New Species In Mekong Threatened By Climate Change
Posted on: Friday, 25 September 2009, 13:45 CDT
Researchers reported the discovery of 163 new species in the Greater Mekong region last year, and now they are at risk of becoming extinct due to climate change, according to conservation group WWF.
World Wildlife Fund reported Friday that scientists found 100 plants, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, two mammals and one bird species in the Mekong River region of Asia last year.
The new creatures include a leopard gecko with an “other world” appearance, a bird that prefers to walk rather than fly, and a bird eating fanged frog.
"After millennia in hiding these species are now finally in the spotlight, and there are clearly more waiting to be discovered," said Stuart Chapman, director of the WWF Greater Mekong Program.
But the report warns that these new species are threatened by the impacts of climate change, citing climate models that suggest continued warming increased variability and more frequent and damaging extreme climate events.
The most recent International Panel on Climate Change data shows that rising seas and saltwater intrusion will result in major coastal impacts especially in the Mekong River delta.
“Some species will be able to adapt to climate change, many will not, potentially resulting in massive extinctions,” said Chapman.
“Rare, endangered and endemic species like those newly discovered are especially vulnerable because climate change will further shrink their already restricted habitats,” he said.
“The treasures of nature are in trouble if governments fail to agree a fair, ambitious and binding treaty that will prevent runaway climate change,” said Kathrin Gutmann, Head of Policy and Advocacy at the WWF Global Climate Initiative.
Image © Lee Grismer / WWF Greater Mekong
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Source: RedOrbit Staff & Wire Reports
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User Comments (3)
| 3. |
Posted by Rachael on 10/25/2009, 12:11 Wow. This is really sad. We are ruining this planet, and it not only hurts us, but other species as well. The two people who posted before me just don't seem to see that. |
| 2. |
Posted by COncerned Citizen on 09/26/2009, 08:58 Oh god, not another global warming story. When will people realize that there really is no evidence to support this theory? If you don't believe me, go to this website http://www.crichton-official.com/speech-ourenvironmentalfuture.html |
| 1. |
Posted by Arkyump on 09/26/2009, 08:14 So what if they don\'t adapt. There have been thousands of animals that have not adapted to changes in climate. These reptiles that were discovered weren\'t there before. Adaptation of creation have always been happening. We are more concerned about frogs and snakes than we are about humans. We are the masters of this planet, not the frogs. |
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