UPSC Articles
Leuser Ecosystem
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Biodiversity
In news
- Recently, Leuser Ecosystem was in the news.
- An investigation by the global watchdog Rainforest Action Network (RAN) has shown that various food, cosmetics and finance companies have links with companies which are responsible for the destruction of the Leuser Ecosystem.
- It is a forest area on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia.
Important value additions
Leuser Ecosystem
- It is among the most ancient and life-rich ecosystems ever documented by science.
- It is a world-class hotspot of biodiversity.
- It is widely acknowledged to be among the most important areas of intact rainforest left in all of Southeast Asia.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- The ecosystem stretches across the province of Aceh and North Sumatra, Indonesia.
- Its diverse landscape includes lowland and montane rainforests and carbon-rich peatlands.
Do you know?
- It supports viable populations of rare species like Sumatran tigers, orangutans, rhinos, elephants, clouded leopards and sun bears.
- It plays an important role regulating the global climate by storing massive amounts of carbon in its peatlands and standing forests.
- Threats: (1) Industrial development for palm oil, pulp and paper plantations and mining; (2) The fires from this widespread destruction have caused major haze pollution
