🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Much of the remaining Sumatran orangutan habitat lies within the Leuser Ecosystem in northern Sumatra.
Remaining Sumatran orangutan populations are concentrated in rugged northern Sumatra, including mountainous terrain. Steep slopes and limited road access provide partial refuge from deforestation. These natural barriers have slowed plantation expansion in certain areas. However, isolation also restricts movement between subpopulations. Mountain refuges function as both sanctuary and constraint. Limited connectivity can reduce genetic exchange over time. Survival in these strongholds depends on maintaining forest continuity.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Highland forests offer temporary protection from large-scale agricultural conversion. Yet they often contain less fruit diversity than lowland areas. Orangutans in these regions must adapt to different seasonal food patterns. Isolation can shield populations but also increase vulnerability to localized disasters. A landslide or fire in a confined mountain valley could eliminate an entire group. Refuge is not immunity.
Long-term conservation requires reconnecting isolated habitats. Ecological corridors can link mountain refuges with lowland forests. Preserving altitudinal diversity also supports climate adaptation. As temperatures shift, elevational gradients provide migration pathways. Mountain forests therefore serve as both last refuge and future lifeline.
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