Mahakam Biodiversity surveys
Several biodiversity surveys have been undertaken in the Middle Mahakam Watershed Area. At least 298 birds species, 147 fish species, two crustacean species, 6 aquatic reptile species, 24 mammal species including five primate species and 300 species of trees. Red list vulnerable or (critically) endangered status species include Siamese crocodile, false gharial, proboscis monkeys, giant freshwater stingray, smooth-coated and small-clawed otter, orangutan, Southeast Asian box turtle. Bornean river turtle, Asiatic softshell turtle, lesser adjutant, Wallace eagle and Storm’s stork.
Of the three large lakes, Lake Jempang is rich in bird biodiversity, especially in the forest around the lake. Birds that are typical for the Wetland Mahakam are the lesser adjutant, egrets, brahminy kites, wandering whistling ducks, terns, kingfishers. Open swamps are important habitat for water and breeding birds while silt soil is important in the dry season for migratory birds foraging. 55 birds species in the Middle Mahakam Area (MMA) are in the IUCN Red list but only 22 are protected and 36 are included in the CITES Appendix to regulate trade. However, there is still frequent catching of birds for wandering whistling ducks, purple heron, lesser adjutant, oriental darter and small numbers of water hens, eagles, egrets. Another threat is habitat loss caused by forest fires, illegal logging and conversion of lowland tropical forest and (peat)swamps for palm oil plantations.
Coastal surveys
Coastal surveys have been conducted to detect cetacean biodiversity in East Kalimantan between 2000 and 2018 (see Factsheet Important Marine Mammal Areas). At least 25 cetacean species have been detected in East Kalimantan waters, which is 74% of all cetacean species confirmed for Indonesia. Six of the 7 most threatened species in Indonesia according to the IUCN Red List are found in the area of East Kalimantan, namely the Pesut Mahakam/freshwater Irrawaddy dolphin (Critically Endangered), the Coastal Pesut/ Irrawaddy Dolphin (Endangered), the Fin Whale (Endangered), whereas the Indo-Pacific Humpback Dolphin, Finless Porpoise and Sperm whale are listed as Vulnerable. Although all marine mammals in Indonesia are protected by Indonesian Law (Law No. 5, 1990 & PP 106, 2018 (KLHK) and included in CITES Appendix 1 & 2, their habitat for breeding, feeding, or migration is mostly not yet protected.
In East Kalimantan, the two most important areas (Berau/East Kutai & Balikpapan Bay)for marine mammals were identified because of the high diversity of species and the presence of the most threatened species that depend on specific and limited habitats such as estuaries, bays or shallow coastal areas (Coastal Irrawaddy Dolphin, Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphin, Finless Porpoise and Dugong) and areas of islands or coastal areas with steep depth slopes (Sperm Whales, Fin Whales, Omura Whales and Humpback Whales). The two regions have been recognized in 2018 by the ‘IUCN Joint SSC / WCPA Marine Mammal Protected Areas Task Force’ as an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA).
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