The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve REDD Project

five are listed as Endangered by IUCN: False Ghavial (Tomistomaschlegelii), Malayan giant turtle (Orlitia borneensis), Asian browntortoise (Manouria emys), Black-­‐breast leaf turtle (Geoemydaspengleri), and Spiny turtle (Heosemys spinosa).Of particular concern are the False Ghavial (Tomistomaschlegelii), which has been hunted to extinction in most ofBorneo, and the Estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), both ofwhich are present in TPNP and may be present in the SeruyanRiver based on reports from villagers in the Project Zone.Management of these HCV 1.3 species, as well as otherherptofauna, will focus on protecting wetland areas andundisturbed forests (preferred habitats for Borneanherptofauna), reducing hunting, and maintaining water quality inrivers and wetlands. Sedimentation, river pollution by oil palmeffluent and nutrient loading, and destructive fishing practices(e.g. cyanide) all have negative impacts on the distribution andviability of water/river-­‐dependent species. As the project aims to(i) protect habitat for these species by protecting forest andassociated wetland areas, (ii) prevent further industrialagricultural encroachment (with attendant negative impacts onwater quality), and (iii) conduct environmental educationawareness and livelihood activities focused on the promotion ofsustainable fishing practices and avoidance of hunting of HCVspecies, net project impacts on HCV 1.3 herptofauna will serve tomaintain or enhance this HCV.Conclusion. Overall, conservation efforts planned by the projectto protect remaining natural forests and prevent furtherdegradation of river quality will result in net positive impacts onHCV 1.3 species likely present in the Project Zone.HCV 1.4 Areas that Contain Critical Habitat of Temporary Use bySpecies or Congregations of SpeciesThree habitat types under HCV 1.4 were highlighted as potentiallypresent in the Project Zone: (i) lakes and open water bodies; (ii)grassy banks and slow-­‐moving, shallow rivers; and (iii) possibleecotonal transitions among major ecosystem types that may beimportant as travel routes for locally nomadic frugivores, such asthe orangutan. Major current and future threats to wildlifedependent on lakes and open water bodies include pollutioncaused by oil palm plantation run-­‐off (and possible impropertreatment of mill effluent), conversion of shoreline ecosystemsdue to expanding human habitations, and possible over-­‐huntingand fishing. Major threats to grassy banks and slow movingrivers, as well as ecotonal transitions, are habitat destruction anddegradation through logging, fires, and conversion to oil palm.Project activities to mitigate these threats, and enhance HCV 1.4management, will include identification and protection ofpotentially important wetland bird areas (including efforts toprotect shoreline areas of Lake Sembuluh), education outreach toraise awareness about the importance of maintaining waterquality to local livelihoods and wildlife and the impact of differentlocal practices on water quality, identification and protection ofecotonal transitions from, e.g., wetland to non-­‐wetland and fromkerangas to non-­‐kerangas.Conclusion. Combined impacts of the project to eliminate therisk of widespread forest loss and ecosystem conversion by oilpalm, together with efforts to map and protect potentiallyimportant wetland areas and ecotonal transitions, shorelinevegetation along Lake Sembuluh, and possibly other wetlands,and education outreach to raise awareness and change behaviors260