Thank you Jennifer! Descendant of dinosaus looks more cute than their ancestor so much.
Komodo National Park
UNESCO site
Date of Insscription: 1991
Komodo National Park, located in the center of the
Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores, is composed
of three major islands (Rinca, Komodo, and Padar) and numerous smaller ones,
all of them of volcanic origin. Located at the juncture of two continental
plates, this national park constitutes the “shatter belt” within the Wallacea
Biogeographical Region, between the Australian and Sunda ecosystems. The
property is identified as a global conservation priority area, comprising
unparalleled terrestrial and marine ecosystems and covers a total area of
219,322 ha. The dry climate has triggered specific evolutionary adaptation
within the terrestrial flora that range from open grass-woodland savanna to
tropical deciduous (monsoon) forest and quasi cloud forest. The rugged
hillsides and dry vegetation highly contrast with the sandy beaches and the
blue coral-rich waters.
The most remarkable inhabitant of Komodo National Park is
the Komodo Lizard, Varanus komodoensis. These giant lizards, existing no-where
else in the world, are of great scientific interest, especially for their
evolutionary implications. Most commonly known as 'Komodo Dragons', due to its
appearance and aggressive behavior, the Komodo Lizard, is the largest living
species of lizard, growing to an average length of 2 to 3 meters. The species
is the last representative of a relic population of large lizards that once
lived across Indonesia and Australia. As well as being home to the Komodo
dragon, the Park provides a refuge for many other notable terrestrial species
such as the orange-footed scrub fowl, an endemic rat, and the Timor deer. The
rich coral reefs of Komodo host a great diversity of species, and the strong
currents of the sea attract the presence of sea turtles, whales, dolphins and
dugongs.
Criterion (vii): Komodo National Park is a landscape of
contrasts between starkly rugged hillsides of dry savanna, pockets of thorny
green vegetation, brilliant white sandy beaches and blue waters surging over
coral, unquestionably one of the most dramatic landscapes in all of Indonesia.
Demonstrating exceptional natural beauty that is all the more remarkable as a
counterpoint to the dominant lushness of vegetation which characterizes vast
areas of forested Indonesia, and with which most of the world associates the
archipelago. An irregular coastline characterized by bays, beaches and inlets
separated by headlands, often with sheer cliffs falling vertically into the
surrounding seas which are reported to be among the most productive in the
world adds to the stunning natural beauty of landscapes dominated by
contrasting vegetation types, providing a patchwork of colours.
Criterion (x): Komodo National Park contains the majority of
the world’s areas in which wild populations of the Komodo dragon lizard still
exist. The largest and heaviest of the world’s lizards, the species is widely
known for its impressive size and fearsome appearance, its ability to
effectively prey on large animals, and a tolerance of extremely harsh
condition. The population, estimated at around 5,700 individuals is distributed
across the islands of Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motong and some coastal regions of
western and northern Flores.
Other fauna recorded in the park are characteristic of the
Wallacean zoogeographic region with seven species of terrestrial mammal,
including an endemic rat (Rattus rintjanus) and the crab-eating macaque (Macaca
fascicularis) and 72 species of birds, such as the lesser sulphur-crested
cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea), the orange-footed scrub fowl (Megapodius
reinwardt), and noisy friarbird (Philemon buceroides). The coral reefs fringing
the coast of Komodo are diverse and luxuriant due to the clear water, intense
sunlight and rapid exchange of nutrient-rich water from deeper areas of the
archipelago. The marine fauna and flora are generally the same as that found
throughout the Indo Pacific area, though species richness is very high, notable
marine mammals include blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) and sperm whale
(Physeter catodon) as well as 10 species of dolphin, dugong (Dugong dugon) and
five species of sea turtles.
Source: Unesco.org
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