See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/256375580

Marine and Coastal Habitat Mapping in Timor Leste (North Coast) – Final
Report.

Book · January 2009

CITATIONS READS

8 2,115

14 authors, including:

Guy Boggs Karen Susan Edyvane

University of Western Australia Charles Darwin University
61 PUBLICATIONS 1,870 CITATIONS 78 PUBLICATIONS 1,186 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE

Shane Penny Juno Rouwenhorst

Geofish 3 PUBLICATIONS 15 CITATIONS
22 PUBLICATIONS 313 CITATIONS
SEE PROFILE
SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Neil Smit on 09 May 2021.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

1
Marine & Coastal Habitat Mapping in Timor Leste (North Coast) – Final Report

Date: November 2012

Acknowledgement

This collaborative project was funded and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries (MAF),
Government of Timor Leste and ATSEF Australia partners, Charles Darwin University (CDU) and the
Northern Territory Government, former Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and
Sport (NRETAS) (now Department of Land Resource Management), and undertaken by the following
researchers:

Guy Boggs (CDU), Karen Edyvane (NRETAS-CDU), Narciso de Carvalho (MAF-Fisheries), Shane
Penny (NRETAS), Juno Rouwenhorst (CDU), Peter Brocklehurst (NRETAS), Ian Cowie
(NRETAS), Celestino Barreto de Cunha (MAF-Fisheries), Anselmo Lopes Amaral (MAF-Fisheries),
Jose Monteiro (MAF-Fisheries), Pedro Pinto (MAF-Protected Areas), Raimundo Mau (ALGIS), Neil
Smit (NRETAS), Joao Xavier Amaral (MAF-Fisheries), Lucas Fernandes (MAF-Fisheries).

Café e Floressta

Agricultura Pescas

Loro Matan

This project is a recognised project under the Arafura Timor Seas Experts Forum (ATSEF).

Citation

This document should be cited as:

Boggs G, Edyvane K, de Carvalho N, Penny S, Rouwenhorst J, Brocklehurst P, Cowie I, Barreto C, Amaral

A, Monteiro J, Pinto P, Mau R, Smit N, Amaral J, Fernandes L. (2012). Marine and Coastal Habitat Mapping in
Timor Leste (North Coast) – Final Report. Project 1 of the Timor Leste Coastal-Marine Habitat Mapping,
Tourism and Fisheries Development Project. Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Government of Timor
Leste.

© Copyright of the Government of Timor Leste, 2012.

Printed by Uniprint NT, Charles Darwin University, Northern Territory, Australia.
Permission to copy is granted provided the source is acknowledged.

ISBN
978-1-74350-011-8 (Australia)
978-989-8635-00-6 (Timor Leste) (paper)
978-989-8635-01-3 (Timor Leste) (pdf)

Copyright of Photographs

Cover Photographs:
Main: Karen Edyvane
Central photographs left to right: Shane Penny, Guy Boggs, Karen Edyvane, Karen Edyvane, Tony Ayling,
Shane Penny
2
Acknowledgements

This collaborative project received significant support from organisations and individuals
throughout. We would particularly like to thank the Government of Timor-Leste, and specifically
the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for their long-term support in this project. Within MAF,
we would particularly like to thank Anselmo Lopes Amaral, Adriano "Dani" Fernandes do Karmo,
Joaõ D.M. dos Reis, Jose Monteiro, Carlos de Jesus and Raimundo Mau for project assistance.

We also gratefully acknowledge the invaluable technical support of Shane Penny from the Marine
and Biodiversity Branch (former Department of Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism, Arts
and Sport, Northern Territory Government) and also, the Tropical Spatial Science Group at Charles
Darwin University that provided important support, input and valuable feedback throughout the
project. Dimity Boggs provided valuable input and review of the draft report.

Finally, a very special thank you to the late Mike Gallagher, the Northern Territory Government
representative in Dili, whose support in Timor-Leste was invaluable.

Dr Guy Boggs (Charles Darwin University, Australia)

Professor Karen Edyvane (Northern Territory Government-Charles Darwin University)
Narciso de Carvalho (Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Timor Leste)

5 November 2012

i
ii
 Executive Summary (English)
Project Title: Marine & Coastal Habitat Mapping in Timor Leste

Project Leaders: Guy Boggs (CDU), Karen Edyvane (NRETAS-CDU), Narciso de Carvalho
(MAF-Fisheries)

Other Project Participants: Shane Penny (NRETAS), Juno Rouwenhorst (CDU), Peter
Brocklehurst (NRETAS), Ian Cowie (NRETAS), Celestino Barreto de Cunha (MAF-Fisheries),
Anselmo Lopes Amaral (MAF-Fisheries), Jose Monteiro (MAF-Fisheries), Pedro Pinto (MAF-
Protected Areas), Raimundo Mau (ALGIS), Neil Smit (NRETAS), Joao Xavier Amaral (MAF-
Fisheries), Lucas Fernandes (MAF-Fisheries).

Introduction

The maritime estate of Timor-Leste, encompasses over 700 km of coastline (and the islands of
Atauro and Jaco), within a region of globally-significant tropical marine biodiversity. Timor Leste
however, also faces major human development challenges – with some of the highest levels of
population growth, infant mortality, malnutrition, unemployment, illiteracy and food insecurity in
the South East Asia. With many coastal communities highly dependent on coastal resources -
knowledge of the distribution, nature and ecological condition of coastal and marine biodiversity
and resources is essential to underpin conservation, ecosystem-based planning and sustainable use
and also, regional economic development (particularly fisheries, aquaculture and coastal-marine
ecotourism). Habitat mapping is vital for the both, the planning of individual Marine Protected
Areas (MPAs) and MPA networks, and also, to assist with multiple-use zoning and assisting
sustainable coastal resource use and development. While the north coast of Timor-Leste is highly
valued for its contribution to local livelihoods, particularly through ecotourism and fisheries-based
activities, no broad-scale, habitat mapping currently exists for this region. The primary aim of the
present study was to undertake broadscale survey and mapping of the marine and coastal habitats of
the north coast of Timor-Leste, to assist with future coastal-marine conservation, planning, and
regional sustainable development.

Remote Sensing

Mapping of the coastal and shallow marine habitats surrounding Timor Leste was undertaken using
Landsat TM/ETM+ imagery – using both, object-based and pixel-based analysis techniques. The
cloud, tidal and seasonal characteristics of Landsat imagery captured between 2003 and 2006 were
identified with two images selected based on low cloud cover, optimal water quality and low tide
conditions. These images were analysed using object based image analysis (OBIA) in Definiens®
software, an approach that initially segments the imagery and then classifies objects based on their
spatial, spectral and textural characteristics. A segmentation approach and class hierarchy developed
based on subset study regions was applied to the entire northern coastline and the output mapping
edited in ESRI ArcGIS® to create a final map product.

Field Surveys

Field surveys in November 2007 collected detailed information about the structure and composition
of the Timor-Leste northern coastlines marine and coastal habitats. The data from almost 1000 geo-
referenced points were analysed using standard geomorphological, benthic marine and terrestrial
vegetation classification schemes, based on geomorphic, structural and compositional characteristics
(ie. Mather & Bennett 1994, English et al.1997, National Vegetation Information System of
iii
Australia). Mangrove communities were also mapped at a fine-scale through interpretation of
1:10,000 aerial photography.

Field ground-truthing (of remotely sensed maps) in November 2007, focussed around 6 locations
along the Timor Leste coast – Metinaro, Manatuto, Baucau, Com, Jaco and Lore. Detailed surveys
of habitats undertaken in the area of proposed Nino Conis Sanatana Marine Park (Com-Tutuala-
Lore). The coastal survey collected >1000 points across 5 of the training areas, with existing data
collected by the NT Herbarium utilised for Lore. Data collected included locational information,
vegetation structure and composition of dominant species (in upper, mid and ground levels), ground
cover and simple soil characteristics. Mangrove and saltmarsh specialists (from NRETAS) also
undertook detailed floristic surveys within the 6 training areas. The complementary marine survey
sampled a total of 724 sites within the 6 training areas, using local boats (and accommodation) from
coastal fishing communities. Field data was collected using both geomorphological and biological
criteria (adapted from Mumby & Harborne 1999), and undertaken via both, visual census and
remote underwater video. Reef condition (ie. bleaching, anchor damage, Crown of Thorns,
eutrophication, etc.) was also assessed. Sampling within training areas focussed (where possible) on
systematic, cross-shelf transects (perpendicular to the coast) to enable reef profiles to be developed.

Marine and Coastal Habitat Map

Based on the results of remote sensing analyses and the coastal-marine “field ground-truthing”, a
broad scale (1:100k) map of the coastal and marine habitats of the north and east coast of Timor-
Leste has been produced. The smallest mapped element is 0.1ha and largest is 1040 ha with a mean
polygon size of 10ha (excluding the „Deep Water‟ class). As expected, the dataset is highly linear,
having a maximum „width‟ of approximately 3km (covering marine and coastal habitats), with much
of the mapping being less than 1km in width. The classification identified a total of 6 marine habitat
types and 7 coastal habitat types.

The marine nearshore zone is characterised by a narrow reef flat (often < 60m wide, but up to
almost 1km), dominated by seagrass in shallower water (approximately 2,200ha) and corals in deeper
water and on the escarpment (approximately 2,000ha). A mixed-cover class, which included low
covers of coral or seagrass and bare areas, occupied 1,250 ha. Within the coastal habitats, mangroves
occupied 750ha, the largest stand being in the Metinaro region. Detailed mangrove mapping
(1:10,000) identified a total of 20 mangrove communities with clear zonation patterns. Bare areas
(including salt flats and beaches) occupied 1,100ha, while the vegetation was dominated by
savannas, with 3,750ha of open woodland or shrubland, 1,935ha of open forest or woodland and
1,050ha of coastal forest. Intensive agriculture (2,200ha) and built up areas (1730ha) were also a
prominent feature of the northern coastline of Timor Leste.

The very limited extent of coral reef, seagrass and mangrove habitats on the north coast of Timor
Leste, impose strong limits on available marine resources and levels of harvest (particularly reef
fisheries, mangroves) and in the light of increasing human resource use, underscore the urgent need
for precautionary and effective conservation management.

Importantly, the coastal mapping has revealed significant and ongoing coastal habitat loss in Timor
Leste. As such, total mangrove extent has reduced from 9,000ha in 1940, to 3,035ha in 2000 (FA0
2003) to just 1,802 ha recorded in 2008, ie. ~40% loss between 2000-2008, or disturbingly, an
approximate 80% loss of total mangrove habitat since 1940. Mangrove trees are harvested for
timber and fuel wood and in some instances hinterland mangroves have been removed for brackish
water shrimp and/or fish ponds.

Validation of the final mapping identified overall accuracies of 83% and 92% for the coastal and
marine habitats respectively. However, the broad definition of some habitat classes indicate that
iv
these accuracies should be interpreted with some caution and greater value can be found in the
comparison of the detailed field survey classes identified within each broader habitat class.

Capacity-Building and TL Engagement

The project was well-supported by the project partners, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
(MAF) – with a wide range of training outcomes.

Training in marine species identification and also, coral reef monitoring was considered a major
training priority for MAF staff. Training in survey, marine species identification and ongoing
monitoring of coral reef habitats (including fish, invertebrates) was undertaken using the
international, ‘ReefCheck’ protocol (www.reefcheck.org). Under the TL „ReefCheck‟ Project, 3
trainers were trained to deliver ‘ReefCheck’ training and a total of 12 MAF staff were trained – with 3
certified as Eco-Divers. ‘ReefCheck’ training was undertaken using both, the SCUBA-based protocol
and the snorkel-based protocol – and with the training delivered both, in English and in Indonesian
– using Indonesian training material and products. Two MAF staff have also received training in
marine taxonomy, as part of a 5-day, Marine Polychaete Taxonomy Workshop (1-5 October 2007) held in
Darwin, by the NT Museum & Art Gallery (NRETAS).

The field surveys were also strongly supported by MAF staff (Fisheries, Protected Areas) and
ALGIS, with a total of 4 staff assisting the coastal survey and 9 in the marine field survey.
Knowledge was shared on terrestrial plant identification and vegetation structural description, as
well as GPS data collection techniques and also through a ½ day marine workshop on the use of
GPS, depth sounders and remote underwater videos, and the benthic habitat classification. MAF
staff also assisted with the organisation of the field logistics (ie. liaison with local communities, boat
hire, accommodation, etc.).

MAF Priorities & Recommendations

1. In identifying GoTL priorities for further coastal-marine habitat mapping, MAF have
highlighted the need to address priorities for MPA network planning in Timor Leste -
particularly, within the context of the broader, MPA network planning in the Lesser Sunda
region being undertaken collaboratively with Indonesia (and The Nature Conservancy). To this
end, MAF have identified the following priorities for further mapping: (1) west of Dili, including
proposed sites for MPAs (high priority); (2) Oecussi (low priority); (3) south coast (low priority).
Coastal (terrestrial) mapping and marine mapping were both identified as of equal importance.

2. In identifying GoTL mapping priorities, finer-scale mapping for the Nino Konis Santana Marine
Park was identified by MAF as the highest habitat mapping priority, building on mapping being
undertaken by ALGIS. Areas need to be prioritised for finer-scale mapping and a common
classification scheme developed for the Timor Leste region. Capacity building was identified as
high priority as it would deliver skills and knowledge for MAF (Fisheries/ALGIS) staff to
specifically undertake mapping and spatial data analysis at both, the fine and broad-scale.

3. MAF have identified capacity-building (training and equipment) in coastal-marine habitat

mapping between Timor Leste, Australia (Northern Territory) and Indonesia (Nusa Tengarra
Timor), as a high priority. Further, the need for a common classification scheme (and scales of
information) and methods, across the region has also been identified as a key priority. This
could be implemented through a regional, coastal mapping workshop, with participants from
MAF (Fisheries/ALGIS), Nusa Tengarra Timor and the Northern Territory. This workshop
would define terms of reference between the 3 countries on classification schemes and priorities

v
 and also, develop a plan of action. MAF also identified the need to train 2-3 staff in marine and
coastal GIS and remote sensing techniques, in partnership with CDU.

4. Database training and knowledge management (and also, awareness of Intellectual Property) is a
priority area for training of MAF (and other GoTL agency staff). With knowledge capture and
the building of GIS and knowledge systems, training is required by MAF staff in database
management, data standards, Intellectual Property and formal data agreements. MAF have also
identified database training and knowledge management as a priority area for capacity-building
and training of MAF and GoTL staff.

5. MAF recognise the importance of Intellectual Property and knowledge management and
recommend that all requests for data/information arising from work currently undertaken by
MAF (and the Government of Timor Leste) (including this partnership program) should be
subject to a formal data agreement.

6. Under the CTI National Plan of Action for Timor Leste, the Wetar Strait is priority „seascape‟
requiring deep water habitat mapping. MAF, however, do not consider this a mapping priority,
given the current priorities and lack of capacity and resources within MAF.

7. Given the success of the ‘ReefCheck’ program in Timor Leste, MAF have identified the need to
support and expand the existing MAF ‘ReefCheck’ survey program and team in Timor Leste.
This includes establishing regular monitoring, 2-4 times year per site and increasing the number
of sites across the northern coast. It was recommended that: (a) the reef survey program use
‘ReefCheck’ and also, other survey methods; (b) include impacted sites; and (c) establish regular
monitoring sites within the Nino Konis Santana Marine Park (both, inside and outside the park).

