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Researchers have discovered more than 200 new animal and plant species in the Mekong region of Southeast Asia. In an interview with Radio SRF, Sofia van Moorsel, biodiversity expert at the Department of Geography, explains what science can learn from this and whether these species discoveries can put extinction into perspective.
The pit viper Trimeresurus uetzi is one of over 200 newly discovered animal and plant species. (Image: iNaturalist | 2KRoat CC BY-NC 4.0)
"'Newly discovered' does not mean that nobody knew about these species before. The locals were probably already aware of them," says Sofia van Moorsel. This is the first time that these animal and plant species have been systematically and scientifically described.
These findings cannot prevent extinction, as the newly discovered species are often already endangered. "In some cases, the last individuals of the species had already been identified at the time of discovery," says van Moorsel. Nevertheless, the findings provide valuable information about the balance of an ecosystem. "But with the loss of habitats, it is likely that even more species are being extincted than we previously thought."
WWF report highlights 234 new species discovered in the Greater Mekong region
Media Release, 15.12.2024
New Species Discoveries in the Greater Mekong 2023
Report, WWF, Dec. 2024
