By Helen
Briggs BBC News
7 February
2019
A study has
identified key tree species that are resilient to climate change and support
critically endangered apes.
Planting
them could help future proof rainforests, which are a key habitat for
orangutans, according to the International Union for
Conservation of Nature - IUCN.
Researchers
surveyed 250 plants in Indonesia's Kutai National Park.
Over 1,000
orangutans are thought to inhabit the park, as well as other rare animals such
as the Malayan sun bear.
"Selecting
which species to plant is a significant contribution to restoring the health of
this ecosystem," said study co-author Douglas Sheil.
"Of
course, the reasons why forest cover was lost in the first place must also be
addressed for reforestation efforts to succeed."
Kutai
National Park is located on the east coast of Borneo Island, in the East
Kalimantan province of Indonesia.
The forest
faces threats from logging, fires and mining, and was once considered a conservation
wasteland.
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