The mekong river palm is a tree that grows along the mekong rivers high waterline in the province of yunnan, china, and in other areas along the river. Aug 23, 2018 dams are known to threaten fish populations, cause major soil erosion and alter natural river hydrology, jeopardizing the future of the entire lower mekong river basin as a lifesustaining ecosystem. For example, in 2011, wwf and the international rhino foundation confirmed the extinction of the javan rhinoceros rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus on mainland asia, after the last remaining individual was shot in 2010 and its horn removed. The area is home to 20,000 plant species, 1,200 bird species, 430 mammal species, 850 freshwater fish species, and a combined total of 800 reptile and amphibian species. Founded in 2008, elephants are of utmost importance to us, and their welfare is our main goal. There are also upwards of 20,000 different plant species in its basin. Recent estimates of the greater mekong regions bio data include approximately 20,000 plant species, 430 mammal species, 1,200 bird species, 800 reptile and amphibian species, and 850 fish species, with new species still being discovered. Less water flow could also have a devastating impact on fish reproduction in the mekong river basin. In 2011, 126 new species were found in the great mekong, including fish, snakes, frogs, bats and 82 plants. The number of species and their population sizes are declining in the greater mekong region.
It is important to note that fisheries in the mekong are based upon much more than just fish. Mekong river dams threaten southeast asias fish, soil, and. Phu quoc island lies in the gulf of thailand, about 40 km due west of the vietnamese mainland. The mekong river has many uses to modern man including irrigation, domestic water, industrial water, transportation, fisheries, and power generation. Find out about ongoing new species discoveries in the greater mekong the region is home to numerous endangered species. Mekong there are at least 1200 species of fish, and possibly as many as 1700, living in the mekong basin. New species from the mekong delta according to the wwf, in 2008 scientists discovered 100 new plant species, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, two mammals and one bird in the mekong river region of southeast asia.
The mekong river flows through six countries in southeast asia. Passing through six countries, the river stretches for a staggering 2,703 miles, making it the 12th biggest in the world. Apr 25, 2017 the mekong river, the 12th longest in the world, has the second richest level of biodiversity of any other region globally. More than fish species is harboured in its waters. In particular, the greater mekong region is rich in endemic species, including the saola, one of the worlds rarest mammals. A severe drought that has caused water levels in southeast asias mekong river to drop to their lowest in more than 100 years could have. Biota estimates for the greater mekong subregion gms include 20,000 plant species, 430 mammals, 1,200 birds, 800 reptiles and amphibians, and an estimated 850 freshwater fish species excluding euryhaline species mainly found in salt or brackish water, as well as introduced species.
Some plant species have adapted to this special environment and can even take inundation by the torrential waters. Dams are known to threaten fish populations, cause major soil erosion and alter natural river hydrology, jeopardizing the future of the entire lower mekong river basin as a lifesustaining ecosystem. So it is not surprising that you can buy fish and fish product literally on every corner in cambodia. It is home to 70 species of birds, 11 species of mammals, 25 species of reptiles, and 10 species of fish. Laos hydro project switched on along driedout mekong. Fish species in mekong rises in the eastern tibethan plateau, passes through china, myanmar, laos pdr, thailand and kampuchea before it drains into the south china sea ref. The mekong basin is one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. Mekong river, cambodian mekongk, laotian menam khong, thai mae nam khong, vietnamese song tien giang, chinese pinyin lancang jiang or wadegiles lantsang chiang, river that is the longest river in southeast asia, the 7th longest in asia, and the 12th longest in the world. The upper mekong from the watershed southward to north of chiangsae, thailand. This dwarf palm is a hardy plant that stands strong against the current of water than rushes over. Mekong river lancang ecosystems and plant communities. Fish species are dwindling, plant life is dying and the entire mekong system is breaking apart. The upper watershed of the mekong river drainage in northwestern yunnan, tibet, and qinghai provinces of china provides a transition from tropical and subtropical forests of southeast asia to temperate forests to the north li and walke, 1986, zhu et al. Dec 12, 2011 monkey, carnivorous plants among new species found in mekong river region.
