Sulawesi montane rain forests

Last updated
Sulawesi montane rain forests
Anggrek putih digunung latimojong sulawesi selatan.jpg
Rhododendron on Mount Latimojong, South Sulawesi
Ecoregion AA0124.png
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
Realm Australasian realm
Biome tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Borders Sulawesi lowland rain forests
Geography
Area75,472 km2 (29,140 sq mi)
Countries Indonesia
Province
Coordinates 1°54′S120°12′E / 1.9°S 120.2°E / -1.9; 120.2
Conservation
Conservation status Relatively stable/intact
Global 200 Sulawesi moist forests
Protected9,066 km² (12%) [1]

The Sulawesi montane rain forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in Indonesia. It includes the highlands of Sulawesi. [2] [3] [4]

Contents

Geography

Sulawesi, with an area of 180,681 km², is the fourth-largest island in Indonesia, and the eleventh-largest in the world. The landmass of Sulawesi includes four peninsulas: the northern Minahasa Peninsula, the East Peninsula, the South Peninsula, and the Southeast Peninsula. The island is mountainous, and the highest peak is Mount Latimojong at 3,478 meters. Approximately 40% of Sulawesi's land area is in the montane rain forests ecoregion; the surrounding lowlands are in the Sulawesi lowland rain forests ecoregion.

The islands that make up the ecoregion are part of Wallacea, a group of islands that are part of the Australasian realm, but were never joined to either the Australian or Asian continents. The islands of Wallacea are home to a mix of plants and animals from both terrestrial realms, and have many unique species that evolved in isolation. [5] The Makassar Strait separates Sulawesi from Borneo to the west; the strait is part of the Wallace Line, which demarcates the western boundary of Wallacea. Borneo and the other Indonesian islands west of Sulawesi are part of Sundaland, and were connected to the Asian continent when sea levels were lower during the ice ages.

Climate

The ecoregion has a wet tropical montane climate.

Flora

The main plant communities are lower montane rain forest, upper montane rain forest, and sub-alpine forests. The forests generally form a closed canopy, and height decreases with elevation.

Lower montane rain forest, or sub-montane forest, ranges from 1000 to 1500 meters elevation. Trees in the beech family (Fagaceae) are predominant, including four species of Lithocarpus and two species of Castanopsis ( Castanopsis acuminatissima and C. buruana ). Other trees include Eugenia , along with trees in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae), laurel family (Lauraceae), and tea family (Theaceae) and the conifers Agathis dammara and Phyllocladus . Epiphytes including orchids are common. In the mid-montane forests (1500-2000 meters elevation) Fagaceae, especially Lithocarpus menadoensis and L. celebicus, Myrtaceae, and Agathis are predominant. [6]

Upper montane forests are characterized by conifers, including species of Agathis, Podocarpus, Dacrycarpus, Dacrydium , and Phyllocladus, together with Myrtaceae and the shrubs Rhododendron, Vaccinium, Gaultheria , and Tasmannia piperita . Fagaceae are less common than in the lower-elevation forests. Mosses become abundant over 2000 meters elevation. [7] [8]

Sub-alpine communities form above 3200 meters elevation, with low trees and shrubs, principally Rhododendron, Decaspermum , and Hedyotis , along with the lower shrubs Gaultheria and Acrothamnus suaveolens . The trees and shrubs are festooned with lichens. Herbs include the daisy Keysseria , the ginger Alpinia , Potentilla leuconata and P. parvus, and the grasses Poa and Agrostis . [9] [10]

Fauna

The ecoregion is home to 102 mammal species, a third of which are endemic or near-endemic. 24 mammal species are endemic to the ecoregion, and 10 are near-endemic. [11]

Larger mammals include two pigs, the Celebes warty pig (Sus celebensis) and North Sulawesi babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis). The Celebes warty pig lives in the lower montane and lowland rain forests of Sulawesi and other islands of Wallacea. The North Sulawesi babirusa lives in both the montane and lowland rain forests of northern and central Sulawesi. The endemic Mountain anoa (Bubalus quarlesi) is a dwarf buffalo which stands only 70 cm (28 in) high. The Celebes rusa deer (Rusa timorensis macassaricus) is a subspecies of the Javan rusa, which may have been introduced from Sundaland to Sulawesi by humans in ancient times. [12]

There are two endemic arboreal primates, Dian's tarsier (Tarsius dentatus) and the Pygmy tarsier (Tarsius pumilus).

