Beneficial Impact
Individuals, in recent years, have worked to preserve what remains of the Borneo rainforest; approximately 30% of the tropical rainforest is under some method of protection with reserves created in the most dire situations. Efforts are being made to reverse the effects of deforestation and logging to various conservation programs and education.
Negative Effects
Deforestation and Logging
Originally, deforestation in Borneo was minimal because of infertile soils in the region compared to that present in surrounding islands, an unfavorable climate, and proximity to disease. With the establishment of rubber plantations in the mid-twentieth century, however, the rate of deforestation began to escalate, expanding significantly in the 1970s and 1980s when individuals participated in industrial logging. Logging roads provided settlers and developers access to previously remote lands.
Commercial logging exploded in the 1980s and 1990s with 60-240 cubic meters of wood being harvested per hectare - more than thrice the rate of 23 cubic meters per hectare in the Amazon. In Kalimantan, the island on which the Borneo rainforest is located, approximately 80% of lowlands were exploited to timber concessions. Unfortunately, the intensifying rate of deforestation does not provide the ecosystem ample time to recover. Low levels of soil nutrients are quickly exhausted and washed away as soil erodes when the forest cover is removed. These logged lands were and are rarely replanted, placing a costly endeavor on thoroughly degraded areas.
Oil Palm
Beginning in the mid-1990s, an interest in oil palm plantations sparked, accelerating oil palm cultivation in the Borneo rainforest. Oil palm on the Indonesian and Malaysian island multiplied from 13,140 hectares in 1984 to over one million hectares by 2004. The business is a low-risk investment for large estate owners primarily because of little maintenance and a growing demand. Palm oil is a very competitive alternative to conventional oil given that 100 kilograms of oil seeds typically produce 20 kilograms of oil while a single hectare of oil palm yields 6,000 liters of crude oil. It is incredibly profitable when grown on large plantations.
Originally, deforestation in Borneo was minimal because of infertile soils in the region compared to that present in surrounding islands, an unfavorable climate, and proximity to disease. With the establishment of rubber plantations in the mid-twentieth century, however, the rate of deforestation began to escalate, expanding significantly in the 1970s and 1980s when individuals participated in industrial logging. Logging roads provided settlers and developers access to previously remote lands.
Commercial logging exploded in the 1980s and 1990s with 60-240 cubic meters of wood being harvested per hectare - more than thrice the rate of 23 cubic meters per hectare in the Amazon. In Kalimantan, the island on which the Borneo rainforest is located, approximately 80% of lowlands were exploited to timber concessions. Unfortunately, the intensifying rate of deforestation does not provide the ecosystem ample time to recover. Low levels of soil nutrients are quickly exhausted and washed away as soil erodes when the forest cover is removed. These logged lands were and are rarely replanted, placing a costly endeavor on thoroughly degraded areas.
Oil Palm
Beginning in the mid-1990s, an interest in oil palm plantations sparked, accelerating oil palm cultivation in the Borneo rainforest. Oil palm on the Indonesian and Malaysian island multiplied from 13,140 hectares in 1984 to over one million hectares by 2004. The business is a low-risk investment for large estate owners primarily because of little maintenance and a growing demand. Palm oil is a very competitive alternative to conventional oil given that 100 kilograms of oil seeds typically produce 20 kilograms of oil while a single hectare of oil palm yields 6,000 liters of crude oil. It is incredibly profitable when grown on large plantations.
The Orangutan may become extinct due to its popularity.
Poaching
An increase in demand for various wildlife products has led to the illegal hunt of animals on the land of others. Poaching causes extensive damage to the rainforest ecosystem by removing species key to the function of the ecosystem; the loss of one species can easily lead to the extinction of many others. The illicit trade of protected animals was estimated to be $1.3 billion in 2003.
As a result, many endemic plants and animals have become endangered and may quite possibly become extinct. The Orangutan is found only on Borneo and Sumatra, and the native population has been continuously declining with the loss of forest habitat. In addition, they are threatened with extinction because of its value in the pet industry and entertainment market. About 1,000 are captured or killed a year.
An increase in demand for various wildlife products has led to the illegal hunt of animals on the land of others. Poaching causes extensive damage to the rainforest ecosystem by removing species key to the function of the ecosystem; the loss of one species can easily lead to the extinction of many others. The illicit trade of protected animals was estimated to be $1.3 billion in 2003.
As a result, many endemic plants and animals have become endangered and may quite possibly become extinct. The Orangutan is found only on Borneo and Sumatra, and the native population has been continuously declining with the loss of forest habitat. In addition, they are threatened with extinction because of its value in the pet industry and entertainment market. About 1,000 are captured or killed a year.
Scientific Research
In the Borneo, research has been carried out to uncover new organisms (and their medicinal benefits) and to observe the effects of fires, droughts, and other natural disasters on this tropical rainforest. From 1996 to 1999, Peter Eaton with the Borneo Research Council worked to detail the effects of fires on the Borneo. Scientists discovered that Borneo's forests are not well-adapted to forest fires and noticed the detrimental effects on the plants and animals residing there. Their findings are published in Environment and Conservation in Borneo. In other research, substances from trees and shrubs in the Borneo have been shown to be effective in fighting AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and cancer.
Laws and Treaties
ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution
This environmental agreeement approved by seven southeast Asian nations (Malaysia but not Indonesia) and signed in 2002 pledges to control haze pollution in the rainforest. Land clearing through open burning has led to this crisis in which smoke is blown to other parts of the Borneo, creating badly affected hot spots.
Environmental Quality Act of 1974
This act regulates scheduled wastes, dioxin and furan, emissions from motorcycles, refrigerant management, clean air, licensing, sewage, and pollution.
Land Conservation Act of 1960
This act relates to the conservation of hill land and the Borneo and the protection of soil from erosion and the inroad of silt.
This environmental agreeement approved by seven southeast Asian nations (Malaysia but not Indonesia) and signed in 2002 pledges to control haze pollution in the rainforest. Land clearing through open burning has led to this crisis in which smoke is blown to other parts of the Borneo, creating badly affected hot spots.
Environmental Quality Act of 1974
This act regulates scheduled wastes, dioxin and furan, emissions from motorcycles, refrigerant management, clean air, licensing, sewage, and pollution.
Land Conservation Act of 1960
This act relates to the conservation of hill land and the Borneo and the protection of soil from erosion and the inroad of silt.