Mekong river cruises 2020 southeast asia river holidays. This debate occurs in both the academic literature, as well as the media, and is a focus for many. Visitors are often surprised to learn that the rivers ecosystem is the second most diverse on the planet, providing a home for 20,000 plant species, 430 mammals, 1,200 birds, 800 reptiles and an estimated 250 species of fish. The mekong is the worlds most productive inland fisher y, sustaining the food security of 60 million people. Phu quoc national park is situated in the northeast of the island, and the northern and eastern boundaries of the national park follow the coastline. Afp photo while its economic benefits and geopolitical implications are often splashed across the front pages of national newspapers worldwide, the impact of chinas belt and road initiative bri on the environment receives much less attention. The mekong has more large fishincluding the mekong giant catfish, which can weigh up to 660 lbs. May 16, 2018 the mekong is the worlds most productive inland fisher y, sustaining the food security of 60 million people.
The name derives from the thai languages mae nam, meaning mother of water. Laos travel guide mekong river cruises laosadventures. In fact, new species of plants and animals are still regularly found in and around the mekong, with 9 discovered in 2014 alone. Drought takes mekong river to its lowest in 100 years. New species from the mekong delta photo essays time. Dec 21, 2017 the discoveries, which were made in 2016, include two fish, three mammals, 11 amphibians, 11 reptiles and 88 plant species in the area around the mekong river in cambodia, laos, myanmar, thailand. Oct 29, 2019 a multibillion dollar hydroelectric power plant on the mekong river in laos was officially switched on tuesday, as drone images of driedup downstream areas stirred fresh outcry on one of the. In china, the mekong river is called the lancang jiang, meaning turbulent river. High diversity is also exhibited by other aquatic animal and plant groups. The new species on the block report describes three mammal, 23 fish, 14 amphibian, 26 reptile and 91 plant species discovered in cambodia, laos, myanmar, thailand and vietnam by scientists who ventured into the regions jungles, mountains. Scientists discover over 100 new species, including. Roots of shrubs at the mekong banks reaching the dry season water level of the river. In total, 1584 species in the greater mekong have been newly described by science between 1997 and 2010. It is the worlds twelfth longest river and the seventh longest in asia.
Sep 02, 2019 this is the worst ecological disaster in history of the of mekong region. Best time to take a cruise in mekong river, vietnam. The topography of con son island is mountainous, and dominated by a granite ridge, which runs from southwest to northeast, sheltering the bays on both sides of the island from strong winds. Many rice farmers in the region have been unable to plant their main crop, raising fears of a heavily diminished harvest this fall. Since 1997, more than 2,216 new species were discovered in the greater mekong subregion, with 9 new species identified in 2014 alone, including a colorchanging frog, a zombiemaking dementor wasp, and the secondlongest insect in the world. Aug 01, 2019 the mekong river flows through six countries in southeast asia. The mekong basin is home to approximately 20,000 plant species and 430 mammal, 1200 bird, 800 reptile and amphibian mrc, 2010, and 850 fish species hortle, 2009. A laos travel guide to the best mekong cruises in laos and luang prabang.
In 2009, 145 new species were described from the mekong region, including two new bird species, five mammals, 96 plants, six new amphibians, and 29 fish species previously unknown to. Scientists discover over 100 new species, including crocodile. Rising in southeastern qinghai province, china, it. Irrawaddy dolphins splash in the mekong river, wild elephants and tigers roam thailands forests, and giant ibises stalk the watering holes of cambodias eastern plains landscape. National parks in mekong delta mekong river attractions con dao national park is centred on an archipelago of 14 islands, the largest of which is con son. A mekong cruise is the best way to experience laos in a truly relaxing and informative way. Hydropower is the favoured energy option for the mekong s riparian countries. The twoway researchers identified 208 new species in the mekong river region of southeast asia in 2010, according to a. A large area of the upper mekong drainage at intermediate elevations is characterized by a dissected cover of subtropical conifer forest with pinus yunnanensis occurring over. The mekong river in cambodia in cambodia, the mekong enters the country in the north east, at the border with laos, in the province of steung treng. Monkey, carnivorous plants among new species found in mekong. Its main river holds 3 times more fish species per unit area than the amazon river. The mekong giant catfish is a threatened species in the mekong, and conservationists have focused on it as a flagship species to promote conservation on the river. Farming systems in the drift sands of the mekong river.
The new species on the block report describes three mammal, 23 fish, 14 amphibian, 26 reptile and 91 plant species discovered in cambodia, laos, myanmar, thailand and vietnam by scientists who ventured into the regions jungles, mountains, rivers and grasslands, often under punishing conditions. Freshwater fish species in mekong river southeast asia. The greater mekong has no fewer than 20,000 species of plants, 1,200 bird species, 800 species of reptiles and amphibians, and 430 mammal species. Between 1973 and 2009, the greater mekong subregion excluding china lost about a third of its forest cover. See more ideas about river, laos and beautiful vietnam. Chinas bri negatively impacting the environment the.
