Cambodia is one of the most biodiverse regions in Southeast Asia. There are four main ecological regions within Cambodia including: the Annamite Range moist forests, the Cardamom Mountains moist forests, the Central Indochina dry forests and the Mekong freshwater ecoregion. Cambodia is estimated to have around 8,260 plant species, 10% of which could be endemic. It has a diverse range of animal species as well. Around 874 species of fish, over 500 species of birds, about 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, 874 fish species, and at least 123 mammal species all reside within Cambodias boarders. Seagrass and coral reef species are also plentiful. Not to mention, biodiversity is still being discovered at a rapid rate in Cambodia
Even though Cambodia contains so much biodiversity, its forests have decreased in quality and area in the last couple decades. The FOA Forest Resource assessment in 2005 stated that Cambodia has lost more than a quarter of its primary forests since 2000 and it has only gotten worse. Mangrove coverage has also decreased significantly. There are also many endangered animals under the IUCN Red list that reside in Cambodia in the “near extinct”, and “rare” categories. Near extinction includes 10 mamal species and 6 bird species. The rare category includes 27 mamal species, 45 bird species, and 5 reptile species. Rapid deforestation, growing industries, and illegal wildlife trade result in over exploitation and unsustainable uses of Cambodias land and animals. This, along with climate change are the reason for loss of so much biodiversity in Cambodia.
Why should you care? Well besides biodiversity being something generally positive, it is also integral to humanity. Cambodia’s biodiversity serves the Cambodian people. It supplies their industries, such as a thriving agricultural sector and domestic demands. Regulates climate, ecosystems, water circulation, reduces floods, provide clean air, and much more. People also rely on the biodiversity for food and shelter. Due to biodiversity and human culture being so intertwined, a threat to biodiversity is also a threat to people’s livelihoods.
To learn more please visit:
https://www.cbd.int/countries/profile/?country=kh
https://dicf.unepgrid.ch/cambodia/biodiversity
Cambodia Biodiversity: Animal and Plant Species and What Is Under Threat