Caphiria: Difference between revisions

Due to the diverse range of territory that is under the domain of the Imperium, the diversity of terrain, flora and fauna in the Imperium is astonishing. Regarding plants and animals, there are three areas of interest dispersed across the Imperium. Additionally, unique environmental extremes of geographical significance can be found at three locations.[[File:Rainbirder - Leopard (1).jpg|thumb|The Escali leopard is an endangered subspecies of leopard native to Escal|alt=|left]]Of the ecological zones, the first to mention is the [[Escal Isles]], a semi-autonomous archipelago owned by the Imperium in the [[Okatian Sea]] both containing thousands of plant and animal species not found anywhere else. Of its flora, 70% are unique to the island chain, a fact which has made it intensely interesting to the science community, who believe it holds a wealth of medical substances. However, the human presence on the island, limited as it may be by provincial laws, has reduced the level of vegetation coverage to only 45% of what it was 300 years ago, and has led to a 70% level of deforestation. Today, the rate at which greenery is being lost is close to zero.

The second region notable for its ecology is the Great Reshai Rainforest in [[South Ochana]]. While only 40% of it is under Caphirian control, the forest's diversity is tremendous: One in five bird species, 3,000 species of fish and 2.5 million species of insect live there. The vegetation consists of some 50,000 species of plant, with thousands anticipated for discovery. Unfortunately, the rainforest experienced a great deal of deforestation over the last few centuries of industrial and agricultural expansion. 190,000 km² of forest has been cleared by machines and a total clearance rate of 2400 km² per year persists. The rainforest, as an important source of future wood for the paper and construction industries, has been targeted for extensive collegial replanting programs. Guilds in the lumber industry expect a sustainable exploitation of the rainforest due to renewal efforts.[[File:3 Crowned gibbon .jpg|thumb|The endangered pileated gibbon has a refuge in the Great Reshai Rainforest]][[File:Kooshki (Iranian Cheetah) 05.jpg|thumb|An Audonian cheetah in Zaclaria|alt=|left]]The third ecologically significant place is [[Zaclaria]], a Crowned Protectorate of the Imperium. It is a hub of unique aquatic and desert life and 80% of the species in the deserts on the mainland are endemic to Zaclaria, including 200 unique species of lizard. The greatest contributor to its biodiversity is the vast coral reef that stretches around 1,000 km of its perimeter. The magnificent Magnus Sidnari Reef is 5000–7000 years old and are largely formed of stony acropora and porites corals. The reefs form platforms and sometimes lagoons along the coast and occasionally other features such as cylinders (such as the Khasvaria Hole). These coastal reefs are also visited by pelagic species of Oduniyye fish, including some of the 44 species of shark. The Agarina Sea also contains many offshore reefs including several true atolls. Many of the unusual offshore reef formations defy classic (i.e., Darwinian) coral reef classification schemes, and are generally attributed to the high levels of tectonic activity that characterize the area. Unlike the aforementioned forest ecosystems, the Sidnari Reef, far from being threatened by human presence, is actually growing in size and splendor due to expansion by Caphirian artists, architects and biologists. The aesthetic beauty of the reef alone has driven many, the Imperator included, to protect and nurture this wonder of the natural world.