Borneo’s Rain Forests Facing Extinction

May 5, 2021 By Caitlyn

Deforestation is happening all over the world. This refers to the decrease in forest areas due to other uses, such as agriculture, mining, and urbanization. Since 1960, deforestation has been negatively affecting our world, hurting our natural ecosystems, climate and biodiversity.

Borneo is the third largest island in the world and is the in the Southeast Asia’s Archipelago. Just like many tropics in the world, Borneo’s rain forests are being cut down and degraded for palm oil, rubber, timber and minerals.

This short video shows just how major the impacts of deforestation in Borneo has on the environment. Species are becoming endangered, ecosystems are changing rapidly not giving species much time to flee and adapt, and the list goes on.

There are many problems that are arising due to the deforestation in Borneo. WWF projection states that if the island continues its current deforestation rate, the country will be severely affected by climate change. There will be an increase in floods, forest fires, negative human health impacts, changes in agricultural, and damage to the biodiversity of the ecosystem. The tropical deforestation is creating a clear risk that hundreds of species could become extinct. Borneo is home to many endangered organisms such as the orangutan, Asian elephant, proboscis monkey, flying frog, and many species of plants. 90 percent of the world’s orangutans live in Borneo. But sadly, they are highly endangered due to the loss of habitat, and many other small species may not be able to recolonize isolated patches of suitable habitat, and then become extinct.