012. tracts of forest are often not given the • Upland rainforest is the largest eco- opportunity to recover. system of the HoB and still more than • Encroachment by smallholders is 80% of the historical extent remains causing fragmentation of many of in 2013. Deforestation rates were how- the forest areas throughout the HoB. ever rather high between 2007-2012, Fragmentation is frequently followed particularly in Sarawak and Sabah. by conversion.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 3 Overall Status Of The Ecosystems

There are still considerable large areas large areas of upland rainforests remain, remaining of most of the ecosystems of the decrease of the total extent of upland the HoB. However, conversion continues forest is high. The extent of montane for- to occur at rather high rates. ests decreased more than expected, but appears to have stabilized after 2010. The total area of lowland rainforest continues to decline at high rates. Heath Forest fragmentation levels are high par- forest is gradually disappearing. The con- ticularly for lowland ecosystems. Frag- version of peat swamp forests in the HoB mentation often precedes conversion. has slowed down. Even though still very

[graph all ecosystems HoB historical-07-10-12]

Lowland rainforest ecosystems

Historically about a quarter of the HoB Extent area was covered by lowland rainforests. In 2007 still 71% of the original area Deforestation between 2007-2010 was remained (4.46 million ha). This is a high quite high and even higher between percentage if considered for the context 2010-2012. In 2012 only 56% remained of the entire island of Borneo, particu- (3.54 million ha) this implies that from larly since lowland rainforest in Borneo. 2007 to 2012 almost one million ha was is the most often converted forest type. deforested. Most of this forest was con- (The situation for the whole of Borneo verted to plantations. will be compared in a later chapter)

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 4 HEART OF BORNEO The 2007 environmental status of the [graph extent 07-10-12] first report indicates a total area of 63% of the historical lowland forest extent of within the HoB left. This area however applied the old HoB boundaries, which later were extended to include more foot slopes, and thus more lowlands, of the central mountains. The total area of lowland forest ecosystems in 2007 within the new boundaries of the HoB became 71% of the historical extent. The desired rating for the 2020 goals of the extent of lowland forest ecosystems is 50-60%, with the rating of “Good”. The current (2012) extent of 56% appears to fit well in the conservation scenario. The annual deforestation rate is however still very high and will, if it continues this way, cause the extent to decrease below 50% within the next few years. Connectivity It is projected that in this way the remaining extent of lowland rainforest Connectivity of remaining lowland in 2020 will be only 33% of the historic forests depends on the topography of extent. the landscape. Lowland forests in wide flat or undulating areas are nowadays The extent of lowland forest in the HoB frequently dissected by disturbed or is not at all representative for the whole cultivated land and are in this way rela- of Borneo and should not be extrapolated tively separated. Many of the remaining or misinterpreted. Less than 28% of the lowland forests are however situated historical lowland forest extent is left in in valleys surrounded by slopes. In the the whole of Borneo. Most areas were more remote areas, these slopes are part converted to plantation agriculture. of mountainous landscape and are often still covered by upland and montane Condition forests. The separate lowland forests are then still connected in this way. This does Even though still 56% of the historical however not guarantee the preserva- lowland rainforest ecosystems remain, tion of genetic resources as many typical many of the areas are not in good condi- lowland plant species, particularly those tions. More than 40% of these forests are with large seeds, cannot spread through fragmented. This means that many of the different ecological conditions of the these forests are dissected by open areas upland forests. A well-known example of or even worse remain only as isolated this is the ironwood tree (Eusideroxylon tracts. Large stretches of uninterrupted zwageri). lowland rainforests are becoming rare in Borneo.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 5 The tracts of lowland forest in north of Along the southern edges of Central Sabah are rather isolated while most of Kalimantan area several isolated areas the tracts in the south are connected by of lowland forest, while other edges are upland forest. still connected but fragmented. Most of the central area is still connected and in In Brunei nearly all lowland forests are better conditions. connected through upland forest. Nearly all of the lowland tracts of East All lowland forest within the HoB part Kalimantan are still connected to upland of Sarawak are connected by upland and forests of the interior. Fragmentation is montane forest. The situation in the rest rather high. of Sarawak is different. Most of the few remaining lowland forests of West Kalimantan are connected by upland forests, but these are very fragmented. There are also several isolated tracts.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 6 HEART OF BORNEO Very Very Good >60% >80% >90% >80% >80% >80% >80% >80% >80% >75% >80% >80% Good italics -desired goal 51-60% 61-80% 71-90% 61-80% 61-80% 61-80% 61-80% 61-80% 61-80% 51-75% 61-80% 61-80% fair 35-50% 40-60% 40-60% 50-70% 40-60% 40-60% 40-60% 40-60% 40-60% 25-50% 40-60% 40-60% Poor bold -current (2012) <35% <40% <40% <50% <40% <40% <40% <40% <40% <25% <40% <40%

fair poor good good good good good good Rating very good very good very good very good (%) result 56.4 58.4 75 81.3 73.6 89.7 83.6 25.5 66.0 62.9 60.6 86.6 2012 (ha) raw data 3,537,100 2,045,500

7,775,400 5,685,200 5,300,000 96,500 177,800 127,900 411,100 249,000 7,200 (%) result 71.1 60.3 80 87.7 73.0 94.9 92.6 32.2 77.4 78.2 60.1 92.0 2007 (ha) raw data 4,457,300 2,658,500

6,080,600 8,384,800 5,610,900 106,800 224,600 150,000 511,200 307,600 7,700 indicator (baseline in ha) % of historical extent (baseline= 6,269,000) % unfragmented % forest blocks connected % unfragmented % of historical extent (baseline= 9,560,000) % of historical extent (baseline= 5,910,000) % of historical extent (baseline= 115,000) % of historical extent (baseline= 698,000) % of historical extent (baseline= 193,000) % of historical extent (baseline= 653,000) % forest with closed % forest with closed canopy % of historical extent (baseline= 8,000) KEA Extent Condition Connectivity Condition Extent Extent Extent Extent Extent Extent Canopy cover Extent Ecosystem Lowland Rain Forest Upland Rain Forest Montane Forest Limestone Forest Heath Forest Freshwater Freshwater Swamp Peat Swamp Peat Forest Mangrove [Table & graph - historic, 2007 and current extent forest loss 2007-2010-2012 + table with colored ratings] Table - forest fragmentation]

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 7 Upland rainforest ecosystems

Upland forest has been the largest eco- [graph extent 07-10-12] system of the HoB area since historical times, occupying some 40% of the total land area.

Extent Still 81% of the historical extent is remaining (7.78 million ha). However a rather strong decrease occurred since 2007, when there was still 87% remaining. More than 600,000 ha of upland forest was deforested between 2007-2012. The first environmental status report of the first report indicates a total area of 82% of remaining historical upland forest extent within the HoB. Again, this area refers to the old HoB boundaries, which were afterwards extended. The total area of upland forest ecosystems in Condition 2007 within the new boundaries of the HoB became 87% of the historical extent. More than one quarter (26%) of all upland forests is fragmented. This is a very large The desired goal for HoB for 2020 was area given that most of the upland forests defined as 80% or more of the histori- are still remaining. Most of the fragmenta- cal extent remaining (appendix 4). If the tion occurs at hills and lower mountains deforestation trend continues [calculate] that are not directly connected to the cen- (see graph) then the percentage will soon tral montane massif. However, fragmen- decrease below the desired rating. tation is also high along the lower slopes The projected extent in this scenario will of the central mountains. Part of this is be that 71% of the historical extent will caused by shifting cultivation. remain

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 8 HEART OF BORNEO Montane forest ecosystems

All different montane ecosystems were [graph extent 07-10-12] grouped together for the sake of measur- ing the changes in the HoB in a practical way. One quarter of the HoB consists of montane ecosystems, usually sub-divided into lower montane, upper montane and sub-alpine zones. In 2007 this ecosystem was almost intact with 95% of the historical extent remaining. In 2012 the percentage had declined to 90% (5.3 million ha). Some 300,000 ha was lost, though mainly between 2007 and 2010. This happened mostly at the outer mountain ranges, but also in core areas particularly in Sarawak. The desired goal of preserving at least 80% is probably feasible as deforestation rates strongly declined after 2010. About 20% of all montane forests are fragmented, which is much higher than It is projected that 81% of the historical expected. This high fraction is probably extent will remain in 2020, if the defor- partly caused by very high impacts of estation rate remains the same. shadows to the spectral reflections of the satellite images but also caused by shifting cultivation. All in all, montane ecosystems are still the best preserved ecosystems in Borneo.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 9 Peat swamp ecosystems

This is a very important ecosystem for [graph extent 07-10-12] the island of Borneo, with originally almost 10 million ha. It has undergone a very high rate of deforestation, through conversion and forest fires, with only 35% of its historically extent remaining in 2012. In the HoB this ecosystem is very much under-represented and is found mainly around DanauSentarum. Here we see a drastic reduction in the last five years. In 2007 there was still 78% remaining of the historical extent but in 2012 this was reduced to 63%, a loss of 100,000 ha of peat swamp forest. This might seem to be a relatively small area compared to the whole of Borneo, but it should be kept in mind that the peat swamps of the interior of Borneo are ecologically quite different from the coastal peat swamp and provide unique habitats to many endangered Almost 40% of all remaining peat swamp species. forests are fragmented. The desired rating for the HoB 2020 Some of this is natural fragmentation as goals of the extent of peat swamp eco- peat swamps often have stretches of open systems is 51-75%. This goal can still be water and all but permanently inundated reached; unless the current rate of de- terrains with only herbaceous vegetation. struction continues at the current level. A large portion of this fragmentation is If no decent conservation measures are however not natural and is caused by taken than the remaining extent will get fires and activities such as illegal logging below 50% of the historical extent before and small scale agriculture. 2018. The projected extent for 2020 will then be 38% remaining.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 10 HEART OF BORNEO Heath forest ecosystems

Historically there were rather large [graph extent 07-10-12] stretches of heath forest in the HoB, particularly at the Indonesian sides. Many of the large areas had already disappeared in 2007, with only 32% left of the original extent. Between 2007 and 2012 this was further reduced to 25% of the historical extent. In 2012 there is only 178,000 ha left, a loss of 46,000 ha in five years. Scattered throughout the HoB are many small tracts of heath forest, often within areas of common lowland, upland or montane forest. These could not be separately mapped due to the scale and resolution of the satellite images. The total area of these tracts is however small and the most unique ecological conditions usually occur in the larger stretches of heath forest. More than 45% of the remaining heath The desired goal for 2020 of 61-80% is forest ecosystems is fragmented. Logging not realistic, also because of the fact that of a relatively low volume of timber has it is extremely complicated to restore already a large impact on this fragile heath forest ecosystems. The deforesta- ecosystem, leaving many open spots. The tion trend indicates a continuing extent impacts of forest fires are even worse and reduction. The goal for the next years heath forest cannot completely recover should to stop this trend and ensure that no further heath forests disappear. A goal of 20% of the original extent might still be possible. However, if the current deforestation rate continues than it is projected that in 2020 only 15% of the historical extent remains.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 11 Limestone forests

There are not many large areas of lime- therefore difficult to exploit. The largest stone ecosystems within the HoB and area of limestone forests within the HoB most are rather isolated ridges and hills. is in the protected GunungMulu national Many of the smaller hills could not be park. If deforestation of limestone forests mapped due to the low resolution of the continues at the current rate, then the satellite images used. In 2007 still 92% projection is that in 2020, 69% of the of the historical extent remained. This historical extent will remain. was reduced to 84% in 2012. The largest The largest extent of limestone ecosys- reduction occurred between 2007 and tems in Borneo is at the Sangkuliran 2010. This was partly caused by forest peninsula in East Kalimantan. This area fires and over-harvest. Damage by fires is highly threatened. is often irreversible in limestone ecosystems. A large portion of 34% of the remaining limestone ecosystems is fragmented. The desired goal 61-80% of the historic This fragile ecosystem is very sensitive to limestone extent in the HoB is realistic. disturbances, particularly fires. Many of the limestone ridges and hills in the HoB are in remote locations and

Freshwater swamp ecosystems

The total area of freshwater swamps in this extent had declined to 66% (128,000 Borneo amounted to more than 2 million ha). Nearly all deforestation occurred ha, but three-quarters of this was already in the vicinity of DanauSentarum. The converted before 2007. rate is alarming ans if continues like this, than only 48% of the historical extent in the HoB the total extent of freshwater will remain in 2020. swamps is small, found mainly around DanauSentarum and the lower Belait One third (33%) of the remaining fresh- watershed in Brunei. However there are water swamp forests was measured to be also many small but ecologically impor- fragmented. Freshwater swamp forests tant stretches along the major rivers. generally have an average natural level of These could not be mapped with the ap- fragmentation of 10-20% because small plied scale that is limited by the satellite lakes and swamps with low non-forest image resolution. vegetation are common. A large area of the fragmentation is however caused by In 2007, still 77% (150,000 ha) of the disturbances. historical extent of freshwater swamps within the HoB was still intact. In 2012

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 12 HEART OF BORNEO Mangroves

Borneo has very important areas of man- 1% of the historical extent is lost. This groves, naturally all located in terrains could in the long term lead to a signifi- with tidal influence. The HoB delinea- cantly lower extent, such as the projected tion only reaches the coast in Brunei and 78% remaining in 2020. therefore the only mangroves within the The high level of fragmentation (43%) is HoB occur in Brunei . Most of these were however a potential threat that should be still present in 2012. However, deforesta- addressed. tion does occur and each year more than

River ecosystems

Most of the major rivers of Borneo arise 2012 the area decreased to 49% of the in the HoB and the mountains fo the drainage area. More than 25% of the interior are extremely important catch- remaining forest is fragmented. ment areas. The forest cover of the entire The Barito watershed is doing somewhat drainage area of each of these rivers pro- better in terms of forest cover. Major for- vide a useful impression of the environ- est conversion of this watershed was his- mental status of these watersheds. Forest torically restricted the its lower section. covers decreased in all of the watersheds In recent years however developments of Borneo Between 2007-2012. occurred in the other sections. While the Borneo has three very large watersheds total forest cover was still 64% in 2007, it of more than 6 million hectares (kapuas, decreased to 54% of the watershed area Mahakam and Barito) and three large in 2012. The fragmentation level of 37% watersheds of more than 2 million ha of the remaining forests is reason for (Rajang, Kayan and Baram). concern as part of this fragmented forest might disappear in the near future. The lower and middle sections of the Kapuas watershed had already un- The forest cover of the Kayan watershed dergone much deforestation since the is much more intact. In 2007 still 97% 1960's. In 2007 it nevertheless still had of the forest cover remained. In 2012 the a 47% overall forest cover, mainly in the forest cover was 91% of the area of the upper sections. In 2012 the forest cover Kayan watershed. decreased to 42% of the total area of the The forest cover of the Rajang watershed Kapuas watershed. The remaining forest appears to be still high with 62% in 2012 is not all in good condition and some -down from 80% in 2007, but almost half 35% is fragmented. of the remaining forests are fragmented. The lower and middle Mahakam watershed also has a long history of forest conversion. In 2007 the total remaining forest cover was 53%. Between 2007-

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 13 Table - forest fragmentation] [Table & graph - historic, 2007 and current extent forest loss 2007-2010-2012 + table with colored ratings] Baram Kayan Rajang Barito Mahakam Kapuas River eco - systems line= 2,252,600) % forest cover (base - line= 2,991,600) % forest cover (base - line= 4,514,300) % forest cover (base - line= 6,050,700) % forest cover (base - line= 7,665,700) % forest cover (base - line= 8,343,900) % forest cover (base - forest cover 6 larg - forest cover est watershed 85.6 96.8 80.0 63.6 53.3 47.3 result 2007 (%) 68.5 90.9 62.2 53.7 48.6 41.6 result 2012 (%) Rating good good good good very very fair fair <30% <30% <30% <30% <30% <30% bold -current (2012) Poor 30-50% 30-50% 30-50% 30-50% 30-50% 30-50% fair 51-70% 51-70% 51-70% 51-70% 51-70% 51-70% italics -desired goal Good >70% >70% >70% >70% >70% >70% Good Very forest 1.5% 2.1%; heath swamp peat 14.6%; 20.7%; lowland montane 14.8%; upland peat swamp 4.3% swamp peat 25.5%; 31.2%; lowland montane 21.7%; upland 10.3% 33.0%; lowland montane 50.3%; upland 25.4% 37.4%; lowland montane 13.8%; upland forest 6.7% 7.7%; heath swamp peat 24.4%; 18.3%; lowland montane 4.1%; upland forest 3.0% 8.0%; heath swamp peat 12.8%; 18.3%; lowland montane 5.7%; upland 2007 forest 0.8% 1.4%; heath swamp peat 11.5%; 20.1%; lowland montane 14.5%; upland peat swamp 2.1% swamp peat 15.2%; 29.4%; lowland montane 20.7%; upland 8.0% 32.5%; lowland montane 48.7%; upland 17.8% 32.3%; lowland montane 11.9%; upland forest 5.6% 6.3%; heath swamp peat 19.4%; 17.8%; lowland montane 3.9%; upland forest 2.2% 6.2%; heath swamp peat 9.7%; 17.5%; lowland montane 5.6%; upland 2012