8. MAF have identified the need to build on the TL ‘ReefCheck’ program (and results) and develop
a school-based, marine education and public awareness program, to highlight the status,
condition and threats facing coral reefs in Timor Leste. In the Com-Tutuala region, this
education campaign could be a component of a broader, Marine Park community outreach and
education program.

vi
 Sumáriu (Tetum)
Projetu Naran: Mapeamentu ba Habitat iha tasi-Ibun no Tasi-Laran Timor-Leste

Lider sira Projetu nian: Guy Boggs (CDU), Karen Edyvane (NRETAS-CDU), Narciso de
Carvalho (MAF-Fisheries)

Partisipante sira iha Projetu ne’e sira seluk: Shane Penny (NRETAS), Juno Rouwenhorst
(CDU), Peter Brocklehurst (NRETAS), Ian Cowie (NRETAS), Celestino Barreto de Cunha (MAF-
Fisheries), Anselmo Lopes Amaral (MAF-Fisheries), Jose Monteiro (MAF-Fisheries), Pedro Pinto
(MAF-Protected Areas), Raimundo Mau (ALGIS), Neil Smit (NRETAS), Joao Xavier Amaral
(MAF-Peska), Lucas Fernandes (MAF-Peska).

Introdusaun

Propriedade marítimu Timor-Leste nian engloba área tasi-ibun (ka kosteira) liu kilómetru 700 (no
tan illa Atauro no Jaco), iha rejiaun ida ne‟ebé globalmente iha signifikadu bio-diversidade marítima
tropikál. Maibé, Timor-Leste hasoru mós dezafiu boot ida kona-ba dezenvolvimentu umanu – ho
kreximentu populasionál balu ne‟ebé aas tebes iha Sudeste Asia nia laran, mortalidade infantil,
malnutrisaun, dezempregu, analfabetizmu, falta seguransa ai-han nian. Ho populasaun barak iha
zona kosteira ne‟ebé depende ba rekursus iha tasi-ibun – importante tebes hasa‟e koñesimentu kona-
ba distribuisaun, bio-diversidade tasi-ibun no tasi-laran (kosteira no marina) nia kondisaun natural
no ekolójika atu bele sustenta protesaun, planeamentu ida ne‟ebé bazeia ba eko-sistema no uzu
sustentavel no mós dezenvolvimentu ekonómiku rejionál (liliu peska, aqua-kultura no eko-turizmu
kosteiru no mariñu). Mapeamentu kona-ba habitat ne‟e importante tebes hodi halo planeamentu ba
Area Mariña Protejida idaidak (MPAs) no ba rede MPA ninian, no mós atu fó asisténsia ba
zoneamentu uzu-múltiplu no asisténsia ba uzu sustentavel no dezenvolvimentu ba rekursus sira iha
tasi-ibun. Kosta norte Timor-Leste nian iha valór boot tebes tanba kontribuisaun ne‟ebé nia fó ba
populasaun lokál nia moris, liliu husi eko-turizmu no atividade sira ne‟ebé bazeia ba peska, maibé sei
dauk iha mapeamentu no peskiza ida iha eskala luan ba rejiaun ne‟e. Estudu ida-ne‟e nia objetivu
prinsipál mak atu halo mapeamentu no peskiza ba habitat sira iha tasi-ibun no tasi-laran Timor-Leste
nian hodi fó asisténsia ba konservasaun, planeamentu no dezenvolvimentu sustentavel iha rejiaun
ne‟e iha futuru.

Sensoriamentu husi distánsia

Uza Land sat TM/ETM+ imajen – objetu baze no téknika análize ne‟ebé bazeia ba pixel – halo ona
mapeamentu ba habitat mariñu sira iha tasi-ibun hadulas Timor-Leste. Identifika ona kaloan, laloran
no karaterístika temporál husi Landsat nia imajen ne‟ebé hasai entre 2003 no 2006 no hili ona imajen
rua (2), bazeia ba kaloan menus, bee nia kualidade di‟ak tebes no kondisaun laloran nian badak. Uza
objetu análize imajen ninian (object based image analysis, OBIA), husi Definiens® software, halo
ona análize ba imajen hirak ne‟e. Prosesu ne‟e uluk nanain fahe imajen sira iha grupu hafoin tuir mai
klasifika objetu hirak ne‟e tuir sira-nia karaterístika espasiál, espectral (spectral) no textural (textural).
Aplika ona prosesu segmentasaun (fahe ba grupu) no klase kategoria nian, ho baze iha estudu
subkonjuntu iha rejiaun sira, ba kosta norte tomak Timor-Leste nian, no halo sai mapeamentu ida
ne‟ebé editadu iha ESRI ArcGIS ® atu kria mapa finál ida.

vii
Peskiza sira iha terrenu

Peskiza sira ne‟ebé hala‟o iha terrenu, iha Novembru 2007, halibur ona informasaun ho detalle kona-
ba estrutura no kompozisaun liña kosteira iha parte norte Timor-Leste nian no sira-nia habitat. Uza
padraun geomorfológico, bêntico marinho no sistema klasifikasaun ba ai-moris iha rai leten, bazeia ba
geomórfico, estrutura no kompozisaun sira-nia karaterístika (ezemplu, Mather & Bennett 1994, English
et al.1997, National Vegetation Information System of Australia), halo ona análize ba dadus husi
pontos georreferenciados besik rehun ida (1000). Halo mós mapeamentu ba komunidade ai-tasi iha fine-
scale ida husi interpretasaun ba fotografia aérea 1:10,000.

Ground-trutting ne‟ebé hala‟o iha Novembru 2007 (mapas de teledetecção), foka ba fatin neen (6) nune‟e
iha kosta Timor-Leste nian - Metinaro, Manatuto, Baucau, Com, Jaco no Lore. Halo ona peskiza
detalladu ba habitat sira iha área propostu Parke Mariñu Nino Konis Santana (Com-Tutuala-Lore).
Peskiza ne‟ebé halo iha tasi-ibun ne‟e halibur pontu rehun ida (1000) husi área formasaun lima, ho
dadus ne‟ebé NT Herbarium halibur hodi uza ba Loré. Dadus detalladu sira inklui informasaun
kona-ba fatin, estrutura vegetação nian no espésie dominante sira-nia kompozisaun (iha rai tetuk,
médiu no aas), no karaterístika kobertura rai nian no rai simples. Espesialista sira kona-ba ai-oan
moris iha tasi-ibun no marisma (salt marsh), husi NRETAS, halo mós levantamentu florístico (floristic)
iha área formasaun neen (6) nia laran. Uza roho (no fatin-hela) husi populasaun peskadór lokál,
peskiza mariñu komplementár halibur fatin hamutuk 724 iha área neen (6) formasaun ninian. Uza
kritériu geomorfológico no biolójiku (adaptadu husi MUMBY & Harborne 1999), sira halibur dadus iha
terrenu, no uza censo visual no vídeo subaquático husi distánsia. Halo mós avaliasaun ba kondisaun au-
ruin ninian (branqueamento, estragu husi âncora, Crown of Thorns, eutrophication no seluk tan).
Ezemplar ka amostra sira iha área formasaun nia laran (se bele) foka ba transecções sistemáticas, cross-
prateleira (liña perpendikular tasi-ibun ninian) atu bele dezenvolve au-ruin sira-nia perfil.

Mapa habitat Kosteiru no Mariñu

Bazeia ba rezultadu sira husi análize sensoriál husi distánsia no bazeia ba “field ground-truthing”
kosteiru-mariñu, halo ona mapa ida ho eskala boot tebes (1:100 k) kona-ba habitat kosteiru no
mariñu iha kosta norte no leste Timor-Leste nian. Elementu mapeadu ki‟ik liu mak 0.1ha no boot liu
mak 1040 ha, ho nia luan média polígono 10ha (ne‟e la sura ho kategoria „Deep Water' ka bee-kle‟an).
Hanesan ita hein tiha ona, dadus hirak ne‟e lineár tebetebes, ho nia „largura‟ másimu 3 km (abranje
habitat tasi-ibun no tasi-laran nian), ho mapeamentu barak liu mak la liu kilómetru 1 largura (1 km).
Klasifikasaun ne‟e hetan habitat mariñu oin neen (6) no habitat kosteiru oin hitu (7). Mariñu iha zona
tasi-ninin nian halo parte au-ruin kloot ida no tetuk/belar (ne‟ebé jeralmente iha metru 60 largura,
maibé to‟o besik kilometru 1), ne‟ebé duut-tasi mak domina iha bee tetuk ka planu (besik 2.200 ha)
no au-ruin iha bee kle‟an liu no iha escarpa (escarpment) nia leten (besik 2.000 ha). Mistura klase
kobertura, ne‟ebé inklui menus kobertura ba au-ruin ka duut-tasi no área sira mamuk, okupa 1.250
ha. Iha habitat kosteiru sira-nia laran, ai-tasi sira okupa 750ha. Detalle husi mapeamentu kona-ba ai-
tasi sira (1:10.000) identifika komunidade ai-tasi ruanulu (20) ho padraun klaru kona-ba zoneamentu.
Area mamuk sira (inklui kopartimentu masin nian no praias) okupa 1.100 ha, enkuantu savana sira
(ai-laran) ne‟ebé domina vegetação, ho 3.750ha ai-laran ka de floresta aberta ka arbustu, 1.935 ha
floresta aberta ka floresta no 1.050 ha floresta kosteira. Area ne‟ebé iha agrikultura intensiva (2.200
ha) no área ne‟ebé populasaun hela (1730h), halo mós parte hanesan karaterístika importante tebes
kosta norte Timor-Leste nian.

Habitat au-ruin, duut-tasi no ai-tasi nia estensaun limitadu iha kosta norte Timor-Leste nian inpoin
limitasaun boot ba rekursus ne‟ebe eziste iha tasi-laran no nivel colheita nian (harvest) (liliu au-ruin,
ai-tasi sira); tanba utilizasaun rekursus umanus nian aumenta, presiza harii lalais jestaun kona-ba
konservasaun preventiva no efikás.

viii
Importante liu, mapa tasi-ibun nian hatudu katak habitat iha tasi-ibun lakon barak ona no kontinua
lakon nafatin iha Timor-Leste. Nune‟e, ai-tasi nia estensaun totál redús husi hectare 9,000 iha 1940 ba
hectare 3,035 iha 2000 (FAO 2003) no tun ba hectare 1,802 ne‟ebé rejista iha 2008, ezemplu: lakon
pursentu 40 (40%) entre 2000-2008, ka aat liu tan ne‟e, lakon ai-tasi nia habitat totál besik 80% hahú
husi 1940. Ema tesi ai-tasi atu halo ai-kabelak no ai-maran, no dala ruma hasai tiha ai-tasi iha rai
leten hodi hakiak boek-oan iha bee merak no/ka halo debun ba ikan.

Validasaun husi mapeamentu final identifika katak iha jerál hetan 83% ezatidaun (accuracies) ba
habitat kosteira no 92% ezatidaun ba habitat mariña. Maibé, definisaun jerál ba habitat nia kategoria
balu hatudu katak ita presiza interpreta ezatidaun hirak ne‟e ho kuidadu, no bele hetan valor boot liu
bainhira halo komparasaun entre levanatamentu husi kategoria peskiza iha terrenu iha klase habitat
idaidak ne‟ebé luan liu.

Kapasitasaun no TL nia Kometimentu

Projetu ne‟e simu apoiu di‟ak husi ninia parseiru sira, Ministériu Agrikultura no Peska (MAF) – ho
rezultadu lubun ida husi formasaun.

Treinu kona-ba oinsá atu identifika espésie mariña no mós monitorizasaun ba au-ruin, ne‟e
konsidera hanesan prioridade boot ida ba funsionáriu MAF sira-nia treinamentu. Uza protokolu
internasionál ‘ReefCheck’ (www.reefcheck.org), halo ona treinu kona-ba peskiza, identifikasaun ba
espésie mariña sira no monitorizasaun permanente ba au-ruin nia habitat sira (inklui ikan,
invertebrados). Iha Projetu TL 'ReefCheck' nia laran, treinadór na‟in tolu simu ona treinu atu hala‟o
treinu kona-ba "ReefCheck‟, no funsionáriu MAF hamutuk ema na‟in 12 mak simu ona treinu ne‟e –
ne‟ebé na‟in tolu hetan sertifikadu hanesan Eco-Divers. Uza protokolu ne‟ebé bazeia ba SCUBA no
protokolu ne‟ebé bazeia ba snorkel, hala‟o ona treinu kona-ba „ReefCheck‟ – treinu ne‟e hala‟o iha lia-
Indonesia no lia-Inglés – no uza material no produtu sira husi Indonesia. MAF nia funsionáriu na‟in
rua simu mós treinu kona-ba taxonomia marinha, hanesan parte iha workshop ida ne‟ebé Museum &
Art Gallery (NRETAS) hala‟o iha Darwin, NT, durante loron lima (1-5 Outubru 2007) kona-ba
Marine Polychaete Taxonomy.

Levantamentu iha terrenu mós simu apoiu maka‟as husi MAF nia funsionáriu (Peska, Area
Protejida) no ALGIS, ho funsionáriu hamutuk na‟in haat (4) ne‟ebé fó asisténsia ba peskiza kosteira
no na‟in sia (9) ba peskiza iha área mariña nian. Sira fahe koñesimentu identifikasaun ninian kona-ba
ai-oan moris sira iha rai leten (plantas terrestres) no deskrisaun estruturál kona-ba ai-laran
(vegetação), no mós téknika kona-ba halibur dadus GPS no mós liu husi workshop loron-balu nia
laran kona-ba oinsá atu uza GPS, profundidade acústica (depth sounders) video submarinu no
klasifikasaun ba habitats bênticos (benthic habitat). MAF nia funsionáriu sira mós simu apoiu kona-ba
organizasaun lojístika iha terrenu (ezemplu, ligasaun ho komunidade lokál sira, aluga roho, toba-fatin
no seluk tan).

MAF nia Prioridade no Lia-Menon

1. Bainhira identifika GoTL nia prioridade sira atu halo tan mapa ba riku-soin iha tasi-laran no tasi-
ibun sira-nia habitat, MAF hateten katak iha nesesidade boot atu fó prioridade ba MPA nia rede
planeamentu iha Timor-Leste laran – liliu, iha kontestu jerál, tanba MPA nia rede planeamentu
iha rejiaun Lesser Sunda hala‟o daudaun ona ho Indonesia (no ho Konservasaun Natureza).
Kona-ba ne‟e, MAF identifika ona prioridade sira tuir mai ne‟e, ne‟ebé atu halo tan mapa: (1)
parte loromunu Dili nian, inklui área hirak ne‟ebé propoin ona ba MPA (prioridade boot); (2)
Oecusse (prioridade ki‟ik); (3) kosta tasi-mane nian (prioridade ki‟ik). Mapa kosta nian (rai leten)
no mapa tasi-laran nian identifika ona katak iha importánsia hanesan.

ix
2. Bainhira identifika GoTL nia prioridade sira, MAF identifika mapeamentu eskala finu ba Parke
Mariñu Nino Konis Santana hanesan mapeamentu habitat nian ne‟ebé iha prioridade boot liu.
ALGIS harii daudaun ona baze ba mapeamentu ne‟e. Presiza fó prioridade ba área sira ne‟ebé
atu halo mapeamentu eskala finu no dezenvolve sistema klasifikasaun komún ba rejiaun Timor-
Leste nian. Identifika ona katak prioridade boot mak kapasitasaun hodi hato‟o kompeténsia no
koñesimentu ba MAF nia funsionáriu sira (Peska/ALGIS) atu halo espesifikamente mapa no
análize ba dadus espasiál sira, iha eskala finu no mós eskala globál.

3. MAF identifika ona kapasitasaun (treinu no ekipamentu) kona-ba mapeamentu ba habitat sira
tasi-laran no tasi-ibun entre Timor-Leste, Australia (Territoriu Norte) no Indonesia (Nusa
Tengara Timur) hanesan prioridade ida boot. Alende ne‟e, identifika mós nesesidade atu
estabelese sistema no métodu identifikasaun (no eskala informasaun nian) komún ba rejiaun
tomak hanesan prioridade prinsipál ida. Bele implementa ne‟e husi workshop ida kona-ba
mapeamentu ba tasi-laran no tasi-ibun, rejionál, ho partisipante sira husi MAF (Peska/ALGIS),
Nusa Tengara Timur no Territóriu Norte. Workshop ne‟e bele define termu referénsia kona-ba
sistema klasifikasaun no prioridade sira entre nasaun tolu ne‟e, no mós dezenvolve planu asaun
ida. MAF identifika mós katak iha nesesidade atu fó treinu ba funsionáriu na‟in 2-3 kona-ba GIS
tasi-laran no tasi-ibun no téknika sensoriamentu remotu, husi parseria ho CDU.

