· Guineafowl, Golden Cats, and More
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

The Guinean Moist Forests form the most species-rich region in West Africa. Many plants and animals found here are also found in the Congolian forests in central Africa, revealing that these forests may have been connected in the past. However, the two areas are also very different. The Guinean Moist Forests are greatly influenced by the dry winds from the Sahara and the cool currents of the Atlantic, creating a climate that is more seasonal than the Congolian forests to the east. Although certain species are visibly absent from this region, including gorillas, swamp monkeys, and forest otters, the Guinean Moist Forests host a number of plants and animals found nowhere else in the world. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Guinean montane forests; Eastern Guinean forests; Western Guinean lowland forests

Guineafowl, Golden Cats, and More

Inland from the beaches, mangroves and port towns of the West African coast lie blocks of forests known as the Guinean Moist Forests. The diversity of life inhabiting these forests is nothing short of astonishing. Chimpanzees, golden cats, pygmy hippos, olive colobus, elephants, West African hinged tortoises, and a collection of threatened birds, including the yellow-throated olive greenbul, copper- tailed glossy starling and white-breasted guineafowl, are just some of the creatures that call these forests home.

Special Features

Like other tropical areas, the Guinean Moist Forests receive very high rainfall, typically more than 80 inches (200 cm) a year. However, rainfall tends to be seasonal because the forests are sandwiched between the hot winds of the Sahara and cool winds of the Atlantic. Temperatures vary little, giving the region the perfect greenhouse climate for creeping lianas. Triphyophyllum peltatum is one species that catches insects with its sticky leaves.

	Pygmy hippos live on the banks of rivers and swamps, staying close to water for protection from predators. They spend their days in wallows or undergrowth and spend nights in the water feeding on aquatic plants.

Wild Side

Life abounds in every layer of the Guinean Moist Forests, from the forest floor to the shrub layer to the high canopy of local trees, such as the rare West African mahogany. Zebra duikers-- small, deer-like animals--amble along the forest floor nibbling fruit and foliage. Their stripes help them blend in with the foliage, providing a bit of protection from the golden cats that watch for them from the surrounding trees. Spotted honeyguides, found in the Guinea Congolian Forest, feast on beeswax and larvae from local hives. Cassin’s hawk eagles perch in the canopy, where they build nests made of large sticks lined with green branches. At night, nimba flycatchers sally upward to catch insects off branches. For many threatened birds, including the white- breasted guineafowl, western wattled cuckoo-shrike, Liberian greenbul, and rufous fishing owl, these forests are considered some of the most important in Africa. Other notable animals include the blue banded beauty butterfly.

Cause for Concern

Logging for timber, clearing for agriculture, and mining activities have all severely degraded the Guinean Moist Forests. What's more, many of the species mentioned above have become extremely rare because of hunting. Golden cat fur can sometimes be found for sale in local markets; duikers, primates, pigs, and other animals are hunted for their meat. Although they are now declining, forest elephants still survive in these forests. By browsing, dispersing seeds in their droppings, and creating pathways, they shape the forest understory and are important for the survival of other species. The loss of elephants has already lead to a decline of many other plants and animals, including numerous trees that rely on elephants for seed dispersal, and the white- breasted guineafowl, which scurries in the open pathways in search of food.

Looking Ahead

The Guinean Moist Forests are poorly protected by national parks, although a good number of forest reserves cover much of the remaining high forest stands. Effective protection is either minimal or non-existent because of political instability. Several international organizations have set up programs in the region. Support to the wildlife and forestry authorities in the area is needed to help safeguard existing forest resources.

· Life Among the Leaves
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

As part of the vast rain forests of central Africa, this ecoregion contains some of the highest numbers of plants and animals in Africa. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal forests; Sao Tome and Principe moist lowland forests; Atlantic Equatorial coastal forests

Life Among the Leaves

The incredible diversity of plants and animals in the Congolian Coastal Forests indicates a long evolutionary history. Sharing affinities with the forests of South America and Upper Guinea, these forests may date back more than 100 million years. They also contain what some feel are ancient refuges that remained forested even during arid periods. That's one reason their diversity is so high. Giant ginger, goliath frogs, western lowland gorillas, and red-eared monkeys are just a few of the organisms living in and under the tropical trees.

Special Features

The coastal forests receive the highest rainfall in Africa (over 33 feet (10 m) per year), with warm to hot temperatures hovering within a narrow range.

	This region contains an unusually large number of endemic frogs and some of the highest numbers of butterflies in Africa.

Wild Side

If you were to enter the Congolian Coastal Forests, you may notice the scent of ginger. This is the endemic aframomum giganteum, the tallest species of ginger in the world and a favored food of the lowland gorilla. Another notable plant is the Dioscorea, a native yam that is a staple crop for many local people. The moist environment is also suitable for small trees that produce cola-fruits, a popular food for primates, squirrels, and humans. A variety of orchids is also found here. You might hear a group of mandrills, colorful relatives of baboons, keeping up a constant chatter of barks, grunts, and squeals. Or, you might see the goliath frog, the world’s largest frog. From overhead might come the scratching sounds of a scaly-tailed squirrel or the haunting birdsong of the Gabon coucal. The northern needle-clawed bushbaby--a small primate--feeds on tree gum in the dark of night, using its sharp claws to secure its hold on the bark.

Cause for Concern

The major threat to the integrity of the forest habitat in this ecoregion comes first from commercial logging, followed by clearing for agricultural. Another major threat to the animals of the area is the hunting of larger mammals for food. In addition, human-caused fires have destroyed many tracts of forestland.

Looking Ahead

Although there has certainly been extensive fragmentation of the original forest in many areas, some large blocks of habitat remain intact. In the border region between Nigeria and Cameroon, these blocks are still quite well connected. In general, habitat fragmentation in this ecoregion is lower than in the forest ecoregions farther west in Africa, although it is expected to increase.

· Forests in the Hills
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

The mountainous terrain of this ecoregion contains many endemic species of plants and birds. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Mount Cameroon and Bioko montane forests; Cameroonian Highlands forests

Forests in the Hills

The Cameroonian Highlands are comprised of a chain of recently formed volcanoes that extends from Nigeria and Cameroon to Bioko. Although many volcanoes of this chain are extinct, Mount Cameroon remains active. The soils of these old volcanoes are fertile, contributing to the high human population density and the use of many areas for farmland. Mount Cameroon rises more than two and a half miles and is the highest mountain in West Africa. It has one of the largest numbers of vegetation zones found in Africa, with nine vegetation types. The only other place that has a greater altitudinal range and number of vegetation types in one geographic location is Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. As a result, this mountain chain holds a dazzling array of rare plants and animals.

Special Features

Mount Cameroon’s volcanic activity was first observed in the 5th century B.C., and it still erupts around every 20 years. As the mountain has risen up, new habitats have been created on it. Many endemic species of plants have evolved here in response to these changing conditions.

	Like a chipmunk, Preuss’s monkey can carry its food around in cheek pouches.

Wild Side

The steep, wet terrain of this ecoregion supports a large number of unusual creatures, many of which are found only in a few sites or along a narrow altitudinal band. Reptiles and rare frogs, such as the Mubebgue, snap up insects from their perches on tree limbs and logs. Preuss's monkeys swing through the canopy, pausing to eat seeds, fruits, and flowers. Other local species include Cooper’s green squirrel and Ursula’s sunbird.

Cause for Concern

Many people live in and around the Cameroonian Highland Forest, struggling to sustain their families and themselves. Unfortunately, many of their activities--including cutting trees for fuelwood, grazing their livestock in the forests, and cutting and burning trees to make room for farms and ranches--are threatening the forest and its wild inhabitants.

Looking Ahead

There are a number of designated protected areas here. Cooperation between governments and local international organizations needs to continue in order to protect the montane areas. Efforts are being made to develop land-use practices that conserve the forests and support the livelihoods of the local people.

· Mammal Madness
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

Many endemic species have evolved in the lowland forests of this ecoregion, some parts of which have yet to be explored!

Mammal Madness

Because of its vast, intact wilderness areas, the Northeastern Congo Basin Moist Forests ecoregion contains a rich assortment of species. Here you might find primates such as the eastern lowland gorilla and red colobus monkey. The stunning okapi—a relative of the giraffe, with a brown body and zebra-striped legs—nibbles plants and fungi in the undergrowth. You might spy a dwarf antelope browsing leaves and hear green-backed woodpeckers hammering on the trees. But if you come across a brush-tailed porcupine, look out! It will stamp its feet, rattle its tail, and erect its spines in self-defense! Other notable species include the collared lovebird, Congo peacock, and the hardnosed toad.

Special Features

Glaciers carved out the Congo basin during the last Ice Age, turning it into a giant basin for melting ice. Now the moist area contains vast stretches of species-rich forests, including the forests of Ituri in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the lowland forests of the Itombwe Mountains to the south.

	Dent’s monkeys inhabit these forests, living in groups of up to 12 animals. When alarmed, they scatter in different directions, hiding behind clumps of vegetation. The male’s call brings them back together.

