Wild Asia - Denizens of the Lake: Introducing the Flora and Fauna of Tasek Bera

Tasek Bera was the first site in Malaysia to be nominated as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance. In this brief introduction, WETLANDS INTERNATIONAL talks about the plant and animal species that make this lake such an important ecosystem to be protected and conserved.

Tasek Bera is the first Wetland of International Importance or popularly known as Ramsar Site of Malaysia. The lake became protected under the Ramsar Convention, an inter-governmental agreement adopted in 1971, when Malaysia signed as a member in 1994. A country that signs this Convention has an obligation to protect and manage their wetlands and promote wise use of its resources.

Located in Pahang, Tasek Bera is a low-lying alluvial peat and freshwater swamp system. It forms part of the catchment of the Pahang river. The watershed of Tasek Bera covers some 61,383 ha of undulating plains between the main and eastern ranges of Peninsular Malaysia. The wetland itself occupies over 6,800 ha in adjacent tracts of lowland forests.

The main habitats at Tasek Bera are open waters, rivers and streams, swamps (Pandanus-reed swamps and swamp forests) and lowland forests.

The open waters support the growth of aquatic plants like the Lotus, Water Lily, and carnivorous Bladderworts and Pitcher Plants. More importantly, the Purple Water Trumpet, an aquatic plant endemic only to Tasek Bera and nowhere else in the world thrives here in shaded clear streams and water pools.

The wetlands and surrounding lowland forests of the lake are home to a great diversity of life which includes 374 plant species, more than 200 birds, 10 turtles, 68 mammals and 94 fish. There are 10 species of Endemic plants and 1 Endangered fish species, 4 Endangered and 3 Vulnerable turtles, 3 Endangered and 7 Vulnerable mammals and 5 Vulnerable bird species.

A notable fish species found at Tasek Bera is the endangered in the wild Asian Arowana Scleropages formosus, a highly priced aquarium fish whose numbers are dwindling due to heavy exploitation for the aquarium trade. The Giant Catfish, Wallago leerii, which may grow to a length of 1.5 m is well known among the locals for its mass migration to the lake for spawning. However it is considered a rare species due to overexploitation.

Other than fish, there are also reptiles like the rare Malayan False Gharial Tomistoma schlegelii, turtle species like the soft-shelled turtle Amyda cartilaginea, Malayan Box Terrapin and Malayan Giant Turtle which are occasionally eaten by the Semelai, and the Reticulated Python which is hunted for its skin. Though it is home to 224 birds, the scarcity of waterbirds in Tasek Bera remains a mystery. Birds found here include the Lesser Adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus, kingfishers, hornbills, eagles, and parrots while mammals found here are the endangered Asian Elephant and Tiger as well as the beautiful Clouded Leopard, Panther, Red Giant Flying Squirrel and Malayan Tapir.

The following summary was extracted from a booklet published by Wetlands International - Malaysia Office: A Guide to the Endangered Flora and Fauna of Tasek Bera. Sim C.H, Murugadas, T.L., and Sundari R.. 2002. If you would like a copy of this booklet, please contact Wetlands International.

Conservation Supporters

The publication of this guide has been made possible through the financial support of:

Ford Motor Company - Conservation and Environmental Grants
Rufford Grants - Whitley Laing Foundation - Rufford Small Grant Programme