Sumatran montane rain forests | |
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Ecology | |
Realm | Indomalayan |
Biome | Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests |
Geography | |
Area | 72,779 km2 (28,100 sq mi) |
Country | Indonesia |
Coordinates | 2°45′N98°45′E / 2.75°N 98.75°E |
Conservation | |
Conservation status | Relatively stable/intact |
Protected | 31.89% [1] |
The Sumatran montane rain forests ecoregion (WWF ID: IM0159) covers the mountainous elevations (greater than 1,000 meters) of the Barisan Mountains Range that runs the length of the southwestern side of the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. The ecoregion is almost completely surrounded by the lower elevation Sumatran lowland rain forests. The area is one of very high biodiversity - because of the relative isolation, and variety of forest types, there are 7 endemic species of mammals and eight endemic species of birds. [2] [3] [1] [4]
The Barisan Mountains stretch for 1,600 km along the southwest side of Sumatra, the product of the subducting Australia Plate and the overriding Sunda Plate. The range averages less than 70 km wide, and rises from 44 meters to a maximum elevation of 3,595 metres (11,795 ft), with a mean elevation of 1,160 metres (3,810 ft). There are 35 active volcanoes in the region, with the western side steeper, and the eastern slide inclining to lowlands and plains. [2]
The climate of the ecoregion is Tropical rainforest climate (Köppen climate classification (Af)). This climate is characterized as hot, humid, and having at least 60 mm of precipitation every month. [5] [6] Annual precipitation in the mountains averages 2,500 mm. The eastern side of the Barisan Mountains are in a rain shadow, and receive less precipitation than the west side. [4]
75% of the ecoregion is covered with closed, broadleaf evergreen forest, another 15% in other types of closed forest, and 7% open forest. [1] There are three main forest types in the ecoregion, based on elevation: the 'lower montane forest', 'upper montane forest', and 'sub-alpine forest'.
The lower montane forest has tree species similar to the lowland rain forests, but they are shorter (up to 35 meters), buttresses are rare, llianas (woody vines) are rare, epiphytes become more common, and the lowland domination of trees of the family Dipterocarpaceae gives way to more trees of the oak family Fagaceae, such as stone oaks (Lithocarpus), and of the laurel family Lauraceae, such as Cinnamomum burmanni . [2]
The upper montane forest forms at higher elevations, depending on temperature and cloud level. The trees in this zone are shorter (up to 20 meters, and epiphytes, such as moss and lichens, are more common. Characteristic upper montane plants include conifers and trees in the myrtle family Myrtaceae. The sub-alpine forest zone begins at higher elevations, and features grasses, heath, and bogs. Ericaceous plants, including species of Rhododendron and Vaccinium , are common in the sub-alpine and upper montane forests. Trees in the sub-alpine zone are scattered and stunted, typically under 10 meters in height. [2]
Mammals of conservation interest include the vulnerable Thomas's langur (Presbytis thomasi), the vulnerable Sumatran striped rabbit (Nesolagus netscheri), and the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris).
Endemic birds include the red-billed partridge (Arborophila rubrirostris), Salvadori's pheasant (Lophura inornata), Hoogerwerf's pheasant (Lophura inornata hoogerwerfi), Sumatran ground cuckoo (Carpococcyx viridis), Schneider's pitta (Pitta schneideri), and Sumatran cochoa (Cochoa beccarii). [2]
Over 31% of the ecoregion is officially protected. The protected areas include: [1]
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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.
The Sulawesi montane rain forests is a tropical moist forest ecoregion in Indonesia. It includes the highlands of Sulawesi.
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The Southern Annamites montane rain forests ecoregion covers a region of high biodiversity in the central and southern mountains of the Annamite Range in Vietnam. Terrain ranges from wet lowland forest to evergreen hardwood and conifer montane rain forest. There is a short dry season centered on January–February, but fog and dew are common throughout the year and support a lush forest character.
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The Sumatran lowland rain forests ecoregion covers the lowland forests running the length of the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. The region is one of exceptionally high biodiversity, similar to Borneo and New Guinea islands. Many endangered mammals species are present, and over 450 species of birds have been found in the region. In recent years, illegal logging and human encroachment have put great strain on this ecoregion.
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The Greater Negros–Panay rain forests ecoregion covers the central Visayan Islands in the Philippines, including the islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, Masbate, Sibuyan, Ticao, Guimaras, Romblon, Tablas, Siquijor, and Bohol, but excludes Leyte and Samar. During the last ice age, these were all on the same island. The lack of a land bridge to Asia during the ice age kept most Asian megafauna, including elephants and tigers, from reaching the Philippines and the Visayan Islands, which hosts many unique and endemic species with some exclusive only to an island.
The Mindanao–Eastern Visayas rain forests ecoregion covers the lowland rain forests of the island of Mindanao and of the easternmost of the Visayas Islands in the Philippines. Although 63% of this ecoregion is covered with closed broadleaf evergreen forest or open forest, much of this has been disturbed in the past by human activity, and many of the rare species of the area have been relegated to the isolated areas or higher elevations.
The Western Java rain forests ecoregion covers the lowland rain forests below 1,000 meters in elevation in the western half of the island of Java in Indonesia. There are a variety of forest types - evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, and even some patches of freshwater swamp. The forests have degraded by conversion of the low areas to agriculture, and by logging. National parks protect some of the last remaining untouched rain forest. A number of endangered mammals are found in the ecoregion, including the Javan rhinoceros, the silvery gibbon, and the Javan surili.