Wild Side

Among the many unusual mammals found in this region are a number of small carnivores. The aquatic civet wades slowly into shallow pools of water and gently pats the surface using its vibrissae (whiskers) to pick up the vibrations of fish, then snatches them with a quick bite. Alexander’s mongoose forages for earthworms, snails, slugs, beetles, and other animals in the leaf litter. The giant forest genet looks and sounds like a cross between a cat and a weasel: It hisses, growls, purrs, meows, coughs, whines, and screams! Of course, mammals aren't the only unusual inhabitants of these forests. You might spy two birds restricted to this forest: the long-tailed Bedford's paradise flycatcher, which catches its prey in midair, or Turner's eremomela, a small warbler. Reptiles include the African slender-snouted crocodile and African dwarf crocodile. Among the many butterfly species found here, the African giant swallowtail is one of the largest and most beautiful.

Cause for Concern

The major threat to the habitats of this ecoregion is deforestation, caused by the expansion and immigration of agricultural people. This threat, most pronounced in the east, is due to the movement of refugees from recent wars in Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Hunting of animals for food and for medicinal values is, however, a threat to many of the larger mammal and bird species. Mining for gold is another, although minor, threat to forests of the ecoregion. In the central part of the ecoregion there are lesser threats, since there are fewer people and those that live there (mainly pygmies) support themselves in ways that preserve the forest vegetation.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Impenetrable Paradise
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

Expansive blocks of forest stretch across this remote region, making it a perfect habitat for many large mammals and a variety of other animals. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Eastern Congolian swamp forests; Central Congolian lowland forests

Impenetrable Paradise

Few people think of a swampy forest as paradise. With thick vegetation, high water, and hordes of mosquitoes, these wet places are almost inaccessible to humans. But it's that very impenetrability that's helped keep the Central Congo Basin Moist Forests intact for the wildlife that lives there.

Special Features

This ecoregion lies in the center of the Congo Basin, surrounded by the Congo River. Although swamp and primary forests dominate, the region contains a mix of vegetation types, including swamp forests, seasonally flooded forests, lowland rain forests, and forest- grassland mosaics. The eastern portion of this ecoregion may have been a lake not long ago. Erosion over thousands of years has also helped to shape the topography.

	Congo weaver birds build extraordinary nests--weaving shredded leaves, grasses, and twigs into large domed structures with an entrance at the top, bottom, or side.

Wild Side

Congo sunbirds fly among colorful ground orchids and rare camwood trees--just a few of the plants that flourish in these waterlogged forests. Beecroft's tree hyraxes feed on leaves, fruits, twigs, and grasses, eating as much as one-third their body weight in a day! Large, scaly anteaters called giant pangolins slurp up termites, ants, and water-beetles. An abundant supply of fruits attracts groups of pygmy chimpanzees and crested mangabeys, which occur only in this region. Collared lovebirds can be seen flying around the forest canopy, while colorful grasshoppers emit foul-smelling excretions to defend themselves from predators.

Cause for Concern

Because of its impenetrability, this region has had little human disturbance, except along the shores of rivers that are passable in boats. Although the area remains vulnerable to future exploitation, two very large protected areas--Salonga and Réserve floristique de Yangambi --are essentially wilderness.

Looking Ahead

This ecoregion remains one of the last great wilderness areas in Africa, but it faces the pressing problem in of political instability. Many partners -- from the European Union and the United Nations Development Programme to the African Forest Action Network (a network of local non-government organizations from nine countries) and a host of international non-government organizations and funding agencies -- are working to ease political instability and help conserve the forests of the Congo Basin. On-going activities include efforts to help governments and conservation partners in the region help plan landscape-level conservation programs that will allow more protection once the conflict is resolved. WWF and other groups are also supporting research focused on endangered bonobo populations in the central forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and on establishing a bonobo reserve in the heart of the species’ range, as well as continuing to protect the lowland gorilla population, elephants, and other wildlife in the region.

· Dazzling Diversity
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

he Western Congo Basin Moist Forests are among the richest and most intact tropical forest regions in the world. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Northwestern Congolian lowland forests; Western Congolian swamp forests

Dazzling Diversity

Few places in the world boast a greater diversity of plants and animals than the Western Congo Basin Moist Forests. This ecoregion is home to a rich assemblage of mammals, birds, amphibians, fishes, and butterflies and ranks among the greatest tropical forest wildernesses left on Earth.

Special Features

The Western Congo Basin Moist Forests form part of the Congolian Forest Region in Central Africa, which is the second largest contiguous rain forest after the Amazon. Here, relatively intact large blocks of forest are home to many species, particularly large vertebrate populations.

	The Mangabey -- a primate -- is very expressive, using shrieks, howls, eyes, tails, and body posture to communicate.

Wild Side

Many large mammals inhabit the spacious Western Congo Basin Moist Forests. Forest-dwelling African elephants amble under the trees, yanking up grasses, bushes, and other plants to feed their large bodies. Giant forest hogs grunt quietly as they feed in the dense undergrowth. Western lowland gorillas feed on fruits, leaves, and wild ginger, while deerlike bongos munch on grasses, shrubs, and low-growing vines. The primate Mangabey feeds on fruits, foliage, and seeds. Among the many birds inhabiting these forests are the African river martin and Bates’s weaver.

Cause for Concern

While the forests of this ecoregion are relatively intact, they are threatened by increasing logging activity and clearing for agriculture.

Looking Ahead

Governments and conservation groups in Africa and around the world are working to protect this vast ecoregion by focusing on creating protected areas, implementing conservation policies that protect the region’s amazing biodiversity, developing trust funds and debt swamp programs to support field conservation efforts, and supporting education and communication activities that provide opportunities for local people to get involved in conservation. For example, conservationists are working with private industry and government to create transnational networks of protected areas connected by corridors of sustainably managed forests spanning the borders of four countries: the Central African Republic, Gabon, Cameroon, and the Republic of Congo. This effort was officially endorsed when the Central African heads of state met in March 1999 to discuss conservation of the region and signed the Yaounde Declaration, which commits these leaders to establishing a transfrontier network of protected areas encompassing 12 million acres of Congo Basin forest, improving management of existing protected areas, and endorsing forest certification. The heads of state also officially recognized the need to work with local communities to conserve forests and to crack down on illegal bush meat trade and logging.

· High Flying Life
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This ecoregion is one of the most biologically distinctive areas in Africa, with exceptionally large numbers of endemic plants and animals.

High Flying Life

There are all sorts of life to amaze you in this high forest region, but you'll want to keep an eye out for some endemic winged creatures. At least 14 species of butterflies and 37 species of birds are found here and nowhere else in the world--the highest figure in Africa for any equivalent-sized area.

Special Features

The Albertine Rift Montane Forests begin near the lowland Congolian rainforests, then stretch eastward up and over the area's mountain ranges, with some isolated mountains nearly reaching the shores of Lake Tanganyika. If you were to travel through the forests from west to east, you'd see a great number of species of plants and animals in the transition from lowland to highland habitat. The area has a significant number of endemic amphibians, most notably the bamboo frog, copper-colored tree frog, and the giant torrent frog. The Johnston’s chameleon is just one of the reptiles that help make these montane forests so special. The vulnerable cream-banded swallowtail butterfly is confined to this region. In addition to the many endemic species of smaller size, the mountain gorilla, one of the most critically threatened large mammals in Africa, is also found in a few places within the ecoregion. The ecoregion also contains some of the easternmost populations of chimpanzee in Africa. However, despite the forests’ high biological importance, much of them remain poorly studied.

	Bamboo frogs breed in the water-filled centers of broken bamboo stalks.

Wild Side

A chorus of birdsong fills the Albertine Rift Montane Forests throughout the day. Grauer's warblers, Chapin's flycatchers, and the Rwenzori turacos are just a few of the birds that sing here and nowhere else on Earth. Stay quiet, and you may also hear the hoots and chest-beating drum of a mountain gorilla. While you're at it, keep your eyes peeled for the locally endemic cream-banded swallowtail butterfly, Ruwenzori sun squirrel, or the copper-colored tree frog.

Cause for Concern

The biodiversity of this region is threatened by a number of activities: agriculture, grazing of livestock, hunting, and logging. Many of the montane forests have already been cleared, but some sizable blocks of montane forest still occur in areas such as the Virunga, Itombwe, and Rwenzori Ranges.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Rare Coastal Forests
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This coastal lowland forest ecoregion stretches along the coast in East Africa and supports many endemic species.

Rare Coastal Forests

Ask most people to describe the terrain of Kenya, Tanzania, and Somalia, and they're likely to mention the great grasslands that cover much of the region. Much less well known are the coastal forests that stretch from southern Somalia south to the Mbemkuru River in southern Tanzania, and include the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba.

Special Features

The East African Coastal Forests have a long history of climatic stability. Abundant rainfall carried by warm Indian Ocean winds has created an ideal environment for a wide diversity of species, many of which are found nowhere else. Many of the plants growing here have also developed remarkable adaptations to the sandy, nutrient- poor soils that cover much of the ecoregion.

	The Pemba Island flying fox isn't really a fox; it's a large fruit bat with a foxlike face!

Wild Side

The East African Coastal Forests are a bird- lover's paradise. Walking through parts of this region in the night, you might hear the "tonk, tonk, tonk, tonk, tonk" of a rare Sokoke scops owl. During daylight hours, you might spy the yellow and black plumage of a Clarke's weaver or hear the melodious warble of a Tana River cisticola. And if you're looking for mammals, keep your eyes out for small primates called Zanzibar galagos snapping up moths and beetles as they scramble up and down trees. If you're lucky, you might also see a cream-colored Sokoke dog mongoose or catch sight of a Pemba Island flying fox in the moonlight.