4. Treinu kona-ba banku-dadus no jestaun koñesimentu nian (no mós koñesimentu kona-ba
Propriedade Intelektual) ne‟e área prioridade ida ne‟ebé atu fó treinu ba MAF (no ba funsionáriu
sira husi GoTL nia ajénsia sira seluk). Ho koñesimentu ne‟ebé hetan no konstrusaun sistema
GIS no koñesimentu nian, MAF nia funsionáriu sira presiza simu treinu kona-ba jestaun banku-
dadus, padraun dadus nian, Propriedade Intelektual no akordu formál kona-ba dadus. MAF
identifika mós treinu kona-ba banku-dadus no jestaun koñesimentu nian hanesan área prioridade
kapasitasaun no treinu ninian ba MAF no GoTL nia funsionáriu sira.

5. MAF rekoeñse katak Propriedade Intelektual no jestaun koñesimentu nian importante no

hameno katak pedidu hotu-hotu ne‟ebé mai husi servisu ne‟ebé hala‟o daudaun husi MAF (no
Governu Timor-Leste) (inklui parseria husi programa ne‟e) tenke submete ba akordu formál ida
kona-ba dadus.

6. Tuir Planu Asaun Nasionál CTI ba Timor-Leste, Wetar Strait (Estreitu Wetar) ne‟e „seascape‟
prioritáriu ida ne‟ebé presiza mapeamentu ba habitat iha bee-kle‟an. Maibé, MAF la konsidera
ne‟e hanesan prioridade atu halo mapa tanba prioridade sira ne‟ebé iha no falta kapasidade no
rekursus iha MAF nia laran.

7. Haree ba susesu programa ‘ReefCheck’ nian iha Timor-Leste, MAF identifika katak iha
nesesidade atu fó apoiu no haluan MAF nia programa no ekipa peskiza ‘ReefCheck’ ne‟ebé eziste
iha Timor-Leste. Ida-ne‟e inklui monitorizasaun regulár, dala 2-4 tinan ida ba fatin ida, no hasa‟e
númeru fatin nian iha kosta tasi-feto. Hameno katak: (a) atu uza programa ‘ReefCheck’ no mós
métodu sira seluk hodi halo peskiza ba au-ruin; (b) atu inkui fatin hirak ne‟ebé hetan impaktu; no
(c) atu define fatin atu halo monitorizasaun regulár iha Parke Mariñu Nino Konis Santana (iha
parke nia laran no nia li‟ur).

8. MAF identifika katak iha nesesidade atu dezenvolve iha programa (no rezultadu sira) ‘ReefCheck’
Timor-Leste ne‟ebé mak iha ona no halo programa kona-ba sensibilizasaun públika no
edukasaun kona-ba riku-soin tasi nian iha eskola sira hodi hatudu au-ruin sira iha Timor-Leste
nia estatutu, kondisaun no ameasa ne‟ebé sira hasoru. Iha rejiaun Com-Tutuala, kampaña
edukasaun ne‟e bele sai hanesan komponente ida husi programa edukasaun komunitária kona-ba
Parke Mariñu.

x
 Sumário Executivo (Portugese)

Título do Projecto: Mapeamento de Habitats Marinhos e Costeiros em Timor-Leste

Líderes do Projecto: Guy Boggs (CDU), Karen Edyvane (NRETAS-CDU), Narciso Almeida de
Carvalho (MAP-Pescas)

Outros Participantes no Projecto: Shane Penny (NRETAS), Juno Rouwenhorst (CDU), Peter
Brocklehurst (NRETAS), Ian Cowie (NRETAS), Celestino da Cunha Barreto (MAP – Pescas),
Anselmo Lopes Amaral (MAP– Pescas), José Monteiro (MAP – Pescas), Pedro Pinto (MAP –
Áreas Protegidas), Raimundo Mau (MAP – ALGIS), Neil Smit (NRETAS), João Xavier Amaral
(MAP – Pescas), Lucas Fernandes (MAP – Pescas).

Introdução

Timor-Leste tem uma linha de costa de mais de 700 km (e as ilhas de Ataúro e Jaco),
numa região de biodiversidade marinha tropical globalmente significativa. No entanto,
Timor-Leste depara-se com enormes desafios de desenvolvimento humano, com os
maiores níveis de crescimento populacional, mortalidade infantil, malnutrição,
desemprego, iliteracia e insegurança alimentar do Sudeste Asiático. Com muitas
comunidades costeiras muito dependentes dos recursos costeiros, o conhecimento da
distribuição, natureza e condição ecológica da biodiversidade e dos recursos costeiros
e marinhos é essencial para sustentar a conservação, planeamento com base no
ecossistema e o uso sustentável e também o desenvolvimento económico regional
(particularmente as pescas, aquacultura e o ecoturismo marinho e costeiro). O
mapeamento de habitats é essencial para o planeamento de Áreas Marinhas
Protegidas (AMP) individuais e também para o planeamento das redes de AMP‟s, e
ainda no apoio à definição de zonas de usos múltiplos e ao uso e desenvolvimento
sustentável dos recursos costeiros. Apesar da costa Norte de Timor-Leste ser
altamente valorizada pela sua contribuição aos meios de vida locais, em particular
através do ecoturismo e actividades piscatórias, não existe nenhum mapa em larga
escala de habitats para esta região. O principal objectivo deste estudo é realizar um
levantamento e mapeamento de larga escala para os habitats marinhos e costeiros na
costa Norte de Timor-Leste, para apoiar os esforços futuros de conservação costeira e
marinha, de planeamento e de desenvolvimento regional sustentável.

Detecção Remota

O mapeamento dos habitats costeiros e marinhos de baixa profundidade junto a Timor-

Leste foi realizado recorrendo a imagens Landsat TM/ETM+, usando técnicas de
análise com base em objectos e em pixéis. Identificaram-se as condições de
nebulosidade, das marés e características sazonais das imagens Landsat obtidas entre
2003 e 2006, sendo seleccionadas duas imagens com condições de pouca
nebulosidade, óptima qualidade da água e baixa-mar. Estas imagens foram analisadas
recorrendo a uma análise de imagens com base em objectos (OBIA – object based
image analysis) através do software Definiens®, uma abordagem que inicialmente
segmenta a imagem e depois classifica os objectos com base nas suas características
espaciais, espectrais e de textura. Uma abordagem de segmentação e hierarquia de
classes desenvolvida com base em sub-regiões de estudo foi aplicada a toda a linha de
costa Norte e o mapa resultante foi editado em ESRI ArcGIS® para criar um mapa final.

xi
Levantamentos no campo
Em Novembro de 2007, durante as campanhas de campo, foi colectada informação
detalhada acerca da estrutura e composição dos habitats marinhos e costeiros na linha
de costa Norte de Timor-Leste. Os dados de quase 1000 pontos georreferenciados
foram analisados usando esquemas padrão de classificação geomorfológica e de
vegetação marinha bentónica e terrestre, com base nas características geomórficas,
estruturais e de composição (ie. Mather & Bennet 1994, English et al. 1997, National
Vegetation Information System of Australia). As comunidades de mangal foram também
mapeadas a fina escala, através da interpretação de fotografias aéreas à escala
1:10,000.

A verificação no terreno (de mapas de detecção remota) em Novembro de 2007,

concentrou-se ao redor de 6 locais ao longo da costa Norte de Timor-Leste – Metinaro,
Manauto, Baucau, Com, Jaco e Lore. Foram feitos levantamentos detalhados na zona
do proposto Parque Marinho Nino Konis Santana (Com-Tutuala-Lore). O levantamento
costeiro obteve mais de 1000 pontos em 5 das áreas de treino, com informação
existente recolhida pelo Herbário do Northern Territory (NT Herbarium) usada para
Lore. Os dados recolhidos incluíam informações de localização, estrutura vegetal e
composição de espécies dominantes (em níveis superiores, médios e inferiores),
cobertura vegetal e características simples do solo. Especialistas em mangais (do
NRETAS) também efectuaram levantamentos detalhados da flora nas 6 áreas de
treino. O levantamento marinho complementar amostrou um total de 724 locais nas 6
áreas de treino, recorrendo a embarcações (e alojamento) locais, das comunidades
piscatórias costeiras. Os dados de campo foram recolhidos usando critérios
geomorfológicos e biológicos (adaptados de Mumby & Harborne 1999), recorrendo a
censos visuais e vídeo subaquático remoto. As condições dos recifes (ie.
branqueamento, danos de ancoragem, eutrofização, coroas de espinhos, etc.) foram
também avaliadas. A amostragem nas áreas de treino concentrou-se (quando possível)
em transectos transversais (perpendiculares à linha de costa) sistemáticos para permitir
o desenvolvimento de perfis dos recifes.

Mapa de Habitats Marinhos e Costeiros

Com base nos resultados da análise dos dados obtidos remotamente e da verificação
de campo foi produzido um mapa de larga escala (1:100,000) dos habitats costeiros e
marinhos das costas Norte e Este de Timor-Leste. O elemento mapeado mais pequeno
tem 0.1ha e o maior 1040ha sendo que a média do tamanho dos polígonos é de 10 ha
(exceptuando a classe “águas profundas”). Como esperado, o conjunto de dados é
altamente linear, tendo uma “largura” máxima de aproximadamente 3km (cobrindo
habitats marinhos e costeiros), sendo que a maior parte do mapa tem menos de 1km
de largura. A classificação identificou um total de 6 tipos de habitats marinhos e 7 tipos
de habitats costeiros.

A zona marinha perto da linha de costa é caracterizada por uma estreita zona plana do
recife de coral (reef flat) (normalmente <60m de largura, mas até um máximo de quase
1km), dominada por ervas marinhas em águas menos profundas (aproximadamente
2,200ha) e coral em águas mais profundas e nas escarpas (aproximadamente
2,000ha). A classe de cobertura mista, que inclui baixa cobertura de coral ou de ervas
marinhas e áreas descobertas, ocupa 1,250ha. Dentro dos habitats costeiros, os
mangais ocupam 750ha, sendo o maior pé na região de Metinaro. O mapeamento
detalhado dos mangais (1:10,000) identificou um total de 20 comunidades de mangal
com padrões zonais claros. Áreas descobertas (incluindo lagos de sal e praias)

xii
ocupavam 1,100ha enquanto a vegetação era dominada por savanas. Com 3,750ha de
mata aberta, 1,945ha de floresta aberta e 1,050ha de floresta costeira. A agricultura
intensiva (2,200ha) e as áreas construídas (1,730ha) eram também uma característica
proeminente da costa Norte de Timor-Leste.

A pequena extensão dos habitats de recifes de coral, ervas marinhas e mangais na

costa Norte de Timor-Leste impõem fortes limites aos recursos marinhos disponíveis e
aos níveis de exploração (particularmente nas pescas de recife e nos mangais) e à luz
de um cada vez maior uso humano dos recursos sublinha a necessidade urgente de
uma gestão de conservação efectiva e precautória.

Muito importante é a revelação de perda significativa e contínua de habitats em Timor-

Leste. A extensão total de mangal diminuiu de 9,000ha em 1940 para 3,035ha em 2000
(FAO 2003) para apenas 1,802ha identificados em 2008, i.e. uma perda de cerca de
40% no período 2000-20008, ou uns alarmantes cerca de 80% desde 1940. As árvores
dos mangais são exploradas para madeira de construção e combustível e em alguns
casos os mangais mais interiores foram removidos para aquacultura de peixes e
camarão.

A validação dos mapas finais identificou precisões de 83% e 92% para os habitats
costeiros e marinhos, respectivamente. No entanto, a definição abrangente de algumas
classes de habitats, indicam que estas precisões devem ser interpretadas com algum
cuidado e que é preferível comparar as classes detalhadas dos levantamentos de
campo identificadas dentro de cada classe de habitat.

Desenvolvimento de Capacidades e Envolvimento de TL

O projecto teve muito apoio dos parceiros, do Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas (MAP)
– com um largo espectro de resultados de formação.

Considerou-se que a formação na identificação de espécies marinhas e na

monitorização dos recifes de coral era prioritária para os funcionários do MAP. Foi
oferecida formação em levantamentos, identificação de espécies marinhas e
monitorização contínua dos habitats de recifes de coral (incluindo peixes e
invertebrados), recorrendo ao protocolo internacional “ReefCheck”
(www.reefcheck.org). No Projecto ReefCheck de Timor-Leste, formaram-se 3
formadores para dar formação no referido protocolo e um total de 12 funcionários do
MAP receberam formação – sendo que 3 obtiveram certificação de Eco-Divers. A
formação ReefCheck foi dada usando os protocolos de mergulho com escafandro e de
apneia, em duas línguas (Inglês e Bahasa Indonésio, usando os materiais e produtos
didácticos indonésios). Dois funcionários do MAP também receberam formação em
taxonomia marinha, como parte de um Seminário de Taxonomia de Poliquetas
Marinhos de 5 dias (1-5 Outubro 2007) organizado em Darwin pelo NT Museum & Art
Gallery (NRETAS).

Os levantamentos de campo também foram altamente apoiados pelos funcionários do

MAP (Pescas, Áreas Protegidas e ALGIS) com um total de 4 funcionários a apoiarem o
levantamento costeiro e 9 no levantamento marinho. Foram transmitidos
conhecimentos em identificação de plantas terrestres e descrição estrutural de
vegetação, bem como técnicas de recolha de dados GPS e também durante um
seminário de ½ dia sobre o uso de GPS, sondas de profundidade e vídeos remotos

xiii
subaquáticos, e classificação de habitats bênticos. Os funcionários do MAP também
deram apoio à organização da logística de campo (i.e. ligação com as comunidades
locais, aluguer de embarcações, alojamento, etc.).

Prioridades e Recomendações do MAP

1. Ao identificar as prioridades do Governo de Timor-Leste para mais mapeamento de

habitats costeiros e marinhos, o MAP sublinhou a necessidade de abordar as
prioridades de planeamento de AMP‟s em Timor-Leste – particularmente no
contexto do planeamento mais abrangente da região das Ilhas Menores de Sunda,
levada a cabo em colaboração com a Indonésia (e The Nature Conservancy). Neste
sentido o MAP identificou as seguintes prioridades para mais mapeamento: (1)
Oeste de Dili, incluindo zonas propostas para protecção (alta prioridade); (2)
Oecussi (baixa prioridade); (3) Costa Sul (baixa prioridade). Considerou-se que o
mapeamento costeiro (terrestre) e o mapeamento marinho tinham igual prioridade.

2. Ao identificar as prioridades de mapeamento do Governo de Timor-Leste, o

mapeamento a fina escala do Parque Nacional Nino Konis Santana foi identificado
como a prioridade máxima de mapeamento de habitats, complementando o
mapeamento que se encontra a ser feito pelo ALGIS. Têm de se identificar as áreas
prioritárias para os mapas de fina escala e desenvolver um esquema comum de
classificação para a região de Timor-Leste. A capacitação foi também identificada
como uma alta prioridade, uma vez que daria capacidades e conhecimentos aos
funcionários do MAP (Pescas/ALGIS) para que realizem os mapeamentos e análise
espacial de larga e fina escala.