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 14 HEART OF BORNEO Elephants and bantengs

Bornean elephants are found only in the ments. The largest population, in the south-east of Sabah and the upper north Kinabatangan area is virtually isolated by of East Kalimantan. The extent of forest- now. ed elephant habitats strongly decreased The total elephant population is slowly to 157,000 ha in 2012, a loss of 125,000, decreasing, caused by lack of regenera- which is 45% of the extent in 2007. tion of estranged populations and killing This analysis is based on forest cover, of elephants. and since elephants can forage well in The distribution of bantengs was largely shrubland the remaining total extent of unknown in 2007. A preliminary distri- all elephant habitats is somewhat larger. bution map made in 2012 can therefore It is nevertheless a radical decrease and not indicate any habitat reduction. many of the deforested habitats are no Bantengs are forest edge herbivores and longer available to the elephants. show a clear preference, if not require- ment, for large open spots in forest The current and potential decrease environments. Areas of remaining known of connectivity between the separate banteng populations appear to be rela- elephant populations is a major con- tively stable. cern. Elephant groups in the eastern and southernmost part of Sabah might become cut off by plantation develop-

Rhinoceroses

The two-horned rhinoceros of Borneo is The distribution itself of the remaining on the brink of extinction and the situa- population as mapped in 2007 is more tion has not considerably improved since or less stable. In 2012, there was still 2007. Some minor achievements can be 92% remaining of the 2007 distribution, reported about protecting the remaining based on forest cover analysis. Rhinos individuals and efforts for captive breed- occasionally enter shrub land and even ing in Sabah. The discovery of rhino oil palm plantations. footprints in East Kalimantan indicates Notwithstanding several efforts for cap- that at least a few animals have survived tive breeding, the population size has not in the remotest parts of Borneo. increased so far and it might not even feasible to reach the humble 2020 goal of having 50-200 individuals.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 15 Orangutans

The major habitats of orangutans are Most of this habitat loss is due to de- lowland rainforests and peat swamp for- forestation of peat swamp forests and ests. Most of the orangutan populations lowland rainforests, added by conversion are found outside the HoB lines, par- of upland forests at lower slopes. The ticularly in the remaining peat swamp, populations of these areas were generally lowland and lower upland forests of not isolated but long-term survival of the West and Central Kalimantan. The HoB orangutans that have fled their destroyed has nevertheless many smaller popula- habitats is still not secure, given the tions. The total extent of all populated limited carrying capacity of the remain- orangutan habitats within the HoB was ing habitats. still more than 2.7 million ha in 2007. In 2012, 84% of this extent remained, a loss of more than 400,000 ha.

Clouded leopards

It is assumed that the clouded leopards The clouded leopard can serve as a good are still widespread throughout the HoB. indicator keystone species for survival These top predators occur in low densi- conditions of many endangered species ties and are generally hard to detect. A of the HoB. Unlikely the other key- viable population with a size of at least stone species mentioned here, clouded 50 individuals, needs an area of unin- leopards occur in most parts of the HoB. terrupted forest blocks with an ultimate By preserving the habitats for viable minimum size of 40,000 ha, although in populations of this top predator, many most cases with less then ideal prey den- other animal and plant species will be sities the area should be much larger. protected simultaneously. Between 2007-2012, a total area of 1.7 million ha with these conditions became deforested, which is a reduction of more than 9%.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 16 HEART OF BORNEO Endemic plants

Nearly all of the endemic pitcher plants common species are spread throughout (the Nepenthaceae plant family) of Borneo, but most of the endemic species Borneo have a very limited distribution, have a limited distribution. The highest often confined to fragile specific habitats concentrations of endemic Fagacaeae such as high mountain summits and occur mainly in wide forest areas with heath forests. Some species are found in higher elevations in the interior of the only one or few very locations. HoB. These areas have remained mostly intact, with still 96% of the historical The total area of concentrations of en- area left in 2012. demic Nepenthaceae became reduced by 8% between 2007-2012. The only good Trees of the Dipterocarpaceae family news is that these reductions occurred often dominate the canopy of the lowland only in distributions areas of the more and upland rainforests of Borneo. The common endemic species. very long continuous presence of rainforest in Borneo is one of the main reasons Currently there is still 88% of the that a very high number of endemic historical distribution remaining, but if species have developed. Certain areas of the trend continues then in 2020 this the HoB harbor high concentrations of percentage is reduced to 76%. This fits endemic Dipterocarpaceae. These spe- however still in the 2020 HoB goal of cies are mainly found in lowlands and 71-90%. the concentration areas suffered from a The Fagaceae is an important plant fami- rather severe reduction of more than 5%. ly with many tree species including tropical oaks and chestnuts. Some of the more

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 17 Table - forest fragmentation] [Table & graph - historic, 2007 and current extent forest loss 2007-2010-2012 + table with colored ratings] Elephant leopard Clouded Rhinoceros Orangutan Banteng penthaceae endemic Ne - terocarpaceae endemic Dip - Fagaceae endemic Species size Population distribution Population Connectivity habitat suitable Amount of habitat suitable Amount of size Population distribution Population distribution Population Distribution concentrations Extent of high concentrations Extent of high KEA tion size % of historical popula - 3,287,000 ha) distribution (baseline % of historical that are connected that % of subpopulations that is suitable that % of remaining habitat (>50 individuals) for viable populations area of suitable habitat individuals total number of bution % of historical distri - tions occupied % of historical loca - tions still viable % of historical loca - % of historical extent % of historical extent indicator ±2000 2,761,000

2,484,000 18,684,000 2,761,000

21 locations 1,103,000 1,192,000 raw data raw 2007 80 74.3 70 90 98 <50 84.0

95.4 97.6 97.7 result 2010 2040 in 2,232,000

1,786,000 16,919,000 2,323,000

1,046,000 1,175,000 raw data raw 2012 80 41.3 60 80 90.5 <25 70.7 80? 87.8 92.5 96.3 result very good very very good very very good very Rating good good good good good poor fair fair

<60% <40% none trations concen - only <50 <40% <50% <50% <50% <50% <50% bold -current (2012) Poor 60-80% 40-60% <60% habitats maining all re - 50-200 40-60% 50-70% 50-70% 50-70% 50-70% 50-70% fair 81-99% 61-80% >60% suitable maining all re - 201-500 61-80% 71-90% 71-90% 71-90% 71-90% 71-90% Good italics -desired goal >100% >80% all restored habitats all original >500 >80% >90% >90% >90% >90% >90% Very Good

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 18 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 19 Overall Threat Status

Industrial conversion of natural forests

Conversion of natural forests into indus- almost one quarter of the remaining trial plantations is the highest threat to peat swamp forests within the HoB is the ecosystems of Borneo and the HoB. inside designated plantations. This is some 100,000 ha that is mainly inside The total extent of oilpalm plantations oilpalm concessions. [planting oil palms in 2012 in Borneo was 11.72 million ha on peat swamp terrains has already been Borneo; of which 1.03 million ha was problematical in several locations and inside the HoB. might often not be continued or even The total extent of timber plantations abandoned. These locations have a good in 2012 in Borneo was 5.05 million ha chance of becoming green belts .] Borneo; of which 0.49 million ha was More than 55,000 ha of upland rainfor- inside the HoB. est is located within plantation conces- The timber plantations of Kalimantan sions, but this is a less than 1% of the use mainly fast-growing species used for total area of upland rainforests of the the production of pulpwood. [species HoB. These are mainly sites of the upper mentioned in map section; any meranti slopes of lowland areas. or jati plantations?] There is very little montane forests with- The extents of the remaining forests that in plantation concessions. Neither oil are inside plantation concessions were palm nor the commonly used pulpwood analyzed. These forests have not yet been species grows well at higher elevations. converted and can theoretically partly be almost 16% of the remaining heath saved. forests of HoB is inside plantations and Most affected by conversion to planta- could be converted depending on the tions are lowland rainforest and peat whims of the plantation managers. [Us- swamp ecosystems ing the extremely nutrient-poor soils of heath forests for plantations seems to more than 6% of the remaining lowland be irrational, but if prices for palm oil rainforest is inside plantations. are high enough, applying large volumes The oil palm plantations in 2012 still had of fertilizers can still be profitable. - in 170,000 ha natural lowland rainforest to maps section] be converted. Limestone forests within plantations, al- The timber plantations in 2012 had most 5% of the remaining limestone for- 43,000 ha natural lowland rainforest to ests of the HoB, might not be converted be converted. as it will be impossible to plant oil palm or pulpwood trees on these terrains.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 20 HEART OF BORNEO Mining

A large total area of more than 2 million The largest areas of mining concessions ha within the HoB is allocated for mining are about coal, but there are also many in general. concessions for minerals and metals. These allocations include all of stages Almost one quarter of the remaining low- of mining, from the exploration to the land rainforest area of the HoB is inside exploitation stage. After exploration of mining concessions, 838,000 ha. There a large concession, only the locations is 853,000 ha of upland rainforest of the with the larger deposits will be selected HoB within mining concessions. Mining for the actual mining. Mining in Borneo could be a high threat to the montane is mainly open pit mining and drilling. forests of the HoB with 240,000 ha of The areas for digging are relatively small concessions. Most montane areas of Ka- compared to the areas used for planta- limantan are very remote and infrastruc- tions. The indirect impacts are however ture that is required for mining could large. [explain in mining map] potentially cause negative side effects. [The total area for mining in Borneo is Irreversible mining damage to former 4.5 million ha and almost half of this is heath forest ecosystems occurred in sev- within the HoB] eral locations in Kalimantan. Currently 19% of the remaining heath forests of the Mining concessions overlap with other HoB are within mining concessions. forms of land use allocation. Mining in peat swamp areas is mainly mining appears to be a top priority and for oil and gas, and 22% of the remaining can always go ahead. Even in oil palm peat swamp forests of the HoB (91,000 plantations, the only restriction in pro- ha) are in concessions. tected areas is to mining as only allowed from under the surface

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 21 Forests in logging concessions

Production forests of logging conces- More than one quarter (27%) of the sions can be renewable sources of timber remaining upland forests are inside for future generations, if management logging concessions. Nowadays many of and production systems are applied that the new logging concessions comprise carefully balance the timber harvest almost entirely of upland forests. Low- levels and regeneration requirements. In land rainforest generally has the high- this way, healthy forests are left stand- est volumes of commercial tree species ing after a first round of logging and can [per ha] particularly Dipterocarpaceae recover for future harvest rotations. This and Ironwood, but since most remain- is the principle of serious forestry. ing lowland forests have been logged, it becomes economically feasible to harvest The practices of logging concessions are timber in upland rainforests even though however not always clear. For instance, volumes of timber species are lower. in Kalimantan sections of natural forests in logging concessions can in many cases More than half a million ha of montane be cut down almost completely and than forests are included in lowland and be replanted. This is mainly done not upland forest concessions, which is 11% with quality-timber trees that are natural of the remaining montane forests of to the climax stage of these forests, but the HoB. There are however no specific with fast-growing pulp-wood trees. montane forest logging concessions and In worse cases the forests become so the sections or blocks of the concessions degraded after over-logging (and perhaps at higher elevations are more likely to even fires) that authorities allow the survive through reduced impact logging. remaining vegetation to be converted to Timber yields of these sections are lower oil palm plantations. and conversion to plantation forests is less likely. Certification schedules to which logging companies can adhere include charters 32% of the remaining peat swamp forest that should guarantee the preservation of the HoB are inside logging conces- of habitats for wildlife and the general sions. Logging of peat swamps requires functioning of the fores ecosystems. an extensive infrastructure with heavy environmental impacts and these forests A very large part (43%) of the remain- are frequently threatened by conversion. ing lowland forests of the HoB is inside logging concessions. The total area was High percentages of the remaining lime- 1.54 million ha in 2012, yet down from stone and heath forests are also inside 1.77 million ha in 2007. This implies that logging concessions. 0.23 million ha was converted between 2007-2012, particularly into plantations of timber trees. Not all natural forests in logging concessions are safe.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 22 HEART OF BORNEO Forest inside logging Forest inside timber Forest inside oilpalm Forest inside mining inactive (other status) Forest inside protected areas concessions plantations plantations concessions

2007 2012 2007 2012 2007 2012 2007 2012 2007 2012 2007 2012

re- re- raw re- raw re- raw re- raw re- re- re- raw re- raw re- re- re- raw data raw data raw data raw data raw data raw data sult sult data sult data sult data sult data sult sult sult data sult data sult sult sult (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) (ha) (%) (%) (ha) (%) (ha) (%) (ha) (%) (ha) (%) (%) (%) (ha) (%) (ha) (%) (%) (%) Lowland Rain Forest 1.767.700 39,7 1.537.100 43,5 64.000 1,4 43.500 1,2 253.900 5,7 170.300 4,8 1.836.400 41,2 1.311.200 37,1 972.200 21,8 837.700 23,7 301.400 6,8 277.100 7,8 Upland Rain Forest 2.183.800 26,0 2.102.500 27,0 25.900 0,3 21.300 0,3 37.600 0,4 34.400 0,4 4.638.600 55,3 4.157.400 53,5 879.000 10,5 852.800 11,0 1.156.400 13,8 1.128.200 14,5 Montane Forest 587.300 10,5 570.400 10,8 800 0,0 800 0,0 6.300 0,1 6.200 0,1 3.362.100 59,9 3.122.400 58,9 243.000 4,3 239.800 4,5 1.545.300 27,5 1.490.600 28,1 Limestone Forest 29.900 28,0 28.400 29,5 - 0 - 0 5.400 5,0 4.800 4,9 65.100 61,0 57.700 59,8 7.600 7,1 6.600 6,9 6.400 6,0 5.400 5,6 Heath Forest 37.900 16,9 35.100 19,7 6.300 2,8 4.000 2,2 46.900 20,9 24.300 13,7 114.100 50,8 99.300 55,8 45.300 20,2 34.400 19,4 4.600 2,1 4.600 2,6 Freshwater Swamp 600 0,4 300 0,3 - 0 - 0 2.500 1,7 1.300 1,0 118.200 78,8 103.800 81,2 8.100 5,4 6.700 5,2 19.200 12,8 14.300 11,2 Peat Swamp Forest 139.400 27,3 129.800 31,6 10.700 2,1 7.400 1,8 107.700 21,1 92.000 22,4 141.400 27,7 106.900 26,0 99.600 19,5 91.000 22,1 62.800 12,3 30.000 7,3 Mangrove - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 0 5.800 75,9 5.400 74,8 - 0 - 0 1.900 24,1 1.800 25,2

Forest inside land with other status (inactive) - only for 2012: first spatial planning Areal Peng- Hutan Produksi Hutan Hutan Produksi Kawasan kawasan Tubuh Air 2012 gunaan Lain Konversi Produksi Terbatas Konservasi Lindung other production produc- limited re- raw data land use % forest to be % tion % produc- % % % % sult (ha) areas converted forest tion forest (%) Lowland Rain Forest 34.000 1,0 1.600 0,0 28.100 0,8 266.900 7,5 19.200 0,5 402.200 11,4 4.000 0,1 1.311.200 37,1 Upland Rain Forest 95.300 1,2 200 0,0 76.400 1,0 831.100 10,7 81.400 1,0 1.535.200 19,7 2.800 0,0 4.157.400 53,5 Montane Forest 43.500 0,8 0 0,0 26.900 0,5 517.000 9,8 36.800 0,7 1.252.100 23,6 100 0,0 3.122.400 58,9 Limestone Forest 200 0,2 0 0,0 0 0,0 4.200 4,4 0 0,0 53.000 54,9 0 0,0 57.700 59,8 Heath Forest 2.600 1,5 400 0,2 2.600 1,4 29.200 16,4 100 0,1 61.400 34,5 200 0,1 99.300 55,8 Freshwater Swamp 12.800 10,0 0 0,0 100 0,1 100 0,1 100 0,1 100 0,1 300 0,3 103.800 81,2 Peat Swamp Forest 55.500 13,5 10.200 2,5 16.600 4,0 10.700 2,6 100 0,0 13.400 3,3 300 0,1 106.900 26,0 Mangrove ------5.400 74,8 Other status

