Where is Komodo National Park?
Komodo National Park is situated in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago and is made up of three islands of Rinca, Komodo and Padar and in 1991 was recognised as a UNESCO world heritage site (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2010).
This was largely due to the 5,700 Komodo dragon’s who inhabit the island and make up the world’s only population, existing nowhere else in the world. Komodo dragons have provided great value to the national park since their discovery in 1910 and are of great interest to scientists and researchers who can discover more regarding their biology and ecology (Wikipedia Contributors, 2019).
Komodo National Park is greatly valuable as a UNESCO Heritage site not only for the presence of Komodo dragon’s but the diverse biodiversity spanning across orange footed scrub fowls, timor deer, endemic rats and marine biodiversity which includes manta rays, sea turtles and over 1000 species of fish and 260 species of coral (UNESCO World Heritage Centre, 2010).
Interactive Map
Komodo National Park
Image references:
[1] Komodo Dragons on the Beach” by Jeffry S.S., via Pexels. [2] “Nordspissen av Komodoøya” by Jon Hanson, via Store norske leksikon, in the Public Domain. [3] “Padar Island, Komodo National Park” by Pambudiyoga, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. [4] “Komodo dragon at Komodo National Park, Indonesia” by Adhi Rachdian, licensed under CC BY 2.0. [5] “Komodo National Park – Islands Paradise for Diving and Exploring” by Discover Corps, licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0. [6] “Pink Beach at Padar Island, Komodo National Park” by Devagonal, via Wikimedia Commons, is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Climate Change Threats
This exhibit aims to raise awareness about the urgent climate threats facing Komodo National Park home to the world’s only Komodo dragon population. Climate change is impacting Komodo National Park significantly and includes rising sea levels, coral bleaching and habitat shrinkage which are subsequently endangering the ecosystem on the island and its valuable heritage.
In 2021 the status of the Komodo dragon moved from Vulnerable to Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to the impact of climate change and habitat loss from ongoing human activities (Ashworth, 2021). Moreover, the IUCN estimates that suitable habitats for the Komodo dragon will decrease by at least 30% in less than half a century, therefore, providing great evidence regarding the great threat of climate change against the heritage site and its vast biodiversity (Komodo Dragon, n.d.).
Rising sea levels
[1] “Rising Sea Levels” by go_greener_oz, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Flickr. [2] “Bleached colony of Acropora coral” by Vardhanjp, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. [3] [3] Komodo Dragons on the Beach” by Jeffry S.S., via Pexels. [4] “Savannah fire” by ETF89, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. [5] “Coastline of Komodo National Park in Indonesia” by Fabian Reck, available on Pexels.
SDG’s
SDG 15 Life on land
Protecting Komodo dragon habitats, preventing deforestation, and conserving biodiversity.
SDG 14 Life below water
Coral reef protection, sustainable diving & fishing, and marine ecosystem conservation.
SDG 13 Climate action
Reducing human impact, addressing rising sea levels, fire prevention, marine conservation, and community adaptation.