3. O MAP identificou a capacitação (formação e equipamentos) no mapeamento de

habitats costeiros e marinhos entre Timor-Leste, Austrália (Northern Territory) e
Indonésia (Nusa Tenggara Timur), como sendo de alta prioridade. Para além disto,
o desenvolvimento de um esquema de classificação, escalas de informação e
métodos comuns à região, também foi identificado como prioritário. Isto poderia ser
alcançado com um seminário regional de mapeamento costeiro, com participantes
do MAP (Pescas/ALGIS), Nusa Tenggara Timur e Northern Territory. Este seminário
definiria entre os 3 países os termos de referência dos esquemas de classificação e
prioridades, e também desenvolveria um plano de acção. O MAP também
identificou a necessidade de formar 2-3 funcionários em sistemas de informação
geográfica (GIS) e técnicas de detecção remota marinha e costeira, em parceria
com a CDU.

4. Formação em bases de dados e gestão de conhecimento (e também,

conhecimentos de Propriedade Intelectual) é uma prioridade na área da formação
dos recursos humanos do MAP (e de outras agências governamentais de Timor-
Leste). Com a apreensão de conhecimentos e a construção dos sistemas de GIS e
conhecimento, é necessária formação em gestão de bases de dados, padronização
de dados, Propriedade Intelectual e acordos formais de dados. O MAP também
identificou a formação em bases de dados e gestão de conhecimentos como uma
área prioritária na capacitação e formação dos recursos humanos do MAP e do
Governo de Timor-Leste.

5. O MAP reconhece a importância da Propriedade Intelectual e a gestão de

conhecimentos e recomenda que todos os pedidos de dados/informação
decorrentes de trabalhos em curso no MAP (e no Governo de Timor-Leste)
(incluindo esta parceria) deveriam estar sujeitos a um acordo formal de dados.

xiv
6. Sob o Plano de Acção Nacional para o CTI, o Estreito de Wetar é uma “paisagem
marinha” prioritária que requer mapeamento de habitats de águas profundas. No
entanto, o MAP não considera este mapeamento como sendo prioritário, devido às
prioridades correntes e à falta de capacidade e recursos do MAP.

7. Dado o sucesso do programa “ReefCheck” em Timor-Leste, o MAP identificou a

necessidade de apoiar e expandir o programa e equipa existentes. Isto inclui o
estabelecimento de monitorização regular, 2-4 vezes por ano em cada local e
aumentando o número de locais na costa Norte. Recomendou-se que: (a) o
programa de avaliação de recifes use o protocolo “ReefCheck” e também outros
meios de avaliação; (b) inclua locais com impactos negativos; (c) se estabeleçam
locais de monitorização regular dentro e fora do Parque Nacional Nino Konis
Santana.

8. O MAP identificou a necessidade de aumentar o programa (e resultados)

“ReefCheck” em Timor-Leste e de desenvolver um programa de educação e
sensibilização ambiental, nas escolas, que realcem o estado, condição e ameaças
aos recifes de coral de Timor-Leste. Na região Com-Tutuala, esta campanha
educativa poderia ser uma componente de um programa de sensibilização e
educação comunitária do Parque Nacional.

xv
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................... I
Executive Summary (English) ..............................................................................................IIIi
Sumáriu (Tetum) ..................................................................................................................VIIi
Sumário Executivo (Portugese) ............................................................................................ XIi

1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 3
1.1 Coastal Habitat Mapping ........................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Approaches to Coastal Habitat Mapping ................................................................................ 3
1.3 Project Aims & Objectives ........................................................................................................ 4
2 PHYSICAL SETTING............................................................................................... 5
3 METHODS ................................................................................................................ 7
3.1 Input Data ................................................................................................................................... 7
3.2 Image Pre-processing ................................................................................................................. 8
3.3 Image Classification.................................................................................................................. 10
3.3.1 Pixel Based .............................................................................................................................. 10
3.3.2 Object Based Image Analysis .................................................................................................... 11
3.3.3 Manual Interpretation .............................................................................................................. 14
3.3.4 Fine-scale Mangrove Mapping (1:10,000) ................................................................................ 15
3.4 Coastal-Marine Field Surveys.................................................................................................. 15
3.4.1 Coastal Habitats ...................................................................................................................... 15
3.4.2 Marine Habitats ...................................................................................................................... 16
3.4.3 Classification Refinement, Validation & Output ...................................................................... 20
4 RESULTS .................................................................................................................. 21
4.1 Coastal Habitats ........................................................................................................................ 25
4.1.1 Overview of Coastal Habitats ................................................................................................... 25
Table 1: Coastal habitat classes mapped and their total area. ................................................................... 25
4.1.2 Beaches & Saltflats .................................................................................................................. 25
4.1.3 Coastal Forests (non-mangrove) ................................................................................................. 26
4.1.4 Mangroves ................................................................................................................................ 27
4.1.5 Open Forest, Woodland & Shrubland ..................................................................................... 29
4.1.6 Coastal Mapping Accuracy ....................................................................................................... 30
4.2 Marine Habitats......................................................................................................................... 32
5 DISCUSSION............................................................................................................ 36
5.1 Coastal-Marine Mapping ......................................................................................................... 36
5.2 Mangroves & Coastal Wetlands ............................................................................................. 37
5.2.1 Distribution.............................................................................................................................. 37
5.2.2 Species Diversity ....................................................................................................................... 38
5.2.3 Community Structure ................................................................................................................ 40
5.2.4 Current Uses and Threats......................................................................................................... 40
5.3 Marine Habitats......................................................................................................................... 41

1
6 CAPACITY-BUILDING & ENGAGEMENT .........................................................42
6.1 International „Reef Check‟ Training ....................................................................................... 42
6.2 Coastal & Marine Habitat Surveys ......................................................................................... 43
6.3 Marine Taxonomy .................................................................................................................... 43
6.4 Regional Engagement .............................................................................................................. 43
7 EMERGING ISSUES & PRIORITIES.................................................................... 44
8 REFERENCES ......................................................................................................... 45
APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................48

Appendix 1: Timor Leste inshore marine habitat field survey classification system.
Appendix 2: Timor Leste marine habitat mapping field data survey sheet (and MS Access database).
Appendix 3: Timor Leste coastal vegetation field survey data collection sheet.
Appendix 4: Terrestrial plant species recorded in the Timor Leste coastal field surveys.
Appendix 5: Comparison of Timor Leste field survey coastal vegetation groupings with broad
mapping classes.
Appendix 6: „Reef Check‟ Training and Surveys in Timor Leste.

2
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Coastal Habitat Mapping

The maritime estate of Timor-Leste, encompasses over 700 km of coastline (and the islands of
Atauro and Jaco), within a region of globally-significant tropical marine biodiversity. Timor Leste
however, also faces major human development challenges – with some of the highest levels of
population growth, infant mortality, malnutrition, unemployment, illiteracy and food insecurity in
the South East Asia. With many coastal communities highly dependent on coastal resources -
knowledge of the distribution, nature and ecological condition of coastal and marine biodiversity
and resources is essential to underpin conservation, ecosystem-based planning and sustainable use
and also, regional economic development (particularly fisheries, aquaculture and coastal-marine
ecotourism).

The broad scale mapping of coastal habitats is a fundamental requirement in effectively managing
the coastal environment (Phinn et al. 2005). Habitat maps document the habitat types present and
their statistics and allow the identification of environmentally sensitive areas and hot spots of habitat
diversity (Mumby & Harborne 1999). Habitat mapping is vital for the both, the planning of
individual Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and MPA networks, and also, to assist with multiple-use
zoning and assisting sustainable coastal resource use and development (Beech et al. 2008).

While the north coast of Timor-Leste is highly valued for its contribution to local livelihoods,
particularly through ecotourism and fisheries-based activities, no broad-scale, habitat mapping
currently exists for this region. As such, there is limited baseline information available on the
nature, composition, structure, distribution and status of nearshore coastal and marine habitats in
Timor Leste. The primary aim of the present study was to undertake broadscale survey and
mapping of the marine and coastal habitats of the north coast of Timor-Leste, to assist with future
coastal-marine conservation, planning, and regional sustainable development.

1.2 Approaches to Coastal Habitat Mapping

Satellite based remote sensing has been used to map a range of marine and coastal attributes, from
habitat mapping and change detection to measurements of water quality and productivity in the
marine environment (Diaz et al. 2004; Malthus & Mumby 2003; Sanderson 2001). The mapping
3
application will primarily drive the selection of an appropriate sensor and analytical methodology,
with sensors producing imagery at a wide range of spatial, spectral and temporal resolutions
(Mumby & Edwards 2002). Habitat mapping commonly uses moderate resolution optical sensors
that provide sufficient detail to identify habitat boundaries at a scale relevant to management, while
being relatively cost effective and computationally efficient (Mumby et al. 2004).

Landsat TM is one of the most widely used satellite borne remote sensing technologies for habitat
mapping (Mumby et al. 1997). Landsat TM captures images at a spatial resolution of 30m, has a
return time of 18 days and includes 7 bands ranging from 0.42 µm (blue) to 2.35 µm (middle
infrared). However, habitat mapping using this technology requires turbidity levels to be low and
regions to be cloud free. This can be problematic in some tropical environments, where rainfall can
be high and turbidity levels variable. The north coast of Timor-Leste is recognised a relatively clear
water environment, while the south coast commonly experiences higher turbidity. The relatively
high repeat coverage of Landsat further provides opportunities to select imagery in which
conditions for habitat mapping are optimised.

Automated or semi-automated broad scale habitat mapping using remotely sensed technology has
often had difficulty producing cartographically acceptable products. This is due to the „salt &
pepper‟ effect of pixel based classification. Object based image analysis has been shown to produce
classification outputs that are more cartographically correct as it works within a framework that is
based on the definition of boundaries and identify patterns occurring at hierarchy of scale (Benz et
al. 2004). OBIA has been successfully applied for a number of land cover mapping applications
(Arroyo et al. 2006; Bock et al. 2005; Hajek 2006) although application to marine environments has
been limited.

1.3 Project Aims & Objectives

This project‟s primary aim was to develop a broad-scale habitat map of marine and coastal habitats
of the Timor-Leste northern coastline (approximately 250km) to assist with future coastal-marine
planning, biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource use in Timor Leste. Specifically, this
primary aim included (a) using Landsat TM satellite imagery and object-based image analysis
techniques to map broad-scale habitats of Timor Leste; (b) undertaking fine-scale mapping of
mangrove communities by manual interpretation of aerial photography; (c) undertaking field
ground-truthing or validation via intensive field surveys of the marine environment and coastal

4
habitats; and (d) where appropriate, describing aspects of the composition, structure and
distribution of coastal habitats.
In undertaking this exercise, the project recognised the need to build on existing efforts in localised,
fine-scale mapping of coastal habitats (undertaken by MAF), and also, to specifically engage and
train MAF staff in coastal-marine habitat mapping and field surveys.

2 PHYSICAL SETTING

Timor-Leste is located between Indonesia to the west and Papua New Guinea to the east, and
bounded by the Banda and Timor Seas to the north and south respectively (Sandlund et al., 2001).
Timor-Leste also includes the enclave of Oecussi and the islands of Ataúro and Jaco. It has an area
of 14,874 km2 with a coastline of more than 700 km. The island of Timor is part of the Banda Arc.
The Australian continental crust extends as far north as the north coast of Timor, and is thought to
be uplifting Timor. The Ramelau mountain range divides the country into north and south with its
highest peak reaching 2,963 m ASL (above sea level) (UNDP & RDTL, 2007). Over 40% of the
country has extremely steep slopes of 40% that are vulnerable to erosion and constantly being worn
down by the monsoonal rains, with numerous rivers draining to the seas to the north and south
(UNDP & RDTL, 2006).

Figure 1: Study area identifying towns and villages referred to within this report.

5
The project study area stretched along the north coast of Timor Leste from the western edge of Dili
to south of Jaco Island (see Figure 1). The north coast of Timor Leste experiences a dry tropical
climate with a mean temperature above 24 °C and is influenced by the Northern Monomodal
Rainfall Pattern which sees a single wet season from December to May. Annual rainfall in the north
coast lowlands can be as low as <1000 mm, whereas higher altitudes might receive rainfall up to
2000 mm/year. Downpours are often extremely heavy (Barnett et al., 2003). In contrast, the
southern coast is exposed to two wet seasons (Nov-Apr, May-Jul) and around 1500mm of rain
annually.

The northern and southern coast differ not only climatically, but also, with respect to coastal and
nearshore environments. Topographically, the north coast is rocky and steep along most of its
shoreline. The continental shelf is narrow, with coastal plains virtually non-existent or very narrow,
except for around areas such as Manatuto and Dili, with numerous white sandy beaches with
interspersed rocky outcrops are scattered along the coast. The north coast is characterised by karst
geology and uplifted ancient coral reefs (see Audley-Charles, 2004; Hamson, 2004; Keep, et al.,
2009). The dominant vegetation type along most of the coast is arid woodland (RDTL & CDU,
2006). In contrast, the continental shelf along the south coast is wide and gently sloping, with
relatively wide coastal plains characterised by river deltas, lagoons, floodplains and swamps (RDTL
and CDU 2006).

Along the northern coastline narrow fringing reefs and coral reefs can be found, as well as seagrass
meadows. The sheltered waters on the north coast, adjacent to the Banda Sea (or Tasi Fetu) are
calmer, deeper and clearer than on the south coast. In contrast, the exposed waters of the south
coast, adjacent to the Timor Sea (or Tasi Mane) are rougher, shallower and more turbid – resulting in
long stretches of sandy beach with heavy waves and surf (Sandlund et al. 2001). As opposed to the
low profile, extensive coastal margin and plains of the southern coast, the northern nearshore littoral
zone is steep and very narrow - with the sea floor on the north coast dropping off sharply into a 3
km deep marine trench at approximately 20 km from shore (RDTL & CDU, 2006; Keep et al.,
2009).

Sandlund et al. (2001) identified the following biotopes in the coastal zone of Timor-Leste:
Oceanic and sub-tidal marine environment: includes pelagic water columns, deep-
seabottoms, shallower rocky bottoms, sandy-muddy bottoms, seagrass beds and coral reefs.

6
 Intertidal zone: includes rocky intertidal shelves, sandy-muddy tidal flats and mangrove
forests.
Shorelines: include sandy beaches, dunes, rocky outcrops, limestone cliffs, river estuaries,
and brackish lagoons.
Near-shore zone: includes coastal drylands, natural forests and wetlands.

The coastal zone (and habitats) of Timor Leste are subject to a high degree of human dependency
and resource use. To-date, almost 560,000 people (approximately two-thirds of the total
population) in Timor Leste live in coastal and lowland areas with an elevation up to 500 m ASL
(NSD, 2006). Approximately 64% of the rural population is food insecure, relying heavily on
natural resources, with agriculture and (semi-) subsistence fisheries being the major sources of
income (~94%) for the population. Most fishing activities are limited to low-technology inshore
fishing. Mainly women and children collect fishes, crabs and molluscs in the intertidal zone at low
tide (Sandlund et al., 2001). During the Indonesian occupation, destructive fishing practices such as
the use of dynamite and cyanide were common. These days, such practices are still sometimes used
in some places (de Carvalho et al., 2007). Firewood is the primary source of energy for 98% of the
population (WB & ADB, 2007) and is widely collected and logged.

3 METHODS
3.1 Input Data

Two Landsat TM Scenes covering Timor Leste were acquired for the mapping of marine and
coastal habitats (see Figure 2). The images are Landsat 5 TM Scene 109/66 acquired on the 21st
August 2004 and Landsat 5 TM Scene 110/66 acquired on the 3 September, 2006. These images
were selected based on; (1) tidal information for Dili, Com, Lore and Suai that indicated that these
date/times were low tide images (see Figure 3); (2) late dry season images as this was identified as
the preferable time to optimise water clarity (3) low cloud cover, with an emphasis on
marine/coastal areas; (4) no scan line corrector (SLC) image errors and (5) captured within the 3
years of the field program.

