Studies of the Inlandwaters in Southeast Asia

Abstract

 This is an outline of the inlandwaters in the Southeast Asian countries of Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Malaysia and Indonesia, based on research data collected from 1968 to 1976. The environmental conditions and productivity of the freshwater organisms in Lake Bera, Malaysia, were studied by the IBP team from 1970 to 1974, but general observations were carried out in the inlandwaters of the other countries only during our short trips. Therefore, it is very difficult to compare their lakes and rivers on the same level, but they may be classified into the following three types according to the color of water :
1. Dark brown waters, fairly clear.
Lakes Bera and Merah in Malaysia, Lake Khan Phayao, Bueng Boraped,Nam Pong Reservoir and Nong Rahan in Thailand, Lakes Semajang, Melintang, Djampang, Tempatang, Murung and Uwis in East Kalimantan, Lake Teloko and River Komering in Sumatra and Lake Inle in Burma.
2. Yellow brown waters, remarkably muddy.
Tonle Sap in Cambodia, Mae Nam Chao Phraya and Mae Klong in Thailand,River Mahakam in East Kalimantan and River Musi in Sumatra.
3. Clear waters on high mountains.
Lakes Singkarak, Manindjau, Di Atas and Toba in Sumatra.
 Their tropical characteristics are discussed in regard to the representative inland-waters of each type, and the ecological and limnological problems which must be solved in future are taken up.