Ecosystems of the Heart of Borneo
A well-synched ecological machine
Shaping Borneo’s ecosystemsBorneo’s ecosystems are far from frozen in time. A complex combination of factors has shaped ecosystems and the biodiversity of the island; physical differences in environment, local and regional variations in climate as well as regional geological evolution.
Climate, from wet to very wetStraddling the equator, Borneo is subject to an intense tropical climate. In the lowlands, temperatures range between 25°C and 35°C, while at higher elevations things can get a lot cooler. Borneo has 2 monsoon seasons: the “dry” monsoon (May - October) and the “wet” monsoon (November - April).
The entire island lies within what is called the ‘ever-wet zone’, receiving between 2,000mm and 4,000mm of rainfall each year.
Before Borneo became an islandDuring much of the Tertiary period (from around 65 to 1.6 million years ago), there’s evidence that Borneo, the Southeast Asia mainland and Sumatra were connected by land.
Because Borneo’s climate used to be more seasonal, unlike its current tropical characteristics that are present throughout the year, terrestrial animals seeking a more suitable environment were able to move to Borneo.
Thousands of years after this migration process, it is still possible to see similarities between terrestrial species found on Borneo and those from the mainland.
Today, ecosystems continue to be affected by geological and climatic factors, but human influence grows more and more pervasive.