Cause for Concern

The forests of this ecoregion have been heavily populated by people for many years. Looking for wood to fuel their fires and space to grow their crops, local people have cleared much of the region's forests. Only a few blocks of forest remain, and they are widely scattered throughout the ecoregion.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· A Treetop Chorus
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This Global 200 ecoregion consists of ancient mountains with many forest species that are found here and nowhere else--not even in other nearby eastern African montane regions. Altitude, age, soils, rainfall, and distance from the coast all contribute to the unique environment. This supports exceptional levels of plant and animal diversity that surpass even those of the adjacent coastal forests.

A Treetop Chorus

Stepping into the Eastern Arc Montane Forests you hear a high-pitched "kaw, kaw, kaw, kaw, kaw" and know you're in the presence of a spectacular green bird called a Livingstone's turaco. As you push on through the leafy undergrowth, the continuing chorus of buzzes and hoots and howls tells you that you're in a place of great diversity.

Special Features

The Eastern Arc Montane Forests ecoregion consists of some of Africa's oldest ranges and peaks. These ranges and peaks are separated from other mountainous regions by great expanses of lowland habitats. Isolated from their relatives, many endemic species have evolved here over time. This ecoregion is located close to the Indian Ocean, so it has experienced continuous moist conditions, even as periodic drying trends have affected much of the rest of Africa. The Usambara Mountains in particular harbor the greatest number of species because they form a "rain-trap" along the coast.

	Some of the world’s most ancient amphibians, called caecilians, are found in the Eastern Arcs. These creatures, which look much like worms, often emerge from the soil after heavy rains. You may also run into bizarre amblypygids, which live in dark hollows and look more like the monster in "Alien" rather than relatives of the common house spider.

Wild Side

If you climb up into these high forests, you'll be rewarded with the sight of many endemic plant and animal species. In the Usambara Mountains of northeast Tanzania, you'll find 50 endemic tree species. You might also see Lizzies, one of the numerous endemic species of Impatiens, or the spectacular African violet, a purple flower with fuzzy green leaves. Harder to spot is the elusive Abbot's duiker, a stocky deerlike animal with short legs and a red tuft of fur between its horns. But you'll want to keep an ear out for the quiet lowing of a forest-dwelling African buffalo foraging in the undergrowth. An assortment of other species can also be found, including hawk moths, carabid beetles, and brightly colored tree frogs (Hyperolius), each with a distinctive call.

Cause for Concern

Growing human populations on the lower slopes of these mountains struggle to make a living with very few available resources. Firewood collection and the spread of farms threaten the Eastern Arc Montane Forests, few of which are protected in national parks.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Island of Lemurs
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

Madagascar is a large island that has long been separated from Africa. Because the animals and plants in its moist forests have had no contact with African species for millions of years, they have evolved on their own into unique, or endemic, species that are found nowhere else on Earth. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Madagascar subhumid forests; Madagascar ericoid thickets; Madagascar lowland forests

Island of Lemurs

If you've ever wanted to see the small primates known as lemurs in the wild, then you'll have to travel to Madagascar. All 50 known species of lemurs are found only on this island, and many of them dwell within the island's moist forests. You can see the indri, the largest living lemur, which has black fur with white patches. You might see black lemurs feeding on ripe fruit, leaves, insects, and flowers. And if you're lucky, you might even see the recently rediscovered hairy-eared dwarf lemur, a lemur with long wavy hair around its ears.

Special Features

Madagascar has been separated from Africa for more than 150 million years, and its life forms are so distinctive that biogeographers think of it as a separate continent. Moist forests cover the eastern part of the country at both low and high elevations. Filled with flowering trees, fast-growing vines, flowers, and tree ferns, the forests are a feast for the senses and a storehouse of wondrous diversity.

	Unlike most lemurs, female ruffed lemurs leave their newborn young in their nests instead of carrying them around. And later, they carry the young lemurs around in their mouths!

Wild Side

Lemurs aren't the only unusual creatures that climb and dine within the forests of Madagascar. Tomato frogs search for insects in forest pools. Leaf-tailed geckos blend into tree trunks so well that they seem to disappear. And the velvet asity, a short-tailed, 6-inch (15 cm) bird, picks its way along the ground feeding on insects and other invertebrates.

Cause for Concern

Villagers rely on many forest resources to meet their basic needs. As a result, many of the moist forests have been cleared by people gathering fuelwood and practicing slash-and-burn agriculture. Some logging takes place as well. The trade in reptiles and amphibians also is depleting wild populations.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Palm Paradise
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

These tropical islands are fragments of the ancient supercontinent Gondwanaland, and home to many endemic species of plants and animals. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Granitic Seychelles forests; Mascarene forests; Aldabra Island xeric scrub

Palm Paradise

If you're nuts about plants, you'll definitely want to visit the forests of the Seychelles. Here you'll find the extraordinary coco de mer palm tree, which bears the world's largest nut. The coco-de-mer, or sea coconut, weighs in at about 50 pounds (22.5 kilograms)! You’ll find many unique species, including Seychelles wild vanilla orchid, stilt palm, Seychelles pitcher plant, and one of the rarest plants in the world, the jellyfish tree. With a total population of less than 30, it was thought to be extinct until rediscovered in 1970.

Special Features

The Seychelles and Mascarenes Moist Forests ecoregion consists of the only granitic islands in the world, as well as large, rugged, volcanic islands and flat coral islands known as atolls. Once part of the ancient supercontinent Gondwanaland, the Seychelles Islands are unique due to their age, geography, and isolation. This has contributed to a wide variety of endemic species, including legless caecilians (a wormlike amphibian), an endemic family of frogs, Seychelles paradise flycatchers, Seychelles magpie-robins, and Aldabra drongos. One of the most famous native species is a giant land tortoise. The heaviest recorded turtle in the world is Esmerelda, a 200-year-old giant land tortoise that weighs 705 pounds (320 kilograms). Even the small islands of the Mascarenes have endemic species, and were once home to the now extinct Dodo.

	Ancient rulers once paid vast sums to own a coco-de-mer, or sea coconut. They mistakenly believed that the nut came from forests under the sea and claimed it brought health and happiness to whoever owned one.

Wild Side

Step ashore and you’ll be amazed by the rare forms of life you’ll encounter. Beginning in the Seychelles, you might see the Seychelles sheath-tailed bat swooping after insects at twilight, or spy legless caecilians or tadpoles attached to the backs of male Sooglossid frogs. Catch a glimpse of rare jellyfish trees, which hide in deep clefts of granite domes and have seed clusters that look like jellyfish. On Aldabra you might spy a giant tortoise drinking water through its nostrils. Next make your way to Reunion and keep your ears alert to the "tui-tui-tui" of the Reunion cuckoo-shrike. Motor on to Mauritius, and you might see the pink pigeon, as well as the Mauritius kestrel--a large bird of prey that has been successfully bred in captivity so that it can be reintroduced to boost dwindling populations.

Cause for Concern

Most of the forests, particularly in the lowland areas, have been disturbed or destroyed for development and agriculture. The islands’ plants and animals are also seriously threatened by non-native plants and animals that have been brought to the islands by humans. Introduced goats, pigs, and cattle inhibit regeneration of native forests; introduced cats, dogs, and tenrecs prey on native species, particularly seabirds, lizards, caecilians, and invertebrates.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Island of Life
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

The Sulawesi Moist Forests have a higher number of endemic mammals than any other place in Asia, along with many endemic birds and plants. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Sulawesi lowland rain forests; Sulawesi montane rain forests

Island of Life

If you're interested in all kinds of wildlife-- from the slithering to the screeching to the snorting--then a visit to Sulawesi is for you. Among the wild creatures you’d find here are the reticulated python, the bare-eyed myna bird, and the Sulawesi babirusa. You'd also find monkeys, bats, butterflies, lizards, and much, much more.

Special Features

If you traveled among the islands of Indonesia, you'd discover that many of them have been widely deforested. But that's not the case on Sulawesi. With steep slopes and fewer commercially valuable trees, some forests still remain in the mountains. Extensive moist forests still cover more than 50 percent of the island, providing a habitat for a wealth of wild species.

	A babirusa’s tusks grow right up through the top of its muzzle, rather than on the sides of its jaw as in most other wild pigs. This makes the tusks appear to be somewhat like the antlers of a deer, thus the name "babirusa," which means "pig deer."

Wild Side

Unusual mammals are particularly plentiful on Sulawesi. During the daylight hours, moor macaques and black-crested macaques--two rare kinds of monkeys--swing through the treetops. Sulawesian palm civets feast on fruit and small mammals. At night, small primates called Sulawesi tarsiers climb through the treetops, dining on insects. The Celebes Rousette bat and the Sulawesi barebacked fruit bat fly out to feed. In addition to all these wondrous mammals, Sulawesi harbors hundreds of colorful butterflies, including the Sulawesi tree nymph and the swallowtail butterfly. Sulawesi hornbills gather in great noisy flocks to feed on fruits and insects. And henna-tailed jungle- flycatchers sing in a faint jumble of high notes, trills, and whistles.

