Western Java Mountain Forests - A Global Ecoregion
Globally outstanding endemism levels for mammals
Snapshot: Ecoregion 36
Size:
6,200 sq. km (2,400 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Java, a large island in Indonesia
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
Quiz Time!
Which habits are the Gibbons most known for?
Answer:
Gibbons are great swingers and singers. They can swing from tree to tree at up to 35 miles (16 km) per hour and project their voices several miles. They use these calls to defend their territory.
About the Area
The Western Java Mountain Forests harbour a diversity of habitats, which in turn gives way to a rich variety of flora and fauna, with many endemic species. Endemism is highest for mammals, but is also high for birds.
Nearly all of the original forest has been cleared to make way for Java's dense and expanding population. Nonetheless, rain forests and river habitats remain in a few parks and contribute to the region's great biodiversity.Local Species
These forests contain many species now virtually extinct elsewhere in Java, including trees such as Elaeocarpus macrocerus, Alstonia spathulata, Wild mango (Mangifera gedebe), Stemonurus secundiflora, and a huge sedge (Thoracostachyrum sumatrana).
Besides the globally threatened Surili leaf monkey (Presbytis comata), the endemic Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) lives here too.
Characteristic of the bird fauna are species, such as the endemic Javan tesia (Tesia superciliaris), Green spectacled pigeon (Treron oxyura), and the Sunda thrush (Zoothera andromedae).
Threats
Only five per cent of the original habitat remains in this ecoregion, as it is located on the most densely populated island in Indonesia. Erosion and burning pose serious threats to the fragments that remain.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