7
Figure 2: Landsat TM scenes covering Timor Leste.

2.5
Acquired Image
2
Tide height (m)

1.5

0.5

0
17/7/2 03

18/8/ 03

12/8/2 04

3/5/2004
19/5/2 05

31/8/2 05

9/9/2005
24/9/2 05

23/2/2 06

17/7/2 06

18/8/2 06

19/9/2 06
2/8/2003
13/10 2003

24/5/2004
17/6/2004
25/6/2004
5/8/2004

20/8/2004
21/8/2004
5/9/2004

20/6/2005
7/8/2005

8/9/2005

7/2/2005

11/3/2006
12/4/2006
28/4/2006
14/5/2006
30/5/2006
15/6/2006
1/7/2006

2/8/2006

3/9/2006

5/10/ 006
21/10 2006

22/11 006

24/12 2006
16/5/2003

6/11/2006

8/12/ 006
/2006
2/7/20
0

0
/2

/2

/2

Date

Figure 3: Tidal heights for each date of Landsat image capture between 2003 and 2006.

Ancillary datasets collected for mapping the marine and coastal habitats of Timor Leste included the
SRTM 3 second DEM, 1:50k aerial photography, coastline and road shape files.

3.2 Image Pre-processing

The Landsat images were pre-processed, to ensure that they were radiometrically and geometrically
correct. That is, the brightness value was corrected for errors caused by changes in scene
illumination, atmospheric conditions, instrument response characteristics and viewing geometry. A
simple black body subtraction correction was applied in Erdas Imagine using deep water points
located on the imagery as the images were not being used for multitemporal analysis in this project.
8
and the role of radiometric differences between images was of less importance. GeoImage®
supplied the imagery as geometrically corrected (orthorectified using a cubic convolution
interpolation method). The spatial accuracy of this product was considered adequate after
comparison with existing mapping for Timor Leste.

Coastal areas of the imagery were delineated and selected by first defining the inland extent based
on the 30 m contour, as derived from the 3 second DEM. The seaward extent was arbitrarily
defined as 2.5 km from the coast (although the mappable area due to water depth rarely was within
a maximum of approximately 1km). The study area was created as a shape file in ArcGIS and used
to mask the Landsat imagery in Erdas Imagine. Following the creation of the input image layers,
subsets were created based on 6 training areas, each containing approximately 10km of coastline.
These included Metinaro, Manatuto, Baucau, Com, Jaco and Lore. These were used to investigate
the potential for object based image analysis to map the marine and coastal habitats of Timor Leste.
Object based image analysis can be processing intensive and this approach allowed different
segmentation and classification approaches to be trialed and assessed before the more lengthy
process of application to the fully study area (see Figure 4).

Figure 4: Subset focus regions used for the development of the mapping approach.

Finally, a number of image products were created to assist in the classification process. The 3
second DEM was used to calculate a slope layer using a 3 x 3 neighbourhood as defined in ArcGIS
9.2 while principle components, band combinations (e.g. Normalised Difference Vegetation Index -

9
N DVI) and depth invariant indices were calculated from the Landsat imagery using ENVI or Erdas
Imagine software. Principle components analysis was used to produce a new set of image layers that
may better capture the information contained in the original imagery. That is, some image layers are
often highly correlated, meaning that the two layers duplicate a very similar set of information.
Principle components analysis transformed the information in correlated layers into a smaller
number of layers, which are referred to as the principle components (PC). The first and second PC
contains the greatest variation in the data with subsequent principle components generally being of
less value. Band ratios have also been used to highlight different aspects of the environment
captured in remotely sensed imagery. The most frequently used NDVI which is defined as ρNIR-
ρRed)/( ρNIR+ρRed) where ρNIR and ρRed are reflectance values of near infrared and red light.
This index ranges between -1 to 1, with highly photosynthetic vegetation approaching 1. The NDVI
was calculated to assist with classifying coastal vegetation. Finally, depth invariant layers were
created to assist with the marine habitat classification. This was based on the methods described in
Lyzenga (Lyzenga 1978; Lyzenga 1981) which produces a single depth invariant band from each pair
of spectral bands (Mumby et al. 1998) using pixel values identified for a similar substrate across a
variety of depths. This was obtained for predominantly sandy substrates.

3.3 Image Classification

3.3.1 Pixel Based

A preliminary image classification was undertaken using an unsupervised classification technique.

The isoclass algorithm was applied in Erdas Imagine with 50 classes created (see Figure 5).

Figure 5: Unsupervised classification of the Landsat imagery in the Manatuto study region.

10
These were then amalgamated to produce broad classes and were used to identify the spectral
separability of different classes. This was applied to all areas and to marine and coastal areas
separately. The classifications indicated better class separability within the terrestrial habitat classes
relative to marine habitats. However, the highly pixilated output suggested that object based
methods would be more appropriate for the production of a final vector based mapping product.

3.3.2 Object Based Image Analysis

Image Segmentation

Object based classification requires that imagery is segmented prior to classification. The
segmentation process is a crucial component for successful classification of the imagery as it is
intended to create homogeneous object primitives that are representative of features within the
image. These image object primitives are then used as information carriers and building blocks for
classifying the relevant features within the image (Definiens 2006)

The segmentation process requires various parameters to be set, such as the scale parameter, the
single layer weights, and the mixing of heterogeneity criterion concerning tone and shape. These
parameters are user-defined and are set accordingly with consideration to the requirements of the
analysis, commonly through a process of „trial and error‟. The scale parameter defines the
maximum allowed heterogeneity for the resulting image objects and has the greatest influence on
the size of objects created during segmentation. The homogeneity criterion determines the
weighting between colour and shape, with shape further divided by smoothness and compactness.
The user can therefore determine the influence that object shape has on the segmentation process,
independent of image spectral properties. This is particularly useful when detecting objects with a
common shape characteristic.

Image segmentation can be performed using all or a weighted selection of input layers and can also
be undertaken at a range of scales to create a object hierarchy. That is, image layers considered more
important in the initial segmentation process can be more heavily weighted to better identify
appropriate object boundaries (for example an NDVI layer may be given twice the weighting of
individual bands for vegetation mapping). This can be varied depending on the scale of mapping.
For example large objects may be created to initially stratify the landscape and is likely to undertaken
using equal weighting of input layers. While a fine scale segmentation might be performed only
using one layer (e.g. NDVI) to identify fine scale variations in vegetation cover. The larger and

11
smaller objects will be nested and share common boundaries allowing a hierarchical approach to the
classification to be undertaken.

The subset regions were used to examine segmentation approaches for marine and coastal habitat
mapping in Timor-Leste. Various segmentation parameters were applied, with the final approach
deemed most suitable for classification based on the creation of two segmentation layers. A scale
value of 10 produced objects at a scale deemed most suitable for final habitat mapping, while finer
scale objects produced using a scale parameter value of 5 was found to identify smaller objects
useful in the final classification. Different homogeneity criterion parameter values were examined;
however, the default values tended to produce the most suitable results and were applied to the final
segmentation.

A single segmentation and classification approach was used to map both the marine and coastal
habitats, as this provided a seamless transition in the mapping of the two environments (see Figure
6). This approach, however, caused the indices that highlighted different aspects of the terrestrial
(e.g. NDVI) and marine (e.g. depth invariant bands) habitats were not applicable across both
environments. As such, the optimal segmentation results were obtained by equally weighting the
original imagery.

Figure 6: Segmented objects for northern Jaco island for scale parameter value 10 (a) and scale parameter
value 5 (b) (Landsat imagery displayed as true colour).

12
Image Classification

The classification process in Definiens object based image analysis requires the initial establishment
of a class hierarchy, followed by the identification of the unique spectral, textural and spatial
attributes of each class and finally the selection of algorithm for allocating objects to a particular
class. The class hierarchy established for mapping Timor-Leste coastal and marine habitats included
22 classes based on visual interpretation of the imagery, and were refined to 14 classes based on
comparison with field data.

Figure 7: Definiens classification environment showing the class hierarchy developed within this project
and example class description of „Mangroves‟.

The classification made use of a number of object features object that distinguish the habitat class
(see Figure 7). For example, while the bare sand class was based solely on the spectral characteristics
of this class in bands 1 to 5, the mangrove class used a combination of spectral information (to
identify it as relatively highly photosynthetic vegetation) and spatial properties (to identify that it
would be adjacent either to another polygon classified as mangroves or a marine habitat class). The
rule set developed using these features allocated objects to specific classes using a combination of
the standard nearest neighbour algorithm, based on a set of defined training polygons, or
membership function. Membership functions allow a fuzzy rule base to be developed, requiring the

13
definition of a membership function shape and estimated minimum and maximum cut-off values.
These can be highly valuable for capturing expert knowledge of specific mapping classes and their
characteristics.

3.3.3 Manual Interpretation

Fine-scale (1:50,000) mapping of mangroves on the northern coast of Timor-Leste was undertaken
through expert interpretation of the 1:50,000 2002 aerial photography and supported by inspection
of imagery available through Google Earth® (generally very high resolution „QuickBird‟ satellite
imagery) (see Figure 8). The mapping was undertaken in ArcGIS 9.2, with attributes including
identification of the community,, dominant vegetation type, general description, environmental
setting and area recorded for each polygon. A total of 18 communities could be identified from the
imagery based on the spatial, spectral and textural properties of the imagery and comparison with
field based observations.

Sonneratia alba/
Rhizophora Sonneratia alba
Salt Flat

Ceriops with Avicennia/

Lumnitzera

Figure 8: Aerial photography of a mangrove/salt flat sequence showing some of the dominant vegetation
communities identified through manual interpretation.

14
3.3.4 Fine-scale Mangrove Mapping (1:10,000)

Finer scale mangrove mapping was also undertaken (by NT Government) as an adjunct to the
Landsat mapping, with mangrove communities mapped through interpretation of aerial
photography at the 1:10,000 scale.

Areas mapped to-date include only the north coast of Timor Leste from the West Timor border
through to the east tip of Timor Leste at Tatuala. Spatial resolution of the final mapping is at the
1:25,000 scale. However, further ground-truthing and validation and „on-site‟ checking is required.

3.4 Coastal-Marine Field Surveys

3.4.1 Coastal Habitats

A vegetation survey covering the coastal habitats of the Timor-Leste north coast was undertaken in
November 2007 (see Appendix 3). Each of the subset study regions (see Figure 4) were surveyed to
ensure that most habitat classes were represented. Within each region, approximately 20 points were
surveyed with over 100 data points collected (see Figure 9). The survey was based on an established
method used within the Northern Territory Government for ground-truthing vegetation mapping.
Information collected included approximations of the percent canopy cover based on a 10m
diameter field of view and height of the ground, mid and upper vegetation layers. The dominant
species (with a maximum of 3) were recorded in the mid and upper layers. Information was also
recorded about the substrate characteristics and general environmental setting. Site locations were
collected using a ProMark3 GPS with an accuracy of 5-7 m.

15
Figure 9: Mangrove forest surveyed in Manatuto region showing points collected, vegetation structural
classification and Landsat imagery.

The data recorded was classified based on the National Vegetation Information System (NVIS) of
Australia. The NVIS structural classification is built from the following attributes derived from
vegetation site data:
• Growth form (for each stratum);
• Cover (%) value (for each stratum);
• Height (m) range and average (for each stratum);
• Floristics (up to 5 dominant species for each stratum), and
• Basal counts (to assist in determining dominant woody species).
The site data was classified into structural classes (based on all structural classes and by the upper
canopy structure only) and floristic groupings.

3.4.2 Marine Habitats

Study Sites

Six regions were selected across the north, east and south-east coast of Timor-Leste at Metinaro,
Manatuto, Baucau, Com, Tutuala and Jaco Island, and Lore (see Figure 4). These regions were
chosen for ground-truthing remote sensing imagery (Landsat 7, 30m x 30m pixel size) as they
contained representative groups of habitat types and geomorphology, and also, provided access to
16
community infrastructure and opportunities for capacity-building. Com, Tutuala, Jaco Island and
Lore are also located within the proposed marine park adjacent to the newly declared Parque
Nacional Nino Koni Santana (Nino Konis Santana National Park). Community-level consultations
with Suco village chiefs, regional MAF officers and local fishermen, were also undertaken prior to
initiating fieldwork (see Plate 1).

Sampling

Sampling was conducted from 20th to 30th November 2007 during the late dry season by paired
staff from Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) and the Northern Territory Government
(NTG). Between two to four local fishermen and their boats were used at each region. Transects
were selected to optimize coverage of predicted habitat types and boundaries within a region, and
were generally orientated perpendicular to the coastline (see Figure 11). Over 700 random points
were sampled along transects, with increasing frequency near transitions of habitat type or
geomorphology. Sampling was undertaken using improvised bathyscopes and drop down video
cameras (see Figure. 10). Site identification, video start and finish times, depth, latitude, longitude,
geomorphology and dominant habitat classification were recorded on tabulated sheets (Appendix 1),
data was then validated and entered into a Microsoft™ Access database (Appendix 2).

Figure 10: Sampling equipment used in the marine survey, including improvised bathyscopes and drop-down
video cameras.

17
 (a) (b
)

(c) (d
)

(e) (f) (g
)

(h
)

Plate 1: (a) Training of MAF staff in marine habitat identification and use of underwater habitat
mapping technology; (b) community meeting and consultation (Lore); (c)-(h) use of local boats and
fishermen to undertake habitat mapping.

18
19
Figure 11: Example of marine „ground-truthing‟ sampling sites and cross-shelf transects in the Manatuto region.
Classification

Geomorphology classification was adapted from the generalized diagram of a coral reef cross
section by Mather and Bennett (1994) and incorporates a secondary classification for rugosity (relief
or height of corals), coral patch density, and lagoon depth (see Appendix 1).

Benthic habitat classification was adapted from English et al. (1997). Habitats were broadly classified
according to the dominance or absence of biota, such as coral, algae, seagrass, and bare substratum
(Appendix 1). Secondary classification of habitat incorporated additional descriptions of coral
morphology (life form), algae colour or type, sediment type, and seagrass density. Notes on reef
condition were collected for anthropogenic impacts (dynamite, anchors) and general health
(bleaching, nutrient indicator algae, crown of thorns, and bleaching).

3.4.3 Classification Refinement, Validation & Output

The Landsat derived mapping of coastal and marine habitats on the Timor-Leste north coast was
compared to the field survey data to refine and validate the RS based classification. That is, the
mapping and field survey classification schemes differed based on the scale of data collection and
methodology used by each approach. A matrix comparing the mapped with ground derived classes
was created. The RS classification system was developed based on refining points of overlap and
duplication within RS classes and identification of field based classes that could not be separated at
the scale of mapping. The associated field derived vegetation and marine habitats contained within
each mapped habitat class were identified and included in meta data information associated with the
final map.

The final map was also processed within ArcGIS to improve the classification, ensure topological
integrity of the final map and to produce a more cartographically acceptable product by smoothing
the output polygon boundaries. Manual classification assisted in both correctly classifying
misclassified objects and ensuring consistency across the dataset to better represent continuous
habitat types. The final classification was then simplified using the simplify polygon tool to remove
extraneous bends and small intrusions and extrusions from a line without destroying its essential
shape (ESRI 1996). Finally, adjoining boundaries between polygons classified as single habitat and
overlapping polygons classified twice were cleaned using the dissolve tool in ArcGIS.

20
4 RESULTS
Based on the results of remote sensing analyses and the coastal-marine “field ground-truthing”, a
broad scale (1:100k) map of the coastal and marine habitats of the north and east coast of Timor-
Leste has been produced for approximately 250km of the Timor-Leste coast line – covering the
entire northern coast to, south of, and including, Jaco Island. Examples of the mapping have been
provided for six regions of the coast in Figures 12 and 13. This dataset has been produced using
object-based image analysis techniques and has been prepared for cartographic presentation. The
map is a topologically correct, GIS ready data layer and includes three attribute fields including the
„Class‟ (a descriptive name of the habitat), „ClassCode‟ (a unique code for the habitat type) and
„Area_ha‟ (the area of each polygon. The smallest mapped element is 0.1ha, largest is 1040 ha with a
mean polygon size of 10ha (excluding the „Deep Water‟ class). As expected, the dataset is highly
linear, having a maximum „width‟ of approximately 3km, with much of the mapping being less than
1km in width.