Cause for Concern

Although the forests of Sulawesi have so far been left relatively intact, logging pressures are increasing dramatically. In addition, it's becoming more and more common for people to burn the forest to clear land for agriculture.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Idyllic Islands
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This group of islands contains more endemic bird species for its area than any other place on Earth. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Seram rain forests; Halmahera rain forests

Idyllic Islands

If you could take a boat ride from Sulawesi to New Guinea, you would pass by hundreds of islands. Some would be tiny-- less than a square mile--with no people on them. Others would be as large as 7,000 square miles (18,000 square kilometers). All would be part of the Moluccan archipelago. About 80 percent of the islands' land area is covered with rain forest, making it prime habitat for tropical plants and animals.

Special Features

The Moluccan archipelago, also known as the Spice Islands, is a fascinating place from a biological perspective. Located about midway between the southeastern edge of Asia and the northern tip of Australia, it contains a curious mix of Asian and Australian wildlife. For example, you'll find many kinds of cuscuses, which are tree-dwelling, possum-like marsupials related to kangaroos, and tarsiers, which are small nocturnal primates typically found in Southeast Asia.

	The salmon- crested cockatoo was common in some parts of the Moluccas as late as 1980, but it is now rare because of trapping for the cage-bird trade.

Wild Side

Look in and around the local damar, batai, and paperbark trees, and you're bound to find abundant bird life. King birds of paradise perch in the treetops, their plumage a stunning combination of crimson, emerald green, purple, and yellow. Southern cassowaries, enormous black birds with blue and red necks, walk slowly and secretively under the trees. If you're very, very lucky, you might even spot a salmon-crested cockatoo, a beautiful pale-pink bird with a dark salmon crest on its head. Keep your eyes out for other kinds of wildlife, too. Several kinds of flying foxes (also called fruit bats) and the Ceram bandicoot--a small marsupial--are also natives of these tree-filled islands.

Cause for Concern

Although much of this region is intact, logging and tapping of damar trees for resin present threats to the forests. In addition, some people illegally collect plants and animals from the forest.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Biodiversity Roll Call
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This region is filled with an amazing assortment of plants and animals, many of them found only on this island. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Southern New Guinea lowland rain forests; Vogelkop-Aru lowland rain forests

Biodiversity Roll Call

Sometimes all you have to do is hear the names of local creatures to appreciate the amazing diversity of life in a particular part of the world. Among the inhabitants of the southern New Guinea lowland forests are such remarkably named creatures as the lesser tube-nosed bat, the spangled kookaburra, and the greater bird of paradise. And believe it or not, these fantastic-sounding names are only half as interesting as the species that bear them!

Special Features

The lowland forests of southern New Guinea are generally richer than the montane forests of this tropical island. Among the many kinds of plants growing here are more than 1,200 species of trees and about 2,000 species of ferns.

	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.

Wild Side

Step into these forests and you just might find all the wildly named organisms named above. With luck you'll catch sight of the lesser tube-nosed bat, a small bat with tubular nostrils that whistles when it flies. But if you hear an odd, rattled laugh, look up and you might find a spangled kookaburra, a bird with a brown head and brilliant blue feathers on its back and tail. And definitely keep an eye out for the fantastic greater bird of paradise, which sports a stunning array of green, yellow, and maroon feathers, and a dashing white-and- yellow plume.

Cause for Concern

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.

Looking Ahead

WWF and many partners, from the World Bank to the Yale School for Forestry to the Nature Conservancy, are working hard with local people figure out the best ways to protect the biodiversity of this largest and highest tropical island in the world. The focus is on conserving forests through sustainable forestry, building conservation management capacity, combating illegal wildlife trade, and addressing threats from mining. For example, WWF is developing a Conservation Leadership Initiative for Papua New Guinea to strengthen resource management and conservation capacity by enhancing the skills of conservation professionals. Drawing on each organization’s expertise, a working group of non-government organizations will develop the leadership training strategy: The Smithsonian Institution will focus on conservation science training, the Nature Conservancy on institutional management and efficiency, and WWF on community-based management. Conservation organizations, in partnership with USAID and the World Bank, are also working to integrate biodiversity priorities into regional development plans and assess ways to enhance community and certified forestry in Papua New Guinea.

· Forests of Green
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

A great diversity of island species, many of them endemic, fills the New Guinea Montane Forests. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Vogelkop montane rain forests; Central Range montane rain forests; Huon Peninsula montane rain forests; Southeastern Papuan rain forests

Forests of Green

When you wander into the montane forests of New Guinea, you'll find yourself surrounded by the green of tree leaves, lianas, ferns, and most of all, moss. A layer of soft moss covers the ground and coats the trees. Among all this green dwells a fabulous assortment of creatures--birds, bats, and much, much more.

Special Features

New Guinea is the largest tropical island in the world, and it contains an extraordinary diversity of ecosystems. Forests cover 65 percent of the land area and sustain many organisms found here and nowhere else, including more than 6,000 species of plants, 44 species of birds, and 38 species of mammals.

	New Guinea's montane forests are home to the largest butterfly in the world-- Queen Alexandra's birdwing--which has a wingspan of nearly 1 foot (30 cm)!

Wild Side

If you were to look into the trees of New Guinea's montane forests, you'd discover all sorts of fascinating small mammals. Doria's tree kangaroos--brown, furry marsupials with soft, yellow tails--sit in the treetops feeding on leaves. Tree kangaroos are the only members of the kangaroo family that climb trees. Long-tailed pygmy possums seek out tree-crickets, cockroaches, spiders, moths, and beetles while trying to elude the notice of hungry owls. Coppery ringtails rest in burrows during the day, emerging at night to munch on leaves. And underfoot, striped bandicoots nose for insects in the leaf litter. Stay alert, and you might also see brilliantly colored birds, including crested birds of paradise, splendid astepias, and rare black sicklebills. Echidnas--unusual egg-laying mammals called monotremes--shuffle about searching for ants, termites, and other invertebrates to slurp up with their long tongues. Come nightfall, you might spy two species of horseshoe bats swooping out from their roosts in caves.

Cause for Concern

Logging, road construction, shifting cultivation, agricultural expansion, and related livestock activities all threaten the integrity of these forests.

Looking Ahead

WWF and many partners, from the World Bank to the Yale School for Forestry to the Nature Conservancy, are working hard with local people figure out the best ways to protect the biodiversity of this largest and highest tropical island in the world. The focus is on conserving forests through sustainable forestry, building conservation management capacity, combating illegal wildlife trade, and addressing threats from mining. For example, WWF is developing a Conservation Leadership Initiative for Papua New Guinea to strengthen resource management and conservation capacity by enhancing the skills of conservation professionals. Drawing on each organization’s expertise, a working group of non-government organizations will develop the leadership training strategy: The Smithsonian Institution will focus on conservation science training, the Nature Conservancy on institutional management and efficiency, and WWF on community-based management. Conservation organizations, in partnership with USAID and the World Bank, are also working to integrate biodiversity priorities into regional development plans and assess ways to enhance community and certified forestry in Papua New Guinea.

· Islands of Mystery
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

The islands of this archipelago contain a host of endemic species. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: New Britain-New Ireland lowland rain forests; Vanuatu rain forests; Solomon Islands rain forests; New Britain-New Ireland montane rain forests

Islands of Mystery

Scientists have traveled all over the world cataloguing the diverse forms of life found in forests, deserts, oceans, and other ecosystems. But some relatively unexplored parts of the world probably contain plants and animals that scientists have never named or even seen! Each of the island groups that make up this ecoregion contains its own unique array of species, and it is likely that more remain to be discovered here.

Special Features

More than 1,000 islands are contained within this ecoregion. New Ireland and New Britain are two of the biggest, with diverse lowland rain forests growing on volcanic soils, as well as higher- elevation montane forests.

	The great flying fox, a kind of fruit bat, weighs 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) (very big indeed!).

Wild Side

Life flourishes on these tropical islands. The Solomon Islands harbor at least 148 species of resident birds alone, making for a great chorus of different birdsongs. In fact, the islands contain the highest number of endemic birds in the Indo-Pacific region. The Guadalcanal honeyeater calls per-twee, per-twee from its tree perch. The San Cristobal midget, a tiny brown bird, calls chip-chip- chip. And the Rennell white-eye emits a high, tinkling whistle. Among the islands' rare mammals are a small wallaby called the dusky pademelon and the great flying fox, which is actually a bat.

Cause for Concern

Multinational timber companies are intensively logging both lowland and montane forest habitats on these islands. In the future, pressures from a growing human population and the conversion of forests to oil-palm plantations will likely bring additional destruction to the wild forests. Introduced species are a growing problem as well. Cats, dogs, rats, pigs, and cane toads can all be detrimental to native species. Logging tends to increase the number of these invasives throughout the ecoregion.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

All text by World Wildlife Fund © 2001

 

· Marsupials and Much More
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

The Queensland Tropical Forests are the only tropical moist forests in Australia. They are home to many endemic species of plants and animals.

Marsupials and Much More

The Queensland Tropical Forests abound with all sorts of marsupials, including kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos, pademelons, quolls, bandicoots, dunnarts, gliders, and brushtail possums. But that's just the beginning when it comes to the diversity of these forests. Come here and you may discover all sorts of unusual creatures, including prehensile-tailed rats, tube-nosed insect bats, dusky leafnose bats, blue-winged kookaburras, and tooth-billed bowerbirds.

Special Features

Until about 15 million years ago, moist forests covered most of Australia and Antarctica. Scientists think that Australia's few tropical rain forests might be remnants of those ancient forests. Today, these moist forests are teeming with plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth.

