Understanding The Wallace Line That Separates Indonesia's East And Middle Areas
Understanding the Wallace Line that Separates Indonesia's East and Middle Areas
What is the Wallace Line?
The Wallace Line is a biogeographical boundary line that separates the areas of biodiversity between the east and the middle of Indonesia. It was identified and named after the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1859. This line is located between the islands of Bali and Lombok, and extends eastward to the islands of Borneo and Sulawesi. It is believed that the line marks the boundary between the Asian and Australian faunal regions.
The Impact of the Wallace Line
The Wallace Line has had a significant impact on the distribution of plants and animals in Indonesia. It is believed that the Wallace Line is responsible for the fact that the eastern part of Indonesia is much richer in biodiversity than the middle. The Wallace Line has also had a significant influence on the evolution of species in the region. In addition, it has been a major factor in determining the cultural and linguistic differences between the two regions.
The Causes of the Wallace Line
The Wallace Line is believed to be caused by the differences in geological history between the two regions. The eastern part of Indonesia is composed of continental rocks that are much older than those of the middle. This means that the environments and habitats in the two regions have been quite different for a long time. This has resulted in different species of plants and animals evolving in the two regions, and the boundary line between them becoming the Wallace Line.
The Wallace Line Today
Today, the Wallace Line is still a major factor in determining the distribution of plants and animals in Indonesia. Despite the fact that the two regions have been separated by the Wallace Line for centuries, they still have a great deal of similarity in terms of their flora and fauna. However, there are still distinct differences between the two regions, which is why the Wallace Line is still important today.
Conclusion
The Wallace Line is an important biogeographical boundary line that separates the east and middle of Indonesia. It has had a significant impact on the distribution of plants and animals in the region, and is still an important factor in determining the cultural and linguistic differences between the two regions. The Wallace Line is believed to be caused by the differences in geological history between the two regions, and is still a major factor in determining the distribution of species in the region today.
