Borneo
This small tropic island on the equator in South East Asia holds thousands of endangered species, plants and animals alike. It mainly consists of lowland dipterocarp forests with giant trees that have been standing for nearly thirty million years. However, these forests may not be standing for much longer, as human interference threatens the countless organisms that live there. Borneo's beautiful springs and rivers flowing with the influx of fresh rainwater will begin to slow and even become toxic from pollution. Something must be done to help the beings of Borneo.
Some Endangered Species
Clouded LeopardsThis wild cat found is currently labeled vulnerable by the IUCN red list. The deforestation of Borneo is depriving them of their habitat and place to hide. Their lack of communities and solidarity makes it all the more difficult to get an accurate count of their population. Pygmy SquirrelsThese adorable creatures are quickly becoming extinct as they generally rely the most on trees out of all of the species. They live in the lowlands of Borneo and make their homes and obtain their food from the unique trees. However, as we cut down their habitats, large numbers are being wiped out. |
Pygmy ElephantsThese elephants live in the tropical rainforests of North Borneo. World Wild Life labels them as endangered due to a decrease in population of over 50% with their number less than 1,500. Borneo Bay CatThese unique cats live in the lowlands and lower hill regions. Deforestation is causing habitat loss on a massive scale, endangering their species. |
OrangutanThis intelligent primate is found all over Borneo and shares over 97% of their DNA with humans. Yet they are killed for bush meat and their babies are sold in the illegal pet trade. Their homes in the trees are rapidly being lost. Sumatran Rhinoceros The Sumatran Rhinoceros is one of the most endangered species on Earth. They are the smallest of rhino species and have a population of approximately 80. They are poached extensively and need greater protection. |
Problems affecting Borneo
Humans are by far the greatest threat posed to the Borneo. Our gradual impact on global warming and overuse of natural resources is slowly harming the forest. The immediate dangers of poaching and forest fires is destroying the habitat of thousands of species. Many companies are cutting down the trees for profit, the main use being palm oil and rubber exports, which have caused over 50% of the rainforest to be logged.
OUR GOALThis habitat is disappearing before our eyes, greater awareness must be raised about Borneo. |
First Let'sDiscover
The Borneo Rainforest can receive up to 510 cm of rainfall each year, especially in the monsoon season beginning in October and ending in March. This rain plays a big part in the places where animals choose to live and their natural water resistant adaptations. The water may wash away smaller creatures, forcing the creatures to be larger in order to survive, but also increases the carrying capacity, as there is ample water for creatures to survive. This reduces the competition between species for water and leads to a more harmonious relationship. The temperature ranges from 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, with cooler temperatures as you get higher up in the forest, which can be seen in the different adaptations of species depending on where they live. Predators utilize the forest to their advantage, using it to hunt for their prey. However, diseases that humans bring drastically effect the natural population and are a limiting factor to the growth of species inhabiting Borneo. |
Now let's WORKConserve
The cutting of trees and the loss of a food supply due to poaching has led to the endangerment and extinction of many species. Bush fires caused by human interference and pollution blown in from Malaysia and China are negatively affecting plant life as well. The complex relationships between species, such as the Pitcher Plant's ability to eat insects and produce oxygen, while providing the roots to solidify the ground and eventually the decomposition matter for other species to use for energy, are shown consistently throughout Borneo. This process is disrupted by human interference through forest fires and deforestation, directly impacting the ability to survive in thousands of species. This ecosystem is drying out through global warming, burned for land, cut down for profit, destroyed. Its species are being captured and hunted, "endangered species" which should be illegal to kill poached for money. We are not doing enough to help this environment, the laws we make must be followed. |
IT'S UP TO USChange
We rely on Borneo for so much more than anyone could know, especially not the people cutting down the trees for profit. Asia's last "great" rainforest shared by three countries provides fresh water through rivers for millions of people and the oxygen produced by 287,000 square miles of trees is essential for us to live. The transfer of carbon dioxide to that oxygen is reducing global warming by a significant margin. However, humanity is taking advantage of all Borneo gives us, its natural beauty and wonder, ruining this entire ecosystem for financial gain. Borneo depends on the biodiversity inside of it, the interactions between all of its unique and often endangered species, in order to maintain its complex rainforest. Currently, organizations are dedicated to helping protect endangered species, spread sustainable agriculture, and end deforestation. Our goal is to spread their ideas and provide awareness of Borneo to the public to save an entire ecosystem. |