The classification identified a total of 6 marine habitat types and 7 coastal habitat types (see Plate 2).
The marine nearshore zone is characterised by a narrow reef flat (often < 60m wide, but up to
almost 1km), dominated by seagrass in shallower water (approximately 2,200ha) and corals in deeper
water and on the escarpment (approximately 2,000ha). A mixed-cover class, which included low
covers of coral or seagrass and bare areas, occupied 1,250 ha. Within the coastal habitats, mangroves
occupied 750ha, the largest stand being in the Metinaro region. Detailed mangrove mapping
(1:10,000) identified a total of 20 mangrove communities with clear zonation patterns. Bare areas
(including salt flats and beaches) occupied 1,100ha, while the vegetation was dominated by
savannas, with 3,750ha of open woodland or shrubland, 1,935ha of open forest or woodland and
1,050ha of coastal forest. Intensive agriculture (2,200ha) and built up areas (1730ha) were also a
prominent feature of the northern coastline of Timor Leste.

21
(a) (b
)

(c) (d
)

(e) (f)

(g (h
) )

Plate 2: Coastal and marine habitats along the north coast of Timor Leste; (a)-(b) small
stands of mangroves; (c)-(d) fringing coral reef flats; (e) limestone reef pavement (Com);
(f) pocket beaches (One Dollar Beach); (g) fringing mangroves (Lore); (h) beach
(Tutuala).

22
 a) b)

c) d)

e) f)

Figure 12: Coastal and marine habitat mapping in the (a) Jaco, (b) Dili, (c) Bacau, (d) Manatuto, (e) Com and,
(f) Metinaro, regions

23
Figure 13: Map of the coastal and marine habitats in the Jaco Island region. [Insert shows the extent of
broadscale coastal and marine habitat mapping conducted along the north coast of Timor Leste.]

24
The final habitat classes mapped and their distribution are discussed in more detail in the following
sections.

4.1 Coastal Habitats

4.1.1 Overview of Coastal Habitats

The seven coastal habitat classes included in the final mapping of the Timor-Leste north coast are
shown in Table 1. The field survey identified 14 structural classes (based on the structure of the
upper strata), 45 classes based on all strata and 24 floristic groups. The vegetation ranged from
closed forest dominated by mangrove species (e.g. Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa and Sonneratia
alba), through palmlands and woodlands dominated by Borassus flabellifer and Tamarindis indica
respectively to bare salt flats with a total of 42 dominant plant species identified (Appendix 4).

Habitat Code Area (ha)

Bare Areas including Beaches, Salt Flats and River Channels SF 1108
Coastal Forest (Non Mangrove) CF 1061
Mangrove Coastal Forest CFM 754
Open Forest or Woodland W 1935
Open Woodland or Shrubland OWS 3750
Agriculture (Rice Paddies) RP 2203
Built Up (Urban and Semi Urban) Areas U 1732

Table 1: Coastal habitat classes mapped and their total area.

4.1.2 Beaches & Saltflats

Bare areas mapped included salt flats, beaches and river channels (see Figure 14). These occupied
approximately 1100ha. The largest continuously bare areas, up to 115 ha, occurred on river channels
and deltas (see Table 2). Salt flats occupied areas up to 30ha and often adjoined areas of mangroves.
Beaches were somewhat inconsistently mapped due to the resolution of the imagery. However, the
longest beach mapped stretched was approximately 10km with an average width of nearly 30m (1
pixel). Field survey indicated that the bare areas included a range of substrate types, ranging from
mud to coarse sand and pebble beaches.

25
 Class Number of Maximum Average Standard
Polygons Area (ha) Area (ha) Deviation
Agriculture (Rice Paddies) 27 401 81.6 108.7
Bare Areas including Beaches, Salt Flats and River 140 115 7.9 15.9
Channels
Built Up (Urban and Semi Urban) Areas 17 1040 101.9 252.7
Coastal Forest (Non Mangrove) 60 98 16.2 23.3
Mangrove Coastal Forest 42 304 20.0 50.1
Open Forest or Woodland 267 182 7.2 17.5
Open Woodland or Shrubland 287 663 13.1 46.2

Table 2: Size and number of polygons mapped within each coastal habitat class.

Figure 14: Salt flat (a) and beach (b) on the north coast of Timor Leste.

4.1.3 Coastal Forests (non-mangrove)

Coastal forests (non-mangrove) occupied approximately 1000ha and occurred in patches of up to

100ha but were on average 16 ha in area (see Figure 15). The field survey indicated that these
mapped areas were variable and included both open forest and closed palmland structural groupings
dominated by Corypha utan, Tamarindis indica, Borassus flabellifer and Schleichera oleosa.

26
Figure 15: An example of coastal forest on the Timor-Leste north coast.

4.1.4 Mangroves

The north coast of Timor-Leste supports approximately 750ha of mangroves, with more than half
of these occurring in an almost unbroken stretch approximately 12 km long in the Metinaro region
(see Figure 16). Seven species of mangrove were identified and the field survey indicated a clearly
defined pattern of zonation, typical in mangroves. Detailed mapping from the aerial photography
identified approximately 20 communities based on structural and floristics characteristics (see Figure
17, Table 3). The mangrove communities occupying the greatest area includes Rhizophora dominated
closed forest (+/- Sonneratia), Sonneratia alba closed/open forest (+/- Rhizophora), Sonneratia alba
closed forest and Ceriops dominated low closed forest (+/- Avicennia/Lumnitzera).

a) b)

Figure 16: Examples of mangrove forest a) Rhizophora dominated closed forest and Ceriops dominated low
closed forest.

The results from the fine-scale mangrove mapping (1:10,000) is summarised in Table 3. More detail
will be published in a separate scientific report and publication at a later date.

27
 Dominant Mangrove Community Area (ha)
Sonneratia alba-Rhizophora dominated forest 285
Saltflat/saltpan 176
Sonneratia alba dominated forest 103
Hinterland 101
Ceriops dominated +/- Avicennia+/-Lumnitzera forest 53
Mangrove/palm forest 39
Mixed species Ceriops/Rhizophora/Avicennia forest 26
Avicennia marina dominated forests 26
Lumnitzera racemosa/Avicennia marina +/- Excoecaria low open-forest 17
Lumnitzera racemosa/Avicennia marina +/- Sonneratia alba low open-forest 14
Swamp shrubland 12
Unknown 11
Ceriops dominated forest 8
Rhizophora stylosa/Avicennia marina low open forest 7
Mixed Avicennia marina/Ceriops 7
Avicennia marina/ Rhizophora stylosa open forest 5
Rhizphora apiculata/Sonneratia caseolaris/Aegiceras corniculatum low open-forest/woodland 3
Strand or beach 3
Ceriops australis sparse low woodland 2
Lumnitzera/Azima mid spase shrubland-saltpan 1
Terrestrial 1
Total: North Coast Timor Leste 899

Table 3: Mangrove communities (and extent) recorded along the north coast of Timor Leste (West Timor
border to Tutuala).

28
Figure 17: Example of the fine-scale (1:10,000), mangrove community mapping undertaken.

4.1.5 Open Forest, Woodland & Shrubland

Open forest or woodland and open woodland or shrubland were the most extensive habitat classes
mapped (approximately 6000ha) and included the greatest number of vegetation communities
identified in the field surveys (see Figure 18). Although it was difficult to define boundaries with
non-coastal habitats, some key species appeared to dominate the coastal zone. In particular,
Tamarindis indica, Zyzyphus mauritiana and Borassus flabellifer were key species in the upper strata.

29
 a) b)

Figure 18: Examples of a) open woodland or shrubland and b) open forest or woodland habitat classes.

Agriculture was mapped in 6 regions and covered more than 2000ha in the coastal zone, with large
areas around Manatuto, Laleia/Vernasse and Laga (see Figure 19). These areas were predominantly
growing rice and occupied floodplains adjacent to larger rivers in the region. Built up areas were also
mapped, with approx. 1700ha shown. However, this mapping primarily included larger built up
areas and some small settlements may have been missed due to the scale of the imagery.

Figure 19: Rice paddies at different stages of production.

4.1.6 Coastal Mapping Accuracy

Comparison of the field survey data with the coastal habitat mapping reveals broad agreement when
the field survey data are grouped along similar lines with an overall accuracy of 83% (Table 4).
Mangroves are mapped well, with commission and omission accuracies of 93% and 90%
respectively. This habitat class is very well sampled (almost half the points recorded within this
habitat), as these data were also used to guide the fine scale mangrove community mapping. Open

30
woodland or shrubland and woodland classes are also reasonable well sampled, with the woodland
class achieving higher mapping accuracies. The open woodland or shrubland class had some
confusion at the boundaries of this class, tending to overlap with other classes. Bare areas
surprisingly recorded the lowest accuracy. This may be a function of the Landsat pixel resolution,
with the full pixel required to be completely devoid of vegetation to be classed as a bare area, while
as the salt flats were often small and points surveyed to close to vegetation (see Figure 20). Spatial
errors also caused three coastal habitat points to be mapped as marine habitats. Coastal forests and
rice paddies were not surveyed sufficiently. However, the two datasets were in agreement and
further inspection of aerial photography indicated that these two habitat classes were reasonable
well mapped. Further information on the floristic and structural vegetation classes (based on the
field survey) contained within each mapped class can be found in Appendix 5.

Field Survey
CF CFM OWS RP SF W TOTAL Commission
CF 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 NA
CFM 0 37 0 0 2 1 40 93%
Landsat Mapping

DW 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0%
OWS 0 1 14 0 2 1 18 78%
RFSL 0 1 0 0 1 0 2 0%
RP 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 NA
SF 0 1 2 0 5 0 8 63%
W 0 0 1 0 0 10 11 91%
TOTAL 2 41 17 1 10 12 69
Omission NA 90% 82% NA 50% 83% Overall 83%

Table 4: Accuracy assessment for the coastal habitat mapping.

Field ‘nil upper’ point.

Mapped as CFM

Figure 20: Example of a „nil upper‟ point survey within close proximity to vegetated land cover.
31
4.2 Marine Habitats

The marine habitats mapped from Landsat included 6 classes that represented different groupings
of different geomorphic and benthic characteristics identified on the Timor-Leste north coast
(Table 5). Previous studies have found that Landsat can provide reasonable estimates of coarse
descriptive resolution habitat classes (e.g. sand, coral, seagrass, algae) based primarily on the spectral
properties of different benthos (Mumby et al. 1997). The final classification provided here has a
similar definition of benthos, with high and low seagrass separated and a spatial element included to
separate a fore reef and escarpment class. Mixed coral, seagrass and open reef flat tended to
represent areas where cover was very low and the substrate was predominantly bare.

Habitat Code Area (ha)

Coral Dominated Fore-Reef and Escarpment FRC 1558
Coral Dominated Reef Flat RFC 458
Deep Water, with coral likely in shallower areas DW 62708
Dense Seagrass Covered Reef Flat RFSH 933
Mixed Coral, Seagrass and Open Reef Flat RFM 1266
Sparse Seagrass Covered Reef Flat RFSL 1173

Table 5: Marine habitats and their area mapped on the Timor Leste north coast.

The area of each class mapped on the Timor-Leste north coast is also shown in Table 5, while the
size distribution of habitat patches are shown in Table 6. Excluding deep water, coral dominated
fore reef and escarpment occupied the largest area of habitat mapped. This habitat class occurs
along most of the Timor-Leste north coast and is the dominant habitat class where there is no
coastal plain and the mountains plunge rapidly into the Banda Sea (see Figure 21). However, the
area of this class may be overestimated as the definition of the seaward extent of the habitat was
influenced by water clarity. That is, the class occurs in deeper water and a small increase in turbidity
may cause the object to be assigned to this class. This was compensated for by including a spatial
expression in the classification (e.g. adjoining a reef flat class) and was further edited in the manual
editing phase.

32
Figure 21: Example of narrow reef with sharp drop off and associated Landsat TM mapping (note imagery is
aerial photography).

The coral dominated reef flat occupied approximately 460ha and was generally located on the outer
reef flat (see Figure 22). The class tended to overlap with the coral dominated fore reef and
escarpment, particularly where the reef flat was narrow, due to the resolution of the imagery. Results
of the field survey supported this transition, with coral observed at a minimum depth of 1.1 m and
average depth of almost 1.6m within the reef flat geomorphic class. Although this class could be
found across the northern Timor-Leste coastline, larger areas occurred within the 40km of coastline
to the east of Dili and around Com to Jaco Island in the east.

33
Figure 22: a) Lagoon and Reef Flat complex east of Dili and b) coral dominated reef.

Class Number Maximum Average Standard

of Area (ha) Area (ha) Deviation
Polygons
Coral Dominated Fore-Reef & Escarpment 154 97 10.1 14.7
Coral Dominated Reef Flat 119 53 3.8 7.6
Deep Water, with coral likely in shallower areas 13 62,641 4,823.7 17,371.9
Dense Seagrass Covered Reef Flat 234 124 4.0 12.1
Mixed Coral, Seagrass & Open Reef Flat 302 44 4.2 6.0
Sparse Seagrass Covered Reef Flat 219 165 5.4 16.9
Table 6: Size and number of polygons mapped within each marine habitat class.

Seagrass and coral were found to occupy a similar total area around the Timor-Leste north coast
near-shore environment (approximately 2,000ha) (see Figure 23). Seagrass tended to dominate the
shallow waters of the reef flats adjacent to the shore at an average depth of 1.0m and minimum of
0m, with more dense seagrass predominantly found in deeper water (> 1m). Within points classified
as seagrass from the field survey, the average seagrass cover was 43% and a maximum cover of
100% recorded. Low seagrass covers were also recorded during the field survey some points
classified as coral and bare. The mapped mixed coral, seagrass and open class tended to include
areas with low cover, with the presence of either seagrass or coral, or often neither possible and
often occurred between a coral and seagrass dominated habitats.

34
Figure 23: a): Exposed seagrass covered reef flat and b) high density seagrass cover observed on the north
coast.

A traditional validation of the mapping could not be undertaken due to differences in class
definition between the field survey and mapping. However, comparisons with the dominant
benthic cover and geomorphic classification could be made (Table 7 and Figure 24). Overall, there
was approx. 8% true error (92% accuracy) in classification between the mapped data and field
survey of dominant benthic cover (e.g. an area mapped as coral but recorded in the field as
seagrass). High seagrass cover reef flats appeared to include the greatest error, with almost a third of
the points within this habitat being bare. This highlights the difficulty in defining a boundary
between high and low seagrass covers using Landsat.

Class Code Algae Bare Coral Seagrass Grand Total

DW 25 48 2 242
FRC 20 112 1 172
RFC 7 15 2 29
RFM 29 34 20 88
RFSH 2 18 3 40 66
RFSL 20 2 21 48
Grand Total 2 120 215 86 648

Table 7: Comparison of mapped classes with field survey dominant benthic cover (numbers are counts).

35
Figure 24: Habitat map with marine survey data overlain in the Metinaro region (see Table 1 for marine
habitat codes).

5 DISCUSSION

5.1 Coastal-Marine Mapping

Timor-Leste has a coastline of 706km, however to-date, research on the extent and status of its‟
coastal and marine habitats, biodiversity and marine resources, has been limited. While marine
research studies have been undertaken, they have predominantly focussed on localised, coral reef
surveys (Hodgson 1999, Deutsch 2003, Wong & Chou 2004, Dutra and Taboada 2005) rather than
habitat mapping. The current project has undertaken remote sensing analyses and coastal-marine
field validation and ground-truthing to produce the first, broad-scale (1:100k) map of the coastal and
marine habitats of the north and east coast of Timor-Leste.