The majority of endemic species are rodents, including three squirrels and 17 Murid rodents:

Another ten species are Sulawesi endemics, which live in both the montane and lowland rain forests ecoregions:

The Bola Batu babirusa (Babyrousa bolabatuensis), known only from bones, is recognized as a separate species. No living individuals have been recorded, and the species may be extinct.

The ecoregion is home to 168 bird species. 19 species are endemic to the ecoregion, and another 23 are near-endemic. [13]

Protected areas

A 2017 assessment found that 9,066 km², or 12%, of the ecoregion is in protected areas. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mizoram–Manipur–Kachin rain forests</span> Ecoregion in Indochina

The Mizoram–Manipur–Kachin rain forests is a subtropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion which occupies the lower hillsides of the mountainous border region joining Bangladesh, China's Yunnan Province, India, and Myanmar. The ecoregion covers an area of 135,600 square kilometres (52,400 sq mi). Located where the biotas of the Indian Subcontinent and the Indochinese Peninsula meet, and in the transition between subtropical and tropical regions of Asia, the Mizoram–Manipur–Kachin rain forests are home to great biodiversity. The WWF rates the ecoregion as "Globally Outstanding" in biological distinctiveness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Halmahera rain forests</span> Ecoregion in Halmahera, Indonesia

The Halmahera rain forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in Indonesia. The ecoregion includes the island of Halmahera and neighboring islands, including Bacan, Morotai, the Obi Islands, Ternate, Tidore, Gebe, and many smaller islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huon Peninsula montane rain forests</span> Forest ecoregion in New Guinea

The Huon Peninsula montane rain forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in New Guinea. The ecoregion covers the mountains of northeastern New Guinea's Huon Peninsula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lesser Sundas deciduous forests</span> Ecoregion in Lesser Sundas, Indonesia

The Lesser Sundas deciduous forests is a tropical dry forest ecoregion in Indonesia. The ecoregion includes the islands of Lombok, Sumbawa, Komodo, Flores, and Alor, along with the many adjacent smaller islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Timor and Wetar deciduous forests</span> Ecoregion in Indonesia and East Timor

The Timor and Wetar deciduous forests is a tropical dry forest ecoregion in Indonesia and East Timor. The ecoregion includes the islands of Timor, Wetar, Rote, Savu, and adjacent smaller islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenasserim–South Thailand semi-evergreen rain forests</span> Ecoregion on Mainland Southeast Asia

The Tenasserim–South Thailand semi-evergreen rain forests is a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion on Mainland Southeast Asia. The ecoregion extends north–south along the Kra Isthmus. It includes lowland forests along the coasts, and montane forests on the Tenasserim Hills and Bilauktaung range, which form the mountainous spine of the isthmus.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peninsular Malaysian rain forests</span> Ecoregion on the Malay Peninsula

The Peninsular Malaysian rain forests is an ecoregion on the Malay Peninsula and adjacent islands. It is in the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peninsular Malaysian montane rain forests</span> Ecoregion on the Malay Peninsula

The Peninsular Malaysian montane rain forests is an ecoregion on the Malay Peninsula. It occupies the mountainous spine of the peninsula in Malaysia and southernmost Thailand. It is in the tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests biome.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Irrawaddy moist deciduous forests</span> Ecoregion in Myanmar

