Wallace Line and Biodiversity:
Published on 11 Oct 2025
Rising temperatures and habitat loss are potentially dissolving the Wallace Line, a biogeographical boundary identified by Alfred Russel Wallace in the 19th century.
This invisible oceanic barrier, running between islands like Bali and Lombok and Borneo and Sulawesi, marks a sharp division between Asian and Australian fauna.
Sulawesi is an exception, hosting species from both regions due to its geological history and continental drift theory.
A 2023 study suggests that warmer, wetter conditions in Malay's tropical islands acted as stepping stones for Asian species moving towards Australia, while Australian species, adapted to cooler climates, faced difficulties crossing towards Asia.
This historical balance may now be disrupted by climate change and habitat destruction, facilitating unprecedented species dispersal across the once distinct Wallace Line.
https://www.britannica.com/science/Wallace-Line