All land that is currently not operational montane forests. and is not managed falls in the category Between 2007-2012, in the Indonesian of “Other Status”. Parts of these lands part of the HoB 45,500 ha of forest was can become available to developers. converted in land with APL status. By It also provides opportunities for conser- far the most of this occurred in West vation before the beginning of exploita- Kalimantan. tion. HPK (HutanProduksiKonversi) Data from Malaysia on the - production forest to be extents of logging conces- converted sions and plantation conces- The timber from the forests of these sions is not to be available. lands will be harvested through clear- This implied that in our cut. Afterwards the land will be planted with timber trees. These are usually analyses all forest land of fast-growing species for the production Sabah and Sarawak outside of pulp. The species most often used is the exotic Acacia mangium. It would be protected areas was includ- better for ecological aspects to use local ed in “other status” class” species. Good results have been recorded Land use functions have been allocated from planting for instance Anthocepha- by the Ministry of Forestry and the Land luscadamba and Pinusmerkusii, (which Use Planning Agencies. In Indonesia, are strictly speaking not local, but at least the following land use types have been Sumatran species). allocated: Retaining HCVF areas is not obligatory. The total area in the Indonesia HoB of APL (Areal Penggunaan Lain) - forests allocated to HPK is 13,000 ha. other land use areas This is a relatively small area but most of land for timber plantations (79,000 ha) This land can be deforested and con- has already active plantations to which verted into any other land use including the HPK land will add up. oil palm plantations, rubber plantations, settlements and other constructions. Mining can be developed without restric- HP (HutanProduksi) - tions. Forest on land with APL status can production forest be considered gone, except perhaps for These forests are allocated for the harvest strips of High Conservation Value For- of large volumes of timber. (allocated, ests. Companies are not obliged by the but not yet operational) Production of government to retain HCVF areas and timber from natural trees is however this is mainly on voluntary base. not always the long-term goal, as forest The total area in the Indonesia HoB of blocks can be replaced by plantation for- forests allocated to APL was 244,000 ests. In reality HP appears to be almost ha in 2012. Remarkably, 40% of these the same as HPK though with a stronger forests are upland forest and 17% are legal status to at least retain a forest

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 24 HEART OF BORNEO cover, whether this is natural or planted. der forest cover to avert potential erosion The status of HPK can be converted to problems and secure hydrological func- APL. tions for more intensive land use below (the concept was originally gazetted to More than150,000 ha of forest land is protect the remaining forests on the allocated as HP, though not yet being higher slopes of the mountains of Java’s actively exploited. More than half of this “schermbosschen”). (76,000 ha) comprises upland forest. The 18% of montane forests allocated to HP Areas with protection forest mainly could potentially be susceptible to ero- comprise hilly and mountainous terrain. sion issues. These can also occur in lowland areas, for instance large rock outcrops forming HPT (HutanProduksiTerbatas) hills with steep slopes . - limited production forest Protection forest is not the same as “protected forest”. The status of HL is These lands are allocated for sustain- does not necessarily implies that the able forestry in which a semi-natural forests are entirely safe from conver- forest cover should be retained. Logging sion. Parts of it can be re-allocated in companies will need to develop timber district land use planning and control of production plans that incorporate rota- illegal logging or even conversion is often tion cycles. Reduced impact logging will non-existent. Land with HL status can be minimize the impacts of infrastructure “borrowed” particularly for mining. and felling on the remaining standing stock, which should bebenefit optimal If the legal status of protection forest can growth and regenerations. Habitats of be strengthened than these areas could endangered species should be disturbed potentially be added to the total area of as little as possible. protected areas in Kalimantan. A very large total area of more than 1.6 There is in total more than 3.3 million million ha is allocated to HPT. Half of ha of land with protection forest sta- this land is in upland forests and 31% tus within the HoB. Almost half of this is in montane forests. It might often be comprises of upland forests and almost the best option the retain some of the two-fifth are montane forests. More than last lowland rainforests of Kalimantan 400,000 ha of lowland rainforest is pro- (266,000 ha) even though not in primary tection forest, almost 10% of all remain- conditions. ing lowland rainforest. About one-third of all remaining heath forest within the However, between 2007-2012, in the HoB is protection forest. Indonesian part of the HoB 77,500 ha of forest was converted in land with HPT Notwithstanding their semi-protected status. This occurred in all the three status, between 2007-2012, in the provinces. Indonesian part of the HoB more than 162,000 ha of forest was converted in land with HL status. This occurred HL (HutanLindung) - protection largely in West Kalimantan and in East forests Kalimantan. Protection forest is a land use class that was originally allocated “by default” to areas with steep slopes. The principle was that high slopes should remain un-

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 25 Forest fires

Forest fires continued to occur between forests were also frequently affected 2007-2012. The worst year was 2009 (>1200 hotspots). with 2385 hotspots within the HoB. The most damage per area was inflicted These incidents appear to be very hard to in heath forests, with 941 hotspots be- control and even in 2012 there still more tween 2007-2012. Fire impacts on heath than 1400 hotspots. forest ecosystems is often irreversible. by far the most hotspots were recorded The largest number of hotspots between in lowland rainforest areas; between 2007-2012 were in remaining forests 2007-2012 more than 4000 hotspots within oil palm plantation concessions. occured, which is more than half of the There was also a large number of fire total number. incidences in logging concessions. This Nearly all of the remaining peat swamp might imply that the concession holder is areas in the HoB were affected by forest less committed to preserve the forests for fires, with more than 1000 hotspots in long-term sustainable timber production. this relatively small total area. Upland

[graph yearly fires HoB]

Concentrations of shifting cultivation The impacts of expanding shifting cul- and hunting tivation on the landscapes are nowadays much larger than in the old days. Local communities have been practicing Formerly each tree of a new field had shifting cultivation for hundreds of years to be cut down by hand using axes and to cultivate rain-fed rice and other crops. machetes, while nowadays people use Many communities are highly depend- chainsaws. This makes it much easier to ent on fish and meat from the forests for open larger areas of forest. their protein needs.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 26 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 27 Overall Conservation Management Status

Protected area representation

Only 7.8% of remaining lowland rainforest is inside protected areas in 2012. - 277,000 ha in 2007 the percentage was 6.8% which corresponded with 301,000 ha

The increasing percentage is a bit tricky The only ecosystem that has an “ideal” as it might imply that with total remain- representation in protected areas is mon- ing lowland forest reduced, percentage tane forest. Some 28% of the remaining becomes higher. If we use the 2007 montane forests of the HoBis inside pro- area as baseline, then the percentage of tected areas. The total area of 1.5 million lowland rainforest in protected areas is ha remained the same since 2007. 6.2%. The relatively large areas of protected The protected lowland rainforests montane and upland are particularly connect to upland forests that are also inside the large KayanMentarang and protected as long as these lowland forests BetungKerihun national parks. are situated in valleys of national parks. Only a very small part (7%) of the re- The lowland rainforests of Bukit Baka maining peat swamp forests within the Bukit Raya all connect to the upland HoB are protected. Even though there forests further up the slopes. Betung are large protected peat swamps outside Kerihun national park has only lowland of the HoB, these have a very different rainforests in the southern river valleys, ecology. and the naturally connect to the sur- The percentage of protected freshwater rounding upland forests. Lanjak Entimau swamps inside the HoB is also small, has a large area of lowland forest, which 11%. One quarter of the area of freshwa- connects to upland forests in the south. ter swamps inside protected areas was The northern border does not always converted between 2007-2012. connect. The largest total area of protected lowland rainforest within the HoB Only 5.6% of the limestone forests of the is in Brunei, and most of the areas have HoB are inside protected areas. This is good connectivities. much too low given the unique ecology of this ecosystem. It isyearned that at The total area of upland forest in the least the limestone areas inside logging HoB that is protected is 1,1 million ha, plantations are somehow protected by 14.5% of all upland forests. In 2007 this local or traditional regulations. was 1.2 million ha, 14%. Heath forest is also a very fragile ecosys- This looks like a sufficiently large area; tem, but only 2.6% are protected. This is however all of the protected upland alarming because large areas are inside forests are in the remote interior which plantations and mining concessions. are currently not the most threatened. The accessible upland forests bordering The oft-cited policy-driven goal is for the lowland are in higher need of protec- protected area representation 10%, but tion. Several of these are also part of the conservation science indicates that larger habitats of endangered species such as percentages (>30%) are increasingly orangutans.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 28 HEART OF BORNEO likely to support biodiversity, ecosystem tion forests (HutanLindung) should be services, and buffer against changing strengthened. climate. Even if the goals is to have only It might be possible to have additional 10% representation of each ecosystem in peat swamps and freshwater swamps protected areas, then this goal is not met protected when these have high water several ecosystems. It might be possible levels and economically not feasible to to increase the total area of protected exploit. Limestone forests with very steep lowland rainforests by gazetting of exten- terrains will already have the status of sions of existing protected areas. The es- protection forests. Heath forests are tablishment of new large nature reserves generally undervalued and will probably or national parks in lowland is not likely only be protected if there are spectacular to happen. The legal status of protec- species present. Protected area intactness

Forests in protected areas should West Kalimantan. Most sections of Bukit naturally have closed canopies and be Baka Bukit Raya NP are strongly frag- connected rather tightly. Gaps gener- mented, with the exception of the central ally occur but these are never very wide. parts. Fragmentation is often caused by Somewhat larger open spots can occur shifting cultivation agriculture, some- naturally in places of landslides or strong times enlarged by (unintentional) forest storms. Otherwise fragmentation should fires. Harvest of timber trees can also only be visible in the vicinity of large riv- lead the fragmentation if too many trees ers, lakes and swamps. are cut down. Fragmentation often occurs at edge areas Fragmentation caused by shifting cultiva- of protected areas with human population is clearly visible in KayanMentarang tions. This is for instance clearly visible NP, where most of the accessible river along the Crocker Range NP in Sabah valleys are fragmented. and DanauSentarum National Park in

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 29 Status of remaining forests in concessions

Logging concession holders that are Currently none of the oil palm plan- certified have a clear commitment to sus- tations within the HoB are certified. tainable timber production for the long Expansion of plantation areas will likely term. This should ensure that forests will increase particularly into the HoB. One be managed well or at least retained for of the major requirements for certifica- the future. tion is that oil palm plantations set aside High Conservation Value Areas and certi- In 2012 about 20% of all logging conces- fication of plantation companies might sions inside the HoB were certified. ensure that at some of the remaining About half of these consist of lowland forests within these plantation areas will rainforests and half of these consist of be retained. upland (and some montane) forests. Most of the other logging concessions were identified by WWF as having a potential for certification. Deep peat conversion

Areas with very deep layers of peat are of 4-8 m deep peat in the southern part found only in the DanauSentarum area of DanauSentarum. About a quarter of of the HoB. There is 12,000 ha of peat this area is threatened by conversion and swamp with a depth of 2-4 m in the east- forest fires. ern and southern part; and 60,000 ha Protected area effectiveness

Management effectiveness can be repre- The assessments were conducted in 2004 sented by indices such as Rapid Assess- and again in 2010, which provide good ment and Prioritization of Protected data sets for comparisons. Area Management (RAPPAM). These assessments have been conducted in a Importance: the four national parks in the HoB part All four national parks score high to very of Kalimantan:BetungKerihun, Dan- in terms of biological importance. The auSentarum, Bukit Baka Bukit Raya and score decreased for BetungKerihun and KayanMentarang. increased for KayanMentarang, while the In terms of management effectiveness, for the other two national parks is was BetungKerihun and Bukit Baka Bukit stable. Raya score high and , DanauSentarum Socio-economic importance was high and KayanMentarang score very high. to very high in all four national parks in The financing is also quite effective.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 30 HEART OF BORNEO 2010. BetungKerihun showed a strong Mining remained in medium high threat increase from low in 2004 to high in in Bukit Baka Bukit Raya and somewhat 2010. increased in BetungKerihun.

Threats and pressure: Hunting threats and pressure remained low in BetungKerihun and Bukit Baka Encroachment threats and pressure Bukit Raya but is very high in DanauSen- remained low to medium in the four tarum. Over-harvest of non-timber forest national parks from 2004-2010. products is only an issue in KayanMenta- Logging threats and pressure increased rang but is increasing. in Bukit Baka Bukit Raya but became Land use conflicts are threats in Dan- lower in the other three national parks. auSentarum and KayanMentarang and Forest fire was a high threat in DanauSe- have increased from 2004 to 2010. ntarum in 2004 but apparently became Pollution is a very high threat in Dan- low in 2010. auSentarum

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 31 COMPARISON WITH (the environmental status for) THE WHOLE OF BORNEO

[graph ecosystems, forest cover]

Protected area

4.02 million of the total forest area of Nearly of the protected upland and Borneo is protected, of which is 2.95 mil- montane forests of Borneo are within the lion within the HoB. HoB. The fact that three-quarters of all the Protected heath forest on the other hand protected forests of Borneo are within appears to be under-represented in the the HoB clearly demonstrates the impor- HoB. A total of 92,000 ha of heath for- tance for conservation. However it also est of Borneo is protected but less than underlines the problem of certain ecosys- 5,000 ha of this is within the HoB. tems not well represented in protected The protected peat swamp forests of Bor- areas. Lowland rainforest is major issue: neo include large coastal areas such as 277,000 ha is inside the HoB, but in the Sebangau and Tanjung Puting. The total rest of Borneo is only another 150,000 ha area of protected peat swamp forests is of protected lowland rainforest. Many of 642,000 ha, of which 30,000 ha is within the lowland rainforests with the highest the HoB. biodiversity were in areas outside the HoB, and species composition differs for each ecoregion of Borneo.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 32 HEART OF BORNEO Expanse of plantations and logging in Borneo

22% of the Indonesian part The wide lowland of Borneo out side of of Borneo is under logging the HoB are economically very suitable for the development of oil palm planta- concessions tions. The higher elevations and limited compared to accessability of most of the HoB implies that only selected areas are suitable for 31% of the Indonesian part of oil palm plantations. Timber plantations the HoB. have so far mainly used fast-growing lowland species. The higher percentage for the HoB reflects the fact that most lowland forests of Borneo have already been heavily 28% of the Indonesian part logged, while the interior lowland and upland forests of the HoB are often still of Borneo is under mining in good conditions. Data for Malaysia is concessions not available. compared to 19% of the Indonesian part of 32% of the Indonesian part of the HoB. Borneo is under plantations This is the percentage of the land under (timber 10% + oil palm 22%) all mining concessions, which includes compared to large areas of exploration concession. The high percentage of the HoB im- 9% of the Indonesian part of plies that several interior locations are the HoB (timber 3% + oil palm expected to contain volumes of valuable 6%) geological deposits.

Forest types inside logging concessions & plantations

A majority of the remaining lowland crucial to ensure that these logging con- rainforests of the Indonesia part of cessions remaining under natural forest Borneo, 3.39 million ha, is inside logging cover. concessions. Almost half of this area, 1.54 In 2012, there remained 945,000 ha of million ha, is inside the Indonesian part lowland rainforests inside plantations in of the HoB. As the total area of lowland the Indonesian part of Borneo. Most of rainforests inside protected area is not these forests were to be converted, and sufficient to ensure the survival of all 213,000 ha these were inside the Indone- aspects of this ecosystem, it will become sian part of the HoB.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 33 Out of the 2.50 million ha of upland A large total area of montane forests of forests inside logging concessions in the Indonesian part of Borneo, 580,000 ha, Indonesian part of Borneo, 2.10 mil- are inside logging concessions. Nearly lion ha are inside the Indonesian part all of these montane forest concessions of the HoB. The upland forests of the are within the HoB. The total area is higher elevations of the interior gener- remarkably large given the fact that vol- ally yield lower volumes of commercial umes of commercial timber in montane timber than the lowlands, and harvesting forests are generally low. with reduced impact logging should be There is 7,000 ha of montane forest in- feasible. side plantations in the Indonesian part of In 2012 there remained 107,000 ha of Borneo, all of which are within the HoB. upland forest inside plantations in the Indonesian part of Borneo of which half was inside the HoB (55,000 ha). Most of these forests, often at the edges of lowland plantations, will be converted.