The current project has also confirmed that coastal-marine habitats on the north coast of Timor
Leste are limited – with most of the coastal estate being highly linear and narrow in extent (ie.
approximately 3km in width, with much of mapping confined to less than 1km in width). As such,
coastal physiography (particularly the steep coastal gradient and the absence of significant coastal

36
plains) has resulted in a coastline characterised by steep coastal cliffs and rocky headlands,
interspersed with pocket beaches and narrow fringing reefs – with limited development of estuaries,
mangrove forests (750ha), seagrass meadows (2,200ha) and coral reefs (2,000ha). With increasing
pressure on coastal-marine habitats and their resources (for fuel, timber and food) in Timor Leste
(Sandland 2001) and their limited extent - these habitats are indeed highly vulnerability to further
loss and over-exploitation. This underscores the need for precautionary, adaptive approaches to
coastal development and also, emphasises the need for urgent progress on implementing integrated
coastal planning and management in Timor Leste, including coastal protection, regulations and
rehabilitation measures.

5.2 Mangroves & Coastal Wetlands

5.2.1 Distribution

Mangroves occupy only a small area of Timor Leste (1,802ha) when compared with neighbouring
regions such as Indonesia (3,062,300ha) and Australia (1,451,411ha) (see Table 8). This is due
mostly to the coastal configuration and physiography of Timor Leste, which unlike other islands of
the Indonesian archipelago and the north coast of Australia, does not include the salient coastal
contours, physiographic features and coastal processes, for significant mangrove development (ie.
extensive low-lying coastal plains, sheltered waters, sedimentary processes). Further, rivers in Timor
Leste flow intermittently and hence, large estuarine systems are generally absent. Mangroves
generally predominate on the north coast in inlets with calmer, protected waters, with the largest
contiguous block of mangroves found in the Metinaro region. In contrast, on the wave exposed
south coast, mangroves are generally confined to the mouths of the streams, and marshy or swampy
regions.

Country Area (ha) *1 % World mangroves No of true

mangrove species *2
Timor Leste 1,802 0.001 19
Northern Territory 373,700 (woody only) 2.4 37
Papua New Guinea 410,000 2.7 37
Australia 1,451,411 10 37
Indonesia 3,062,300 19 43
*1 Figures from FAO 2007 and Timor Survey
*2 Species showing high fidelity to mangrove communities: additional species found near or

occassionally in mangrove communities do occur.

Table 8: Regional comparison of mangrove extent and diversity.

37
Based on recent FAO analysis (FAO 2007) approximately 15.2 million hectares of mangroves are
estimated to exist worldwide circa 2005 (down from 18.8 million hectares in 1980). The most
extensive mangrove area is found in Asia, followed by Africa and North and Central America. Five
countries (Indonesia, Australia, Brazil, Nigeria and Mexico) together account for 48% of the total
global area, with 65% of the total mangrove area found in just ten countries. The remaining 35
percent is spread over 114 countries and areas, of which 60 have less than 10 000 ha of mangroves
each. The mangroves in Timor Leste (1,800 ha) account for approximately 0.001% of the estimated
global mangrove extent.

5.2.2 Species Diversity

Although the extent of mangroves is small in Timor Leste, in comparison to neighbouring regions,
they are reasonably diverse (ie. 19 species). Most common mangrove genera are represented,
although taxa found are less diverse than surrounding regions. Most species found in Timor are also
found along the Northern Territory coastline and in Indonesia. Community composition and
zonation is also similar to that found in the Northern Territory with the exception of Sonneratia spp.
dominated forest communities which are found on coralline benches on the seaward margins in
Timor Leste. These are not found in Northern Territory mangrove habitats. These coralline benches
are also at a higher tidal level than the adjacent tall Rhizophora spp. dominated forest communities,
the reverse of that occurring in the Northern Territory.

A total of 19 mangrove species were found during this survey (Table 9) and this information was
used to update species information from previous surveys (ie. FAO 2007). More species however
are likely to be included following further field survey work. All species found in Timor Leste are
found in neighbouring regions. Using current survey results and results from previous surveys in the
region (FAO 2007), Table 10 provides a comparative overview of the individual mangrove species
found within the region.
Mangrove species recorded during current 2007 survey
Acanthus ilicifolius Heritiera littoralis
Acrostichum auream Lumnitzera racemosa
Aegiceras corniculatum Pemphis acidula
Avicennia marina Rhizophora apiculata
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Rhizophora stylosa
Bruguiera parvifolia Scyphiphora hydrophylacea
Ceriops australis Sonneratia alba
Ceriops decandra Sonneratia caseolaris
Excoecaria agallocha Xylocarpus mekongensis
Excoecaria ovalis

Table9: Species of mangrove recorded in the current coastal mapping and survey of Timor Leste.
38
 Common to all
Timor Leste
Papua New
Indonesia

Australia

Regions
Guinea
Species
Acanthus ebracteatus * *
Acanthus ilicifolius * * * * *
Acrostichum aureum * *
Acrostichum speciosum * *
Aegialitis annulata * * *
Aegiceras corniculatum * * * * *
Aegiceras floridum *
Avicennia alba * *
Avicennia eucalyptifolia *
Avicennia integra *
Avicennia marina * * * * *
Avicennia officinalis * *
Avicennia rumphiana * * *
Bruguiera cylindrica * * *
Bruguiera exaristata * * *
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza * * * *
Bruguiera hainesii * *
Bruguiera parviflora * * * * *
Bruguiera sexangula * * *
Camptostemon philippinensis *
Camptostemon schultzii * * *
Ceriops australis * * *
Ceriops decandra * * * *
Ceriops tagal * * *
Cynometra iripa * *
Cynometra ramiflora *
Excoecaria agallocha * * * * *
Excoecaria indica * *
Excoecaria ovalis * *
Heritiera globosa *
Heritiera littoralis * * * * *
Kandelia candel * *
Lumnitzera littorea * * *
Lumnitzera x rosea * * *
Lumnitzera racemosa * * *
Nypa fruticans * * *
Osbornia octodonta * *
Pemphis acidula * * * *
Rhizophora apiculata * * * * *
Rhizophora mucronata * * *
Rhizophora samoensis *
Rhizophora stylosa * * * *
Rhizophora x lamarckii * *
Scyphiphora hyrophyllacea * * *
Sonneratia alba * * * * *
39
 Sonneratia caseolaris * * *
Sonneratia ovata * *
Sonneratia x gulngai * *
Sonneratia x urama * *
Xylocarpus mekongensis * * * * *
Total 43 37 19 37 9

Table 10: Comparison of mangrove distribution in Timor Leste and the region. Based on results from the
current 2007 coastal survey and previous regional accounts (FAO 2007).

5.2.3 Community Structure

Mangroves of Timor Leste show typical zonation in community structure as found elsewhere in the
region. Zonation is determined by tidal regime and substrate type. Community structure varies from
bare saltpans through low open woodlands, low closed forests to taller open forests and closed
forests. Species composition varies from mono-specific stands to those with 4 or 5 species.

On the seaward margins where tidally inundation is regular, Sonneratia alba and Bruguiera parvifolia
appear commonly in the sandy sediments adjacent to beaches, Rhizophora spp. and Bruguiera spp.on
the muddy sediments and Sonneratia alba again in the coraligenous sediments with the Excoecaria
agallocha. Where waters are stagnant or where tidal inundation is less regular Rhizophora spp. and
Avicennia marina grow on muddy sediments in conjunction with Aegiceras corniculatum, Acanthus
ilicifolius, and Lumnitzera racemosa. On dark argilous more or less flooded soils which are rarely
inundated by sea water, Lumnitzera racemosa, Heritiera litoralis and Acanthus ilicifolius are more
common.In hinterland regions, in the brackish waters where inundation occurs only in the rainy
period, or along the margins of the streams on dark argilous more or less muddy substrates Avicennia
marina, Achrosticum aureum, Xylocarpus Mekongensis, Corypha utan, Pandanus odoratissimus, Cycas circinalis,
Dolichandrone spathacea and Melaleuca leucadendra may occur. The latter two species belong primarily to
the landward margins and secondary forests of the low coastal regions. Landward margins of the
mangroves zones, not abutting with beaches, generally contain salt flats being either bare muds or
with samphire vegetation.

5.2.4 Current Uses and Threats

The illegal harvest and loss of mangroves remains a critical coastal management issue in Timor
Leste, with previous estimates indicating that total mangrove cover has being reduced by
approximately 30% between 1940-2000, from 9,000ha to just 3,035ha (FAO 2003). The current
project indicates further significant losses of mangrove habitat, with just 1,802 ha recorded in 2008,

40
ie. ~40% loss between 2000-2008, or disturbingly, an approximate 80% loss of total mangrove
habitat in Timor Leste, since 1940.

Mangrove trees are harvested for timber and fuel wood and in some instances hinterland mangroves
have been removed for brackish water shrimp and/or fish ponds. Harvesting for fuel wood is
particularly intense in the Metinaro region (Alongi & De Carvalho 2008), which has the largest, best
developed mangrove stands in Timor Leste, stretching over 750ha. This stand is currently under
threat from uncontrolled exploitation from a camp of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) that is a
temporary home to over 6,000 people (MTRC Information Centre 2006). Mangroves are exploited
for firewood and food stuffs such as bivalves, snails and fish species (Arafura and Timor Seas
Experts Forum 2006).

5.3 Marine Habitats

Significantly, Timor-Leste‟s north coast sits on the edge of an underwater precipice, the Wetar Strait,
a marine trench approximately 3 km deep, which provides a major corridor for pelagic and migrating
marine megafauna (ie. whales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs, pelagic fish). In these „deep yet nearshore‟
environments, deep localised upwellings enrich Timor Leste‟s nearshore coral reefs, and also, bring
both predators and prey to within reach of the coast. While the status of Timor-Leste‟s coral reefs
were predicted to be „promising‟ by Hodgson (1999) due to limited commercial exploitation, recent
reef fish surveys by Deutsch (2003), Wong and Chou (2004) and Dutra and Taboada (2006), suggest
otherwise. Apart from that, little or no research information on the extent or status of the coral reefs
of Timor Leste is available.

The current project has confirmed that while shallow, nearshore coral reef habitat in Timor Leste is
limited (~2000ha), with little lagoonal reef flat development (~458ha), there is little evidence of
habitat damage (ie. dynamite blasting, coral bleaching). Coral-dominated communities tended to
dominate the fore reef and escarpment, particularly where the reef flat was narrow, with the most
extensive nearshore coral habitats occurring in the Dili to Metinaro-Manututo region (ie. 40km
coastline east of Dili) and in the Com-Jaco Island region. Significantly, a further 1266 ha of mixed
coral-seagrass and open reef flat was identified and also, 62,708ha of potential coral habitat was
identified in deeper waters. The latter underscores the need for more detailed mapping of deeper
water coral habitats. Similarly, the nearshore seagrass meadows are very limited in extent (~2000ha),
due largely to the absence of estuarine environments and reef flats.

41
The very limited extent of coral reef, seagrass and mangrove habitats on the north coast of Timor
Leste, impose strong limits on available marine resources and levels of harvest (particularly reef
fisheries, mangroves) and in the light of increasing human resource use, underscore the urgent need
for precautionary and effective conservation management.

6 CAPACITY-BUILDING & ENGAGEMENT

The project was well-supported by the project partners, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries
(MAF) – with a wide range of training outcomes for MAF staff. The project focussed on delivering
the following training in coral reef monitoring, coastal marine habitat mapping and surveys, and
marine taxonomy.

6.1 International ‘Reef Check’ Training

Training in marine species identification and also, coral reef monitoring was considered a major
training priority for MAF staff. Training in survey, marine species identification and ongoing
monitoring of coral reef habitats (including fish, invertebrates) was undertaken using the
international, ‘ReefCheck’ protocol (www.reefcheck.org).

Under the TL „ReefCheck‟ Project, 2 trainers (Shane Penny, Leo Dutra) were trained to deliver
‘ReefCheck’ training to MAF staff. The first training session for MAF staff was undertaken on 8-12th
October 2007 in Dili. Field training sites (K41, Dollar Beach) were chosen by the ReefCheck trainer,
Shane Penny (with the assistance of Wayne Lovell, FreeFlow Diving), following a 2-day, pre-training
and logistics visit (11-13th September 2007). ‘ReefCheck’ training was undertaken using both, the
SCUBA-based protocol and the snorkel-based protocol – and with the training delivered both, in
English and in Indonesian – using Indonesian training material and products. A total of 12 MAF
staff were trained – with 3 certified as Eco-Divers (see Appendix 6).

Since this time, NRETAS has continued to regularly monitor/support MAF staff with regular visits.
MAF staff analysed and uploaded results onto the international, ‘ReefCheck’ database, with assistance
from NRETAS.

42
6.2 Coastal & Marine Habitat Surveys

The coastal survey was supported by MAF staff (Fisheries, Protected Areas), with 2 staff assisting
with the mangrove-saltmarsh surveys near Manututo and a further 2 MAF staff (ALGIS, Forestry)
assisting with the coastal mapping at the other locations. Knowledge was shared on plant
identification and vegetation structural description, as well as GPS data collection techniques.
Similarly, the marine survey had strong engagement and participation by MAF. A total of 9 MAF
staff (Fisheries, Forestry) participated in the nearshore marine surveys, in addition to assisting with
the organisation of the field logistics (ie. liaison with local communities, boat hire, accommodation,
etc.). Prior to the marine field work, NRETAS ran a ½ day workshop for MAF participants on the
use of GPS, depth sounders and remote underwater videos, and the benthic habitat classification.

6.3 Marine Taxonomy

Two MAF staff (Raphael Pereira, Fernando de Silva) received training in polychaete taxonomy, as
part of a 5-day, Marine Polychaete Taxonomy Workshop (1-5 October 2007) being held in Darwin, by the
NT Museum & Art Gallery (NRETAS). Marine polychaetes are a ubiquitous and dominant faunal
group in tropical marine environments, particularly in soft sediments. They are also a key indicator
group for assessing the impacts of marine pollution.

6.4 Regional Engagement

The Timor Leste coastal-marine habitat mapping program was presented at the recent CDU-
sponsored, regional GIS workshop in Kupang [‘GIS Applications for Sustainable Development & Good
Governance in Eastern Indonesia & Timor Leste’ (5-6 May, Kupang)] and received very positive feedback.
Significantly, government and research participants at the workshop expressed considerable interest
in the need to extend this integrated research and training program to West Timor (and Flores).

43
7 EMERGING ISSUES & PRIORITIES

In consultation with key MAF staff (and other relevant GoTL agencies), the following emerging
issues and priorities for further work have been identified:
1. Following successful mapping and characterisation of the coastal and nearshore marine
environments of the north and eastern coasts, further work is required on mapping the coastal
and marine habitats of the south coast, and Oecussi, to complete a full mapping coverage at the
national level.

In identifying GoTL priorities for further coastal-marine habitat mapping, MAF have
highlighted the need to address priorities for MPA network planning in Timor Leste -
particularly, within the context of the broader, MPA network planning in the Lesser Sunda
region being undertaken collaboratively with Indonesia (and The Nature Conservancy). To this
end, MAF have identified the following priorities for further mapping: (1) west of Dili, including
proposed sites for MPAs (high priority); (2) Oecussi (low priority); (3) south coast (low priority).
Coastal (terrestrial) mapping and marine mapping were both identified as of equal importance.

2. The current marine and coastal habitat mapping and field survey program provides essential
information to inform broad-scale conservation (ie. MPA) and regional coastal-marine resource
planning and development (ie. fisheries, aquaculture, ecotourism). Finer-scale mapping however
is required for local-scale, site-based management and sustainable resource use (ie. MPA zoning,
developments) and in the short to medium term, is essential for future planning, sustainable use
and management of the Timor-Leste coastal zone. Specifically, fine-scale mapping is required to
assist the proposed zoning of the Nino Konis Santana Marine Park.