	If you come across a southern cassowary in the Queensland tropical forest, be careful! These birds reach heights of almost 3 feet (about 1m), and, if provoked, are known to attack with an aggressive kick.

Wild Side

Queensland's tropical forests are home to Australia's two species of tree kangaroos--Bennett's and Lummholtz's. Both feed on leaves and fruit from their perches in trees The spectacled flying fox helps disperse seeds throughout the rain forest through its digestive tract. You might come across something that looks like a dead leaf -- but it may be a roosting eastern tube-nosed bat! And don't forget to listen for the region's rare birds. With luck you'll hear the rattles and croaks of rare golden bowerbirds, the males of which build elaborate twig structures to attract mates, sometimes decorating the bowers with berries or flowers! The shy and flightless cassowary can be seen near streams and possibly swimming. Its protective "helmet" is unique among birds.

Cause for Concern

Deforestation has led to habitat fragmentation within this region, and many species--including spotted-tailed quolls, cassowaries, and ringtail possums--have declined as a result. Introduced species also pose a threat to many native species.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Rare Island Wonders
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

New Caledonia supports some of the most distinctive terrestrial plant and animal communities in the world. Nearly 80 percent of the plant species found here are endemic.

Rare Island Wonders

If you traveled across the Coral Sea from Brisbane, Australia, to the island of New Caledonia--a distance of about 750 miles (1,200 km)--you might expect to see some of the same kinds of wildlife you'd found in eastern Australia. After all, that's about the same distance as from New York to Chicago. But in this case, you'd discover that the life forms of New Caledonia are almost entirely distinct. Eighty percent of the island's 3,000 plant species are found here and nowhere else. Endemic arthropods, reptiles, and birds abound. In short, you'd quickly discover that New Caledonia is a world unto itself, and thus a treasure trove of the world's diversity.

Special Features

Several features combine to give New Caledonia its unique plant and animals communities. First, it's a long-isolated fragment of the ancient supercontinent Gondwana, with remnant populations of ancient plant and animal species. Also, because the island contains rare serpentine soils and features wide differences in climate, it contains many rare plant and animal species that have evolved to adapt to these unusual conditions. Finally, because the island is separated from Australia by a wide stretch of ocean, these species haven't spread to other areas but have evolved in isolation over millions of years. The New Caledonia Moist Forests are so distinctive that, in biogeographic terms, the island is considered to be a continent.

	Two interesting reptiles once lived on New Caledonia -- a terrestrial crocodile that ate land snails and a giant tortoise with two horns on its head. Scientists believe these reptiles were hunted to extinction after people arrived on the islands.

Wild Side

You'll be amazed by the unique plant life of New Caledonia that includes five endemic plant families and a great diversity of both conifers and angiosperms. The world's largest arboreal pigeon, gecko, and skink are all found in this ecoregion, although the skink has not been seen for more than a hundred years and could be extinct. You might even spy the flightless, endemic Kagu, a relatively large, ash gray and white bird with red legs. The Kagu is unique, being the only member of its family. It is also highly endangered with only a few hundred individuals left.

Cause for Concern

Threats to the rich life of New Caledonia include clearing of native habitats, logging, fire, over exploitation of some species, introduced species, mining, agriculture, and livestock grazing.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Remote and Unique
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

These ancient islands contain a wealth of plant and animal species found nowhere else on Earth. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Lord Howe Island subtropical forests; Norfolk Island subtropical forests

Remote and Unique

If you walk through the forests of this ecoregion, past unusual trees like the pepper tree and bloodwood, you’ll find unique animals that live nowhere else. Wade through the brooks and streams, and you may find rare snails. Look up to see the long-billed white-eyes and the red-capped parakeets. And squint carefully through the underbrush to catch a glimpse of the rare Lord Howe Island woodhen.

Special Features

Volcanic activity created these ancient islands millions of years ago. Today the islands boast a bundle of different habitats, including subtropical broadleaf forests, palm forests, and primitive conifer forests. Norfolk Island has 174 native plant species, and 51 are endemic. There are 129 native and introduced bird species on the islands, 27 of which breed regularly on Lord Howe.

	The Lord Howe Island woodhen began its decline before the 1850s, probably because they were a popular food source for settlers. By 1980, there were very few healthy breeding pairs remaining. The species has recovered remarkably, however, since then, due to habitat research, removing their predators, and captive breeding.

Wild Side

You'll find a number of unusual trees if you visit Norfolk Island, including the Norfolk Island pine, the pepper tree, bloodwood, and a distinctive species of white oak. Within the forests, you can hear the noisy long-billed white-eye. Visit Lord Howe Island, and you may come across the endangered Lord Howe Island woodhen in the dense vegetation, or see red-capped parakeets perched in the treetops. In the island's freshwater habitats, you may find several kinds of very rare snails.

Cause for Concern

One of the biggest threats to these island forests is introduced plants and animals. Grazing on the islands also threatens some of the island's diversity.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Forests Full of Life
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

The Southwestern Ghats Moist Forests are home to many plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: South Western Ghats moist deciduous forests; South Western Ghats montane rain forests

Forests Full of Life

Just inland from the Malabar Coast of India is a mountain range clothed in lush tropical rain forests that harbor incredible biodiversity. Many creatures, such as two species of monkey called the lion-tailed macaque and the Nilgiri langur, are found only in these mountains. Giant black squirrels with bright yellow bellies scamper along the branches high in the forest canopy, and newly discovered Malabar flying frogs glide from tree to tree.

Special Features

The Southwestern Ghats occupy just 5 percent of India’s land area, but they contain a large proportion of the country’s plant and animal species. More than 4,000 species of flowering plants grow here, which is more than one-quarter of all the flowering plant species in the country. And, of the 112 amphibian species unique to India, 84 are found here. One reason for this abundance of life is the region’s exceptionally high rainfall.

	Every 12 years the Ghats mountaintops become covered with the blue flowers of a plant called Neelakurunji. The Nilgiri Mountains (meaning, the blue mountains) get their name from these flowers.

Wild Side

Crimson-backed sunbirds flit among the tree branches while brightly colored Malabar parakeets fly overhead, calling out a loud "eee-ah." The Nilgiri tahr, an endangered goat- antelope, trots through the undergrowth. Rare sloth bears munch on flowers, fruit, honey, and ants. Even Asian elephants and tigers make their home under the trees. Among the unusual trees that shelter and feed these creatures are 13 species of dipterocarps--large, commercially and ecologically valuable tropical hardwood trees.

Cause for Concern

India has the second largest human population in the world (after China), and the quest for space and natural resources has led to increasing pressures on the Southwestern Ghats Moist Forests. Logging, agriculture, hydroelectric projects, and urban expansion are all taking a toll on the health of the region’s natural communities.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Signs of Life
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

The remaining lowland and montane forests of this island ecoregion contain a host of unique plant and animal species. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Sri Lanka montane rain forests; Sri Lanka lowland rain forests

Signs of Life

Step into the Sri Lankan Moist Forests and you’ll detect the signs and sounds of Asian elephants, leopards, purple- faced leaf monkeys, fishing cats, and many other animals. Although these forests are mere fragments of their original size, they are the home of many kinds of plants and several kinds of butterflies, birds, reptiles, frogs, and mammals found nowhere else on Earth.

Special Features

Rain is a constant, steady presence in this corner of Sri Lanka, with up to 16.4 feet (5 m) falling each year. That moisture nourishes a profusion of plants, which in turn provide food and shelter for birds, reptiles, insects, mammals, and more. For instance, this small piece of rain forest harbors more than 250 species of frogs that are found nowhere else on Earth. And of the 58 species of dipterocarp trees, 57 are found only in these forests. (Dipterocarps are large, commercially and ecologically valuable tropical hardwood trees found in Asia.)

	These forests are a global hotspot for frogs. Most of the frogs found here live high in the forest canopy, and their entire global range can measure a few square miles.

Wild Side

A dazzling array of bird life can be found within the Sri Lankan Moist Forests. To get a sense of how varied these birds are, consider the beak coloration of some of the residents. The Sri Lankan green-billed coucal, which is purplish- black with reddish-brown wings, has a green bill. The Sri Lankan blue magpie, a beautiful brown and blue bird, sports a red beak. The beak of the brown-capped babbler is bluish. The bill of the grey hornbill is yellow. And the beak of the Sri Lankan orange-billed babbler is, of course, orange. Sharing the treetops with these brightly hued birds are a number of mammal species, such as the appropriately named golden palm civet, flying squirrels that glide from one tree to another, and even bright red tree-climbing crabs.

Cause for Concern

Most of the original moist forests of Sri Lanka have been cleared for vast tea estates, other forms of agriculture, or urban development. Although some remnants are protected as part of the Sinharaja Natural Heritage Wilderness Area, others remain vulnerable to these same pressures.

Looking Ahead

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· Life In and Under the Canopy
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

The Northern Indochina Subtropical Moist Forests are home to an unusually large number of unique mammal, bird, and plant species. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Northern Indochina subtropical forests; Yunnan Plateau subtropical evergreen forests

Life In and Under the Canopy

Look up into the treetops and you may see a black gibbon swinging across the canopy with unparalleled agility. You may see a Francois leaf monkey stuffing handfuls of leaves into its mouth. You may see flocks of large, green Alexandrine parakeets perching on the branches. And on the ground, you may see a great variety of shrews, rats, mice, and moles scurrying amid the undergrowth and leaf litter. These forests abound with life.