Forest fires

A total of 288,286 hotspots were record- A majority (42%) of the hotspots of ed from all over Borneo in the timespan Borneo occurred in peat swamp forests, from 2001 to 2012. followed by lowland rainforests (33%) and heath forests (12%). 17,870 of these hotspots were recorded in the HoB, during the same time period. In the HoB, a large majority (55%) of the hotspots occurred in lowland rainforests, The size of the HoB is about a quarter followed by heath forests (15%) and peat of the area of Borneo, but only 6% of all swamp forests (13%). hotspots were within the HoB.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 34 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 35 THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS PER STATE AND PROVINCE

Sabah

Most of the historical lowland forest Sabah is the only state or province of of Sabah was converted before 2007, Borneo where considerable areas of mainly into plantations. .Nevertheless, montane forests have been converted. in 2007 there was still XX ha of lowland Slopes of the Kinabalu and Crocker range forest in the HoB part of Sabah. Par- mountains were converted for agricul- ticularly between 2007 and 2010, much ture mainly before 2007, but the process of this lowland was converted. Conver- continued until 2010. sion decreased after 2010 but this was Severe reduction of orangutan habi- mainly because there was not much left tats occurred between 2004 and 2007 to convert. In 2013 only a few areas of throughout Sabah. Many remaining lowland forest remain, and many of these small habitats were converted from 2007 are fragmented. to 2010. Up to 2012 conversion of or- A large part of central Sabah was histori- angutan habitats still took place at edge cally covered by upland forests but more locations. than half of this area was converted Habitats in landscapes that can support before 2007. Conversion continued until viable populations of clouded leopards 2010, after which very few more loca- became reduced from 2007 to 2012. tions were converted. Forest fires are serious threats to the remaining upland A strong reduction occurred between forests and occurred up to 2012. 2007-2010 of large areas of un-inter-

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 36 HEART OF BORNEO rupted forest blocks that can support The upper Kalabakan area was affected viable populations of clouded leopards, by lowland conversion while the remain- particularly in central part/ upper Kina- ing lowland forests are very fragmented. batangan. In the lower Segama area both lowland forest as well as upland forest conversion occurred. Major land cover changes between 2007-2012 occurred in at least fol- Lowland forest conversion in the upper lowing areas: Kinabatangan had an impact on the habitats for viable populations of clouded The Sugut watershed was subject to low- leopards. land forest conversion and upland forest conversion. The Serudong river valley underwent large upland forest conversion while The Labuk watershed had many loca- the remaining upland forest is strongly tions of upland forest conversion and fragmented; the upper Serudong area has much of the remaining upland forest is patches of montane forest conversion. fragmented. The upper Sebuku watershed underwent The montane forest conversion in the conversion of montane forest in several Crocker range occurred mainly at the locations. eastern slopes. Many of the upland forests here were affected by forest fires. Much remaining upland forest of the uppermost Sembakung watershed is In the upper Padas watershed were many fragmented. locations of montane forest conversion. Large areas of montane forests were converted in the vicinity of Sapulut (east of Maliau basin). Brunei

Relatively little forest conversion oc- conversion as well as freshwater forest curred in Brunei between 2007 and 2012. conversion occurred along the edges of the remaining forests. The area most affected was the Belai watershed. Here both lowland forest Sarawak

Only a small part of Sarawak lies within 2010 and 2012 and most of the remain- (imaginary boundaries of) the HoB and ing lowland forests are fragmented. this land comprise mainly the uppermost Deforestation of one area continued until sections of the major watersheds. no more lowland forest remained in that location. The area of lowland forests is therefore limited. Still many of the small areas of Most of the western HoB section of lowland forests were converted between Sarawak is covered by upland forests.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 37 In 2007 most of the upland forests were lowland forests along the Katibas and intact, with the exception of an area that Mengiong rivers are fragmented. Upland was converted in the last century. Be- forest conversion of these areas started tween 2007 and 2012, several small areas in the last century and continued until of upland forests in higher valleys were 2012. The conversion was done gradually converted throughout Sarawak. Edges of by clearing smaller but connecting areas. upland forests are partly fragmented. The upper Baram watershed underwent Most of the eastern HoB section of both upland forest conversion as well as Sarawak is covered by montane forests. montane forest conversion. In the Kela- Most of these forests are still intact, but bit area are many small areas of montane some relatively large areas were convert- forest clearing. ed before 2010. Large scale montane for- The upper Baleh had many small areas est conversion did not occur after 2010. of upland forest conversion and montane forest conversion. Major land cover changes occurred In the Iran mountain range are several in at least following areas: large areas where montane forest was converted between 2007 and 2010. In the upper Rajang watershed, particularly along the upper Katibas, Bangkit The upland forests of the Batang Ai Na- and Mengiong rivers, lowland forest tional Park and LanjakEntimau Wildlife conversion occurred until 2012. There is Sanctuary were not subject to clear con- no more remaining lowland forest along version, but many locations are highly the Bangkitriver. Most of the remaining fragmented.

West Kalimantan

A large part of West Kalimantan com- in the south, the middle Melawi sub- prises lowlands, formed by the basin of watershed, was converted before 2007. the Kapuas river and its tributaries. Most Heath forest was the major ecosystem of the lowlands on dry land within the all around the foot slopes that border the HoB used to be covered by lowland forest DanauSentarum basin, but most of it was and heath forest. Large areas of the low- converted before 2007. land forests were converted before 2007, The basin itself was dominated by peat and there is hardly any lowland forest swamp forests but also had smaller areas left in the western part of West Kalim- of freshwater swamps. Parts of the peat antan. The valleys within the mountain swamp forests were converted before ranges of the eastern and south parts of 2007 and conversion continued until West Kalimantan still have small areas 2012. Conversion of freshwater swamps of lowland forests, although small scale is even more serious and in 2012 only a conversion occurred between 2010-2012. few areas were left. Most of the remaining lowland forests are fragmented. Orangutan habitats and The mountain areas of the upper Kapuas thus their distribution suffered strongly watershed appear to be less affected by from the all the conversions of lowland forest conversion, although small scale forests. A very large area of heath forest conversion of upland forests occurred.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 38 HEART OF BORNEO Several areas of upland forests are how- version of freshwater swamps and peat ever fragmented. Many of the forests of swamps occurs continuously and gradu- the isolated hills of the western part of ally, by clearing small areas starting the province were converted before 2007. with intrusions from the most accessible locations. West Kalimantan is the province/state in the HoB that suffered the most from The habitats of orangutans in the Labian- forest fires. Nearly all of the lowland Leboyan corridors suffered from conver- and peat swamp forest areas show fire sion of several small areas. hotspots and most of these are of recent The foot slopes to the north of Bukit Baka years. Bukit Raya underwent much lowland forest conversion between 2010-2012. Part of the remaining lowland forests are Major land cover changes between inside plantation concessions. Conver- 2007 and 2012 occurred in at least sion of upland forest occurred as well, following areas: though at a much smaller scale. Several The western HoB edges, including the of the upland forests are however highly strip of land west of DanauSentarum fragmented. were still subject to lowland forest con- The mountains of the uppermost Kapuas version. In 2012 only a few fragments watershed had several small areas of remained here. Some of these are inside montane forest conversion. plantation concessions. The forests of BetungKerihun appear to The DanauSentarum area underwent all be in good shape with very little conver- kinds of conversion and fragmentation: sion of some upland forests. The western conversion of freshwater swamps, peat part of this national park is however swamp forests and heath forests. Con- highly fragmented.

Central Kalimantan

The largest part of Central Kalimantan is this process can gradually degrade much lowland. of the remaining lowland forests. The HoB boundaries were drawn ap- Upland forest appears to be rather proximately along the boundaries safe currently, even though small-scale between the flat lowlands and the hilly conversion occurred in many locations. and mountainous uplands. Most of the Many of the more accessible upland lowlands forests are therefore located forests were converted before 2007, but along the HoB edges. The hilly area to there are still large areas of upland forest the north has however a geomorphology left in the northern hilly and mountain- with many wide river valleys in between ous landscapes. The forests of some of the hills and these are generally still cov- these areas are however highly frag- ered by rather large areas good lowland mented. forests. Much conversion of lowland Conversions of montane forests occurred forest in Central Kalimantan occurred in a few areas at a rather large scale. before 2007 but conversion of small The northernmost mountains were not areas at a time continued until 2012, and affected.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 39 Serious reduction of orangutan habitats The upper Kahayan watershed is a large occurred at all of the sourthern edges of area with several tributaries, that had the HoB. conversion of lowland forest in several locations. Most of the conversions Forest fires are major problems in Cen- happened before 2007 but the process tral Kalimantan and have affected many continued from 2007 to 2012. The areas. Forest fires occurred in many of upland forest of this area is often highly the logging concessions in the lowlands. fragmented. This seems to be remarkable as one would expect concession holders to be The area north of MuaraTeweh suffered more careful with their valuable stand- much from forest fires. In many of the ing timber stock. That is unless they have upland forests fire spots were detected. other plans with their land. Forest fires The area has some of the highest densi- also frequently happened in the upland ties of forest fires in logging concessions. forests. In the area west of Purukcahu montane forest conversion occurred in the form of numerous rather large spots. This is Major land cover changes between probably the result of coal mining. 2007 and 2012 occurred in at least following areas: Conversion of lowland forest occurred throughout the upper Murung water- The upper Pembuang watershed was shed. Conversion of lowland forest strongly affected by forest conversion. directly along the Murungriver and its The Seruyan area in particular under- tributaries has been going on for a long went much conversion of lowland forest time but after 2009 many locations between 2010-2012 and only a few core further inland from the rivers were also areas of lowland forest are still intact. converted. The upper Joloiriver was very Conversion of upland forest occurred strongly affected and in 2012 there was at some locations. A rather large part of hardly any lowland forest left. Conver- the remaining upland forests are within sion of upland forest also occurred and plantation concessions. The upper Pem- several upland forests of the upper Mu- buang has important orangutan habitats rung area are inside oilpalm plantation which became reduced in since during concessions. the last years. The southern slopes of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya national park suffered from small-scale conversion of lowland forest, upland forest and even some montane forest. Most of the conversions occurred in the upper valleys of the Mendawai river tributaries. A large area of lowland forest was converted before 2007. The remaining lowland and upland forests are often fragmented. Many of these forests suffered from forest fires (2006- 2012).

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 40 HEART OF BORNEO East Kalimantan

The eastern part of East Kalimantan Orangutan habitats in East Kalimantan encompasses large stretches of lowland are much smaller compared to the other while most of the western interior parts provinces. Most of these are still present comprise hilly and mountainous land- but have suffered strongly from fragmen- scapes. Lowland forests are found mainly tation. in the eastern coastal regions and in the The elephants of East Kalimantan are valleys of the rivers that cut through the only found in one area and habitat con- western hills. version is a major issue here. The largest stretches of lowland forest within the HoB are located in the Mahakam watershed. Large areas were Major land cover changes between converted before 2007 but conversion 2007 and 2012 occurred in at least slowed down after 2008. Other large following areas: stretches of lowland forest are in Berau A very large area of lowland forest was and Bulungan. Most of these were still converted along the middle Mahakam intact in 2007 but conversion strongly before 2007. Small-scale conversion increased after 2010. Large parts of the occurs until 2012. Some of the remain- remaining lowland forest is fragmented. ing lowland forests are within planta- The largest parts of the lowland forest tion concessions. Rather large spots of area are in logging concessions but large limestone forest were converted, mainly areas in the Mahakam watershed are set before 2007, but some until 2012. The aside for conversion into plantations. upland forests of this are often frag- East Kalimantan has very large areas of mented. upland forest and relatively few areas Along the lower and middle Belayanriver, have been converted. About half of the rather large elongated areas of lowland total area of upland forests is within forests were converted between 2010- logging concessions. Only few forest 2012. The upland forests of the middle fires occurred in the lowland and upland and upper Belayan are often fragmented. forest logging concessions, which might This has affected the orangutan popula- imply that the conversion is not a major tion of this area. threat here. The upper Telen and Wahau river areas By far the largest areas of montane were affected by upland forest conver- forests of Borneo are in East Kalimantan. sion in 2010-2012 and montane forest Most of the remote montane forests are conversion in 2007-2010, generally in still intact but many of the more acces- the form of small but connecting areas. sible locations did not remain untouched. The river valley of the upper Mahakam The interior landscape has a very diverse was strongly affected by conversion geomorphology and many small areas of of lowland forests. Nearly all of the heath forest, lowland valleys and lime- riverbanks were converted before 2007 stone ridges are present throughout the but conversion continued further inland area. Most of these are however too small from the river until 2012. to map but the larger areas indicate that heath forest in particular is often subject to conversion.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 41 Kutai Barat suffered in particular from Rather large areas of lowland conversion forest fires in upland forests. and smaller areas of upland conversion occurred in the vicinity of Malinaupar- The Kelai drainage area underwent ticularly between 2010-2012. conversion of areas of lowland forest and upland forest between 2010-2012. Much The Sebuku area west of Batu Mayo un- of the remaining lowland forest is inside derwent much lowland conversion that plantation concessions. The remaining appears to be encroaching until 2012. upland forests and often fragmented. Small areas of upland forest conversion This also reduced the area of orangutan occurred as well and much of the remain- distribution. ing upland forest is fragmented. This also directly affect the habitats of the only el- The upper Segah area was subject to ephant population in Indonesian Borneo. montane forest conversion from 2007 to 2010. Many of the forests within logging The lower Sembakung area underwent concessions suffered from forest fires. much upland forest conversion and most Much of the remaining lowland forest is of the remaining lowland forests are inside plantation concessions. inside plantation concessions. The area along the lower Kayanriver In KayanMentarang small areas of underwent conversion of lowland forest conversion of upland forest and montane continuously from 2007 to 2012. The forest occurred throughout the inhabited upland forests of this area are highly locations. fragmented. A large area of heath forest in Simeng- The middle Kayan area had large spots of garis was partly converted before 2007 forest conversion of the limestone ridges and the remaining heath forest was along the river between 2007-2010. converted between 2007-2010. Several rather large spots of conversion occurred in the montane forests also between 2007-2010.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 42 HEART OF BORNEO Projections For 2020

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 43 The total forest cover of Borneo in 2020 If the 2007-12 deforestation rates is projected to be 24%. If the 2007-2012 continue, then in 2020 the remaining deforestation rates continue. This is a extents will be: total projected forest loss of 21.46 million Lowland rainforest: 33%; upland rainfor- hectares between 2007-2020. Less than est 71%; montane forests 81%; limestone 6% of the historical lowland forest extent forest 69%; heath forest 14%; freshwater might be left in 2020 with the same swamp forest 48%; peat swamp forest deforestation rates (and no conservation 38% and mangroves 78%. interventions are taken). Only upland forest and montane forest might fare better with large areas remaining in 2020. Projection with conservation interventions Conservation goals and It is still possible to reach the 2020 goals projections for 2020 for most of the ecosystems of the Heart of Borneo: WWF has set goals for the ideal remaining extents of each of the major ecosys- To preserve at least 50% of the histori- tems of the Heart of Borneo in 2020. All cal extent of lowland rainforest, annual of these goals were still met in 2012, with deforestation should be below 0.8%; the exception of the heath forest goal. To retain at least 80% of the upland rain- Projections of the 2007-2012 deforesta- forests, annual deforestation rates should tion rates up to 2020 indicate however not exceed 0.15%; that these goals will not be reached in Montane forests and limestone ecosys- 2020 if the current deforestation rates tems can be mostly preserved if deforest- remain high. The good news is that there ation rates remain as low as in 2010-12; is a common willingness of the governments of Sabah, Sarawak, Brunei and Most of the heath forests have gone but Indonesia to reduce these deforestation 25% can still be preserved only if all rates and the goals can still be reached if deforestation is stopped; sufficient conservation interventions are To preserve at least 50% of the peat in place. swamp forest, annual deforestation rates should be below 1.6%. Projection with 2007-12 deforestation rates The goals for remaining extents for 2020 are: Lowland rainforest: 50-60% of historical extent; upland rainforest: at least 80%; montane forest: at least 80%; limestone forest: 60-80%; heath forest: 60-80%; freshwater swamp forest: 50-60%; peat swamp forest: 50-75% and mangroves: at least 80% of historical extent remaining in 2020.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 44 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 45 THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 46 HEART OF BORNEO PUTTING THE HEART OF BORNEO ON THE MAP Discussions to the maps

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 47 Lowland rainforest ecosystems

The remaining lowland rainforests are in a variety of conditions, but only about 20% can be considered pristine. Most forests have been subject to some form of timber exploitation.