The Irrawaddy moist deciduous forests is a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion in central Myanmar. The ecoregion occupies the central basin of the Irrawaddy River and the lower basin of the Salween River. The ecoregion is characterized by forests of tall trees which drop their leaves in the dry season. Most of the ecoregion's forests have been converted to agriculture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kayah–Karen montane rain forests</span> Ecoregion on Mainland Southeast Asia

The Kayah–Karen montane rain forests is a tropical moist broadleaf forest ecoregion on Mainland Southeast Asia. The montane rain forests cover several connected mountain ranges, including the Daen Lao Range, the Dawna Range, the Karen Hills, the Khun Tan Range, and the Thanon Thong Chai Range.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seram rain forests</span> Ecoregion in Seram, Indonesia

The Seram rain forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in Indonesia. The ecoregion includes the island of Seram and neighboring islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulawesi lowland rain forests</span> Ecoregion in Sulawesi, Indonesia

The Sulawesi lowland rain forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in Indonesia. The ecoregion includes the lowlands of Sulawesi and neighboring islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vogelkop–Aru lowland rain forests</span> Ecoregion in Indonesia

The Vogelkop–Aru lowland rain forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in Indonesia. The ecoregion covers the peninsular lowlands of western New Guinea, along with the Aru Islands and other nearby islands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Britain–New Ireland montane rain forests</span>

The New Britain–New Ireland montane rain forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in Papua New Guinea. The ecoregion includes the mountain rain forests on the islands of New Britain and New Ireland, which lie northeast of New Guinea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southeastern Papuan rain forests</span>

The Southeastern Papuan rain forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in southeastern New Guinea. The ecoregion covers the mountainous center and coastal lowlands of the Papuan Peninsula.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern New Guinea lowland rain forests</span> Ecoregion in New Guinea

The Southern New Guinea lowland rain forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in southeastern New Guinea. The ecoregion covers portions of New Guinea's southern lowlands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Southern New Guinea freshwater swamp forests</span> Ecoregion in New Guinea

The Southern New Guinea freshwater swamp forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in southern New Guinea. The ecoregion includes the extensive swamp forests of southern and western New Guinea.

References

  1. ↑ Eric Dinerstein, David Olson, et al. (2017). An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm, BioScience, Volume 67, Issue 6, June 2017, Pages 534–545; Supplemental material 2 table S1b.
  2. ↑ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Sulawesi montane rain forests". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Sulawesi montane rain forests". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved August 20, 2021.
  5. ↑ Wikramanayake, Eric; Eric Dinerstein; Colby J. Loucks; et al. (2002). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press.
  6. ↑ Culmsee, H., Pitopang, R., Mangopo, H. et al. Tree diversity and phytogeographical patterns of tropical high mountain rain forests in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodivers Conserv 20, 1103–1123 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-0019-y
  7. ↑ Culmsee, H., Pitopang, R., Mangopo, H. et al. Tree diversity and phytogeographical patterns of tropical high mountain rain forests in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Biodivers Conserv 20, 1103–1123 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-011-0019-y
  8. ↑ Wikramanayake, Eric; Eric Dinerstein; Colby J. Loucks; et al. (2002). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press.
  9. ↑ Wikramanayake, Eric; Eric Dinerstein; Colby J. Loucks; et al. (2002). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press.
  10. ↑ Tony Whitten, Greg S. Henderson (2012) Ecology of Sulawesi. Tuttle Publishing, Jun 19, 2012.
  11. ↑ Wikramanayake, Eric; Eric Dinerstein; Colby J. Loucks; et al. (2002). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press.
  12. ↑ Grubb, P. (2005). "Rusa timorensis". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 670. ISBN   978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC   62265494.
  13. ↑ Wikramanayake, Eric; Eric Dinerstein; Colby J. Loucks; et al. (2002). Terrestrial Ecoregions of the Indo-Pacific: a Conservation Assessment. Washington, DC: Island Press.
  14. ↑ Eric Dinerstein, David Olson, et al. (2017). An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm, BioScience, Volume 67, Issue 6, June 2017, Pages 534–545; Supplemental material 2 table S1b.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.