Brief Description
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| Source: http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/156716/ |
Location:
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| Source: http://truysch-naturalhazards.wikispaces.com/Page+2-+Krakatoa+Volcano |
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| Source: http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/indonesia605/autonomy.html |
Historical State and Biodiversity:
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| Source: http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4042/4525619362_388288d9a0.jpg |
Before suffering vast deforestation, the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra resembled a typical old growth forest, with three layers of vegetation. The topmost layer being the “crown” of the tall trees, the middle layer being the canopy, and the bottom layer being small leaves and plants where very little sunlight is exposed. The protected areas sit along the equator, which allow for a warm climate and high rainfall. As mentioned before, the tropical rainforest lies along the Bukit Barisan mountain range, where many active volcanoes and hot springs make their presence. The windward, or wetter side, is where the three National Parks are located, with their temperatures ranging from 21 to 28 degrees Celsius (7). The climate in these areas is known to be very humid, with high rainfall and high temperatures for most of the year. It is this tropical climate that has allowed for exceptionally rich biodiversity to emerge in the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra. The eastern side of the island, or the leeward side of the Bukit Barisan mountain range, is mostly lowland and much drier.
The protected areas are now home to approximately 10,000 plant species (17 endemic), 200 mammal species (15 endemic), about 580 bird species (21 endemic) (7). In terms of vegetation, the three National Parks that compose the Tropical Rainforest of Sumatra make up by themselves a remarkable 50% of the total plant diversity in the whole island of Sumatra. In a larger scale, the Indonesian archipelago contains 10% of the world's flowering plants (12). Despite still being rich in biodiversity, the island of Sumatra has lost almost half of its natural forest cover in only a span of 25 years, between 1985 and 2009 (See map below). The deforestation of Sumatra has been mainly a result of human activity from recent decades, including the expansion of pulp and palm oil plantations, logging, and road construction. As a result of deforestation, many fauna and flora have become endangered and ultimately extinct.
Before:
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| Source: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n2/world/timbuktu-and-9-other-threatened-unesco-heritage-sites-315249.html After:  Source: http://naturescrusaders.files.wordpress.com/2009/07/sumatra-logging.jpg |
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| Source: http://photos.mongabay.com/10/1130wwf_sumatra_1985_2010.jpg
Deforestation patterns across Sumatra and within Sumatran Protected Areas
Source: Gaveau, Epting, Lyne, Linkie, Kumara, Kanninen, and Nigel Leader-Williams. "Evaluating whether protected areas reduce tropical deforestation in Sumatra." Journal of Biogeography (J. Biogeogr.) (2009) 36, 2165–2175.
From this graph above, we can conclude that even though deforestation has continued to occur within the last twenty years, there is a significant difference between protected areas and unprotected areas. In the protected areas, which are composed mainly of the three National Parks, only 5% of the forest cover was destroyed, as compared to 41% in unprotected areas (4).
Some Endemic Species in Sumatra:
The Sumatran Tiger
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| Smallest Subspecies of tiger in the world, 500 thought to be left in the wild. Source: http://a-z-animals.com/animals/sumatran-tiger/ |
The Sumatran Orangutan  |
| Considered one of the world's most endangered species, with as few as 7,000 left in the wild. Source: http://true-wildlife.blogspot.com/2011/03/sumatran-orang-utan.html World's Largest Flower: Rafflesia Arnoldii  Source: http://www.parasiticplants.siu.edu/Rafflesiaceae/Raff.arn.page.html World's Tallest Flower: Amorphophallus titanum  Source: http://botany.si.edu/events/amorphophallus/ |
Human Impact:
By Catherine Lin
Over the last 100 years, approximately 60% of the tropical rainforest of Sumatra has been destroyed (3). This can be greatly attributed to the impact people have had on this historic site through illegal and commercial activities. The ecosystem is now being damaged at an alarming rate, mainly as a result of:
- Slash and Burn
- Natural Resource Exploitation
- Agricultural Encroachment
- Palm oil and pulp plantations\
- Mining
- Road Construction
- Illegal Logging
- Poaching (Illegal hunting)
With the growing industry demand for timber and palm oil, the once gorgeous Sumatran rainforest have been cut down into man-made vegetation. Since the hardwood obtained from the forest is so valuable, large industries such as pulp and palm oil companies are expanding their operation, building construction roads and highways deeper and deeper into the forest. Majority of the logging is done illegally as a result of the weak structure and enforcement of the Indonesian government. The weak regulation by the government allows for the continuation of illegal activities and further deforestation.
