Peninsular Malaysian Lowland and Montane Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Where Tiger, Asian elephant, and Rhino still coexist
Snapshot: Ecoregion 30
Size:
142,500 sq. km (55,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Geographic Location:
The southern portion of the Malaysian Peninsula: Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable
About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of 2 terrestrial ecoregions: Peninsular Malaysian montane rain forests; Peninsular Malaysian rain forests.
Peninsular Malaysia has a rich flora and fauna, with about 8,000 species of plants, over 200 species of mammals, including 81 bats, 110 species of snakes, thousands of insect species, and a rich diversity of birds.One of the largest protected areas in Southeast Asia covers a sizeable section of the ecoregion. This large park, the Taman Negara National Park, features montane rainforests, unique limestone forests, and the largest area of pristine lowland dipterocarp forest left in Malaysia. The highest mountain in Peninsular Malaysia - Mount Tahan - is located within the park.
Local Species
One of the last sites in all of Asia where Tiger (Panthera tigris), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), and Rhino still coexist. You would also find here the Malayan tapir, brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus macrourus), horseshoe bat (Hipposideros ridleyi), plus the endangered Sunda otter-civet (Cynogale bennettii), a cat-sized mammal that hunts for fish and frogs.
Threats
Logging both in the highlands and lowlands, conversion of lowland forest for agriculture and urban development, tourism development, and road construction causing fragmentation and loss of forests are the predominant threats in this ecoregion. Unfortunately, a majority of the mammals and birds live in primary or older secondary forests, making it essential that these dwindling areas are protected.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
