Bali Flora and Fauna

Encompassing three different vegetation zones; namely, the Asian, Australian and intermediate zones, The Indonesian archipelago, which also includes Bali, is rich with diverse flora and fauna.

The archipelago has the most number of species of butterflies, fifth for amphibians in the world, and ranks seventh in the world for flowering plants.

Added to its wonders are more than 30,000 plant species that are found here and some of them are endemic.

The bird population covers almost a fifth of the world's bird species. The archipelago is also home to a third of the world's known fish species, which number more than 7,000.

Wildlife

Being part of Asia, Bali was once a natural haven for large carnivorous mammals, but unfortunately, Bali's last tiger was shot in 1937.

Roaming in small numbers in Bali's jungle are panthers and leopards, which are getting seriously endangered.

Other large herbivores found here are deer and wild buffaloes. Also unique to Bali is the tamed wild ox, called banteng. The untamed version ox can only be spotted in the National Park.

Physical Geography

Volcanoes have played a major role in shaping Bali's geology. As a result of the continual discharge of  minerals and chemicals, large tracts of the land have been made fertile; others, barren, as in Karangasem.

A central chain of volcanic mountains divides the island into two. Lake Batur and another great body of water are found north of the divide.

These lakes, together with monsoons from the Indian Ocean, contribute to the high level of humidity in Bali.

Some areas are still covered by rainforest, although much has disappeared during the last century. Wild orchids, ferns, mosses and other plants requiring a high degree of humidity are found in the mountain areas. The temperate mountain weather also allows pines to flourish.

In Bali's gorges , trees such as teak grow. The numerous gorges found in Bali are a result of the volcanic ash in the soil, and they are favorite places for the Banyan and Pule, two of Bali's sacred trees. The Pule tree is used in making sacred masks.

Pangge Baya and Ebony trees are becoming scarcer, being popular materials for woodcarving. Bamboo trees grow along the banks of rivers and streams. Though used mainly used in construction, bamboo is a multipurpose material used for making pipes, rope, baskets and even food.

Birds and Plants

The river banks have a rich bird life, such as the Kepodang (Oriole birds), Kipasan (Fan-tails) and Kutilang. Many species are excellent singers; sometimes, they join in the noisy chorus of crickets.

The agricultural heartland of Bali lies at the foot of the central mountain range. The southern region, sloping gently down to the sea, is the source of most of Bali's rice harvest.

The paddy fields are a favorite habitat for birds. Herons arrive at the planting season, while the Java Sparrow, Parrot Finch and Java Munia turn up when the grain appears. Although these birds are threatened by the extensive use of pesticides, they can still be seen flocking around the yellowing rice paddies. Now and then a falcon hovers in the sky, looking for prey.

One particularly endangered bird species is the Bali Starling of which less than fifty now survive in their natural habitat. Sadly, the Bali Starling and the Bali Tiger are only two of the hundreds of endangered or extinct animal species in Indonesia.

Fruits

The northern coastal strip is narrower than in the South, rising rapidly into the mountains of the central range. But the main export crops of Bali - coffee and copra - are grown here.

This area also produces the salak fruit, with its scaly skin. A sweet and sour salak dish is popular throughout Indonesia.

The drier areas of the Balinese lowlands are planted with all sorts of exotic fruits. Durian, a spiny fruit that smells like rotten cheese, is a favorite Indonesian delicacy.

The rambutan - literally meaning "hairy"- is a sweet and juicy fruit. There are also papayas, mangoes, salak, passion fruit, bananas, duku and sirsak. Try the kweni, Bali's brownish mango, and feel it melt in your mouth.

Sampling the various Balinese fruits is itself an adventure, as there is no standard taste.

Perhaps this is because the fruits grow for the most part naturally and without any special attention. This is especially true of mangoes and durian.

Herbal Medicine

Plants may be used either as cooking ingredients or in the preparation of herbal medicines. The lontar usada (a sacred manuscript) contains many recipes for the preparation of medicines. The main plants used are ginger, turmeric, white pomegranate, kunyit, kunci, lempuyang, and kumis kucing. Sometimes even rice is used in these concoctions.

Shore Life

Bali's shores are home to a host of animal and floral species. The mangrove forest contains all sorts of crabs, shrimps and fishes. The coral reefs contain multi-colored fish, which used to be exported. However, these fish, like the coral itself, are disappearing, as are the giant turtles which used to breed in their thousands along Bali's coastline. But as long as dolphins can still be seen swimming in the straits around the island, there is optimism for the future of Bali's rich fauna and flora.

Some of Bali's eco-interest spots

Taman Burung Bali Bird Park
Located in Batubulan, Gianyar is home to more than a thousand of birds from throughout Indonesia and all over the world. Set in a spectacular gardens filled with lush tropical plants and water features. The park is also has a good restaurant for guests to interact with nature by having breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea with birds. 

Gitgit Waterfall

Within walking distance through the jungle, you will find that this place is worth to be visited.