The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve REDD Project

HCV 2.3 Areas that Contain Populations of Most NaturallyOccurring SpeciesHCV 2.3 aims to identify landscapes supporting representativepopulations of most naturally occurring species in the studyregion and with a capacity to maintain such populations in thelong term.The Project Zone is an important part of a large landscape mosaicof diverse natural and anthropogenic ecosystem types, coveringc. 500,000 ha of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This areaincludes c. 266,000 ha of natural forest, representing at least fivemajor terrestrial ecosystem types; numerous ecotonal transitionsamong contrasting terrestrial ecosystem; a complex network ofrivers and associated riparian environments draining nutrient-­poorsandy soils and/or peat swamps, which produce so-­‐called‘black water rivers’ with distinctive aquatic fauna; and (iv) a largeblack water lake system (Lake Sembuluh).The area is considered likely to support some of the largestpopulations of threatened and protected species known fromsouth central Kalimantan, including a total of 361 species of birds,167 species of mammals (including 45 species of bats), and atleast 180 species of free-­‐standing large woody plants (excludingorchids, pitcher plants, lianas, epiphytes, and understory herbs).HCV 2.3 is therefore considered present in the Project Zone andnearby TPNP, to which it makes vital contributions of lowlandhabitat to support landscape-­‐level populations of most naturallyoccurring species.The two largest threats to HCV 2.3 are habitat degradation andconversion resulting from oil palm expansion and wild fire.Possible future threats include intensified logging and hunting.Presence of HCV 2.3 in an area is effectively a combination ofdimensions of HCVs 1.2 and 1.3, relating to species, and HCVs 1.1,1.4, 2.1, and 3, relating to habitats. For this reason, the analysisprovided above (and below) relating to net positive projectimpacts on these component values apply to HCV 2.3 as well.Conclusion. Overall, conservation efforts planned by the projectto protect remaining natural forests by preventing oil palmexpansion, logging, and fires, combined with efforts to preventfurther degradation of river quality and open wetlands will resultin net positive impacts on HCV 2.3 in the Project Zone.HCV 3 Rare or Endangered EcosystemsAll remaining natural vegetation types in the Project Zone areprovisionally considered rare or endangered ecosystems underHCV 3 (see Section G1.2 above). Immediate threats to HCV 3include all factors described above as drivers of habitat loss andforest conversion within the Project Zone. All conservationactivities described above in relation to prevention of continuedforest loss and ecosystem conversion apply to management ofHCV 3.Conclusion. Conservation efforts planned by the project toprotect all remaining natural forests and other natural ecosystemby (i) reducing fire risk through prevention of widespread illegallogging, (ii) fighting fires through immediate detection usingobservation towers and rapid response through deployment offire fighting teams and equipment, and (iii) prevention ofcontinued expansion of oil palm will result in net positive impactson HCV 3 in the Project Zone.262