WWF Climate Blog
163 new species now at risk of extinction due to climate change
A new report launched by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), titled Close Encounters, states that the 163 newly discovered species in the Greater Mekong region last year are now at risk of extinction due to climate change. Close Encounters spotlights newly identified species, including 100 plants, 28 fish, 18 reptiles, 14 amphibians, 2 mammals and a bird, all discovered in 2008 within the Greater Mekong region of Southeast Asia.
Recent studies show the climate of the Greater Mekong region is already changing. Models project continued warming, increased variability and more frequent and damaging weather extremes. "Some of these new species may be able to adapt to climate change but many will not, which could result in massive extinctions," says Dekila Chungyalpa, Director of WWF’s Greater Mekong Program, "Their habitats are already restricted and climate change will further shrink the areas in which they live."
To read more, see press release (25 Sep 2009), Bird-Eating Fanged Frog One of 163 New Species Found in Greater Mekong in Past Year and update (25 Sep 2009,New species discovered in the Greater Mekong at risk of extinction due to climate change.
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