The Ecology of Kalimantan: Indonesian Borneo - Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo, is a global centre for biodiversity. Because of its rich supply of natural resources, Kalimantan has also been a key player in Indonesia's economic development. As a result of unsustainable logging and industrial development, many of the island's unique riverine, rainforest, wetland, and coastal habitats are vulnerable and highly endangered. Part of The Ecology of Indonesia series, The Ecology of Kalimantan presents a complete summary of our current scientific knowledge about the ecosystems of Kalimantan. Using numerous maps, colour photographs, and line- drawings, it examines each of the major ecosystems of the island, and the interrelationships between some of their component species. It also focuses on the people of Kalimantan and their use of natural resources, as a major part of these ecosystems. The second part of the book examines the potential of Kalimantan's different land units for the development of commercial production systems such as plantations and agroforestry. Guidelines on resource conservation, ecologically sustainable management plans, and the ecological consequences of development are integrated into this. Accessible to any reader with an interest in the region, this book will be an invaluable handbook for all individuals involved in conservation, ecology, anthropology, development planning or resource management in Indonesia, and Kalimantan in particular.
The Ecology of Kalimantan: Indonesian Borneo - This book is expected to become a standard reference for scientists, anthropologists, writers, and other intersted in the region. This long-awaited volume presents a complete summary of our current scientific knowledge about Borneo...'' Ethology, Ecology and Evolution 10:301-310, 1998.
There is a general introduction to Borneo, and more specific chapters on various habitats. Coastal habitats include rocky shores, beaches and beach forests, coral reefs, mangrove etc. The section on fresh water habitats deal with rivers, lakes and swamp forests. Further chapters cover lowland rain forests, cliffs and caves, or Mount Kinabalu, the highest peak on the island. There is also a chapter on man-made lakes. In short, we are dealing with a competent, encyclopaedic reference work!
The chapters on resources and conservation have "deep green" and ZPG overtones, although not as extreme as in the book on Oman I reviewed earlier. How readers react to this part of the book, will no doubt be a function of their political convictions.
Nevertheless, "The ecology of Kalimantan" is probably indispensable for scientists and others dealing with ecological problems in this particular part of Indonesia, and therefore I give it four stars. Just like you, there are thousands of other customers looking for the same product everyday The Ecology of Kalimantan: Indonesian Borneo