Lowland rainforests are the habitats of thou- as Danum valley and Deramakot. Along the sands of exclusive animal and plant species Labuk river in the north of Sabah are still that do not occur anywhere else, due to the valleys with lowland rainforest, that likely very specific ecological conditions. Elevation have unique species compositions. is a key factor in determining the species Brunei has still large areas of lowland distribution. Vegetation structure also rainforests which remained mainly intact reaches its highest diversity in the lowlands. between 2007-2013. Some deforestation occurred in the upper Belait area. The historic extent and the land cover Deforestation of small areas of lowland rain- changes until 2007 were discussed in the forest in the HoB part of Sarawak occurred previous environmental status report. in many valleys surrounded by upland and Between 2007 and 2013 many alterations montane forests. The largest remaining area occurred in- and outside of the HoB. By the of lowland rainforest is in the LanjakEn- end of 2012 56% of the historical extent of timau Wildlife Sanctuary and is relatively lowland rainforest of the HoB remained, undisturbed. which implies a loss of almost 900.000 ha between 2007-2013. The few remaining lowland forests of West Kalimantan appear to be gradually disap- Although many of the lowland rainforests pearing, except inside in the valleys of the of Sabah were converted before 2007, there upland protected areas. were still some large areas left within the Most of the lowlands west of the DanauSe- HoB in 2007. Many of these areas were ntarum complex were converted earlier deforested after 2007. The deforestation with only patches left in 2007. About half occurred particularly strong in upper Kina- of these were converted in 2007-2012 and batangan and Segama watersheds in the east the process continues, which implies that and along the Sugutriver in the north. The in a few more years there will be hardly any remaining lowland rainforests are at least lowland rainforest left in the part of the still connected to upland forests. The largest province. The northern foot slopes of Bukit stretches are in the middle Kinabatangan Baka-Bukit Raya national park underwent watershed and in well-managed areas such

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 48 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 49 small-scale conversions, probably for shift- generally patchy but occurs at a large scale ing cultivation. The best surviving lowland throughout the area. The Sebuku area and forests are located in between the ridges of the vicinity of Malinau underwent rather the northern and eastern mountains ranges. large areas of forest conversion.

The largest extent of lowland rainforest of The remaining lowland rainforests are in a the HoB is found in Central Kalimantan. The variety of conditions, but only about 20% eastern foot slopes of the Muller-Schwaner can be considered pristine. Most forests mountain range, including the Bukit Bati- have been subject to some form of timber kap area are covered by wide stretches of exploitation. lowland forests that are connected to upland and montane forests. The middle Barito watershed has many isolated lowland forests The consequences of the disappearance of left in the valleys. this ecosystem can be measured on a global scale as it is home to thousands of species The southern foot slopes of the Bukit Baka- found nowhere else. Bukit Raya however underwent much forest conversion between 2007-2012. An area of Regeneration of lowland rainforest is a major concern is the upper Seruyan, where very long process and it is not possible to much lowland forest conversion occurred completely restore the original primary spe- between 2010-2013 in a gradual, and thus cies composition and vegetation structure of less detectable, way. Forest conversion in large disturbed forest areas. the MuaraTeweh area has been going on for The tropical rainforest is an extremely decades and still continues. heterogenous ecosystem and has many local variations of species composition, with many species found only in a certain part East Kalimantan still has vast areas of low- of Borneo. If for instance all of the lowland land rainforest, which occur mainly in the rainforests of West Kalimantan disappear eastern part of the HoB. These are the low- while all of the remaining lowland rainfor- lands of the middle Mahakam watershed the ests of East Kalimantan are preserved, it still lowlands of Barau, and the footslopes and implies the extinction of multiple species. valleys of the northern mountain ranges. Conversion of lowland forest occurred particularly along the Mahakam river and its tributaries, the Belayan, Senyur and Telen rivers. Deforestation in the Berau area is

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 50 HEART OF BORNEO Upland rainforest ecosystems

Upland forest is actually a very broad classification and the delineation and identification on the map is based mainly on average elevation transitions of lowland and montane forests.

Upland rainforest has a less complex veg- 2007. This area with the town of Keningau etation structure than lowland rainforest in the center has been an important agricul- but can still be extremely rich in species. tural area for many decades. Conversions The canopy of this ecosystem has a higher between 2007-2012 occurred mainly in the variety of tree species than the canopy of southern interior of Sabah. Along the upper lowland forest as the dominance of the Dip- Sembakungriver most forests were convert- terocarpaceae is less strong. ed, and the impacts are clearly visible from the turbid water of the lower Sembakung in East Kalimantan. The entire Serudong river Upland forest is actually a very broad clas- valley was converted as well as many forest sification and the delineation and iden- patches of the Segama watershed. Deforesta- tification on the map is based mainly on tion is also clearly visible along the Ranau- average elevation transitions of lowland Sandakan road. Forest conversion declined and montane forests. Geomorphology and after 2010. soils are major determining factors to the In Brunei some smaller areas were deforest- distribution of upland rainforest along the ed in the upper Temburong watershed. This altitudinal gradients. A very wide ecological is remarkable as the area is protected. variation exists within upland forests and many interesting local types can be distinguished. The HoB part of Sarawak is generally moun- It is by far the largest ecosystem of the HoB. tainous but the elevations of the southern section are largely below 800 m asl. and Still more than 80% of the historical extent here are large stretches of upland forests. of upland rainforest remained in 2013. It Patchy forest conversions occurred along should however be considered that between many of the edges. The largest conversions 2007-2012 a total of more than 600,000 ha occurred in the upper Baram SW of Long was deforested. This might not be immedi- Banga and along the Malarang and Baleh ately noticed on the map, as the conversions rivers. were of relatively small areas, but it nevertheless occurred throughout the HoB. In West Kalimantan small areas were converted throughout the Nanga Pinoh The largest conversions of upland forest area, adding up to a rather large total area occurred in Sabah where the entire area east of deforestation. Along the northern foot of the Crocker range was converted before

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 51 slopes of Bukit Baka-Bukit Raya also some Most of the small-scale conversions in conversion occurred, but much was con- Kalimantan comprised opening of new land verted before 2007. forest shifting cultivation. (land used for this rotation purpose that was converted less In Central Kalimantan patchy upland forest than 10 years ago does not appear as forest conversion occurred mainly in the southern- in the classification) most section of the HoB such as the southern foot slopes of Bukit Baka-Bukit Raya, Continuation of changes as occurred the upper Seruyan and the upper Samba. In between 2007-2012 can have large conse- the interior conversion took place particu- quences. larly along thJoloi river. In Sabah it could lead to the loss of many In East Kalimantan conversion of occurred species. The situation in Kalimantan is in small areas throughout the province. still relatively safe but should be guarded Along most of the medium sized rivers such to avoid too much conversion of the edges a the Telen, Wahau, Kelai, Malinau and Se- where many upland species from lower buku small-scale conversion occurred. Along elevations are centered. the Kayan and Bahau rivers many patches were converted but mainly before 2007.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 52 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 53 Montane ecosystems

Many endemic species are found here, and some species occur only on one or a few mountain summits. These include unique plant species but also endemic montane bird species.

Since most of the mountain ranges of In West Kalimantan, rather large areas were Borneo are inside the HoB boundaries, converted in the mountains south of Nanga montane ecosystems naturally are very well Pinoh. The patchy conversions in the upper represented here, comprising one quarter of Kapuas watershed occurred mainly before the HoB. 2007. Many endemic species are found here, and Rather large tracts were converted along some species occur only on one or a few the southern foot slopes of Bukit Baka- mountain summits. These include unique Bukit Raya in Central Kalimantan up to plant species but also endemic montane bird 2010. In the upper Barito/Murung area species. west of Purukcahu numerous small tracts were converted, though mainly for shifting Montane ecosystems remained mainly cultivation. intact in 2007, and large scale conversions occurred only in Sabah, mainly for the culti- In East Kalimantan patchy conversion vation of temperate vegetable species. These occurred throughout the mountain areas. agricultural areas were expanded until 2010, Some of these deforested tracts in the upper after which no further conversions took Segah and middle Kayan area are related to place. Still 90% of the historical extent in the over-harvesting of montane timber species. HoB remained in 2013. Conversion for shifting cultivation in many locations, particularly around KayanMenta- The upper Padas area of Sabah however rang national park, declined after 2010. needs attention as rather large areas of montane forests were converted here with still The ecosystem can be considered the least some conversion going on. threatened of the HoB. However small-scale conversions need to be monitored not only The deforestation of a large area in the Iran because of species conservation but also to Range of Sarawak appears to be related to avoid erosion problems that are prone to the harvest of Agathis timber. This montane occur in this fragile ecosystem tree species has a high commercial value and is particularly common in that mountain range. Small-scale conversions in Sarawak occurred in the upper Baram and upper Baleh.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 54 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 55 Freshwater swamp ecosystems

Large areas of freshwater swamps and forests are found only in Brunei and West Kalimantan.

The soils of freshwater swamps are often have remained mostly intact since historical extremely rich in nutrients and productiv- times. Several spots of deforestation could ity is very high. Species composition as very however be detected not just along the edges different from peat swamp forest and also but also in the interior, and these should be different, but with some species in common, monitored. from any surrounding lowland forest. The situation in West Kalimantan is very dif- Not all natural freshwater swamps are for- ferent. Originally large areas of freshwater ested and there are usually locations that are swamps were located in the middle Kapuas permanently inundated which are covered and DanauSentarum area. More than half of only by herbaceous vegetation. these areas were converted before 2007 and conversion continued until 2013. This is a Large areas of freshwater swamps and gradual process of opening small fields along forests are found only in Brunei and West the edges at a time, but in many locations. If Kalimantan. this process continues than only a few small Smaller areas are often present along many protected areas of freshwater swamps will of the major rivers throughout the HoB. remain in the near future. However due to the scale and resolution of Species composition of freshwater swamp the images these cannot be clearly displayed forests differs strongly from place to place. on the maps here. Some of these small areas The freshwater swamps of Brunei are in Sabah and Central Kalimantan are rea- completely different from those in West sonably well documented particularly when Kalimantan, and the small riparian swamps these are inhabited by conspicuous wildlife throughout Borneo are different again. It such as proboscis monkeys. Other small is therefore not sufficient for biodiversity riparian freshwater swamps, particularly conservation to rely on the preservation of in East Kalimantan, remain unnoticed and the Brunei swamps only. might even disappear. Many of the down- stream freshwater swamp areas have been converted to agriculture. Really large areas of freshwater swamps are only present in Brunei and West Kaliman- tan. The Belai watershed of Brunei has extensive stretches of freshwater swamp forest which

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 56 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 57 Peat swamp forest ecosystems

The largest peat swamp forests of the HoB are situated around the DanauSentarum area of the middle Kapuas basin.

The peat swamp ecosystems were formed saved them from conversion. in areas where peat accumulation occurred Large areas were already converted before for thousands of years. The peat is saturated 2007. Conversion of large remaining tracts with water and partly inundated for most in the western section continued so that by times of the year. Water inflow in mainly the end of 2012 the entire area had been from rivers and direct rainfall, but due to the converted. In the eastern section conversion permanent decomposition of organic mate- of patches occurred, but this area can still be rial, particularly leaves, the water in peat saved. swamps is acid and typically reddish-brown in color. The middle Mahakam landscape is compa- rable to the middle Kapuas in that is also Peat swamp forest is a very important eco- shaped like a wide basin with low elevations. system op Borneo, defining wide landscapes Peat swamp forests are also present in the in West and Central Kalimantan. These vicinity of the Mahakam lakes. The largest areas are however not part of the Heart section of peat swamps is situation around of Borneo, as the defined boundaries of MuaraAncalon and these swamps have not the HoB are located north of the coastal been converted. Development of this area lowlands, following the foot slopes of the for oil palm plantations were abandoned interior mountain ranges. because of major problems of drainage and The larger peat swamps of the HoB are loca- perhaps also because of pressure to preserve tion in located in wide depressions of the the unique ecosystem, which is home to the landscape along major rivers. Smaller peat critically endangered freshwater crocodile swamps can be found behind river levees Crocodylussiamensis. and even in the high mountains, in locations It is true that still large areas of this ecosys- with high rainfall and little drainage. These tem remain in Borneo.The species composi- small peat swamps, usually with an area tion but also the vegetation structure of the of less than 10 ha, are hard to map but are interior peat swamps however is unique and found throughout the HoB. incomparable to the coastal peat swamps. The peat swamps of the interior have a very In fact these might be considered as two different species composition compared to different ecosystems. Even the Kapuas peat the lowland peat swamp forests of the coast- swamps differ strongly from the Mahakam al areas of West and Central Kalimantan peat swamps. It is therefore a conservation priority to protect as much as possible of The largest peat swamp forests of the HoB these peat swamp areas. are situated around the DanauSentarum area of the middle Kapuas basin. These are also some of the best studied peat swamps of Borneo, but unfortunately this fact has not

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 58 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 59 Heath forest ecosystems

Heath forest is the most threatened ecosystem of the HoB. It is often relatively accessible but cannot stand much exploitation.

Heath forest is a unique ecosystem that The heath forests of the Maliau basin of Sa- developed on soils that are extremely poor bah are all but inaccessible to heavy logging in nutrients. In Borneo these are mainly equipment and have never been disturbed. terrains on sandstone plateaus with typically The largest stretches of heath forest of the soils composed of white sand and loam. The HoB are in the periphery of the DanauSen- vegetation is very different from surround- tarum of West Kalimantan ing forests that developed on the common soil types. The most striking difference Most of the southern and northwestern noticed is the very high density of trees with section of this area was converted before small diameters, which often have small 2007, with a few tracts remaining. Conver- leathery leaves. The decomposition of these sion continued from the edges inward after leaves is slow, resulting in thick layers of 2008, and in 2013 only a few of the inner humus and reddish colored water draining and wettest parts remain. The northern and from these forests. Degraded heath forest eastern sections were much better preserved might never recover completely, but remain until 2007, but then patchy conversion shrub lands for centuries. If disturbances started to occur from the edges, and this still continue than former heath forest can continues, albeit on a smaller scale. become almost completely devoid of vegeta- A large area of heath forest used to be pre- tion, leaving large tracts of exposed white sent in the Simenggaris area in the north of sands. East Kalimantan. Half of this was converted Small areas of heath forest developed before 2007, and all remaining heath forest throughout the Borneo where the specific was converted between 2010-2012. All what geomorphology of sandstone required so. is presently left is a wide plain of mainly Montane heath forests can be found on weeds with some open spots of white sand small plateaus with high elevations and are that indicates that this once was a heath often dominated by conifers. River levees forest. in sandstone areas of the HoB are often Even though there are many small areas covered by another type of heath forest. This of heath forest left throughout the interior is the habitat of the famous black orchid of the HoB, the stretches of heath forest (Coelogynepandurata). All heath forest around the Kapuas lakes had its unique ecol- types have small numbers of various species ogy of wide heath areas. It is also a crucial of pitcher plants (Nepenthes) in their under part of the landscape that ranges from the storey. lake bottoms to the hills.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 60 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 61 Limestone forest ecosystems

Entire landscapes defined by limestone geomorphology are found in the Mulu area of Sarawak and the Sangkulirang peninsula of East Kalimantan. The latter is not part of the HoB but is in need of more attention for conservation.