In identifying GoTL mapping priorities, finer-scale mapping for the Nino Konis Santana Marine
Park was identified as the highest mapping priority, building on mapping being undertaken by
ALGIS. Areas need to be prioritised for finer-scale mapping and a common classification
scheme developed for the Timor Leste region. Capacity building was identified as high priority
as it would deliver skills and knowledge for MAF (Fisheries/ALGIS) staff to specifically
undertake mapping and spatial data analysis at both, the fine and broad-scale.

3. The current project has also highlighted the considerable opportunities (and government
interest) in extending the current coastal habitat mapping and training program to West Timor
(and Flores).

MAF have identified capacity-building (training and equipment) in coastal-marine habitat

mapping between Timor Leste, Australia (Northern Territory) and Indonesia (Nusa Tengarra
Timor), as a high priority. Further, the need for a common classification scheme (and scales of
information) and methods, across the region has also been identified as a key priority. This
could be implemented through a regional, coastal mapping workshop, with participants from
MAF (Fisheries/ALGIS), Nusa Tengarra Timor and the Northern Territory. This workshop
would define terms of reference between the 3 countries on classification schemes and priorities
and also, develop a plan of action. MAF also identified the need to train 2-3 staff in marine and
coastal GIS and remote sensing techniques, in partnership with CDU.

44
4. Database training and knowledge management (and also, awareness of Intellectual Property) is a
priority area for training of MAF (and other government agency staff). With knowledge capture
and the building of GIS and knowledge systems, training is required by MAF staff in database
management, data standards, Intellectual Property and formal data agreements. MAF have also
identified database training and knowledge management as a priority area for capacity-building
and training of MAF and GoTL staff.

5. MAF recognise the importance of Intellectual Property and knowledge management and
recommend that all requests for data/information arising from work currently undertaken by
MAF (and the Government of Timor Leste) (including this partnership program) should be
subject to a formal data agreement.

6. Under the CTI National Plan of Action for Timor Leste, the Wetar Strait is priority „seascape‟
requiring deep water habitat mapping. MAF, however, do not consider this a mapping priority,
given the current priorities and lack of capacity and resources within MAF.

7. Given the success of the ‘ReefCheck’ program in Timor Leste, MAF have identified the need to
support and expand the existing MAF ‘ReefCheck’ survey program and team in Timor Leste.
This includes establishing regular monitoring, 2-4 times year per site and increasing the number
of sites across the northern coast. It was recommended that: (a) the reef survey program use
„ReefCheck‟ and also, other survey methods; (b) include impacted sites; and (c) establish regular
monitoring sites within the Nino Konis Santana Marine Park (both, inside and outside the park).

8. MAF have identified the need to build on the TL ‘ReefCheck’ program (and results) and develop a
school-based, marine education and public awareness program, to highlight the status, condition
and threats facing coral reefs in Timor Leste. In the Com-Tutuala region, this education
campaign could be a component of a broader, Marine Park community outreach and education
program.

8 REFERENCES

Alongi DM & NA De Carvalho (2008) The effect of small-scale logging on stand characteristics and soil
biogeochemistry in mangrove forests in Timor Leste. Forest Ecology and Management 255: 1359-1366.
Arroyo LA, Healey SP, Cohen WB, Cocero D, Manzanera JA (2006) Using object-oriented classification and
high-resolution imagery to map fuel types in a Mediterranean region. Journal of Geophysical Research-
Biogeosciences 111
Audley-Charles, M.G., 2004. Ocean trench blocked and obliterated by Banda forearc collision with Australian
proximal continental slope. Tectonophysics 389, 65–79.
Barnett, J., Dessai, S., & Jones, R. (2003) Climate change in Timor Leste: Science, impacts, policy and
planning – Briefing to government, civil society, and donors, República Democrática de Timor-Leste. The
University of Melbourne & CSIRO. 40 pp.
Beech T, Dowd M, Field C, Hatcher B, Andrefouet S (2008) A stochastic approach to marine reserve design:
Incorporating data uncertainty. Ecological Informatics 3:321-333

45
Benz UC, Hofmann P, Willhauck G, Lingenfelder I, Heynen M (2004) Multi-resolution, object-oriented fuzzy
analysis of remote sensing data for GIS-ready information. Isprs Journal of Photogrammetry and Remote
Sensing 58:239-258
Bock M, Xofis P, Mitchley J, Rossner G, Wissen W (2005) Object-oriented methods for habitat mapping at
multiple scales – Case studies from Northern Germany and Wye Downs, UK. Journal for Nature
Conservation 13:75-89
Bouma GA & HT Kobryn (2004) Change in vegetation cover in East Timor , 1989-1999. Natural Resources
Forum 28: 1-12.
de Carvalho, D. d. A., et al. (2007). Potensi Perikanan dan Potret Perempuan Zona Litoral Kawasan Timur
(potential of fishery resources and a portrait of women in the coastal zone of eastern districts). Dili, Haburas
Foundation.
Definiens (2006) Defiiniens Professional 5 User Guide. Definiens AG, Munchen, Germany
Deutsch C (2003). Coral Reefs in East Timor: An Investigation of the Impacts of Fishing on Reef Fish Abundance. EM
531 Project Report, Unpublished report.
Diaz R, Solan M, Valente RM ( 2004) A review of approaches for classifying benthic habitats and evaluating
habitat quality. Journal of Environmental Management 73:165–181.
Dutra LXC & MB Taboada (2006) Preliminary Survey of the coral reefs from Beloi (Atauro Island, Timor-Leste):
alternatives for sustainable use. Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries - National Directorate of Fisheries
and Aquaculture, Dili, 9p.
ESRI (1996) Automation of Map Generalization: The Cutting-Edge Technology., vol. 2009. ESRI
FAO (2003) Status and trends in mangrove area extent worldwide. Forest Resources Assessment Working
Paper No. 63. Rome, Forest Resources Division, FAO Rome.
FAO (2007) The Worlds Mangroves 1980-2005. FAO Forestry Paper 153, FAO Rome.
Hajek F (2006) Object-oriented classification of Ikonos satellite data for the identification of tree species
composition. Journal of Forest Science (Prague) 52:181-187
Hamson, G. (2004) The tectonic evolution of East Timor and the Banda Arc. B.Sc.(Hons) Literature
Review, University of Melbourne.
Keep, M., Barber, L., & Haig, D. (2009) Deformation of the Cablac Mountain Range, East Timor: An
overthrust stack derived from an Australian continental terrace. Journal of Asian Earth Sciences, 35:150–166.
Lyzenga DR (1978) Passive remote sensing techniques for mapping water depth and bottom features.
Applied Optics 17:379-383
Lyzenga DR (1981) Remote sensing of bottom reßectance and water attenuation parameters in shallow water
using aircraft and Landsat data. International Journal of Remote Sensing 2:71-82
Malthus TJ, Mumby PJ (2003) Remote sensing of the coastal zone: an overview and priorities for future
research. International Journal of Remote Sensing 24:2805-2815
Mumby PJ, Edwards AJ (2002) Mapping marine environments with IKONOS imagery: enhanced spatial
resolution can deliver greater thematic accuracy. Remote Sensing of Environment 82:248-257

46
Mumby PJ, Green EP, Clark CD, Edwards AJ (1998) Digital analysis of multispectral airborne imagery of
coral reefs. Coral Reefs 17:59-69
Mumby PJ, Green EP, Edwards AJ, Clark CD (1997) Coral reef habitat-mapping: how much detail can
remote sensing provide? Marine Biology 130:193-202
Mumby PJ, Harborne AR (1999) Development of a systematic classification scheme of marine habitats to
facilitate regional management and mapping of Caribbean coral reefs. Biological Conservation 88:155-163
Mumby PJ, Skirving W, Strong AE, Hardy JT, LeDrew EF, Hochberg EJ, Stumpf RP, David LT (2004)
Remote sensing of coral reefs and their physical environment. Marine Pollution Bulletin 48:219-228
National Statistics Directorate (2006). Timor-Leste Census of Population and Housing 2004 Atlas. Dili.
Phinn SR, Dekker AG, Brando VE, Roelfsema CM (2005) Mapping water quality and substrate cover in
optically complex coastal and reef waters: an integrated approach. Marine Pollution Bulletin 51:459-469
Sanderson PG (2001) The application of satellite remote sensing to coastal management in Singapore. Ambio
30:43-48
RDTL and CDU (2006). The Timor-Leste Coastal/Marine Habitat Mapping for Tourism and Fisheries
Development Project, RDTL, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Charles Darwin
University (CDU).
Sandlund, O. T., Bryceson, I., de Carvalho, D., Rio, N., da Silva, J., & Silva, M.I. (2001). Assessing
Environmental Needs and Priorities in East Timor. Final Report. NINANIKU, UNDP, Dili. Norwegian
Institute for Nature Research, Trondheim.
UNDP and RDTL (2006). Environment & Natural Resource Management. Dili, Environment and Natural
Resource Management Unit, UNDP Timor-Leste.
UNDP and RDTL (2007). Capacity Building in and Mainstreaming of Sustainable Land Management - SLM
Project Factsheet. Dili, United Nations Development Programme, RDTL.
WB and ADB (2007). Economic and Social Development Brief, World Bank Group, Asian Development
Bank.
Wong LS. & LM Chou. (2004). Status of Coral Reefs on North-east Atauro Island, Timor-Leste, based on surveys
conducted in November 2004. REST Technical Report No. 7, Marine Biology Laboratory, Department of
Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore. 31p.

47
APPENDICES

Appendix 1: Timor Leste inshore marine habitat field survey classification system.

48
Appendix 2: Timor Leste marine habitat mapping field data survey sheet (and MS Access database).

49
Appendix 3: Timor Leste coastal vegetation field survey data collection sheet.

Preliminary Vegetation Ground Truthing Sites: Timor-Leste Observers:

Habitat mapping

Site No: Area: Manatuto, Metinaro, Baucau, Como, Jaco Date: 12 13 14 15 16 /2007

Preliminary
classification
(habitat unit)

Georef: GZ 51 52 Wpt: Easting: North:

STRATA U1 M1 G1
% cover
Av Ht (range)
Growth Form
Crown density
Dominant sps

% cover: Upper and Mid generally canopy cover: Ground generally percentage cover.(heights measured, cover an estimate)

50
Appendix 4: Terrestrial plant species recorded in the Timor Leste coastal field surveys.

Acacia leucaphloia Ipomea pes-caprae

Acanthus ilicifolius Jatropha gossypiifolia
Aegiceras corniculatum Lumnitzera racemosa
Agele marmelos Ocimum tenuiflorum
Avicennia marina Pemphis acidula
Azima samentosa Pluchea indica
Borassus flabellifer Premna serratifolia
Calotropis gigantea Prosopis pallida
Ceriops australis Pterocaulon sphacelatum
Chromolaena odorata Rhizophora apiculata
Cordea subcordata Rhizophora stylosa
Corypha utan Schleichera oleosa
Dichanthium annulatum Solanum spp
Dichrostachys cinerea subsp malesiana Sonneratia alba
Enneapogon polyphyllus Sonneratia caseolaris
Eucalyptus alba Strychnos lucida
Excoecaria agallocha Tamarindis indica
Ficus spp Thespesia populneoides
Fimbrystylis spp Vitex rotundifola
Harrisonia brownii Vitex trifoliata
Hyptis sauvolens Zyzyphus mauritiana

51
Appendix 5: Comparison of Timor Leste field survey coastal vegetation groupings with broad
mapping classes.

Map Structure Groups Floristic Upper Strata Species Obs.

Class Group
CF closed palmland 5 Borassus flabellifer-Schleichera oleosa-Agele marmelos 1
open forest 9 Corypha utan-Tamarindis indica,Tamarindis indica-Corypha utan 1
CFM closed forest 1,22,222 Avicennia marina-Lumnitzera racemosa-Thespesia populneoide, Sonneratia 3
alba-Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia alba
emergent- low open 3,19 Avicennia marina, Rhizophora apiculata-Sonneratia alba-Aegiceras 2
woodland corniculatum
low closed forest 7,21 Ceriops sp-Avicennia marina, Rhizophora stylosa-Avicennia marina 4
low open forest 3,15,19,2 Avicennia marina,Lumnitzera racemosa, Rhizophora apiculata-Sonneratia 6
1,222 alba-Aegiceras corniculatum, Rhizophora stylosa-Avicennia marina,
Sonneratia alba
low woodland 1,3,7,222 Lumnitzera racemosa-Avicennia marina, Avicennia marina, Ceriops sp- 8
Avicennia marina, Sonneratia alba
mid sparse shrubland 29 Lumnitzera racemosa-Jatropha gossypiifolia-Azima sarmentosa 1
nil upper 0 none 2
tall closed forest 20 Rhizophora mucronata 1
open forest 2,8,19,20 Avicennia marina-Sonneratia alba, Coconut palm-Sonneratia alba, 11
,21,22,22 Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, Rhizophora stylosa, Sonneratia
2 alba-Rhizophora apiculata, Sonneratia alba
woodland 10,13 Tamarindis indica, Excoecaria agallocha (BA-8)-Avicennia marina- 2
Lumnitzera racemosa
DW nil upper 7 Ceriops decandra (shrubland) 1
OWS emergent- low open 16,18,24, P.weed-Corypha utan,Thespesia populneoides-Tamarindis indica,Zyzyphus 6
woodland 26,27 mauritiana
low open forest 15,16 Lumnitzera racemosa, P.weed-Acacia sp-Zyzyphus mauritiana 2
low open palmland 9 Corypha utan-Tamarindis indica 1
low sparse shrubland 18 Pluchea indica 1
low woodland 16 Species P 1
nil upper 0,27 none, Calotropis gigantea (shrub) 3
open forest 11 Eucalyptus alba-Borassus flabellifer 1
open palmland 5 Borassus flabellifer-Agele marmelos 1
woodland 10,12 Tamarindis indica, Eucalyptus alba 2
RFSL closed forest 21 Rhizophora stylosa-Sonneratia alba 1
nil upper 0 none 1
RP nil upper 26 grass (rice) 1
SF emergent- low open 27 Zyzyphus mauritiana-Cordea subcordata-Ficus 1
woodland
low open forest 17 Pemphis acidula 1
nil upper 0,7 none, Ceriops australis (shrubland) 6
W emergent- low open 10,27 Tamarindis indica-Acacia leucophloia-Zyzyphus mauritiana,Zyzyphus 2
woodland mauritiana-Premna serratifolia-Schleichera oleosa
tall sparse shrubland 16 Prosopis pallida 1
low open forest 4 Borassus flabellifer-Acacia leucaphloia 1
low open palmland 5,99 Borassus flabellifer-Schleichera oleosa, Borassus flabellifer-Zyzyphus 4
mauritiana
low palmland 5 Borassus flabellifer-Agele marmelos 2
open forest 9 Tamarindis indica-Corypha utan 1

52
Appendix 6: „Reef Check‟ Training and Surveys in Timor Leste.

Reef Check timeline of events

2007, October 9th –10th Ecodiver and snorkeller training, Dili & K41
st
2008, August 1 1st all Timor-Leste Reefcheck survey at K41
th
2008, November 25 Reefcheck survey at Valu beach
th
2009, June 8 Reefcheck survey at K41

Reef Check Ecodivers and snorkellers

Ecodiver Carlos de Jesus Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas
Ecodiver Celestino Barreto da Cunha Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas
Ecodiver Anselmo Lopes Amaral Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas
Snorkeller Constancio Santos Silva Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas
Snorkeller Jose Monteiro Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas
Snorkeller Bendito Trindade Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas
Snorkeller Lucas Fernandes Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas
Snorkeller Narciso Almeida de Carvalho Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas
Snorkeller Jose Nunes Ministério da Agricultura e Pescas

Reef Check survey sites

K41 S 8o 28‟ 30” E 125 o 53‟ 00”
Valu Beach S 8o 24‟ 40” E 127 o 18‟ 04”

53
 (a (b
) )

(c (d
) )

(e (f
) )

54

View publication stats