Hello friends Summarized! This time we will discuss articles about the diversity of animals and plants typical of Indonesia. Did you know that Indonesia is a country that has a very high diversity of animals and plants? Yes, in Indonesia there are various types of animals and plants that are unique and endemic, meaning that they only exist in Indonesia and cannot be found anywhere else. Unfortunately, this diversity of animals and plants is facing a serious threat, namely extinction.
Diversity of Indonesia’s Typical Animals and Plants Endangered?
Extinction is the permanent disappearance of a species from nature. This can be caused by various factors, both natural and man-made. However, in recent decades, the threat of extinction has increased as humans destroy habitats, overhunt and catch wildlife, and spread diseases and alien species. In addition, climate change also has a negative impact on the survival of animals and plants.
Data on Threats of Extinction of Animal and Plant Diversity in Indonesia
According to a 2020 report by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the world has lost more than two-thirds of its wildlife population in less than 50 years. The report said the “catastrophic slump” shows no signs of slowing down. WWF warns that humans are destroying nature at an unprecedented rate.
Indonesia as one of the countries with the greatest diversity of animals and plants in the world also experiences similar conditions. Many of Indonesia’s unique animals and plants are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss, poaching and illegal trade, and climate change. The following is some data on the threat of extinction of animal and plant diversity in Indonesia:
| Species Name | Extinction Status | The main cause |
|---|---|---|
| Sumatran rhino | Critical | Poaching for its horns and loss of habitat due to deforestation |
| Sumatran tiger | Critical | Poaching for skins and body parts and loss of habitat due to deforestation |
| Sumatran orangutans | Critical | Habitat loss due to deforestation and land conversion for oil palm plantations |
| Bornean orangutans | Threatened | Habitat loss due to deforestation and land conversion for oil palm plantations |
| Sumatran Elephant | Threatened | Habitat loss due to deforestation and conflict with humans |
| Anoa | Threatened | Poaching for meat and horns and loss of habitat due to deforestation |
| Maleo | Threatened | Poaching for eggs and loss of habitat due to deforestation |
| Rafflesia arnoldii | Prone to | Habitat loss due to deforestation and climate change |
Sample case
One example of the threat of extinction of animal and plant diversity in Indonesia is the case of the Yangtze or Baiji river dolphins. This dolphin is an endemic species that only lives in the Yangtze river in China. However, in 2006, the research team declared that these dolphins had become extinct in nature.
The cause of the extinction of the Yangtze River dolphin is a combination of factors related to human activities. Some of these factors are:
- Water pollution originating from industrial, agricultural and household waste containing toxic chemicals
- Construction of dams and reservoirs that change the flow of rivers and disturb the habitat of dolphins
- Overfishing and unsustainability of the environment which reduces the dolphins’ food resources and creates a risk of entanglement in nets
- Accidental collision with ships sailing on the Yangtze river
The case of the Yangtze River dolphin shows how fragile the diversity of animals that can be lost in an instant due to human activities. This case is also a warning for us to protect and protect Indonesia’s unique animals and plants which also face similar threats.
Conclusion
From the description above, it can be concluded that the diversity of animals and plants in Indonesia is threatened with extinction due to various factors related to human activities. This is very detrimental for us because the diversity of animals and plants has many benefits, both ecological, economic, and socio-cultural. Therefore, we need to make efforts to prevent and overcome the threat of extinction.
Some of the efforts we can do are:
- Protecting and preserving the habitat of typical Indonesian animals and plants by stopping deforestation, land conversion, and development that is not environmentally friendly
- Stop the illegal hunting and trade of wild animals and plants by increasing law enforcement and public awareness
- Reducing the impact of climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing adaptation and mitigation
- Support conservation activities carried out by governments, non-governmental organizations, or local communities by providing financial, technical, or moral support
- Increasing knowledge and awareness about the importance of animal and plant diversity by conducting education, socialization, and advocacy to the wider community
This is the article I can convey about the threat of extinction of animal and plant diversity in Indonesia. Hopefully this article is useful and provides useful information for you. If you have questions, suggestions or criticism, please write in the comments column below. Thank you for reading this article to the end. See you in the next article!
