The Rimba Raya Biodiversity Reserve REDD Project

2001). Despite this, species losses are predicted to exceed 40 %by 2100 in the Southeast Asia region (Lane et al. 2006). Forestbats of the families Rhinolophidae and Hipposideridae, as well asvespertilionids of the subfamilies Kerivoulinae and Murininae(38% of Borneo’s bats) are particularly vulnerable to habitatdisturbance (Struebig et al. 2008), and flying-­‐foxes (Pteropusspp.) are subject to overhunting (Struebig et al. 2009).Borneo is one of the most important areas in Southeast Asia forbat diversity with more species recorded than any other island. Afifth of these species are IUCN Red Listed as Vulnerable (7 spp) orNear Threatened (13 spp) (IUCN 2008), and a further 7% (7 spp)are Data Deficient. Since the Rimba Raya area is characterised byoligotrophic forests, the area likely supports lower bat diversitythan limestone areas elsewhere on Borneo. However, some 45species (47% of the Borneo list) are likely to be present, a third ofwhich are IUCN Red Listed, and 13 of which have restrictedranges or are endemic to Borneo. Like Tanjung Puting, the areashould be a particularly important stronghold for ‘Vulnerable’forest-­‐roosting species such as Hipposideros ridleyi, Murinaaenea and Murina rozendaali, which are typical of old growthforest, roosting in tree cavities or under the bark of old trees.Peatswamp and peat forests are also priority roosting habitatsfor large flying-­‐foxes (Pteropus vampyrus), a species that issuffering massive declines throughout its range due tooverhunting and habitat loss.Much of our knowledge of Borneo’s bats comes from research inSabah. The ecology, diversity and distributions of bats inKalimantan is relatively unknown, and our knowledge of batdiversity in oligotrophic forests is very poor. Further research is apriority, as such forests are likely to be important strongholds forforest-­‐roosting species that are rapidly declining from forest lossthroughout Borneo. In addition to further documenting diversityover the island, research should be focused on the conservationthreats bats face, and should include quantifying preyconsumption by large colonies of insectivorous bats to advocatetheir protection in agricultural areas; describing roost typesavailable to forest bats so that mitigation strategies can bedeveloped by timber companies; and identifying areas whereintensive Pteropus hunting is taking place so that interventioncan be best placed (Struebig et al. 2009).Birds. Some 361 bird species may reasonably be expected tooccur in the Rimba Raya project area based on currentknowledge regarding distribution and habitat preferences. Thelist includes 223 species (61.8%) that have previously beenrecorded in TPNP (bin Jalan & Galdikas 1986; Nash & Nash 1987).Based on habitat preferences, some 232 bird species may beexpected to occur in intact forest habitats, including kerangas,peat swamp, freshwater swamp forest, dipterocarp and riparianforest associations; 174 species may occur in anthropogenicallydisturbed forest habitats such as secondary forest, tembawang,small forest patches and coastal fringing forests and woodlands;97 species may occur in converted habitats including ladang,regrowth scrub, sawit, grasslands and other cleared areas; and atleast 127 species may occur in freshwater non-­‐forest wetlandhabitats, including swamps and rivers, and in coastal marinehabitats. A suite of additional coastal and oceanic seabirds maybe sighted along the coast but were not included in the initialsurvey.Of these species, 156 are of national and/or internationalconservation significance. Eighty species are listed by the IUCNas Threatened or Near-­‐threatened with global extinction,including the Endangered Storm’s Stork (Ciconia stormi), and45