Special Features

The Northern Indochina Subtropical Moist Forests are a crossroads. Animals typically found in northern regions of Asia mix with those usually found in the south: Langur monkeys mix with red pandas, and small deer known as muntjak mingle with musk deer. Plants from southern Asia mix with those from the east, and these in turn share the forest with some ancient species that have found refuge here from a turbulent and variable geological past.

	The great hornbill that inhabits these forests is more than 3 feet (1m) tall! Usually seen in pairs, the hornbill has a black and white body and a large, white, orange-tipped bill.

Wild Side

You’ll find an abundance of plants growing in these forests, and many kinds of animals of many different sizes--from green dragontail butterflies to Asian black bears. But to really appreciate the diversity of life here, you’d have to visit after the sun goes down. As night falls, Malayan sun bears, the smallest of all bears, start searching for wild bee larvae, termites, honey, berries, and other food. The slow loris, an arboreal, slothlike animal, becomes most active, though still moving as if in slow motion. As dawn approaches, the yapping of wild dogs gives way to the haunting calls of black gibbons and white- cheeked gibbons echoing through the forests. Two other forest dwellers-- tigers and clouded leopards, the large predators of Asia--you’d be lucky to see at all.

Cause for Concern

The greatest threats to this ecoregion’s plant and animal communities are forest clearing for opium fields and other kinds of agriculture, as well as illegal hunting.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Ancient Forests of the East
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This Global 200 ecoregion contains many different kinds of plants, as well as a number of animal species found here and nowhere else. The region includes:

• Hainan Island Monsoon Rain Forests
• South China-Vietnam Subtropical Evergreen Forests
This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Jian Nan subtropical evergreen forests; South China-Vietnam subtropical evergreen forests; Hainan Island monsoon rain forests

Ancient Forests of the East

Walking into the Southeast China-Hainan Moist Forests can feel like a step into the ancient past. Rising up in the forests are Chinese water pines, deciduous trees with needles that use special roots to breathe. They are similar to the Cypress tree in the southern part of the United States. Like Cypress, they drop their needles during the dry season. Living in and around these trees are a stunning assortment of other plants and animals, including leopards and the tiny Romer’s tree frog.

Special Features

The climate has been relatively stable in this ecoregion over thousands of years, making it possible for a diverse array of plants and animal species to develop. Most notably, the region is home to approximately 4,200 plant species, 630 of which are endemic. A number of these genera contain a single species, found only in this region. And a number of them include ancient species, such as the ginkgo tree and the water larch or dawn redwood, both of which have been growing on Earth for millions of years.

	The black- throated parrotbill—a tiny, four-inch bird—builds cup-shaped nests made of grass and leaves stuck together with cobwebs!

Wild Side

Here in the Southeast China-Hainan Moist Forests, the Hainan moonrat, small members of the hedgehog family, frequently search for prey in water, feeding on a range of crustaceans, mollusks, and fish. Most species also feed on fruit and berries. Other notable species here are the thamin, black gibbon, Asiatic black bear, Hainan flying squirrel, and Hainan mole.

Cause for Concern

Many people live in and around these forests and are increasing the amount of agriculture in this area, which contributes to habitat loss. Hunting is also threatening some of the rare species that dwell within these forests. Agriculture here often involves burning the forests, which is harmful to the environment.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

All text by World Wildlife Fund © 2001



 

· Remarkable Richness
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This ecoregion contains some of the best remaining examples of East Asian moist forests, and many distinctive island plants and animals. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Taiwan subtropical evergreen forests; South Taiwan monsoon rain forests

Remarkable Richness

One-third of all of Taiwan’s plant species, including 88 species of orchids and 160 unique plant species, grow within these transitional forests.

Special Features

The Taiwan Montane Forests lie at the border of two biological realms -- the Boreal, which covers natural communities in northern climates, and the Paleotropical, consisting of communities around the equator. The result is a remarkable array of different species from both kingdoms.

	In the middle of the day, you aren’t likely to see Taiwanese monkeys swinging through the treetops. They spend those hours resting in caves and among rocks. But at dusk you will see the trees come alive with these active monkeys.

Wild Side

Taiwan is the only place in the world where you can see a black-faced monkey called the Taiwanese macaque. This is also the home of serows, goat-like animals with short, pointed horns. Asiatic black bears climb up trees in search of fruit and honey. Taipei tree frogs cling to tree trunks, while Formosan salamanders scuttle over logs. The lucky visitor to these forests might even see a beautiful Swinhoe’s pheasant or Taiwan long-tailed pheasant walking silently and secretively through the dense understory.

Cause for Concern

Several different kinds of threats have raised concern about the Taiwan Montane Forests. First, plant collectors have reduced populations of some rare plants such as orchids and tree ferns. Second, while increasing levels of tourism have potential benefits for an ecosystem, they also have potential negative effects, such as litter and trampling of vegetation. And third, the construction of military facilities in the region is a threat to this unique ecosystem.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· A Place of Discovery
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This region contains some of the last relatively intact moist forests in Indochina that still harbor large mammals, including several newly discovered species. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Southern Annamites montane rain forests; Northern Annamites rain forests

A Place of Discovery

It isn’t often that scientists discover new large mammals. In fact, scientists have discovered just six large mammal species worldwide in the entire last century. But during the 1990s, within a space of five years, two new large mammals were discovered in these forests -- the saola, or Vu Quang ox, and a deer called the giant muntjac.

Special Features

Over the last 50 million years, during periods of climatic change, these mountain forests continually intercepted the moisture-laden monsoon winds that blew in from the Gulf of Tonkin and retained their moist conditions. This allowed the plants and animals that were adapted to moist conditions to seek refuge here and evolve into specialized species that are found nowhere else on Earth.

	Scientists still know very little about the plants and animals of these forests. In addition to the new large mammals that were discovered, several others have been rediscovered after almost a hundred years since they were first recorded.

Wild Side

The Annamite Montane Forests are home to a variety of mammals, including tigers, several species of muntjak, gibbons, leaf monkeys, an endangered monkey called the douc langur, and the newly discovered saola. Visit the forests and you might encounter noisy flocks of sooty babblers perched in bamboo thickets. And you may spy an imperial pheasant, a handsome bird with a purple-blue plumage. If you’re really lucky, you may witness the courtship display of a male green peafowl as he raises his brilliant green tail feathers and fans them out behind him to impress a female.

Cause for Concern

The natural communities of the Annamite Range Moist Forests are threatened by commercial logging, large hydropower projects, unsustainable levels of shifting cultivation, and intensive illegal hunting. Pressure on these mountain forests and the animals that live there is increasing as people from the densely populated lowlands of Vietnam move into the region.

Looking Ahead

The conservation goal for the forests of Indochina is to protect forest habitats through improved management of protected areas and sustainable forest management -- in collaboration with the indigenous groups living there. Activities include identifying the most critical landscapes to global biodiversity conservation in the region, supporting park management and training throughout the region, and working to improve sustainable forest management through groups like the Vietnam National Workshop Group on Sustainable Forest Management and Forest Certification. At the same time, the region is a major crossroad for illegal wildlife trade, and many partners are working together to control wildlife poaching. For example, a new TRAFFIC office opened last year in Hanoi to curb the increasing illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam.

· The Sounds of Diversity
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

These forests are extraordinarily diverse, with many locally and regionally unique species. They also provide one of the last opportunities to conserve populations of Sumatran tigers, Sumatran rhinoceroses, Malayan tapirs, and orangutans. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Sumatran tropical pine forests; Sumatran lowland rain forests; Sumatran montane rain forests

The Sounds of Diversity

Hike into the moist forests of Sumatra and you’re likely to hear an incredible medley of animal calls. Early in the morning, white-handed or dark-handed gibbons fill the air with loud, gurgling whoops. The raucous calls of hornbills penetrate the air. If you’re extremely lucky, you might even hear a Sumatran rhino emitting a low, contented hum as it bathes in a local watering hole. On the forest floor you may see the flower of the Raffesia arnoldii plant -- or more likely you’ll smell its rotting-meat-like odor. At up to 3 feet (1 m) wide, it is the world’s largest bloom. These are just some of the sights, sounds, and smells that key you in to the tremendous diversity of these forests.

Special Features

The forests of Sumatra are rich in plants and animals, but only a fraction of the original forest remains. For example, vast stands of ironwood -- a commercially important tree -- have been almost entirely destroyed on the flat lowlands of southern Sumatra. Today, you’ll find Sumatra’s most intact forests in the chain of mountains that run the length of the island.

	The great argus pheasant goes to great lengths to find a mate. The male will clear more than 100 square feet (over 9 square meters) of the forest floor of debris and begin to call to attract a female. When she arrives, he performs a dramatic dance, proudly displaying his 5 foot (150 cm)-long tail. After mating, he leaves the raising of the young to the female.

