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Southwest Borneo freshwater swamp forests

Coordinates: 1°15′N 111°15′E / 1.25°N 111.25°E / 1.25; 111.25
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Southwest Borneo freshwater swamp forests
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmIndomalayan
BiomeTropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Geography
Area36,849 km2 (14,227 sq mi)
CountryIndonesia, Malaysia
Coordinates1°15′N 111°15′E / 1.25°N 111.25°E / 1.25; 111.25

The Southwest Borneo freshwater swamp forests ecoregion (WWF ID: IM0153) covers a number disconnected patches of freshwater swamp forest along the southwestern coasts of Borneo. The swamps are generally set back a few kilometers or two from the sea by the saltwater-affected Sunda Shelf mangroves The relatively fertile, flat soil has led to much of this ecoregion being converted to agriculture.[1][2][3][4]

Location and description

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The freshwater swamp forests of the southwest coast of Borneo occur where rivers on flat alluvial plains meet the coastal mangroves. The resulting sediment and periodic inundation produce more nutrient-rich, less acidic soil, and taller trees than peat swamps[4]

Climate

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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]

Flora and fauna

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The makeup of these forests varies according to patterns of inundation, soil nutrient levels and acidity.[1] There are grassy wetlands, marshes, areas of scrub, and areas of Pandanus and palm trees. The mature forest supports a wide variety of tree and shrub species, including the families and genera of Adina a shrub, Alstonia (some species of which are of commercial value for timber), Campnosperma, Coccoceras, Dillenia, Dyera, Erythrina, Eugenia, Ficus, Gluta, Lophopetalum, Memecylon, Pentaspadon, Shorea, and Vatica.[4]

Diversity of faunal species is higher than in the peat swamp. The most common primate in the freshwater swamp is the vulnerable Crab-eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis). The freshwater swamp is also home to the critically endangered Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus). Over 360 species of birds have been recorded in this ecoregion.[4]

Protected areas

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Over 14% of the ecoregion is officially protected.[3] These protected areas include:

References

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  1. ^ a b "Southwest Borneo freshwater swamp forests". World Wildlife Federation. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  2. ^ "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Southwest Borneo freshwater swamp forests". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  4. ^ a b c d "Southwest Borneo freshwater swamp forests". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  5. ^ Kottek, M.; Grieser, J.; Beck, C.; Rudolf, B.; Rubel, F. (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  6. ^ "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.