Baluran National Park is situated in Situbondo Regency, East Java. This protected area is probably the most complete examples of biodiversity on the island of Java.
The park covers an area of 29,041.68 ha. This impressive territory covers 26,990 hectares of dry land and roughly 2,051 hectares of marine waters.
The park has an incredible diversity of ecosystems in a single area. Visitors can find monsoon forests, coastal forests, mangroves, brackish forests, savannas and coral reefs. Natural savannahs cover roughly 40 percent of the land area, making the famous Bekol Savanna the most important grassland on the whole island of Java.
Home to many wild animals
Baluran National Park provides critical habitat for a lot of wildlife. At least roughly 28 species of mammals and a whole lot of bird species live within the park. The tightly protected core zone serves as a serious shield for key species. These include the Javan banteng, Timor deer, barking deer, Javan leopard, dhole (Asian wild dog), Sunda pangolin and green peafowl.
The bird population in Baluran shows dynamic changes over time. Data from 1990 showed 155 bird species, which later increased to 234. However, a 2013 fauna survey report revealed that observers were only capable of find 201 lively species. Unfortunately, over 30 species of birds have disappeared from the park.
Swiss Winnasis, a forest ecosystem control officer in Baluran, explained that bird data collection began in 1920 and continued until the Nineteen Seventies. He noted that the height count of 234 species is definitely a tragic reminder, because the park has permanently lost greater than 30 bird species.
Of the whole 234 bird species recorded, national laws protect 65 of them. Moreover, based on the IUCN Red List, 15 species are susceptible to global extinction. This includes the green peacock, whose population in Baluran is roughly 900 to 1,500 individuals.
The black-winged starling also faces serious danger with only a few individuals left, while the population of the Javan rhinoceros hornbill subspecies has declined to lower than 10 individuals observed.
Additionally, Baluran protects 12 species of birds which are completely endemic to Java, including the Javan hawk and Javan sparrow.
High plant diversity
Baluran’s botanical wealth is matched by its wealthy fauna. The 2013 Flora Potential Survey Report listed 475 plant species from 100 different families, a rise from 423 species in 1977. This wealthy vegetation includes 144 species of trees, 76 shrubs, 59 grasses, 135 herbs, 42 lianas, five orchids, and several other ferns and epiphytes.
The core zone provides strict protection for several essential native plants. These species include Trenggulun, Kidcandlestick, neem (pregnancy) and sugar palm (are).
However, park managers face a serious threat from alien plants. Currently, there are no less than 21 invasive species and 31 exotic plant species within the park that threaten to disturb the natural balance.
Some of those invasive plants include Auricular acacia, gamalAND cherries. Controlling these aggressive species stays the first conservation strategy for native savanna grasses and monsoon forest trees.
Zoning management to guard the long run of the park
To effectively manage these diverse resources, authorities divide Baluran into several distinct zones. These include the core zone, wildlife zone, marine protection zone, use zone, traditional zone, reclamation zone and special zone.
Scientists and rangers use the wilderness zone for research and limited conservation work. However, sea use and protection zones allow for strictly supervised ecotourism and water activities.
Connecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems, Baluran National Park stays a major stronghold of Java’s natural heritage. Constant population monitoring, control of invasive species and strict habitat protection are key to the park’s survival.
