The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has cautioned that almost 400 newly discovered species in the Greater Mekong region of Asia are at risk of extinction because of habitat destruction caused by human activities. The warning was issued in a report published on Monday.
A group of experts from five different nations conducted a study in the diverse area over a two-year period between 2021 and 2022, resulting in the discovery of various species, including an orchid that resembles a character from the Muppet Show, as reported by CNN.
The newly discovered species in the Greater Mekong region have been living and adapting for millions of years. This serves as a reminder that they were present in the region long before humans.
What They Found
The WWF's report reveals that a total of 290 plants, 19 types of fish, 24 amphibians, 46 reptiles, and one mammal were discovered by scientists. This brings the total number of vascular plants, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals found in the Greater Mekong region since 1997 to almost 4,000.
It also showed that the region has a diverse range of living organisms and is home to over 300 million people across countries like Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, China, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
However, it also brings to light the increasing danger that human activities pose to animals as they encroach on their habitats.
According to Truong Q. Nguyen from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, who wrote the introduction to the WWF report, economic development and a rise in the human population are endangering the wide array of plant and animal species in the Greater Mekong area. This has led to the depletion of forests, contamination, and a greater reliance on natural resources.
Mark Wright, the director of science at WWF-UK, said that the recently published report highlights the incredible variety and resourcefulness of nature. However, it also serves as a warning about the critical danger that many species and habitats are in. If we do not take quick and dedicated action, we risk losing them forever.
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The Greater Mekong Region
The Greater Mekong region is a biodiverse hotspot with various ecosystems and habitats that support an array of flora and fauna. The discovery of almost 4,000 species since 1997 highlights the importance of preserving this rich biodiversity for future generations.
However, human activities such as deforestation, poaching, pollution, and climate change are posing significant threats to wildlife in the area. For instance, illegal hunting has led to a drastic decline in tiger populations, while habitat destruction due to infrastructure development has affected many other animal species, such as elephants.
Governments across the region need to take urgent action towards conservation measures that can help protect endangered species from extinction. This includes implementing effective laws against environmental crimes like wildlife trafficking and reducing carbon emissions by investing in sustainable energy sources.
Additionally, working closely with local communities who depend on natural resources plays an important role, too; we must ensure they have alternative livelihood options so they don't rely solely on exploiting nature's bounty, which often leads them into conflict with these animals or their habitats being destroyed altogether.
Overall all stakeholders must work together- scientists need data about rare endemic plants found only within specific regions where indigenous peoples live sustainably off what surrounds them without destroying crucial ecological systems -to develop solutions aimed at protecting both people & planet, ensuring our world remains habitable not just today but also far beyond tomorrow!
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