Smaller limestone formations and outcrops The limestone ridges south of Nanga Pinoh occur scattered throughout the HoB, often in West Kalimantan are still in good shape in the form of ridges or small hills. Even and completely undisturbed. in high upstream areas surrounded by Along the middle Mahakam are several rath- mountains. Such as for instance the upper er large complexes of limestone ridges which Murung area, limestone formations can be were partly disturbed before 2007. Although found. Given the origin of these formations, mainly remaining intact afterward, still a being ancient coral reefs, this fact illustrates few deforestation spots could be detected. the complicated geological history of Bor- neo. Caves have often developed in lime- It should be kept in mind that deforestation stone formations and the locations of these of limestone forests is almost irreversible. are usually well known to local communi- The limestone ridges and cliffs along the ties, since edible bird nests can be harvested Kayan and Segah rivers were largely intact from here. The smaller limestone formations in 2007. Afterward deforestation occurred could not be mapped, but are generally not of rather large tracts of the more accessible threatened by conversion. locations. This appeared tocaused by op- The limestone forests of the Mulu area in portunistic or illegal logging. [even though Sarawak are well preserved, not in the least the volume of timber of these forests is low] because of income generated from visitors The limestone complexes of these areas who want to enjoy the natural beauty. It have never been seriously investigated even is therefore remarkable that a raher large though they are clearly visible from the limestone forest north of LahadDatu was river. converted before opportunities for eco-tour- ism could be explored.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 62 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 63 Viable populations of clouded leopard

Clouded leopards are among the top predators of Borneo

Clouded leopards appear to be present in became fragmented and much less connect- most of the forested areas of Borneo. Densi- ed than before. This could have a negative ties are always very low, as the species is impact on the survival of healthy popula- territorial and leaves a solitary life most of tions of clouded leopards in the long term. the time. The territory of each individual is The Kinabatangan watershed was particu- large with hardly any overlap, and clouded larly strongly affected and although solitary leopards roam over rather large distances in animals will continue to live there for many search for prey. The range of habitats is wide decades, this species might in the end disap- and clouded leopard have been recorded pear from here. from coastal peat swamp forests to moun- The upper Balui and Malarang sub- tain ridges more than 1500 m above sea watersheds in Sarawak became strongly level. The knowledge on clouded leopards fragmented with large open areas between has increased significantly in the last 15 2007-2010. This part of the HoB connects to years due to various research both on genet- forest areas that are still largely forested. ics as well as behavior. Sizes of territories are better understood which made it pos- It is possible that clouded leopards become sible to make decent estimates of the total locally extinct in most of the lowlands of area required for a viable population. For an West Kalimantan. Nearly all of the western animal of these characteristics it is assumed part of the HoB, particularly the area west of that a population should number at least DanauSentarum is severely fragmented. 50 individuals to remain viable in the long The situation in Central Kalimantan looks term. Areas should not just be large enough generally much better for the clouded leop- but also be devoid of large-scale disturbanc- ard, although the deforestation and frag- es, since clouded leopards and very sensitive mentation in one part, the upper Seruyan, is to this and might not reproduce in such situ- quite alarming. ations. The map of suitable clouded leopard habitats was therefore produced by applying The edges of the HoB part of East Kalim- an algorithm that takes into account the antan appear to become highly disturbed areas of uninterrupted forest blocks that habitats for clouded leopards. Indeed are theoretically large enough to support a several cases were reported from these areas viable population of clouded leopards. The of solitary clouded leopards entering villages minimum area would be between 350 and or fields. The Berau and Sebuku districts un- 625 km2 of uninterrupted forest blocks. derwent much recent fragmentation. Some of the many unsuitable tracts in the interior This is why the situation in Sabah appears of the province might recover with second- as a drastic reduction - not because the area ary forests. was completely deforested but because it

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 64 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 65 Orangutan

The HoB comprises predominantly high- corridor between 2010-2012. In the middle lands and mountains, and is therefore not Melawi and Sebut areas rather large areas the most suitable habitats for orangutans. of orangutan habitat were lost before 2007, Nevertheless most of the lower areas were but nowadays the situation appears to be historically inhabited by populations of or- relatively stable. angutans. Forest conversion has severe im- In the HoB part of Central Kalimantan many pact on orangutan populations. Even good- rather large patches of orangutan habitat in willing plantation companies that set aside the upper Seruyan were converted before conservation areas can often not guarantee 2007, and this occurred again albeit at a the survival of an entire population except smaller scale, between 2010-2012. for a few individuals. Orangutans require large areas to find enough fruit trees, and The HoB part of East Kalimantan has only most tree species of Borneo bear fruit only relatively small areas of orangutan habitats during relatively short periods. The HCVF and even these have been subject to conver- areas of plantations are often rather narrow sion and hunting. The upper Belayan used strips of forest and even though companies to be an important habitat, but many large went all the way to ensure connectivity patches were converted between 2010-2012. to forest areas behind the plantations, it Individual orangutan are still living in a remains a fact that part of the foraging area number of conservation forest strips, but it of the orangutans has disappeared. On the will be very difficult to retain them as a vi- other hand, forests that are exploited by able population. logging companies can often still support In the Kelai areas Segah of Berau also oc- orangutan populations. curred conversion of habitats. In Sabah large areas of orangutan habi- The Sebukuorangutandistribution is a tat were converted between 2004-2007. strange case. The remaining habitats are This process appeared to have continued in reasonable good condition, but during afterward and particularly the habitats in several surveys in the last years, not a single the eastern and central part of Sabah were orangutan could be found. Hunting was further reduced, while in the western part reported to be rampant in this area. such as the Crocker range the habitats were saved. The orangutan habitats around Da- Nowadays three sub-species of orangutan in num valleys are still in good conditions, but Borneo are distinguished: Pongopygmaeus- everywhere along the edges habitats were pygmaeus, Pongopygmaeuswurmbii and converted. Pongopygmaeusmorio. The population of the subspecies pygmaeus is the smallest and Orangutan habitats of the HoB part of was severely reduced until 2010, after which Sarawak exist only in the south, particularly the situation has somewhat stabilized. the Lanjak-Entimau and Batang Ai conservation areas. The situation has been stable The third subspecies morio was considered after 2007 with no further habitat conver- the least threatened but in recent years their sions. habitat and distribution has diminished much more than expected. In West Kalimantan surprisingly many tracts of orangutan habitat were converted in the DanauSentarum-BetungKerihun

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 66 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 67 Bornean elephant

The hearts of young oil palms is very much liked by elephants, which leads to conflicts with parties that the elephants consider as food-providing intruders.

The elephants of Borneo (Elephasmaximus- The connectivity between Sabah and the borneensis) always had a limited distribu- East Kalimantan habitats of Sebuku is also tion concentrated in the south-eastern sec- threatened. This could result in the disap- tion of Sabah. This can be explained by the pearance of all the elephants of Indonesian theory that the first elephants might have Borneo, as this population needs to move been released at the east coast of Sabah. A between the Sebuku habitat and the south- discussion on the issue was provided in the ernmost part of Sabah to find sufficient food previous environmental status report. sources throughout the year. The total elephant population appears to The extent of suitable habitats has decreased be stable, but the distribution and suitable in areas where the forests were converted habitats have been further reduced during into plantations that are not accessible to the last five years. Killing of elephants did elephants. The hearts of young oil palms is occur but on a relatively small scale. Most of very much liked by elephants, which leads the elephants that lost their homes moved to to conflicts with parties that the elephants other areas, which have become increasingly consider as food-providing intruders. less available. Many elephants moved into the Kina- batangan area, which might now become overpopulated. The connectivity between the remaining populations is also still decreasing. This particularly a very important problem between the Kinabatangan and southern areas.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 68 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 69 Rhinoceros

The original rhino population of Borneo was almost exterminated mainly because of excessive hunting.

The major issue to conservation of the rhi- It is still possible for some of the remaining noceros in Borneo is not the lack of habitat rhinos to move to additional suitable habi- or decreasing distribution range, but quite tats in the the interior of Sabah, although simple the very low number of remaining they will have to cross through a fragmented individuals. The original rhino population forest landscape. of Borneo was almost exterminated mainly because of excessive hunting. Monitoring the forest cover of the distribution range however gives a good indication of potential disturbances to the last rhinos there. Minor forest conversions occurred between 2010-2012, but mainly at the edges.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 70 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 71 Endemic Dipterocarpaceae

The Dipterocarpaceae can be considered as one of the most important plant families of Borneo because of the many tree species that usually dominate the lowland and upland rainforests.

The Dipterocarpaceae can be considered mapped by combining geomorphology as one of the most important plant fami- information with distribution records from lies of Borneo because of the many tree literature and field surveys. species that usually dominate the lowland The HoB has several areas with high con- and upland rainforests. Although several centrations of endemic Dipterocarpaceae. species are very common and well-known Many of these underwent only a limited area timber trees, Borneo has also many endemic reduction during 2007-2012, which is quite species with a limited and disjunct distribu- remarkable as most of the locations are tion. Some species areer even classified as outside protected areas. Their remoteness “hyper-endemic”, which means that they are makesthese locations a less attractive target found only in a single or a few small areas. for plantations or even logging. These species deserve special attention as they are easily threatened by extinction. More accessible areas such as the upper Most Dipterocarpaceae have commercial Kelai and Segah in Berau however were values and logging companies usually group partly converted between 2010-2012. several species in single classes, such as “red It might be possible that this could cause the meranti”, “white meranti”. Hyper-endemic local extinction of endemic species before species can, whether or not accidentally, fall their actual discovery. in these classes and be harvested. Endemic Dipterocarpaceae are present throughout the forests of Borneo but certain areas have high concentrations of endem- ics. These are usually wide lowland valleys and the foot slopes of wide uplands. The high concentration areas were tentatively

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 72 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 73 Endemic Fagaceae

The species composition of Fagaceae and other plant families in the western part of Borneo is to a certain extent different from that in the eastern part.

The Fagaceae is another important plant Most of the locations are within protected family in Borneo that usually make up a areas and reduction of these areas was very large section of the trees of the montane limited. The locations in the upper Kapuas forests. At higher elevations these species are of West Kalimantan should however are often dominant or co-dominant with the be monitored. The species composition of Myrtaceae. The Fagaceae are usually very Fagaceae and other plant families in the common in upland forests, particularly in western part of Borneo is to a certain extent areas with less fertile soils. In lowland for- different from that in the eastern part. ests Fagaceae are usually common smaller trees of the lower canopies. A high number of endemic species are found on Borneo and most of these endem- ics are montane species. Hyper-endemism is probably not an issue with the Fagaceae, and most of the montane areas are wide and connected. However many of these areas particularly in Kalimantan have not yet been fully explored, and species new to science might show up in the future. The map of high concentrations of endemic species in the HoB was made in the same way as for the Dipterocarpaceae.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 74 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 75 Endemic Nepenthaceae

The Nepenthaceae are good indicators for the condition and protection of fragile ecosystems.

The Nepenthaceae or Pitcher Plants are A number of tracts were converted in Sabah plant species that grow in extreme condi- between 2007-2010. This occurred mainly tions with a very limited availability of along the edges of the eastern concentration nutrients such as heath soils and mountain area of the Crocker range that is outside the summits. The species are adapted to these national park. Some conversion also oc- conditions by being able to extract nutri- curred in the upper Padas area. ents from insects and other animals that In Central Kalimantan several tracts have get caught in the specialized pitchers. The been converted along the southern slopes Nepenthaceae are good indicators for the of Bukit Baka - Bukit Raya. This process condition and protection of fragile ecosys- started already several years before 2007 tems. The species of this plant family that and continued until 2011. Currently this are endemic to Borneo in particular are national park appears to be better protected found only in very specific habitats. as no further conversions were recorded. The HoB has several Nepenthes species that In East Kalimantan spots were converted in are extremely rare and hyper-endemic, with the mountain ridge north of Wa’yagung in species such as the famous giant Nepenthes KayanMentarang national park and in the rajah known only from a few spots on mount southern part of the Apokayan. These were Kinabalu. The distribution locations of shifting cultivation field and some large most of the hyper-endemic are well known landslides. A recovering landslide terrain and are frequently investigated. Many of where the top soil has disappeared is actu- the other endemic Nepenthaceae such as ally a good habitats for certain Nepentes Nepenthes veitchii are less known though species which are often among the first re- new records occasionally are found during colonizing plants here. surveys to remote locations. Concluding, it can be asserted that the con- Areas with concentrations of endemic Ne- versions and habitat disturbances occurred penthaceae were mapped mainly by using mainly with the more common endemic spe- the distribution records from literature and cies that are known from several locations. field surveys. All of these areas encompass The rarest species are well protected though fragile habitats of upland sandstone plateaus with some exceptions. The situation is criti- as well as steep slopes and summits of cal with very high risk of extinction for Ne- mountains in the HoB. Most of these sites penthes clipeata which is only known from a are within protected areas. However some single small area in West Kalimantan. of the areas, particularly in Kalimantan, are not strictly protected; this includes the area with the previously only known locations of Nepenthes campanulata.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 76 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 77 Banteng

The distribution of these wild cattle is still not completely understood but it is assumed that bantengs were formerly more widespread in the coastal regions of Borneo that have since been cultivated.

The wild cattle from Borneo, the banteng or The banteng distribution of Sabah is the tembadau (Bosjavanicus) are typical forest reasonably well documented, starting with edge herbivores, foraging mainly by grazing a large faunal survey in 1982. The banteng and browsing. Their preferred habitats are population of KayanMentarang is rather lowland and upland forests with an open well know; here is a large population living vegetation structure. Dry forests with open around the (artificial) grasslands of the spots of grassland and shrubs are their ideal upper Bahau, with smaller groups in some habitats. These are usually areas of former other locations of the national park. Banteng but long-time abandoned shifting cultiva- records from other parts of Kalimantan are tion, and the grasslands are often retained usually made on an ad hoc basis. Occasion- as such through occasional burning by ally records appear from a few bantengs local communities. However ths does not seen in the interior of Central Kalimantan. involuntarily imply that all of these second- Documentation of banteng distribution from ary forest landscapes in Borneo are home to the 1930's indeed indicate many locations bantengs. The distribution of these wild cat- in Central and East Kalimantan. A number tle is still not completely understood but it is of these populations appear to have gone lo- assumed that bantengs were formerly more cally extinct since then. Bantengs are hunted widespread in the coastal regions of Borneo in an opportunistic way for their meat but that have since been cultivated. particularly for trophies. A reliable distribution for Borneo map has never been made and the current attempt is based mainly on records from “grey literature” and surveys.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 78 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 79 Lowland forest in protected, logging and plantations

protected: the southernmost section of the HoB, but also most of the lowlands of the interior. Only few of the lowland rainforests of the HoB A large part of the lowland forest of the upper are inside protected areas. Mahakam area of East Kalimantan are inside Small areas of pure lowland rainforest, below logging concessions. Almost all of the lowland 300 m asl, occur in Danum valley in Sabah. forests of Berau (upper Kelai and Segah rivers) The Temburong district of Brunei has a large are inside logging concessions as are the low- area of protected lowland rainforest. Other lands of the middle Kayan and Malinaurivers small protected areas are present in the up- further to the north. stream borders with Sarawak. Batang Ai and LanjakEntimau in Sarawak have forest in plantations (thus will be significant areas of lowland forests very rich in converted): species. The lowland forests of BetungKerihun are restricted to the river valleys of this moun- Several areas of lowland rainforests within the tainous national park. Bukit Baka Bukit Raya HoB are inside inside plantation concessions has large stretches of lowland forest on the and are in the process of being converted. wide southern foot slopes. The other protected Many of the last tracts of the lowland forest areas of Kalimantan are mainly above 300 west of DanauSentarum will be converted to m asl and have only a few lower river valleys. oil palm plantations. Several areas in the south In KayanMentarang for instance, there are of West Kalimantan are to be converted to a few tracts of lowland forest in the eastern pulpwood plantations. In this area it particu- Tubu area and along some tributaries of the larly Pinus that is planted, while otherwise it is Bahauriver. usually Acacia. forest under logging concessions: In the Seruyan area of Central Kalimantan are several smaller plantation concessions to The only lowland rainforest outside protected convert lowland rainforest. areas in the HoB part of Sarawak is located in Plantation development and expansion in the the river valleys of the upper Rajang water- Mahakam watershed of East Kalimantan has shed. been going on for more than decade. Here A large part of the remaining lowland rainfor- are large areas of oilpalm plantations that ests of Kalimantan are inside active logging will further convert lowland forest. The first concessions. Selective logging should retain oilpalm plantations in Malinau district and the forest that can recover and remain productive Sembakung area were established some years for the future. Although most species might be later than in the south, but are now expanding. able to survive in logged-over forest, the deli- cate vegetation structure of primary lowland remaining, with unclear status: rainforest will be lost. Large areas of lowland rainforest are currently The HoB part of West Kalimantan has large not inside logging or plantation concessions areas of lowland logging concessions in the but all of these lands are allocated to a form Sintang and Melawi areas. of land use in the various spatial plans of the Most of the lowland rainforests of the HoB are governments. Most of these areas in Kaliman- found in Central Kalimantan and the largest tan are allocated as limited production forest areas are inside logging concessions. These and are thus supposed to remain covered by include nearly all of the lowland south of Bukit forest, but there are also some areas that can Baka Bukit Raya and the upper Katingan in be converted.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 80 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 81 Upland forest in protected, logging and plantations

Nearly all of the land in East Kalimantan between the highest mountain ridges in the west and the lowlands in the east is covered by upland forest.

protected: though several areas will probably retained as “protection forest” (hutanlindung). The total area of upland rainforest inside protected areas is rather large but probably Upland rainforest is the largest ecosystem not sufficient for adequate conservation of of the HoB part of Central Kalimantan. The the entire ecosystem and all of its species in area that is strictly protected will increase the HoB. Several forest areas however that once the Muller-Schwanner conservation are currently not strictly protected will still initiative gets implemented. be preserved in some kind of conservation Nearly all of the land in East Kalimantan status to function as erosion- and hydrologi- between the highest mountain ridges in the cal protection on steep slopes. west and the lowlands in the east is covered The upland forests of the Crocker range of by upland forest. The area inside Kayan- Sabah are all protected, as are the uplands of Mentarang is strictly protected. danum valley and Maliau. The status of the Danum, Maliau, Crocker range, largest areas in the interior of Sabah how- LanjakEntimau&Batang Ai, LanjakEntimau, ever is unclear and part of it might become BetungKerihun, Bukit BakaBukti Raya, subject to conversion once there is no more Muller-Schwaner, KayanMentarang lowland left to be developed. The wide upland forests of LanjakEntimau and Batang Ai in Sarawak are inside these protected areas but otherwise hardly any up- forest under logging lands are strictly protected. This situation is concessions: remarkable given the fact that most of these The highest volumes of commercial timber uplands of the interior mountain ridges are are harvested from lowland rainforests characterized by steep slopes and serve very where the highest densities of Dipterocar- important hydrological functions for the paceae are found. Now that most of the productive lowlands of Sarawak. lowland forests of Borneo have been logged, Most land of BetungKerihun is upland for- logging companies operate in the upland est and encompasses the largest stretch of forests, their second best option. Upland this ecosystem in West Kalimantan. The forests generally have lower densities of northern slopes of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya commercial tree species and are more are also covered by large areas of upland remote. The geomorphology of upland forest forest. Otherwise none of the upland forests landscapes is more complex than the low- of West Kalimantan are strictly protected, lands which implies that certain parts of the

