The Indo-Malaysian Rainforest!!!

In the Past!

The Indo-Malaysian Region/Ecozone is a region in southern Asia that contains several different biomes, although the majority of the area is composed of tropical rainforest. Originally the tropical and subtropical forest were covered by moist broadleaf forests was most of Indo-Malaya region. However, the area is now dominated by trees that came from the Dipterocarpaceae family. This region emerged from the flora vegetation and fauna animals. This region’s formation can be explained through plate tectonics. The flora and fauna of the Indo-Malaysian rainforest are blended by the two ancient supercontinents of Laurasia and Gondwana. India detached from Gondwana approximately 90 million years ago and collided with Asia 30-45 million years ago. This brought over the flora and fauna of Gondwana, explaining the diversification and evolution of species. These species included cichlid fish, flowering plant families like Crypteroniaceae and Dipterocarpaceae. Later, Australia and New Guinea shifted north, causing the upward movement of the Wallacea islands. This allowed for the botanic integration between two regions, Indo-Malaysian and Australia. From this exchange, several Gondwanin plant families, such as podocarps and araucarias island-hopped across and moved westward into the Indo-Malaysian rainforest.

The Halmahera mountain in the past. (Indonesia)

The Halmahera mountain now. (Indonesia)

Plate Tectonics. This shows the region of the Indo-Malaysian rainforest.

Inhabitants!

The plants and animals living in the Indo-Malaysian rainforest have to be able to endure the heat of up to 85 degrees fahrenheit. They also have to live with the humidity of the ecosystem, since rain falls up to 400 inches. The abundance of resources like food, water, and shelter call for the variety of life in the ecosystem.

Plants!

Since plants in this ecosystem are dependent of sunlight, they grow quick, tall, and absorb water fast with their short roots. Plants in this area have high canopies with epiphytes, plants living off of other plants. Here are a few plant species that can be found in the Indo-Malaysian rainforest:

This is the Bengal bamboo (Bambusa Tulda). It has short roots so it can absorb water quickly. 

 This is the Durian Tree (durio Zibethinus). It has a tall canopy like most of the rain forest trees.

This is the Jambu (Syzygium aqueum). It grows shorter than other plants but it is a source of food for many animals. 

Animals!

With the abundance of water due to the high rainfall, there is a lot of oxygen, this leads to the variety of plants, leading to a variety of animals it can support. Animals often feed off the plants, or seed droppings from the trees. the animals have adapted to living of the trees because of the tree’s protection. Large mammals have a variety of prey to choose from to eat. However, the destruction of rain forests around the globe has caused many species of animals to go endangered. Here are some animals found in the Indo-Malaysian Rainforest:

This is the Sumatran Tiger (Panthera Tigris Sumatrae). With the rapid destruction of rain forests the tiger population has declined. 

This is the Babirusa (Baby rousa). This animal is found in Wallacea.

This is the Peackock Pheasant (Polyplectron inopinatum) Tis animal can be found in Palawan.

Human Impacts!

The forests in the Indo-malaysian region has been declining over the years. This decline is due to the people's urbanization and agricultural disasters. Many logging businesses, which are businesses that down acres and acres of trees, have done so in an unsustainable way. Malaysia has out exported Bornean states in terms of tropical wood production. Logging plays a huge role in deforestation. Soil erosion and mudslides occur whenever logging is initiated in areas with steep slopes. Many laws have been enforced however very few follow these laws. In the Malaysian Borneo area, most of the forests have been severely logged and this has impacted the amount of biodiversity in the area. However, there are many areas that are protected from logging. These places are known to contain the highest biodiversity in the planet. About 11.6 % of Malaysian forests are in good condition because there have been no traces of human activities. Forests like Taman Negara transformed into a national park, is known as one of the oldest preserved forests in the world. Below is a picture of logging.

Improvements!

As shown in the picture below, if logging and other unsustainable ways of agriculture continues, then there will constantly be a decrease in rain forest. After research and countless experiments it has been proven that a forest can be restored if at least some of the natural forest exists. With steady improvements and reform we will be able to restore what has been lost, however it will take many years, even a million. Although the second forest that can be formed may be low in diversity and poorly developed the land will, in time, be available for species to come and thus increase diversity.

There are a few techniques and solutions that can be applied to save our southeast Asia tropical forests. The surrounding neighborhoods rely on the natural resources provided by the tropical forest, however if the human society continues to eliminate the forests then the natural resources provided will cease to exist.

Prevent Erosion

Erosion is a factor of deforestation.There is technology that can be used to be more environmentally friendly but the process can be pricey. There are other natural solutions to help the environment. farmers have prevented erosion by being selective about our crops and counter plowing the soil. This is a picture of deforestation.

Rationalize Land

The society must look into perspective of how best use the land that has already been cut down. to ensure that we get the best use of the land, we must be productive in the agriculture that takes place on the land. In doing so we can maximize the natural resources offered. This is a picture of monoculture, a risky way of agriculture.

Reform Agricultural Actions

Find other practices that are less harmful to the environment. For example the absence of tillage agriculture may be accepted. Soil is best when it is left untilled because it retains natural organic matter. With this, the soil will be able to reproduce the forest. This is a picture of bad soil.

Restore Species

 To ensure the protection of the tropical forest we must also protect and restore the species in the area. When deforestation occurs  we lose a vast amount of the species who inhabit the tropical rainforest. In doing so it will increase the diversity in the degraded lands and improve the wellbeing of the ecosystem

The Future!

In the future, it might be predicted that a further decline in the quantity of rain forests are to occur. As evidenced by logging and agricultural fire (not common in rain forests) many of our precious rain forests and its inhabitants may come to extinction. If laws are enforced and practiced, then the rain forests can be protected and preserved. Below is a picture of the preserved Taman Negara!

References!

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