Southeast Asia's Rich Biodiversity Is Facing Threat
Document Type:
Media
Citation:
Tengku Noor Shamsiah T. A. (2008, May 2). Southeast Asia's Rich Biodiversity Is Facing Threat. Bernama [online]. Available http://getinvolved.conservation.org/site/R?i=3ca34zp_XRtORlrtxpWF1g.. [2009, March 20]
Year Published:
2008
Type Work:
News Release
Availability:
online
Location of Project:
PUTRAJAYA ; malaysia
Language:
enlgish
Country:
asia
Url:
http://getinvolved.conservation.org/site/R?i=3ca34zp_XRtORlrtxpWF1g..
Bushmeat Asian Type:
Wildlife Trade
Keywords:
Aisa ; Southeast Asia ; biodiversity ; extinction ; biodiversity conservation ; conservation ; human encroachment ; human wildlife conglict ; logging ; deforestation ; forest loss ; wildlife trade
Abstract:
The Asean region, though covering only three percent of the earth's surface, serves as the natural habitat of up to 40 percent of the world's plant and animal species.
The region is the home to one-third of the world's coral reefs, translating to 284,000 square kilometers of coral reefs that are among the most diverse in the world.
The region is home to seven of the world's 25 biodiversity hotspots. Out of the 64,800 known species in the region, 1,312 are endangered.
The region includes three 'mega-diversity' countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The other members of the grouping are Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
But sadly today Asean's biodiversity is facing threat from mankind's activities and from the wrath of nature itself.
NATURE'S WEALTH UNDER THREAT
According to Rodrigo U. Fuentes, the Executive Director of the Asean Centre for Biodiversity, deforestation rates in the region are at least two times higher ...