Leaked report warns cambodias biggest dam could literally. The mekong, or mekong river, is a transboundary river in southeast asia. All in all, more than 1,100 freshwater species call the mekong river home. There are also 140 plant species belonging to 52 families and 102 genera. Monkey, carnivorous plants among new species found in.
Jul 31, 2019 a severe drought that has caused water levels in southeast asias mekong river to drop to their lowest in more than 100 years could have devastating consequences for fish, as well as the tens of. A severe drought that has caused water levels in southeast asias mekong river to drop to their lowest in more than 100 years could have devastating consequences for fish, as well as the tens of millions of people living and working along the river, experts warn. The mekong river originates from the tibetan plateau through the mountains of yunnan where it is known by the chinese as the lan cang river. And across its vast lands, over 300 million people in cambodia, laos, myanmar, thailand, vietnam and south china call this home. Over 0 new species have been catalogued since 1997.
The discoveries, which were made in 2016, include two fish, three mammals, 11 amphibians, 11 reptiles and 88 plant species in the area around the mekong river in cambodia, laos, myanmar, thailand. In 2009, 145 new species were described from the mekong region, including two new bird species, five mammals, 96 plants, six new amphibians, and 29 fish species previously unknown to science. The climate of the mekong river is a river basin ranges from t in the mekong river then there are all different plants includ tigersindochinese tiger due to decades of rampant poaching m. A multibillion dollar hydroelectric power plant on the mekong river in laos was officially switched on tuesday, as drone images of driedup downstream areas stirred fresh outcry on one of the.
Hydroelectric dams upriver have also restricted water flow. National parks in mekong delta, mekong river, mekong delta. The development of the mekong river basin is highly controversial, and is one of the most prominent components in the discussion about the river and its management. The initial report on new species discoveries in the greater mekong region, first contact, was released in december 2008 and showcased the discovery of over new species discoveries in the region between 1997 and 2007. Shrubs at the upper water level of the mekong river. The region is home to numerous endangered species, including the indochinese tiger, the asian elephant, the irrawaddy dolphin, and the mekong giant catfish. This is normally the time when fish use rising water levels as a cue to spawn and to disperse their young, but there is little evidence of. Aug 20, 2016 the mekong river has the second highest aquatic biodiversity in the world. About 70 million people depend directly on the greater mekongs ecosystems for food, water, livelihoods and other vital services. Biodiversity and fisheries in the mekong river basin. The species range once covered nearly the entire length of the mekong river the only place in the world where it occurs but is now confined to the lower mekong. This variety of species is illustrated in figure 2. This dwarf palm is a hardy plant that stands strong against the current of water than rushes over its roots, ripping most other plants away. The mekong river palm is a tree that grows along the mekong river s high waterline in the province of yunnan, china, and in other areas along the river.
Biologists estimate that the population has dropped about 90% in the past decade. Mien trei which means where is the water, there is the fish. The mekong subregion is home to 430 mammal species, 1,200 bird species, 800 reptile species, 20,000 plant species, and at least 850 fish species. Lower valleys below m elevation with relatively mesic conditions. We offer visitors the chance to discover the privileged role elephants play in lao culture and why it is important to protect them. The mekong flows 4,350 kilometers and shapes the borders. A fishing boat travels along the mekong river as the sun rises over phnom penh on 29 january, 2019. The mekong river has many uses to modern man including irrigation, domestic water, industrial. From there it flows south west through the provinces of kratie, kompong cham, and kandal, before meeting up with the tonle sap river in phnom penh. The mekong elephant park is an ecotourism project located on the banks of the mekong, opposite the village of pakbeng.
Mekong river lancang ecosystems and plant communities, yunnan. Biologists estimate that the population has dropped about 90% in the past decade, due primarily to overfishing and habitat loss. In the mekong river basin the main focus is on life cycles of fishes and the critical habitats that each species depend on in order to complete its life cycle distribution range based mainly on lek facts about the species, population structure hypotheses critical habitats life cycle importance in fisheries. Pdf fishes of the mekong how many species are there. With an area of 56, 200 ha, phu quoc is the largest in an archipelago of 14 islands. Mekong basins vanishing fish signal tough times ahead in. Its estimated length is 4,350 km 2,703 mi, and it drains an area of 795,000 km 2 307,000 sq mi, discharging 475 km 3 114 cu mi of water annually. Monkey, carnivorous plants among new species found in mekong river region.
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