Kerinci Seblat National Park

Kerinci Seblat National Park covers almost 1.4 million ha straddling four provinces, namely Jambi (422,190 Ha), West Sumatra (353,780 Ha), Bengkulu (310,910 Ha), and South Sumatra (281,120 Ha). Physically, KSNP is a part of Bukit Barisan Mountain Range stretching North to South along Sumatra Island. The park, which lies at about 200 m to 3,805 m above sea level, is located between 100º31'18" - 102º44'01" East Longitude and 1º07'13" - 1º26'14" South Latitude.

Its physical setting and location makes KSNP as one of the richest conservation area in terms of biodiversity and the most undiminished of Sumatra's representative ecosystems. The ecosystems or forest types based on altitude as well as other particulars may be outlined as follows:

    Sub montane and lowland rain forest (200-1,500 asl.) is dominated by members of the families Dipterocarpaceae and Leguminosae.

    Montane forest (1,500-2,500 asl.) is dominated by members of the families Dipterocarpaceae, Lauraceae, and Myrtaceae.

    Sub alpine ecosystem (2,500 m asl. and above) is dominated by members of the families Lauraceae, Fagaceae, and Erycaceae, including various fern species.

    Mount Kerinci summit (3,805 m asl.), the highest peak in Sumatra, is dominated by herbs and grasses, and includes the eternal flower Anaphalis javanica. 

Other, special and unique ecosystems in the park are Rawa Bento, Ladeh Panjang, and Gunung Tujuh Lake. Rawa Bento is a fresh water swamp located at ±1,300 m asl. dominated by Bento Grass (Leersia hexandra), and tree species such as Bintungan (Biscofia javanica), Gelam Merah (Xylocarpus granatum), and Kelat Putih (Alangium sp.). Ladeh Panjang is a peat swamp on the Mount Kerinci highland (±1,600 m asl.), the highest peat swamp in South East Asia. Gunung Tujuh Lake (±1,600 m asl.) is a deep volcanic with a surrounding ridge of seven hills.

In the park can be found at least 306 bird species of 49 families and 42 mammal species of 19 families. A record of the park's reptiles, fish, and insects is not yet available. Common bird species found in the park are of the Pycnotidae family, such as the sooty-headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus aurigaster) and Black headed Bulbul (Pycnonotus atriceps); the Accipiteridae family, such as Crested Serpent Eagle (Spilornis cheela); Capitonidae family, such as Blue eared Barbet (Megalaima australis); Picidae family, such as Crimson-winged Wood pecker (Picus puniceus); Muscipidae family, such as Sikatan (Ficedula stropiata); Silvidae family, such as Yellow-bellied prinia (Prinia flaviventris); and Columbidae family, such as Spotted Doves (Geopelia striata) and Pinknecked Pigeon (Treron vernans). In addition, many protected bird species are found in the park, among others Rhinoceros Hornbills (Buceros rhinoceros), Argus Pheasant (Argusianus argus), Black Eagle (Ichtinaetus malayensis), European Hobby (Falco subbeteo), Southern Peat Hornbill (Anthrococeros convexsus), Common Kingfisher (Alcedo athis) and Brown-throated Barbet (Magalaima oorti).