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| Source: http://wasnonstop.wordpress.com/category/sustainability-news/ |
Aside from the forest destruction, large animals are simultaneously being hunted to nearly extinction. Critical Indonesian species such as the tiger, elephant, rhino, and exotic birds are being quickly reduced due to human impacts (10). Large settlements into the forest contributes to human-animal conflict. But in many cases, the animal species are also being hunted for commercial gain, such as tiger skins and bones. This large-scale habitat loss will continue at a horrifying rate until extinction if the logging and the forest clearing does not end.
Slash-and-burn:
A primary contribution to deforestation is slash-and burn, which is a common technique due to the fact that it is very loosely regulated by the government. It is a process where a large area of the forest is cleared by fire to be converted into other vegetation usages such as palm oil plantation. This does unimaginable damage to the forest because it not only endangers numerous plants and animal species, but also gradually changes the forest to become extremely prone to future accidental fires. Moreover, after the damage is done, the forest can never grow back to its original state again. Not only are the plants and animals of the Sumatra impacted by this, many of the indigenous villagers have also lost their homes and are forced to resettle completely and change their way of life. Unfortunately for the angry villagers, many of them have lost both their homes and their jobs due to the invasion of big industries and companies. As the patches of trees are being quickly cleared out, the forest is slowly turned into one that is extremely dry and vulnerable to droughts and fires. If the intensive destruction continues, this could make permanent destruction to the entire forest, which can certainly be have detrimental impacts to the environment , wildlife, and ultimately, human health (10). |
| Source: http://www.foxnews.com/world/2013/07/04/slash-and-burn-way-life-on-indonesia-sumatra/ |
Benefits of the Ecosystem:
The main environmental services the Sumatran Rainforest provides are soil erosion and mudslides reduction, protection of watersheds, greater control of floods and droughts, and the improvement of forest soils by removing impurities from water. Furthermore, roughly one quarter of the world’s prescribed medicines are derived from tropical rainforests like Sumatra's. The numerous trees provide wood for people to use to make furniture, paper products, and for people working in construction industries These latter resources, unfortunately, have been motivation for illegal activities. The vast area of the tropical rainforest of Sumatra also provides Indonesians with food and water resources. And last but not least, the site allows for rich biodiversity, with thousands of plants and animals making Sumatra's tropical rainforest their natural habitat.
Future Prospects: What can be done?
By Frances Chan
As
of 2011, UNESCO placed the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra on the
Danger List to help overcome further threats of deforestation and extinction of
species. With such increased awareness of the dangers this ecosystem is facing,
the Indonesian government has implemented regulations and programs to stop the
devastation in this ecosystem. One key initiative has been the Road Map for
Saving the Sumatra Ecosystem: Sumatra’s Visions 2020 passed in 2010 by the
Indonesian government (1). The government initiative
attempts to maintain and restore areas in Sumatra's forests by the
promotion of sustainable forests, responsible agricultural development and
payments for environmental services, such as for water and forest carbon.The Indonesian government has also stated that they
intend to maintain at least 40% or the the remaining forests as conservation
areas and restore what has been destroyed (1).
In order to halt further illegal activities in the protected areas, it is imperative that the government imposes and enforces fines and consequences that limit such activities. Illegal logging and pouching will undoubtedly continue to occur, but if the government imposes such limitations, it can be reduced to a great degree. In terms of agricultural encroachment, the government, local farmers, and corporations have to come to agreements where necessary incentives are given to both make sure massive deforestation does not continue to occur and to compensate the people whose economic well-being is determined by their plantations. I think the government should ban slash and burn altogether because existing laws are just limiting it. They should also increase more protected areas in order to protect more of the endangered species in Sumatra. Palm oil production should be more regulated by the government. In addition, teaching people about tropical rainforests would bring awareness to the public about the endangered aspects of tropical rainforests. Join an organization that supports rainforest conservation such as World Wildlife Fund and Save 30 Hills. Do not support big companies that are involved with clearcutting. Lastly, biodiversity is important to maintain sustainability because variety of species will help keep the ecosystem healthier (11).
