Anirudh, Namrata Biligeri, van Veen, Frank J.F., Ripoll-Capilla, Bernat, Buckley, Benjamin J.W., Erb, Wendy M., Niun, Mariaty A., Maimunah, Siti, Makur, Kristana Parinters, Armadiyanto, Estrada, Erik, and others. (2025) Lowland heath forests of Indonesian Borneo: ecological value and conservation challenges. Journal of Tropical Ecology, 41 . Article Number e19. ISSN 1469-7831. (doi:10.1017/s0266467425100084) (KAR id:110656)
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| Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/s0266467425100084 |
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Abstract
Heath forests, or known locally as kerangas, in Indonesia and Malaysia form a distinct and understudied ecoregion. We document the distribution and ecological significance of the largest extent of kerangas in Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. We mapped 16,586 km2 of kerangas to the nearest one square kilometre across Kalimantan, showing a significant reduction from previous estimates. About 19% of this area exists as a poorly documented mosaic landscape in Central Kalimantan’s Rungan-Kahayan region. Here, peat-based forests transition to heath and dipterocarp forests, making it difficult to reliably classify these forests for conservation planning. Using remote sensing and tree plot data, we identified three forest types—kerangas, low pole, and mixed swamp. Vegetation structure is influenced by soil, topography, and hydrology, while peat depth and elevation affect species diversity. Our findings indicate that these forests are dynamic ecosystems with diverse vegetation communities adapted to peat as well as sandy soils. Lowland heath forests in Rungan-Kahayan exhibits higher tree densities compared to other Bornean heath forests, reflecting unique ecological adaptations to challenging environments. Despite covering just 3% of Kalimantan’s forest area, these ecosystems remain largely unprotected, facing threats from land conversion and fire. Our study highlights the ecological complexity of kerangas and underscores the urgent need for targeted conservation and further research on these forests.
| Item Type: | Article |
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| DOI/Identification number: | 10.1017/s0266467425100084 |
| Uncontrolled keywords: | flora, edaphic, tropical forest, Sundaland, Kerangas, Kalimantan, ecoregion, Southeast Asia |
| Subjects: | Q Science > QH Natural history > QH75 Conservation (Biology) |
| Institutional Unit: | Institutes > Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology |
| Former Institutional Unit: |
There are no former institutional units.
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| Funders: | Leverhulme Trust (https://ror.org/012mzw131) |
| SWORD Depositor: | JISC Publications Router |
| Depositing User: | JISC Publications Router |
| Date Deposited: | 16 Jul 2025 09:19 UTC |
| Last Modified: | 22 Jul 2025 09:23 UTC |
| Resource URI: | https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/110656 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes) |
University of Kent Author Information
Seaman, Dave J.I..
| Creator's ORCID: |
 https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6616-7001
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| CReDIT Contributor Roles: |
Deere, Nicolas J..
| Creator's ORCID: |
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1299-2126
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|---|---|
| CReDIT Contributor Roles: |
Struebig, Matthew J..
| Creator's ORCID: |
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2058-8502
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|---|---|
| CReDIT Contributor Roles: |
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