Wild Side

Numerous creatures found in this ecoregion are of global importance. The Sumatran tiger barely survives in the rapidly dwindling forests. It needs a lot of space to search for food, and the forests are becoming smaller every day. Asia's largest terrestrial animal, the Asian elephant, also roams the forests of Sumatra, and it too is quickly running out of space to live. There are four species of tapir in the world, but only the Malayan tapir is found in Asia. This large mammal, which is about the size of a large hog, may weigh as much as 700 pounds (320 kg). It is black-brown with a white "saddle" extending from its shoulders to its hips. In the northern forests of Sumatra lives the endangered orangutan. Orangutans may weigh as much as 200 pounds (90 kg), and they spend most of their lives in trees, making them the largest arboreal mammals in the world. These are but a few of the unique species that live in Sumatra's forests.

Cause for Concern

Heavy logging on Sumatra has made the remaining stretches of forest critical for the protection of tigers, Sumatran rhinos, orangutans, and other animals. Commercial agriculture in the form of oil palm plantations has emerged in recent years as one of the most pervasive threats to the remaining forests of Sumatra, and indeed to all the forests of Indonesia.

Looking Ahead

Urgent action is needed immediately to halt the rampant destruction of Sumatra's forests. At the current rate of loss, hardly any primary lowland forests will remain in Sumatra by 2010. As these forests give way to illegal logging, large-scale oil-palm plantations, and slash- and-burn agricultural practices, Sumatra's mountainous forests will become more vulnerable to destruction. An immediate moratorium on logging and the expansion of agriculture is needed. Further protection of the last bits of forests and increased funding of nature reserves may help stave off the complete collapse of this globally important region.

· Amazing Archipelago
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This island region supports an extraordinary number of endemic plants, birds, mammals, and other organisms. Many of the different islands here have endemic species that are restricted to small areas. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Mindoro rain forests; Mindanao-Eastern Visayas rain forests; Mindanao montane rain forests; Luzon rain forests; Greater Negros-Panay rain forests; Luzon tropical pine forests; Luzon montane rain forests

Amazing Archipelago

If you were to sail a ship from Taiwan south to the islands of Indonesia, you would pass by an archipelago of large and small islands known collectively as the Philippines. The wet forests that grow on many of these islands -- including Luzon, the Central Islands, and Mindanao -- together make up the Philippines Moist Forests ecoregion. If you docked your ship and wandered ashore, you'd find a rich and diverse flora and fauna.

Special Features

Steady rainfall and warm temperatures combine to nourish more than 12,000 species of plants and fungi in the Philippines Moist Forests. Of these, about 3,500 are endemic. This highly diverse region also supports many endemic species of birds, reptiles, and amphibians. What's more, 86 of the 101 species of land mammals found on these islands (aside from bats) are also endemic.

	Flying lemurs do not actually fly. They glide from trees on wide flaps of skin stretched between their legs. Their young cling tightly to them as the soar around the canopy.

Wild Side

The Philippine eagle is the second largest eagle in the world and the most famous animal in the Philippines. It is also one of the many endangered animals of this country. Philippine eagles were found in mature rain forest throughout the area, but are now only on the largest islands. Many of the endemic animals of the Philippines are only found on single islands. For example, the island of Mindoro is home to the tamaraw, or dwarf water buffalo, which is the largest land animal of the Philippines. Also found only on Mindoro are the scarlet-collared flowerpeckers that dart from flower to flower eating nectar and snapping up insects and small spiders. On Luzon, the large northern island of the Philippines, there are species of rats with large eyes and furry tails. Visayan spotted deer are only found on the islands between the northern island of Luzon and the southern island of Mindanao. On the southern islands of the Philippines (around Mindanao), Philippine tarsiers jump from branch to branch in search of insects and small reptiles.

Cause for Concern

The natural forests here are almost gone. Farming, logging, and associated soil erosion are causing severe habitat degradation in most of these forests, and hunting threatens many of the local wildlife species. Regular burning in some areas is preventing forest regeneration.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· A Bridge Between Regions
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

The lowland and montane monsoon forests of this ecoregion contain many endemic birds, mammals, and other kinds of animals.

A Bridge Between Regions

If you were to travel across the Sulu Sea from Manila to the northern tip of Borneo, you wouldn't have to go by boat the whole way. The island of Palawan forms a natural land bridge over much of that distance. Long and narrow, Palawan is one of several thousand islands in the Philippines archipelago. It's also home to all sorts of creatures found nowhere else on Earth, including the Palawan fruit bat, the Palawan flycatcher, and the Palawan peacock-pheasant.

Special Features

Palawan is a fascinating place in part because its plants and animals have more similarities with those of Borneo than with those of other islands in the Philippines. The human population density here is quite low, which means that the pressures on its forests are quite low. The island contains a diverse assortment of habitats -- including montane forests, semi-deciduous forests, lowland rain forests, and mangroves, which in turn support many different kinds of plants and animals.

	The stocky Palawan stink badger has earned its name from its potent spray, which smells much like that of a skunk.

Wild Side

The island of Palawan is the only place where the endangered Calamian deer, or hog deer, lives. Heavy set and compact, this deer frequents marshes and swamps. The island is also the home of the threatened Fischer's pygmy fruit bat and three species of Sunda tree squirrels. Palawan blue-flycatchers, Palawan flowerpeckers, and grey- imperial pigeons can also be found in the treetops.

Cause for Concern

Illegal logging, hunting, and regular burning threaten the forests and wildlife of this ecoregion. What's more, there are limited protected areas, and existing laws are poorly enforced.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Mammals and Much More
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This region contains Indochina’s largest block of moist forest, one of its richest plant diversities, and its largest number of mammals. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Tenasserim-South Thailand semi- evergreen rain forests; Kayah- Karen montane rain forests

Mammals and Much More

If you're interested in Asian mammals, you should visit the Kayah-Karen/Tenasserim Moist Forests. For here live tigers, Asian elephants, gaurs, and clouded leopards--species that conjure images of dense, gloomy forests. Other species, such as the Fea’s muntjak -- a small deer with prominent, vampire-like canine teeth -- are rarely found anywhere outside of these forests. In the evenings a host of different bats, ranging in size from small to tiny, will begin to flit through the sky feasting on the large variety of insects, while white- bellied rats scurry across the ground.

Special Features

These forests contain a tremendous diversity of plant species. This is partly because these forests stretch across a broad geographical area. They contain a mix of plants usually found in temperate regions such as the Himalayas, oriental regions such as Vietnam and eastern China, and Malaysian regions such as Indonesia and Malaysia. These forests also include coastal, lowland, and mountainous forests, all of which house different types of plants and animals. Because of the high diversity of habitats in this ecoregion, many species can live side by side, exploiting numerous niches in the forest.

	The world’s smallest mammal, the Kitti’s hog-nosed bat, lives in limestone caves in these forests. The bat is about the size of a bumblebee.

Wild Side

Look out for the spectacularly colored Lady Amherst's pheasant, the Hume's pheasant, the silver pheasant, and even the rare green peafowl that scratch in the underbrush searching for insects and seeds. Pairs of great hornbills -- large black and yellow birds with thick beaks -- squawk raucous duets. If you don't see a secretive Gurney's pitta, a shy forest bird, you may come across its domed nest on the ground or in the understory. These forests are also home to the slow loris, a small slothlike monkey that seldom stirs until night.

Cause for Concern

Past logging and land clearance for farms and rubber plantations have already destroyed extensive sections of these forests. Today, both legal and illegal logging continue, altering habitat and, in the case of large-scale clearcutting, causing soil erosion. Dams, highways, and other development pressures are also a concern in these forests.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Life Among the Tall Trees
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This region contains diverse habitat types supporting one of the two richest floras and faunas in Asia. It is also one of the last sites in all of Asia where elephants, tigers, and rhinos still occur together. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Peninsular Malaysian montane rain forests; Peninsular Malaysian rain forests

Life Among the Tall Trees

Wander through the forests of peninsular Malaysia and you'll be in the company of more than 8,000 species of plants, more than 200 species of mammals, hundreds of species of birds, and probably hundreds of thousands of species of insects. These forests are one of the most biologically diverse forests in the region. Unfortunately, a majority of the mammals and birds live in primary or older secondary forests, making it essential that these dwindling areas are protected.

Special Features

Tropical forests blanket both the lowland and montane regions of this ecoregion. What's more, one of the largest protected areas in southeast Asia covers a sizable section of the ecoregion. This large park, called 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 also located within this park.

	The forests of peninsular Malaysia are home to the Sumatra rhinoceros. This world's smallest rhino was once so common that it was considered a garden pest!

Wild Side

One of the most remarkable features of this region is the combined presence of three large Asian mammals. Herds of Asia's largest terrestrial mammal, the Asian elephants move through the forests feeding on grasses, bark, and twigs. Tigers stalk deer and other small animals. And rhinos munch on saplings, shrubs, and grasses. In addition, you might glimpse the white flash of a Malayan tapir as it skulks through the forest or hear a splash in a river or stream that will signal the presence of an endangered Sunda otter-civet, a cat-sized mammal, as it hunts for fish and frogs.

Cause for Concern

The major threats to this region come from logging in the highlands and lowlands, clearing of lowland forests for agriculture and urban development, tourism development, and road construction -- all of which are causing forest fragmentation and loss of wildlife.

Looking Ahead

Conservation action should focus on stemming the loss of the remaining primary forest. Efforts should be undertaken to curtail the rampant poaching of animals, and illegal logging. Additional protected areas should be gazetted, especially in unproteced forest habitat such as limestone or peatswamp forest.

