🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Dispersal between subpopulations is a key factor in maintaining genetic diversity.
The Batang Toru ecosystem consists of rugged mountainous terrain. Such landscapes naturally limit long-distance dispersal. For the Tapanuli orangutan, this restricts how frequently individuals move between forest blocks. With fewer than 800 individuals, reduced dispersal limits gene exchange. Fragmentation from human infrastructure compounds these natural barriers. Movement constraints increase the likelihood of isolated breeding clusters. Over time, restricted gene flow lowers adaptive potential. Terrain itself becomes part of the extinction equation.
💥 Impact (click to read)
Mountains once provided refuge through isolation. Today, that same isolation restricts resilience. Limited dispersal reduces genetic mixing opportunities. In small populations, even moderate barriers can be decisive. Geography shapes genetic destiny.
Conservation measures must therefore account for natural and artificial obstacles. Maintaining continuous canopy over steep slopes enhances mobility. The Tapanuli orangutan’s survival depends on overcoming both evolutionary isolation and modern fragmentation. Movement is more than travel—it is genetic renewal.
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