Sundaland heath forests

The word Kerangas, which means "land which cannot grow rice", comes from the Iban language. Heath forests occur on acidic sandy soils that are the result of the area's siliceous parent rocks. Permanently waterlogged heath forests are known as kerapah forests. Open-canopied woodlands are known as padang. The sandy soil of the heath forest are often lacking in nutrients; it is generally considered that nitrogen is the nutrient which is most lacking for plant growth in these forests. This is in contrast to many other lowland rain forests where phosphorus is considered to be lacking. ==Flora==

The Sundaland heath forests are distinct from the surrounding Borneo lowland rain forests in species composition, structure, texture, and color. The heath forests typically have a low, uniform canopy approximately 20 metres high, with thick underbrush and rich growth of moss and epiphytes. Trees often have closely-spaced trunks. ==Fauna==

The heath forests generally have less wildlife and species diversity than the surrounding lowland rain forests, with little or no endemic species. ==Protected areas==

9.695% of the ecoregion is in protected areas. These include: • Sungai Serudong Forest Reserve • Bukit Soeharto Grand Forest Park • Gunung Lalang Grand Forest Park • Gunung Menumbing Grand Forest Park • Gunung Mangkol Grand Forest Park • Kutai National Park • Tanjung Puting National Park • Betung Kerihun National Park • Danau Sentarum National Park • Sebangau National Park • Meratus National Park • Gunung Maras National Park • Dered Krian National Park • Jering Menduyung Nature Recreation Park • Bukit Tangkiling Nature Recreation Park • Bukit Tangkiling Nature Reserve • Padang Luway Nature Reserve • Muara Kaman Sedulang Nature Reserve • Teluk Kelumpang, Selat Laut dan Selat Sebuku Nature Reserve ==References==