Caroline Tasirin

Half of the world’s tropical biodiversity hotspots are located on islands. Two prominent drivers of diversity and endemism on these islands are geographic isolation and topographic variety. Wallacea is one such tropical island hotspot with a fascinating geological history and complex topography. However, its high diversity and endemism are attributed to its fauna; Wallacea is severely lacking research that document its forest ecosystems. My study aims to document the changes in composition, distribution and stature of Wallacea tree species across an elevation gradient. Thirty-three 40 m x 40 m plots were placed in Tangkoko-Duasudara Nature Reserve, North Sulawesi, Indonesia between 0 and 1000 m above sea level. Trees with a DBH of 10 cm or more were measured for DBH, total height, and identified to species level. This study will fill the knowledge gap of Wallacean tropical elevation gradients and help inform future studies on Wallacean floristics and forest dynamics.