Site Nomination for Peat Site Profiles in Southeast Asia
Category:
Protected Area
Name of Site: Tasek Merimbun and Merit
Country: Brunei Darussalam
GPS Point: Latitude: 4°35'N Longitude: 114°40'E
Location & Access: About 25 km south of Tutong Town, Tutong District, Sarawak.
Total Area: 2500.00 hectare(s)
Background of Site: The area is located less than 15m above sea level. It experiences tropical monsoonal climate with an average annual rainfall of about 3,000 mm. The region is under the influence of the northeast monsoon from mid December to mid March, and the southwest monsoon from mid May to the end of October. The average maximum temperature is 28C and the average minimum, 23.6°C; the average maximum relative humidity is 94.6% and the average minimum, 73.1%.

The peatland is a complex of shallow, freshwater lakes and marshes surrounded by a large area of seasonally flooded peat swamp forest, to the west of the Sungai Tutong. The lakes are fed by three streams and overflow from the Tutong River during the rainy season (August to December). The maximum depth of water in the lakes is about 4m; the pH is low. Parts of the lakes and the peat swamp forests dry out during the dry season.




Significant Value of Site:
- Biodiversity
- Socio-economic

Notes:
Biodiversity:
Flora:
No information is available on the aquatic vegetation. Dryobalanops rappa and Dactylocladus stenostachys are the dominant trees in the peat swamp forest. Rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) has been planted on adjacent, slightly higher ground.

Fauna: The lakes support a rich fish fauna, including eels. Up to 30 Anhinga rnelanogaster and 30 Ardea purpurea are present all year round, and many other species of waterfowl occur as visitors. Mammals include Cervus unicolor and Sus barbatus. The Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus was formerly common in the area, but is now rare.

Socio-economic:
There is a little fishing by the residents of Kampong Merimbun, particularly for eels. A few cash crops and hill paddy are cultivated on the adjacent high ground. Hunting and trapping of wildlife are insignificant. The area has considerable potential for outdoor recreation, conservation education and scientific research
Designated use (status/legal classification):
- National Park/State Park|Permanent Forest Reserve

Major Issues: Hunting and trapping of wildlife are insignificant, but littering may become a problem unless adequate enforcement measures are taken.
Site Jurisdiction & Administration: The wetland is state owned; a small area of the adjacent higher ground is privately owned.
Peatland Type: Lowland
Management activities: a) Past
The wetland is included within the recently designated Tasek Merimbun National Park, which initially covers an area of 7,800 ha. The National Park is still under development, and enforcement of the park regulations has not as yet been fully implemented.

b) Current


c) Potential
It has been proposed that the National Park be categorized into three zones: an intensive visitor use area, a low intensity visitor use area, and a conservation area. The low intensity visitor use area and conservation area would be strictly reserved for educational and scientific research purposes.
Facilities & Activities Available on Site:
Institution Responsible for the Site:
Name of Organization: Forestry Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources
Postal Address: Forestry Department, Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources,
Jalan Menteri Besar, Bandar Seri Begawan BB3910, Negara Brunei Darulssalam
Phone: +673-02-381013
Fax: +673-02-381012
Website: http://www.forestry.gov.bn/index.htm
Nominated by:
Name: Khairul Azwan Mohamad
Organization: GEC