About Us:
Jesus Medina, Catherine Lin, Frances Chan
We are undergraduates at UCLA who completed this blog as part of our Geography 5 class, "People and Earth's Ecosystems" with Professor Thomas Gillespie. Aside from the required assignment, we are looking to make a positive impact on our environment by raising awareness of the environmental consequences of human actions. This applies not only to the Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, but to every community across the world, from local to global scales. We believe that if everyone can join the effort to be environmentally conscious of their actions, even if it is through small contributions, we can help achieve a sustainable environment for future generations. The deforestation of Sumatra and other ecosystems is a problem that we must confront now, before we deplete nature of all its resources and destroy the natural habitats of thousands of species, including our own.
References:
- Ardiansyah, Fitrian, and Thomas Thomas. "Saving Sumatra's Forests : World Heritage in Danger." Home. N.p., 22 Apr. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2012/04/22/saving-sumatra-s-forests-world-heritage-danger.html>.
- Cousteau, Philippe. "Why You Should Care about Sumatra's Rainforest." CNN. Cable News Network, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/10/world/why-you-should-care-sumatra-rainforest/>.
- Galpin, Richard. " Indonesian Rainforest Sumatra Forests Destroyed Extinctions Tribal People The WE News Archives ." Indonesian Rainforest Sumatra Forests Destroyed Extinctions Tribal People The WE News Archives . N.p., 30 Aug. 2002. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://thewe.cc/weplanet/news/forests/clock_ticking_for_indonesian_rainforest.htm>.
- Gaveau, Epting, Lyne, Linkie, Kumara, Kanninen, and Nigel Leader-Williams. "Evaluating whether protected areas reduce tropical deforestation in Sumatra." Journal of Biogeography (J. Biogeogr.) (2009) 36, 2165–2175.
- Ketterings, Noordwijk, Rodenburg, and Alfred Stein. "Spatial variability of soil pH and phosphorus in relation to soil run-off following slash-and-burn land clearing in Sumatra, Indonesia." Soil & Tillage Research 71 (2003) 1–14.
- Linkie, Rood, and Robert J. Smith. “Modelling the effectiveness of enforcement strategies for avoiding tropical deforestation in Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra.” Biodiversity and Conservation 19.4 (2010): 973-984.
- McGinley, Mark. "Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, Indonesia." Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra, Indonesia. N.p., 25 May 2010. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/156716/>.
- Rodenburg, Jonne, Alfred Stein, Meine Van Noordwijk, and Quirine M. Ketterings. "Spatial Variability of Soil PH and Phosphorus in Relation to Soil Run-off following Slash-and-burn Land Clearing in Sumatra, Indonesia." Spatial Variability of Soil PH and Phosphorus in Relation to Soil Run-off following Slash-and-burn Land Clearing in Sumatra, Indonesia. N.p., May 2003. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167198702001411>.
- Tabatabai, Sara S. "The Sumatran Rainforest: The Future of the Sumatran Rainforest and What Can Be Done." The Sumatran Rainforest: The Future of the Sumatran Rainforest and What Can Be Done. N.p., Nov. 2012. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://sumatranrainforest.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-future-of-sumatran-rainforest-and.html>.
- Vidal, John. "Ecological Disaster Looms for Rain Forests of Sumatra | The Japan Times."Japan Times RSS. N.p., 1 June 2013. Web. 27 Nov. 2013. <http://www.japantimes.co.jp/life/2013/06/01/environment/ecological-disaster-looms-for-rain-forests-of-sumatra/>.
- "10 Tips to Help Prevent Tropical Rainforest Deforestation." 10 Tips to Help Prevent Tropical Rainforest Deforestation. N.p., 24 Sept. 2009. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://www.ourfutureplanet.org/news/295-10-tips-to-help-prevent-tropical-rainforest-deforestation>.
- "Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra." - UNESCO World Heritage Centre. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1167>.
- "Tropical Rainforest Heritage of Sumatra." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Nov. 2013. Web. 25 Nov. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tropical_Rainforest_Heritage_of_Sumatra>.
