The Biodiversity and Environment of Indonesia

Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago, and consists of over 17,000 islands. The country straddles the equator with islands on both sides. Indonesia is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world. It is second only to Brazil in this regard. This is due in part to the location along the equator but also thanks to the nature of the country's geography. The unique placement of the islands is part of why the species contained within Indonesia are a mix of Asian and Australasian flora and fauna. Some of the islands were originally part of the Australian landmass while others were connected to the Asian mainland. The tropical seas that surround every island are also a determining factor in the level of diversity.

A good number of the species found in Indonesia are actually endemic to the islands and can be found nowhere else on earth. The endemic species include over 1500 different species of bird and even over 500 species of mammal. This makes Indonesia second only to Australia in terms of endemic species and places it alongside other biologically important regions such as Madagascar and the Galapagos Islands. Plant species are also quite biologically diverse on the islands and quite a few are endemic. One such endemic species is the Rafflesia arnoldi, which is the largest flower in the world. The world's largest orchid also resides in the Indonesia islands. The islands contain a great number of palm species, hosting, in fact, the most diverse range on the planet.

Around 60% of the country is covered in forest making it the largest tropical forest in the world. However, the islands also have a range of other habitats, especially along the coastlines. These include tidal flats, coral reefs, sand dunes, and tropical beaches. The destruction of these habitats threatens a great deal of the species living therein, including some of the endemic mammals. Of these, the Sumatran Orangutan and the Sumatran Tiger are likely the most famous. The current destruction includes deforestation and water pollution.

Due to high poverty levels and low levels of environment-related government resources, the unique ecosystems and species in Indonesia are, sadly, in danger. It remains to be seen whether this biologically important land can find the correct balance between man and nature.

Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/18/AR2009111804162.html
http://www.press.uchicago.edu/Misc/Chicago/468283.html
http://globalis.gvu.unu.edu/country.cfm?Country=ID
http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?c=Article_C&pagename=Zone-English-HealthScience/HSELayout&cid=1157962515266