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 82 HEART OF BORNEO areas cannot be logged without high risks of palm plantation development. The upper soil destruction or terrain degradation. elevation limit for productive oil palm is at around 500 m asl. In West Kalimantan relatively few logging companies are currently active within the Some upland forests at lower elevations HoB. This is mainly because the remaining edging lowlands have been converted for oil upland forests are all remote locations with palm plantations in Sabah and West Kalim- limited accessibility that makes it difficult antan. No oil palm plantations exist that are and expensive to transport logs to coastal entirely in uplands. areas. Several upland forest areas in the interior The situation is different in Central Kali- of Central Kalimantan are inside oil palm mantan, where several rivers that are still concessions. These are interesting to com- wide even far upstream make it possible to panies particularly because of the favorable transport logs from the uplands. Several locations along the Barito and Murung river roads also provide access to the remote inte- and are part of lowland plantations. rior. Many active logging concessions reach Certain tree species planted for pulpwood all the way the to foot slopes of the highest production can grow on higher elevations mountain complexes of Central Kalimantan. but fastest-growing species that are most In East Kalimantan, logging concessions profitable to companies (Acacia&Albizia have been operating along the Mahakam spp.) are mainly lowland species. river and its tributaries for several decades. A relatively large area of upland forest in Now that all lowland forests of these areas the upper Seruyan (Arabela) area in West have been logged, concessions have expand- Kalimantan is processed to be converted to ing to the uplands and most of the upland pulpwood plantations. The species usually forests being harvested. Further to the north planted in the upland plantations of West the development of large-scale commercial Kalimantan is Pinusmerkusii. logging started later (in the 1990's) but has since then rapidly expanded to most of the lowland and from there into the uplands. remaining, with unclear status: Sabah: forest in plantations (thus will In Sabah nearly all of the upland forests be converted): outside of protected forest is allocated as Oil palms grow best at sites with low eleva- in production forest concessions “Forest tions and high volumes of rainfall through- Reserve” class II- Commercial forest out the year. Soil fertility is hardly an issue The upland forests of the upper Temburong to companies as profits are thus high that area in Brunei are not strictly protected, but they can afford it to grow the oil palms com- are still to be preserved as protection forest pletely on fertilizers. The upland rainforests, for the healthy landscape ecology function- which grow on land above 300 m asl, are ing. therefore only marginally suitable for oil

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 83 Most of the upland forests of Sarawak are Raya, MuaraTeweh These areas often still not protected. The current status of most connect to each other and it is one of the of the these forests is production forest of most important challenges of the HoB initia- which the largest part will be retained as tive to preserve these forests. forest. This propitious situation is similar or even large areas of upland forests to the east of better in East Kalimantan where large the DanauSentarum- BetungKerihun cor- upland forest areas are present and still ridor and south of the Kapuas river in West connected in the HoB parts of Kutai Barat, Kalimantan are currently not exploited in Bulungan, Malinau and Nunukang. The con- concessions. By far the most of these forests nectivity is particularly well preserved in the are alocated as limited production forest and north, where all of the highest uplands are protected forest. connected to and KayanMentarang national park. Central Kalimantan has large areas of upland forests in the interior that are not in any commercial use: Gunung Mas, Murung

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 84 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 85 Montane forest in protected, logging and plantations

Not all of the montane forests outside protected forests are allocated as protection forests.

protected: The only Indonesian province with large areas of montane forests inside logging con- A large part of the montane forests of cessions is East Kalimantan. These are often Borneo are inside protected areas and this operated by logging companies that started includes all of the land with elevations above with lowland and upland concessions years 1500 m asl. ago, and now want to continue logging in The national parks of the HoB encompass the mountains using their previous infra- most the largest mountain ranges, as dis- structure. They probably aim mainly for the cussed in the previous environmental status wider ridges where they can take out Agathis report. and yellow meranti trees as helicopters are not used here. Not all of the montane forests outside protected forests are allocated as protection forests. The volume of commercial timber forest in plantations (thus will of the common lower and upper montane be converted): oak-myrtle forest is limited. However, many There no forests planned to be converted to of the montane forests of Borneo have the timber plantations, as sufficient and much misfortune of including terrain types with more suitable land is available in the low- rather high numbers of Agathis and mon- lands and uplands. tane Shorea trees that have high commercial values. remaining, with unclear status: forest under logging Many of the montane forests that are cur- concessions: rently not inside protected areas or concessions are allocated as protection forests, to Most of the montane forests of Sarawak are safeguard the hydrological functions ans inside logging concessions. The steep slopes erosion control. and inaccessibility is hardly an issues with the high prices paid for timber, making it A substantial total area is however allocated economically feasible to use helicopters for to limited production forest. harvesting the logs.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 86 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 87 Peat swamp forest in protected, logging and plantations

Most of the peat swamp forests around the Mahakam lakes in the HoB part of East Kalimantan are inside logging concessions.

Not with standing the presence of wide A relatively large total areas of these peat stretches of peat swamp forests in the swamp forests is inside oil palm planta- vicinity of the lakes of the middle Kapuas tions concessions. The planting of the oil river in West Kalimantan, only a few of palm can only begin once the terrain is fully the core areas are inside the national park. prepared, which includes the modification of Developments have expanding far into the the natural hydrology. This is usually done peat swamp forests here and large areas are by digging extensive systems of small as well inside concessions. as some larger drainage canals during the dry season when machinery can enter the Logging companies will find that the peat areas. Even then spots remain where the oil swamp forests of the interior provide much palms do not develop well. Some of the peat lower volumes of commercial timber than swamps at terrains with deep peat and long lowland rainforests. The coastal peat swamp inundation periods might be preserved by forests have a number of commercial timber the companies as green belts or high conser- species that, although generally endowed vation values areas. with smaller diameters, can be abundant. This is not the case with the interior peat Most of the peat swamp forests around the swamp forests, even though a number of Mahakam lakes in the HoB part of East valuable tree species are present. Logging Kalimantan are inside logging concessions. of peat swamp forests and taking out the These peat swamps are however part of timber requires much efforts in terms of larger logging concessions that concentrate infrastructure. Heavy machinery can hardly mainly on lowland rainforest. It is up to the be used and transportation is often by whims of the company managers whether manual labor and by boat. This often implies it is worth the efforts to log these swamp the digging of canals, which has a very large forests. impact on the hydrology of the peat swamps. A large part of the peat swamp forests of Sustainability of timber harvest in these in- West Kalimantan that is currently not inside terior peat swamps is questionable and crit- concessions is allocated in the land use plan- ics might even wonder whether this is a real ning to “other land use area” (areal peng- goal of starting a logging concession here. gunaan lain). This implies that these forests can be converted.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 88 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 89 Freshwater swamp ecosystems in protected,logging and plantations

Only a few areas of the wide freshwater swamp forests of Brunei are strictly protected

Only a few areas of the wide freshwa- The danauSentarum national park of West ter swamp forests of Brunei are strictly Kalimantan encompasses a few tracts of protected. Taking into consideration the freshwater swamps. Most areas of this explicit land status planning of Brunei which ecosystem are however outside the protected includes these freshwater swamps inside the area and are used by local communities. A HoB boundaries, it is likely that these areas few edges are inside plantation concessions. will be preserved well.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 90 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 91 Heath forest in protected, logging and plantations

The only very large areas of heath forests within the HoB are around the basin at the edges of the uplands of the Kapuas lakes in West Kalimantan.

None of these heath forests are inside a pro- Nearly all of the southern strip of heath tected area, as the boundaries of DanauSen- forests is inside plantation concessions. The tarum national park are limited to the lakes soils are actually not suitable for planting and the swamps. oil palms, but this problem will be solved by the companies by applying large amounts of Parts of the heath forests are inside logging fertilizers. concessions that operate mainly in the surrounding lowland rainforests. The volume Conservation of parts of this unique eco- of commercial values timber is of the heath system can still be ensure, as most of the forests is limited which by default implies areas that are currently not productive are that harvest will be conducted through selec- allocated as limited production forest and tive logging. Regeneration of large trees in protection forest. Monitoring of the land use logged-over forests on these extremely poor status will be crucial as this fragile ecosys- soils is naturally very slow. tem can be degraded rapidly.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 92 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 93 Limestone forest in protected,logging and plantations

Although limestone outcrops can be found in many places of the national parks of the HoB, almost none of the larger limestone

Although limestone outcrops can be found trees growing on limestone ridges are gener- in many places of the national parks of the ally stunted and hardly any commercial HoB, almost none of the larger limestone timber can be harvested. Local communities forest areas of the HoB are inside protected might even object to disturbing limestone areas. The only large limestone area that is ridges because of cultural significance or strictly protected in inside the GunungMulu because of the presence of bird nest caves. national park in Sarawak. Several logging concessions in West- but particularly in East Kalimantan have limestone forest tracts at the edges of their concession areas. These are mainly limestone ridges and hills with steep cliffs and very rugged terrain, and are hard to access. The

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 94 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 95 Forest fires by year

Sarawak and Brunei appear to have their forest fire problems better under control, with only a few hotspots detected after 2008.

The map shows all the hotspots recorded in Sarawak and Brunei appear to have their the HoBbetween 2000-2012, in a cumula- forest fire problems better under control, tive way with the most recent hotspots on with only a few hotspots detected after top. 2008. A very high number of forest fires still The forest fires in the HoB part of Central occurred in Borneo between 2008-2012. Kalimantan occurred mainly along the West Kalimantan was particularly strongly Barito and Murung rivers, and in the upper affected with forest fires in nearly all of the Seruyan and Katingan watersheds. Many of land below 200 m asl. Most of these fires these fires are repetitions. were repetitions of previous fires but expan- In East Kalimantan forest fires occurred par- sion of burnt areas also occurred, particu- ticularly often along the Mahakam, where it larly before 2008. is detected as a yearly phenomenon. In other A surprisingly high number of hotspots were areas of East Kalimantan, along the Kayan, detected in Sabah especially in the eastern Bahau, Kelai, Sesayap, Sebuku and other section of the Crocker range and the upper rivers, the forest fires occur in different Kinabatangan. The areas burnt by forests places in most years. fires have also expanded: many locations that got burnt between 2000-2006 were not affected anymore afterwards but new fires occurred in other locations.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 96 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 97 Forest fires in logging concessions

Concessions with many forest fires inside of their forest areas can be considered suspicious and might have plans for later conversion of their forests

Healthy rainforests and peat swamp forests The forest fires inside logging conces- are not very susceptible to forest fires as the sions are major issues in West and Central lower storeys of the forest remain humid Kalimantan. Many of the concessions of the even during dry periods without much rain- upper Kapuas area had hotspots that might fall. Opening up the canopy by logging will be more than accidential. The areas south let in more sunlight and drier air but even of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya, the upper Seruyan then the lower vegetation strata of smaller and the vicinity of MuaraTeweh have similar trees, shrubs and herbs will retain a certain problems. humidity to the soil. Forest fires can usually Forest fires in the logging concessions of only be devastating when getting into the East Kalimantan occurred mainly along forests from open edges. these edges and are probably not inten- Logging companies should endeavor to pre- tional. sent any forest fires as they need a healthy Since no official spatial data on logging con- lower canopy for natural regeneration for cessions available for Sabah and Sarawak, their future timber stock. the hotspot analysis in logging concessions Concessions with many forest fires inside of could only be done for Kalimantan. their forest areas can be considered suspicious and might have plans for later conversion of their forests.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 98 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 99 Forest fires in plantation concessions

The practices of burning the forest occurred in the vast majority of the plantation areas

Nearly all of the forests inside plantation The practices of burning the forest occurred areas in the HoB have had fires. About 60% in the vast majority of the plantation areas. of these fires occurred between 2000-2004, Nearly all the areas in West Kalimantan, and about 40% between 2007-2012 the Seruyan area in Central Kalimantan and the Kelai and Sebuku watersheds of East Fire is considered a most convenient tool to Kalimantan were affected. However in the clear forest and shrub areas before opening Mahakam area of East Kalimantan it can be the land for plantations. Other companies clearly distinguished which are the com- that are more committed to the environment panies that do not apply burning for land are against it and will apply a “zero burning” clearing. policy.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 100 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 101 Forest fires in forest types

The ecosystems most affected by forest that an entire forest area got burnt, but un- fires were lowland rainforest, peat swamp fortunately in many locations were already forest and heath forest. Detection of single preceded by disturbances and are afterwards hotspots in forests does not have to imply often followed by gradual conversion.

forest fires in lowland ecosystems forest fires in upland ecosystems

forest fires in peat swamp ecosystems forest fires in heath ecosystems

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 102 HEART OF BORNEO Most of the forest fires occurred in the low- Most of the remaining peat swamp forests of lands and many of the remaining lowland the HoB were affected by fires. Fires in this rainforests throughout the HoB were affect- ecosystem often have severe impacts, as the ed. Many of the burnt areas were locations burning of peat can expand under the sur- with land use planning for developments. face and can go on for many days. The peat swamp forests at the edges of the DanauSe- In Sabah most of the interior lowland forests ntarum are less as likely to fully recover than have undergone forest fires. The fire situa- the peat swamps of the core area, where tion in the Kinabatangan and Kalabakan ar- humidity remained rather high even during eas were however much better under control very dry periods. and the few fires here could be extinguished rapidly. Hotspots were detected in nearly all areas of the freshwater swamps of DanauSentarum, In Brunei it were particularly the coastal while only a few hotspots occurred in the edge areas that were affected by forest fires, swamps of Brunei. but most of these sites will be retained as forest. In Sarawak many fires occurred in The most severely affected ecosystem as a LanjakEntimau, but these spots were not whole is heath forest, which has the high- followed by conversion and will gradually est hotspots to total area ratio. Many of the grow back. remaining larger heath forests of the HoB got burnt, with the remarkable exception Forest fires were particularly devastating of the heath forests north of the DanauSe- in West Kalimantan, where nearly all of ntarum area. These heath forests grow the lowland forests were affected, with the along the foot slopes of the BetungKerihun exception of the humid and undisturbed mountain range, and are more humid and river valleys. less disturbed than the other heath forests In Central Kalimantan not only most of the further to the south. Once a heath forest got lowland forests at the edges but also in the burnt, it is almost impossible for the forest interior along the major rivers had forest to completely recover and the remaining fires. In East Kalimantan it was particularly vegetation is more like a bush land. along the Mahakam and Kelai rivers where The number of forest fires in the upland many forest fires occurred. In several of rainforests of the HoB is much higher than these burnt areas, plantations were estab- one would expect in such a humid ecosys- lished later on.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 103 tem. The extent of forest fires is particularly The hotspots in montane forests ecosystems wide in Sabah, where most of the interior are mainly related to shifting cultivation and area east of the Crocker range was affected. a few forest fires caused by lightning strikes along exposed mountain ridges. The many forest fires south of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya and around MuaraTeweh in Central Kalimantan might in certain cases be related to economic developments. The large cumulative number of hotspots in East Kalimantan is caused by the long history of shifting cultivation in these areas.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 104 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 105 Percentage forested land per watershed

