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The building blocks of a dipterocarp forest
Dipterocarp forests carpet the Borneo lowlands forming a green expanse composed of a high number of plant species. As many as 240 different tree species can grow within 1 hectare.
Logged lowland dipterocarp forest, Segama Forest Reserve, Sabah, Malaysia
Here, you’ll find mostly Dipterocarpaceae (dipterocarps) and Euphorbiaceae (spurges), making up around 22% and 12% of all trees respectively. Comparatively, the tropical forests of Africa and America are dominated by trees of the legume family.
A prominent tree of the lowland forests of Borneo is the Borneo ironwood (Eusyderoxylon zwageri), also known as belian. Much sought after by the timber industry, this tree’s durable and dense wood does not need to be treated, and is in high demand for bridges, roof tiles and pillars for houses.
Other key species include the giant nyatoh (Palaquiumspecies) and kenari (Canariumodontophyllum). Strangler figs (Ficus species) are distinct elements of tropical forests. These plants typically wind themselves around their host tree, eventually covering and killing it. The size of their trunk can be truly awesome – the total circumference of a single mature strangler fig, including all its stems, can be over 10 metres. The fruit from these trees are a major food source for many animals.
A prominent tree of the lowland forests of Borneo is the Borneo ironwood (Eusyderoxylon zwageri), also known as belian. Much sought after by the timber industry, this tree’s durable and dense wood does not need to be treated, and is in high demand for bridges, roof tiles and pillars for houses.
Other key species include the giant nyatoh (Palaquiumspecies) and kenari (Canariumodontophyllum). Strangler figs (Ficus species) are distinct elements of tropical forests. These plants typically wind themselves around their host tree, eventually covering and killing it. The size of their trunk can be truly awesome – the total circumference of a single mature strangler fig, including all its stems, can be over 10 metres. The fruit from these trees are a major food source for many animals.
Dipterocarp seed falling on the water, Kalimantan, Indonesia
The many faces of lowland dipterocarp forests
Dipterocarp forests are far from uniform across Borneo. Depending on altitude, the diversity of plants varies and so does their overall appearance.
In areas below 150 metres, lowland dipterocarp forests often contain many trees from the legume family and massive strangler fig plants. Many aromatic kapur trees (Dryobalanops species) are found growing in the coarse, sandy soil on moderate slopes. These trees were once exploited for camphor.
As we move beyond 150 metres, the dipterocarp forests in some parts of Borneo contain a greater diversity of plants than the extreme lowlands, in addition to large timber trees and wild fruit trees.
Above 500 metres, it is possible to encounter one of the 17 species of Rafflesia. A plant which produces the largest flower in the world growing up to 1 metre diameter. At around 1,000 metres, coniferous trees (pine relatives) start appearing, and the dipterocarp forest gives way to montane forests.
In areas below 150 metres, lowland dipterocarp forests often contain many trees from the legume family and massive strangler fig plants. Many aromatic kapur trees (Dryobalanops species) are found growing in the coarse, sandy soil on moderate slopes. These trees were once exploited for camphor.
As we move beyond 150 metres, the dipterocarp forests in some parts of Borneo contain a greater diversity of plants than the extreme lowlands, in addition to large timber trees and wild fruit trees.
Above 500 metres, it is possible to encounter one of the 17 species of Rafflesia. A plant which produces the largest flower in the world growing up to 1 metre diameter. At around 1,000 metres, coniferous trees (pine relatives) start appearing, and the dipterocarp forest gives way to montane forests.
Rafflesia pricei just opened to full flower.
Wildlife of the dipterocarp forests of Borneo
The threatened orangutans of Borneo (Pongo pygmaeus species) are extremely reliant on dipterocarp forests, which provide them with food and a home.
Other large mammals of these forests include a Sumatran rhinoceros subspecies (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni) and the Borneo pygmy elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis).
Down on the ground and along the branches, some of the region's smaller mammals scurry about - including the mountain treeshrew (Tupaia montana), the Bornean black-banded squirrel (Callosciurus orestes) and Whitehead's pygmy squirrel (Exilisciurus whiteheadi).
The dipterocarp forests are the hunting ground of the leopard cat (Cynocephalus variegatus), while proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) and the Bornean tarsier (Tarsius bancamus) can also be found.
Other large mammals of these forests include a Sumatran rhinoceros subspecies (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni) and the Borneo pygmy elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis).
Down on the ground and along the branches, some of the region's smaller mammals scurry about - including the mountain treeshrew (Tupaia montana), the Bornean black-banded squirrel (Callosciurus orestes) and Whitehead's pygmy squirrel (Exilisciurus whiteheadi).
The dipterocarp forests are the hunting ground of the leopard cat (Cynocephalus variegatus), while proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) and the Bornean tarsier (Tarsius bancamus) can also be found.
Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus). These monkeys are living highly specialized lives in the mangrove forest. Endangered species. South-East Asia.
The Dipterocarps – a family of giants
Dipterocarp trees are hard to miss.
They often emerge from the forest canopy (the top layer of a rainforest), and can reach up to 60 metres when mature. These trees thrive on well-drained lands and usually can be found up to an altitude of around 1,000m. Their fruits consist of a hard and oily seed with one or two 'wings', which lends this family its name (from the Greek di = two; ptero = wing; carpos = seed).
More than 270 species of dipterocarp trees have been identified so far in Borneo. Of these, 155 are endemic to the island – they occur nowhere else in the world. In a sample plot at Wanariset, East Kalimantan, 30 species of dipterocarp were found; similar plots in North Sumatra yielded 12 species.
A striking characteristic of the Dipterocarp family is how rarely and irregularly they flower. Flowering only occurs once or twice every 10 years, sometimes longer. It usually happens at the same time as other trees in the same area.
The reason this happens is because of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) – a natural climatic event that begins in the Pacific Ocean.
In Borneo, ENSO conditions not only trigger dipterocarp flowering, but also seem to have an influence on seed production. This phenomenon is seen as critical for forest regeneration, with dipterocarp species reported to synchronize their flowering over very large areas.
More than 270 species of dipterocarp trees have been identified so far in Borneo. Of these, 155 are endemic to the island – they occur nowhere else in the world. In a sample plot at Wanariset, East Kalimantan, 30 species of dipterocarp were found; similar plots in North Sumatra yielded 12 species.
A striking characteristic of the Dipterocarp family is how rarely and irregularly they flower. Flowering only occurs once or twice every 10 years, sometimes longer. It usually happens at the same time as other trees in the same area.
The reason this happens is because of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) – a natural climatic event that begins in the Pacific Ocean.
In Borneo, ENSO conditions not only trigger dipterocarp flowering, but also seem to have an influence on seed production. This phenomenon is seen as critical for forest regeneration, with dipterocarp species reported to synchronize their flowering over very large areas.
Large Dipterocarpaceae tree, a popular timber species. Segama Forest Reserve, Sabah (Borneo), Malaysia