Insect index drops to five<\/p>\n
SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Fires that have been ravaging
\nparts of East Kalimantan forests since January this year have
\ndestroyed many species of insects, according to an expert.<\/p>\n
Antara reported that a study in the area had found that the
\nfires caused \"the insect index\" to decline from 30 to five,
\nsignifying a great loss of insects, thus adversely affecting the
\necosystem.<\/p>\n
The study took place at a research forest managed by
\nMulawarman University in Bukit Soeharto National Park.<\/p>\n
\"The disappearance of insects poses a problem in efforts to
\nrehabilitate the burned forests,\" said researcher Abubakar Lahji
\non Saturday.<\/p>\n
The study also noted that some animals had fled the
\nconservation area due to the damaged habitat and food shortages.<\/p>\n
\"It is difficult to spot wild boars now because tubers, which
\nare their main food, have been destroyed by the fires,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The conservation area is home to a variety of endangered
\nanimals including the orangutan, sun bear, proboscis monkey,
\nporcupine and a rare deer species.<\/p>\n
The office of the Environmental Impact Management Agency in
\nEast Kalimantan said dozens of rare animals had died because of
\nthe forest fires.<\/p>\n
The Semboja forest research center is looking after some 30
\norangutans which fled from Kutai national park. (swe)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/insect-index-drops-to-five-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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