The map displays the entire forest cover of • The Segama watershed had a forest cover each of the watersheds of Borneo. of 29% in 2012, a reduction of 10% from 2007, and two-thirds of the remaining Nearly all of the watersheds underwent forests are fragmented. strong losses of overall forest cover, outside but also inside of the HoB, between 2007- • The Labuk watershed is only watershed 2012. Nowadays only five watersheds the in Sabah that is still half covered by Kayan, Sesayap, Belait, Temburong and forests. Trusan still have a “very good” total forest Brunei managed to preserve most of its for- cover of 70% or more. In 2007 there were est cover, and all the watersheds of Brunei still eleven watersheds with at least 70% have a forest cover of at least 50%. Forest forest cover, including the Sembakung, cover in the Brunei watersheds is decreasing Sebuku, Berau, Rajang, Baram and Lim- but at a much lower rate than elsewhere in bang. In 2007 not a single watershed had the HoB. Fragmentation of the forests is also a forest cover below 30% and in 2012 there much lower. are already four of these highly deforested watershed with parts in the HoB. Given the The hoB watersheds of of the interior of situation in the HoB where nearly all of the Sarawak have still a good forest cover, rivers arise in mountainous areas with steep although the northern watersheds lost much slopes as well as the overall heavy rainfall of of their forest cover from 2007-2012. Borneo, each of these watershed should ide- The largest watershed of Sarawak, the ally have a forest cover of at least 50%. Rajang, had a forest cover of 80% in 2007, Forest cover decrease was strong in Sabah which decreased to 62% in 2012. Half of the and most of Sabah’s watersheds nowadays remaining forests are fragmented. have a forest cover of less than 35%, while The Baram watershed, the other large in 2007 nearly all watersheds had a forest watershed of Sarawak, underwent a 17% cover of 45% or more. loss of forest cover from 2007-2012 but still • The Padas watershed underwent a forest has a good forest cover of 68%, and only a cover decrease of almost 10% from 2007 relatively small part of it is fragmented. to 2012 and deforestation was particu- The Kapuas watershed is the only watershed larly strong in the uplands. The lowland in the HoB part ofWest Kalimantan. This were partly converted earlier. is a very large drainage area, the largest • The Kinabatangan watershed, the largest watershed of Borneo, of which about 60% is in Sabah still had a 58% forest cover in inside the HoB boundaries, encompassing 2007, but in 2012 only a 31% forest cover the upland and mountain ranges but also remained. Less than half of the remaining the Kapuas lakes basin. The western section forest is un-fragmented. of the northern mountain ranges is outside of the HoB. The total forest cover of the en- • In 2007 almost half of the Kalabakan tire watershed was reduced by 6% between watershed was still under forest cover, 2007-2012, but most of the conversions but in 2012 less than 20% remaining occurred outside and in the westernmost and three-quarters of this forest area is part of the HoB. In 2012, 41% of the Kapuas fragmented. This is the most deforested watershed was under forest cover, and about watershed of the HoB. one-third of these forests were fragmented.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 106 HEART OF BORNEO The watersheds of Central Kalimantan un- 2007-2012. Half of the remaining forests derwent more deforestation than expected. are fragmented. Most developments in this province occur in • The Kayan drainage area has a very high the lowlands, and a number of the water- forest cover of more than 90%, the high- sheds of these coastal lowlands are entirely est forest cover of all the watersheds of outside of the HoB boundaries. Borneo. Deforestation occurred only in The situation in the Seruyan watershed al- the lowland and some of the upland val- most reached the point of becoming alarm- leys and fragmentation is low. The Kayan ing, with only 26% forest cover left in 2012, is a very large, 3 million hectares water- down from 40% in 2007. Even worse is the shed but population density is very low, fact that only 7% of the remaining forests are with only one larger town. A large part of un-fragmented. the middle section of the Kayan and its tributary the Bahau is uninhabited, while The Barito drainage area, by far the largest further upstream many small settlements watershed of Central Kalimantan underwent were established along the rivers since a 10% forest cover reduction since 2007 but pre-historical times. still had a 53% forest cover in 2012. Almost half of these forests are however fragment- • The situation in the Sesayap watershed ed. is similar to the Kayan watershed. The forest cover is still very good (86%) even The Kahayan watershed underwent strong though some 6% got became deforested deforestation between 2010-2012 and more between 2007-2012. than half of the remaining forests are fragmented. • The forest situation Sembakung is complicated. The international boundaries The Katingan watershed is notwithstand- were drawn by the former colonial pow- ing a 12% forest cover reduction since 2007 ers across the watershed and a large part doing reasonably well, with a forest cover of of the upstream area is inside Sabah. The 56% in 2012. However half of these remain- upland section in Sabah underwent quite ing forests are fragmented and this could some deforestation, while the upland sec- indicate further deforestation in progress. tion in east Kalimantan remaining more East Kalimantan generally still has a good or less intact, but deforestation occurred forest cover of the large watersheds that here in the lowlands. Although the overall arise from the interior. Sembakung watershed still has a forest cover of 66%, deforestation between • The Mahakam drainage area is the 2007-2012 was high, almost 20%, and second largest watershed of Borneo. Still almost half of the remaining forests are almost half of it was covered by forests fragmented. in 2012, even though many plantation developments occurred in the lowlands • The Sebuku watershed, home of the and uplands. Deforestation between only elephant population of Kalimantan, 2007-2012 was relatively low, about 3%, lost more than 20% of its forest cover but one-quarter of the remaining forests between 2007-2012. Most of the lowlands are fragmented. are now deforested or fragmented; the uppermost section of this watershed in • Even though the Berau watershed is still within the political boundaries of Sabah for 60% covered by forests, it lost more and here some tracts of deforestation than 16% of its forest cover between occurred.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 107 percentage forested watershed 2007 percentage forested watershed 2010

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 108 HEART OF BORNEO percentage forested watershed 2010 percentage forested watershed 2012

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 109 Overall forest fragmentation

The forest fragmentation maps are based in 2010 the forest areas of the interior start on the application of filters to the forest/ to become fragmented, while further frag- non-forest base maps. Each pixel of forest mentation occurred in most of Sabah and cover was checked for its neighboring pixels the edges of West and Central Kalimantan. and if a certain number of these pixels was in 2012 many of the interior forest areas non-forest then the forest pixel would be also became fragmented. Not much un-frag- classified as being fragmented. The auto- mented forest was left in Sabah, mainly in mated choice for the number of pixels took the protected areas and parts of the eastern into consideration landscape features such Crocker range. Most of the upland forests of as water bodies and mountain ridges. Sarawak underwent strong fragmentation in 2007 large areas of the HoB were still al- between 2007-2012. Most of the lower forest most completely un-fragmented; the interior areas of West Kalimantan were fragmented, in particular still many large areas of con- though the mountain ranges were often still tinuous forest. Along the large interior rivers intact. Nearly all of the edges of the forests fragmentation was common though mainly of Central Kalimantan were fragmented because of shifting cultivation agriculture in 2012, and fragmentation was also high and transportation sites for companies. In along the Barioriver. Many edge areas of Sabah however most of the forest areas were the forests of East Kalimantan, particularly already partly fragmented in 2007. In West in Berau and the northern part, became Kalimantan most of the western lowland fragmented. edges were fragmented while Central Ka- Most of the remaining lowland rainforest of limantan most of the southern edges were the HoB was fragmented in 2012, the main already strongly fragmented in 2007. The exceptions being Brunei, the BulangJoloi most fragmented ecosystem was lowland area in Central Kalimantan and the Ratah rainforest. Upland rainforest was generally area in East Kalimantan. intact in most areas. Montane forests were generally un-fragmented, except for the The upland rainforests of Sabah became parts of the Crocker range and the upper highly fragmented in 2012. In Brunei only Padas area. parts were fragmented. In Sarawak the western part in particular (Batang Ai LanjakEnti-

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 110 HEART OF BORNEO mauetcwasfragmented. In West Kalimantan the western part of the upland forest of BetungKerihun, the Melawi area, parts of upper Kapuas, and some northern slopes of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya were fragmented. Fragmentation of the upland forests of Cen- tral Kalimantan was strong along the HoB edges including the southern slopes of Bukit Baka Bukit Raya, the upper Kahayan, and along the large rivers. The upland forests of East Kalimantan remained mostly un-fragmented, except for parts along the middle Mahakam, Belayan, the Telen, the Senyur, Berau, lower Kayan and Sebuku rivers. Most of the montane forest of the HoB were still un-fragmented in 2012. Exceptions are the Crocker range and upper Padas in Sabah; a wide coal mining areas in Central Kalimantan; and the Belayan upstream area in East Kalimantan. The large areas of heath forests inside the HoB, around DanauSentarum were mainly un-fragmented in the eastern parts, but the half of the area of the western section was fragmented. Analysis of the 2007, 2010 and 2012 time series indicate that fragmentation is frequently followed by deforestation

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 111 forest fragmentation 2007 forest fragmentation 2010

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 112 HEART OF BORNEO forest fragmentation 2010 forest fragmentation 2012

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 113 Mining concessions

The delineations on the map show all the and most degraded strip of heath forest has mining concession allocations of 2012; this several mining concessions but the northern includes exploitation as well as exploration strip is left alone. Many of the remaining concessions. lowland forests are in concessions and these are generally the lowland forests that border The area where a company is permitted to cultivated or deforested areas. New infra- conduct surveys and sampling for com- structure can potentially make these forests mercially valuable geological deposits is very accessible. A few bordering mining often very large. These exploration conces- concessions are even in upland forests. sions can overlap with any other land use allocation status, even certain protected The HoB part of Central Kalimantan has areas. Once a mining company has found a mining concessions virtually throughout the location with commercially feasible amounts area, except for the highest mountain ridges of deposits, further permits and reports, in the north. Many mining concessions are including a environmental impact assess- in the lowland forests at the edges but also ment study, are required before exploitation in the interior wide valleys. In the upland can begin. The preparation of infrastructure forests are many very large mining conces- is essential and the larger mining companies sions. Some of these even go all the way in to usually develop and excellent road network. the montane forests. These remote con- These roads as well as any other infrastruc- cessions will be explored very critically to ture such as harbors are generally much bet- ensure that exploitation will be economical ter developed than in logging concessions. feasible. In the case of coal mining, surveys to these locations are usually done by heli- The mined area, mainly through open pit copter with a small team of experts and their mining, is relatively small but the envi- drills. If the coal deposits are too thin than ronmental impacts of the infrastructure to no further steps will be taken. otherwise remote and inaccessible locations should not be underestimated. The The mining concessions of the HoB part of largest mining companies endeavor to East Kalimantan are fewer than in the other conduct responsible mining with a minimal HoB parts, but several of them have been environmental impact. The smaller mining established for a long time and particularly companies and fortune seekers are often less coal mining is done at a large scale. These committed to the environment. major mining areas are in the upper Ma- hakam, Berau and to a smaller extent Malin- No mining data was available for Malaysia au. The concessions at the edges are mainly and Brunei, and the data from Indonesia is inside lowland rainforest but often extend only sparsely available. to smaller areas of heath forest. Some of the The mining concessions of the HoB part of concessions even include limestone ridges. West Kalimantan are concentrated along The large concession areas of the interior the edges of the uplands and the Kapuas are mainly inside upland rainforest and basin. Mining concessions inside the peat montane forests. It seems to be unlikely that swamp forest areas and some are even in the the exploration concessions in the remote freshwater swamps. Exploitation of these interior above the large rapids will ever be concessions and particularly the required actually exploited, but one never knows to infrastructure will likely have a large impact where human covetousness can lead. on the environmental status. The southern

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 114 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 115 Certified logging versus non-certified logging

In 2012 about 20% of all logging concessions ensure the preservation of these lowland and within the HoB were certified. Half of them lower upland forest areas. lowland rainforest, half of them upland and In the northernmost area, along the interna- some montane forest. tional border with Sabah, is the logging conces- Most of the other 80% are considered potential sion of PT Adimitra Lestari. This concession candidates for certification. encompasses most of the habitats of the only elephant population of Kalimantan and two The HoB part of West Kalimantan had two very important trans-boundary corridors are certified logging concessions (PT Sari Bumi- present here. The area connects directly to a Kusama& PT Barito Putera). Both are located protection forest and is also connected to other along the northern edges of Bukit Baka Bukit forests that still connect to KayanMentarang Raya national park and thus provide a continu- and area even further to the west. ation of the forest areas to include the lowland foot slopes. These concessions at the edges Another large concession (PT Inhutani II) of deforested areas can also serve to prevent almost connects directly to the Tubu area of further conversion of forest land. The orangu- KayanMentarang and has important lowland tan population of this area should be able to forests hardly present in the national park. survive. A very large area encompassing a large part of Several potential candidates exist in West Kali- the remaining lowlands of north Kalimantan is mantan and there is one company with several inside the certified logging concessions of PT logging concessions in the DanauSentarum Intraca wood and PT InhutaniII,unitMalinau. - BetungKerihun corridor that can play a key In Berau are are five certified logging conces- role in connecting these areas. sions in the lowland edges of the HoB with In the interior upland forests of Central Kali- important orangutan habitats. mantan are two large logging concession in the In the middle Mahakam area there are PT upper Barito area managed by PT SarangSapta Belayan River Timber hulu Mahakam and Putra. The area also encompasses several three concessions of PT Sumalindo Lestari lowland valleys and there is a small population Jaya V. These areas can ensure the connectivity of orangutan adding to the high biodiversity. of lowland and upland forests from the upper These concessions connect the mountain range to the lower Mahakam basin and might ensure to the lowlands in the south. the survival of the orangutan population here, Along the southern foot slopes of of Bukit Baka of which the habitats are gradually reduced to Bukit Raya are a number of certified logging smaller strips surrounded by the many oil palm concessions. None of the logging concession plantations here. In the upper Mahakam, the of the upper Seruyanare currently certified, most interior area below the mountain ranges though there is one certified company in the are four large certified logging concessions of vicinity (PT Carus Indonesia) with also has PT kemakmuranBerkah Timber and PT Roda- a orangutan population. The Seruyan area masTbr Kalimantan. Further to the south are was identified as one of the areas with a high the two large certified concessions of PT Ratah level of forest conversion and fragmentation, Timber. These form a very large area that and engagement and certification of logging connects to the mountains of East and Central concessions here could be crucial for the pres- Kalimantan. ervation of the remaining forests. Important There are several important candidates for candidates include PT Bumimaspermataabadi, certification in the interior of East Kalimantan. PT GunungMeranti and others. The largest areas are the logging concessions The majority of certified logging companies of PT Essam Timber and PT RimbaKaryaRay- are in East Kalimantan and many of these atama and it will become crucial to keep these are along the edges of the HoB, which might core areas covered by forest.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 116 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 117 Protected area intactness

The low resolution of the satellite images used The GunungMulu national park is mainly for the analyses implies that only the largest un-fragmented, except for some edges. This areas of fragmentation are detected. When appears to be caused by construction of infra- these tracts appear inside protected areas, it structure and might partly recover. often means that illegal activities were carried DanauSentarum national park in West Kalim- out here. antan appeas to be strongly fragmented. This Fragmentation causes the remaining forest ar- is not only caused by the many areas of open eas in having more edges which are subject to water and marshland. According to the official direct sunlight and wind. Invading species have RAPPAM assessment there are indeed issues of easier access and vegetation structure changes. encroachment threats, logging threats and forest fire impacts. Land use conflicts increasing The Crocker range State Park in Sabah under- might be partly solved through further engage- went fragmentation not only along the edges ment with the local communities. but also in the entral part. This is partly caused by encroaching agriculture and construction of The western part of BetungKerihun is frag- infrastructure. mented for often more than 50% throughout the area, but the eastern part is mainly un-frag- In Mt. Kinabalu state park is a large fragment- mented except river valleys. The areas that suf- ed area along the north-western slope of the fered illegal logging can still partly recover with mountain. This could partly be the result of adequate protection. The assessment mentions storm damage and encroachment. It should be that encroachment threats and logging threats noted however that the fragmentation analysis are decreasing. is based on forest canopy cover, and the areas of shrub land and even bare rock commonly The Bukit Baka Bukit Raya national park is found at the higher elevations of mount Kina- shared by West and Central Kalimantan. Most balu would thus appear as being fragmented, parts of the national park are strongly frag- even though this is a natural condition. mented, and only some northern and eastern sections remain un-fragmented. The major The UluTemburong national park of Brunei threats mentioned are from logging and min- does not show signs of serious fragmentation ing but encroachment is also an issue. and the other smaller protected areas of this green country are also mainly un-fragmented. The SapatHawung nature reserve in Central Kalimantan has several large fragmented areas In Sarawak the largest protected area is Lanja- along the western edges but the eastern section kEntimau wildlife sanctuary. This area is partly is mainly un-fragmented. The area is rarely fragmented at more than half of its edges but surveyed and logging could be uncontrolled even more serious fragmentation occurred in a here. large area of the central part. Further inves- tigation could reveal whether this is partly KayanMentarang national park in East Kalim- caused by logging. The connecting Batang Ai antan is the largest protected area of Borneo national park is strongly fragmented. and the landscape ecology of the area is relatively well-known after many years of activities The northern part of the Pulong Tau national in collaboration with the local communities. park is fragmented but the southern part is Most of the fragmentation present in Kayan- mainly intact. This fragmentation could be Mentarang can be explained by the occurrence temporary if it is caused by shifting cultiva- of shifting cultivation agriculture, which has tion with a long recovery period for secondary been the major means of subsistence of the forest. people for hundreds of years.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE 118 HEART OF BORNEO THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS OF THE HEART OF BORNEO 119 REPORT HoB The Environmental Status 2014 of the Heart of Borneo