Southern New Guinea Lowland Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Over 1,200 species of trees and about 2,000 species of ferns
Snapshot: Ecoregion 14
Size:
200,000 sq. km (77,000 sq. miles)
200,000 sq. km (77,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Geographic Location:
The island of New Guinea, north of Australia
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable
Quiz Time!
What is the Kookaburra best known for?
Answer:
The Kookaburra, an 18-inch-long (46-cm) bird that feeds on insects, birds, mice, lizards, and snakes, is probably best known for its raucous, laughing call.
About the Area
This Global ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Southern New Guinea lowland rain forests; Vogelkop-Aru lowland rain forests.
The lowland forests of southern New Guinea are generally richer than the montane forests of this tropical island. They are filled with an amazing assortment of plants (over 1,200 species of trees and about 2,000 species of ferns) and animals, many of them found only on this island.Local Species
Among the inhabitants of the southern New Guinea lowland forests are such remarkably named creatures as the lesser tube-nosed bat (a small bat with tubular nostrils that whistles when it flies), the spangled kookaburra (a bird with a brown head and brilliant blue feathers on its back and tail), and the greater bird of paradise (sports a stunning array of green, yellow, and maroon feathers, and a dashing white-and-yellow plume).
Other species include, the endemic lowland tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus spadix), lowland ringtail (Pseudocheirus canescens), Dorcopsis (Dorcopsis luctosa), and the Papuan tiger orchid (Grammatophylum papuanus).
Threats
Logging is putting increased pressure on these forests, especially in coastal areas. Road construction, shifting cultivation, agricultural expansion, and plantation development all constitute additional threats.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