· The Flowering of Diversity
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This ecoregion is the world's center of diversity for Asia's most characteristic tree family, the Dipterocarpaceae. Borneo's outstanding plant diversity also harbors many unique mammal and bird species. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Borneo lowland rain forests; Borneo montane rain forests

The Flowering of Diversity

No plant lover should miss the forests of Borneo, which are considered among the richest in the world in terms of plant diversity. In the lowland forest you'll encounter the world's highest diversity of dipterocarp tree species. Dipterocarp means "two-winged fruit" and describes their characteristic winged fruits. As the fruit falls from the tree, the wings cause the fruit to spiral some distance away from the mother tree. But in the mountainous forests, the dipterocarp species are replaced by species such as oaks and colorful rhododendrons. Beneath the main canopy of the forest, smaller trees are laden with beautiful and unique orchids, ferns, lichens, and vines, but in the undergrowth you’ll also see carnivorous pitcher plants that trap insects and absorb the proteins from them.

Special Features

A diversity of habitats exists within these moist forests. You'll find large areas of karst--barren limestone plateaus with caves, sinkholes, and gullies. You'll find a high-altitude swamp forest. These and other unusual habitats are part of the reason that so many unique species of plants and animals have evolved in this region.

	The orangutan, at nearly 200 pounds (90 kg), is the largest of all arboreal mammals--those that spend most of their lives in trees. In Malayan, the expression orangutan means "man of the forest."

Wild Side

You'll be dazzled by the wildlife in this forest ecoregion. If you look up in the trees, you may be lucky enough to spot the orange-brown orangutan, one of the more famous denizens of the Bornean rain forests. The shaggy Sumatran rhinoceros wallows in a local watering hole. You might also spy some of the region's smaller mammals-- including the mountain treeshrew, the Bornean black-banded squirrel, and Whitehead's pygmy squirrel. And don't miss the region's incredible bird life. Red-breasted partridges call out. The brightly colored Whitehead's trogon hunts for insects from low perches in the thick brush. Mountain serpent-eagles fly above the treetops searching for a meal.

Cause for Concern

Humans have been active in these forests for thousands of years, but in the past several decades they have had large and negative impacts on the land. The combination of commercial and illegal logging, large-scale agriculture for oil palm or tea, mining, dam construction, shifting cultivation, illegal collection of species, and infrastructure development has taken its toll. Well over half of the lowland forests are now gone, and in recent years large fires have scorched the land, whittling away at the remaining forests. If the current deforestation trend continues, Borneo's lowland forests, and their biodiversity, will be gone within a decade. Borneo's mountain forests have more protection and are not as economically attractive, so they still remain in good shape. However, it will only be a matter of time before they, too, will be threatened with destruction.

Looking Ahead

Borneo ranks with the Amazon and New Guinea in biological diversity. However, compared to these other forests, the forests of Borneo are in much greater threat of being destroyed within the coming decade. Conservation efforts should be focused at stopping all logging activities immediately and designing a system of nature reserves to ensure that Borneo's biological treasures can be preserved long into the future.

· Island Wonders
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This complex of subtropical islands contains astounding biological richness, and many unique species.

Island Wonders

Chances are you've heard of the Galapagos Islands--an archipelago off South America that is home to all sorts of unusual lizards, tortoises, birds, and more. If so, you know what it means when people say that the Nansei Shoto Archipelago Forests are the Galapagos of the western Pacific. These are no ordinary islands, but a treasure trove of incredible biodiversity that includes many plant and bird species found nowhere else on Earth.

Special Features

The Nansei Shoto Archipelago consists of numerous small and large islands lying in a chain between southern Japan and Taiwan. The larger of these islands are volcanic in origin, with mountainous terrain. The smaller ones are mostly formations of coral. All of them contain forests of leafy trees that flourish in the wet, subtropical climate.

	The Pryer's woodpecker excavates nesting cavities in the trunks of trees. But because the bird is so large, it needs large, well-grown trees. As a result, the breeding range of Pryer's woodpeckers is seriously limited when its forests are logged.

Wild Side

Many of the species endemic to this ecoregion are only found on single islands. One of the most amazing denizens of this ecoregion is the Iriomote cat--a brown, spotted cat only discovered in 1964. Iriomote cats are scarcely bigger than the average housecat, and hunt small mammals, birds, lizards, and insects from their perches in the trees. Elsewhere in the ecoregion, Amami rabbits (only on Amami) hop through their passages in the undergrowth, nibbling on pampa grass, acorns, sprouts, and other vegetation. On the island of Okinawa, nearly flightless birds called Okinawa rails, which were officially discovered in 1981, pluck insects and lizards from the forest floor. The same forest on Okinawa housing the rails is also the only home for Pryer's woodpeckers.

Cause for Concern

Dam construction, logging, and agricultural expansion threaten remaining natural habitats in the Nansei Shoto Archipelago. And introduced species present a threat to many resident organisms.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Land of the Tiger
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

These large forested landscapes represent a rare opportunity to conserve a viable population of the majestic tiger-- Asia’s largest carnivore.

Land of the Tiger

For anyone who wants to see wild tiger habitat, this ecoregion is a good place to visit. India has more tigers than any other country, and many of them inhabit the moist forests of the Eastern Deccan Plateau. Here you can find solitary tigers or females with up to three cubs traveling through the forest both on and off the human-made trails. Tigers spend their days and nights resting, swimming, and hunting for large mammals. They share these forests with a wealth of these large prey animals, which include gaur, four-horned antelope, blackbuck, and sambar.

Special Features

If you were to travel from the western coast of India to the eastern coast, you would pass many large and small towns, farms, vast rice fields, and other signs of a growing human population. But then you might happen upon large blocks of intact forest that are noticeably drier than the lush rain forests of the Western Ghats mountain range farther west. These are the Eastern Deccan Plateau Moist Forests. These forests are populated with trees and other plants adapted to the drier conditions, including Manikara hexandra, Drypetes sepiara, and Azadirachta indica.

	Despite their small size (5-7 inches long), yellow-legged button quails make a loud, booming call.

Wild Side

The tigers that inhabit these forests share their habitat with a wealth of other species. Sloth bears feed on flowers, fruit, honey, and ants. Chinkaras, a kind of gazelle, browse on grasses in the undergrowth. Leopards laze in the treetops, while packs of Asiatic wild dogs scamper among the trees. These forests are also home to stork- like black-headed ibises, tiny yellow-legged button quails, striking plum- headed parakeets, chestnut-bellied sandgrouse, and many other bird species.

Cause for Concern

These forests represent a mere fraction of the forests that once covered the vast Deccan Plateau. Conservation efforts are urgently needed to make sure that the remaining forest blocks in this ecoregion do not become fragmented or disappear under the onslaught of shifting cultivation, quarrying, mining, large-scale agriculture, and hydroelectric projects. If that happens, one of the world’s most important tiger populations will be in jeopardy.

Looking Ahead

Check back soon for more about the conservation of this ecoregion.

· Birdland
· Special Features
· Did You Know?
· Wild Side
· Cause for Concern
· Looking Ahead

Global 200 Snapshot

This ecoregion is one of the richest areas for birds and mammals in all of Asia. This Global 200 ecoregion is made up of these terrestrial ecoregions: Northern Triangle subtropical forests; Mizoram-Manipur- Kachin rain forests; Chin Hills-Arakan Yoma montane forests; Meghalaya subtropical forests; Northeast India-Myanmar pine forests

Birdland

If you like birds, you'll surely want to visit the Naga-Manupuri-Chin Hills Moist Forests. Chestnut-breasted partridges and Blyth's tragopans, a type of pheasant, pick their way along the forest floor. A variety of large, handsome hornbills call raucously as they fly across the forest canopy. And if you look very closely, you may see--or more likely hear--rufous-throated wren babblers, broad-billed warblers, white-browed nuthatches, and Ludlow’s fulvettas chattering in the treetops.

Special Features

These forests are wet. Some areas have been known to receive more than 36 feet (11 m) of rainfall in a year. But it is this rainfall, together with the deeply dissected landscape that makes dispersal difficult, that has contributed to the richness of these forests, making it a crucible of evolution. For instance, these hills are considered to be the center of diversity for several primitive trees.

	The gaur, a relative of the domestic cow, lives in these forests. The gaur is a big, dark ox-like animal with white ankles.

Wild Side

In addition to harboring some amazing avian life, these forests are home to many species of rare and unusual mammals. The endangered Hoolock gibbon swings through the trees with amazing agility, pausing every so often to eat fruits, spiders, insects, small birds, and eggs. The bear macaque, a stocky monkey that is less agile than the gibbon, descends from the trees to forage for leaves, fruits, and roots while thamins, large deer with impressive antlers, and Fea’s muntjak, small, rare deer, browse on grass and leaves.

Cause for Concern

A number of human activities are causing habitat degradation in these forests. Shifting cultivation ( locally known as "jhum"), forest fires, logging, and development projects are some of the more serious threats to the habitat. What's more, burning and overgrazing have in many areas prevented forest regeneration. Finally, hunting and habitat loss have brought about the extinction of some mammal species.

Looking Ahead

Large tracts of intact forest still exist in this ecoregion, a rarity in Southeast and Southern Asia. This is one of the few places where conservation efforts can work to protect the most important forests before they are lost to shifting cultivation, human expansion, or logging activities. Conservationists recommend immediate measures be taken to limit the poaching of this region's biological treasures, such as tigers, elephants, rhinoceroses, and hornbills.