Southwest Borneo freshwater swamp forests

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]

Southwest Borneo freshwater swamp forests
Ecoregion territory (in purple)
Ecology
RealmIndomalayan
BiomeTropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests
Geography
Area36,849 km2 (14,227 sq mi)
CountryMalaysia
Coordinates1.25°N 111.25°E / 1.25; 111.25

Location and description

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 then peat swamps[4]

Climate

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

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

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

References
  1. "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. "Southwest Borneo freshwater swamp forests". Digital Observatory for Protected Areas. Retrieved August 1, 2020.
  4. "Southwest Borneo freshwater swamp forests". The Encyclopedia of Earth. Retrieved August 28, 2020.
  5. Kottek, M., J. Grieser, C. Beck, B. Rudolf, and F. Rubel, 2006. "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger 2006. Retrieved September 14, 2019.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
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