Reflections and Aspirations The ACB 2008 Report pptx

A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 1
ASEAN SEAN CCENTREENTRE
BBIODIVERSITYIODIVERSITY
FORFOR
www.aseanbiodiversity.org
Conserve Biodiversity, Save Humanity!
ASEAN Region’s Rich Biodiversity
Despite occupying only three percent of the earth’s surface,
the ASEAN region hosts 20 percent of all known species
that live deep in the region’s mountains, jungles, rivers,
lakes and seas. The region includes three mega-diverse
states (Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines); several
bio-geographical units (e.g., Malesia, Wallacea, Sundaland,
Indo-Burma and the Central Indo-Pacific); and numerous
centers of concentration of restricted-range bird, plant and
insect species. ASEAN has one-third, translating to 284,000
square kilometers, of all coral reefs, which are among the
most diverse in the world. Common land and water borders
have allowed the ASEAN states to share many species that
are biologically diverse from the rest of the world. All these
make the ASEAN region significant to global diversity.
The Threat
The region’s rich biodiversity is heavily under threat. Out of
64,800 known species, two percent or 1,312 are endangered.
Seven of the world’s 25 recognized biodiversity hotspots are
in the ASEAN region. If the rate of deforestation continues,
the region will lose up to three-fourths of its forests, and up
to 42 percent of its biodiversity by 2100. Eighty percent of
coral reefs are at risk due to destructive fishing practices and
coral bleaching.
Forest conversion, forest fires, shifting cultivation, large-scale

mining, wildlife hunting and trading, population growth and
poverty, climate change, and lack of conservation resources
greatly contribute to biodiversity loss. Biodiversity loss could
trigger enormous effects on food security, health, shelter,
medicine, and aesthetic and other life-sustaining resources.
Without a concerted effort to protect and conserve biodiver-
sity, the ASEAN region’s 567 million people and the entire
human race would be in danger.
ASEAN’s Response:
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
As an intergovernmental regional organization, the ASEAN
Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) facilitates cooperation and co-
ordination among the members states of ASEAN, and with
relevant national governments, regional and international
organizations, on the conservation and sustainable use of bio-
logical diversity guided by fair and equitable sharing of benefits
arising from the use of such biodiversity in the ASEAN region.
ACB aims to contribute to the reduction of the current rate of
loss of biological diversity by enhancing regional cooperation,
capacitating stakeholders, promoting awareness for biodiver-
sity conservation, and maintaining the regional biodiversity
database. To contribute to the achievement of socially respon-
sible access, equitable sharing, use and conservation of natural
ecosystems and the biodiversity these contain, ACB builds stra-
tegic networks and partnerships geared to mobilize resources
towards optimally augmenting effective programmes on biodi-
versity conservation.
Contact Us
ACB Headquarters
3F ERDB Bldg., Forestry Campus

College, Laguna 4031,Philippines
Tel/Fax: +6349 536-2865, +6349 536-1044
Website: www.aseanbiodiversity.org
General Inquiry:
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 3
Inside
Vol. 7, No. 4  October - December 2008
Message
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity:
Partner of the ASEAN in Conserving Biodiversity 5
Global Conservation News 6
Special Reports
Biodiversity is Life 10
The Natural Heritage of Southeast Asia 16
ACB Refl ects on the Year That Was 22
Reduction in Biodiversity Loss:
Looking Forward to 2010 28
Profiles
Singapore
Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve 33
Thailand
Kaeng Krachan National Park 36
Viet Nam
Kon Ka Kinh National Park 40
4 O C T O B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8  w w w . a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y . o r g
Letters, articles, suggestions and photos are
welcome and should be addressed to:
The Editor-in-Chief
ASEAN Biodiversity
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity

College, Laguna, Philippines
E-mail:
Editor- in-Chief
Monina T. Uriarte
Managing Editor
Bridget P. Botengan
Creative Artist
Nanie S. Gonzales
Writer-Researcher
Sahlee Bugna-Barrer
EDITORIAL BOARD
Rodrigo U. Fuentes
Executive Director
Clarissa C. Arida
Director, Programme Development and
Implementation
Ma. Consuelo D. Garcia
Director, Biodiversity Information
Management
Gregorius Wisnu Rosariastoko
Director, Networking, Partnership
and Resource Mobilization
Rolando A. Inciong
Head, Public Affairs
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)
Headquarters
3F ERDB Bldg. Forestry Campus
University of the Philippines-Los Baños
College, Laguna, Philippines
Telefax: +63-49.536-2865; +63-49.536-1044

E-mail:
Website: www.aseanbiodiversity.org
ACB Annex
Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife Center
North Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City 1156
Philippines
Printed by: Dolmar Press, Inc.
No. of Copies: 2,000
Disclaimer: Views or opinions expressed herein
do not necessarily represent any offi cial view
of the European Union nor the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Secretariat.
The authors are responsible for any data or
information presented in their articles.
aseanasean
BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITY
Conserve Biodiversity, Save Humanity
Bookmarks
ACB Updates Environment Ministers 43
Training Courses to Enhance Biodiversity
Conservation and Management 44
ASEAN Envisions Stronger Wildlife Protection 45
ASEAN Member States and ACB Participate in
International Conference on Wetlands 46
Ramsar Wetland Conservation Awards 2008
SE Asian Professor Receives International
Recognition 47
Gaps in Marine Conservation 48
Policy Plus Science Equals Better Biodiversity Services 49
Biodiversity Indicators to Assess CBD Targets 50

ACB Supports 11 Biodiversity Research Projects
in Southeast Asia 51
Data Sharing to Advance Biodiversity
Conservation in Southeast Asia 52
ASEAN and EU Strengthen Collaboration on Biodiversity
EU Ambassador Urges Ratifi cation of ACB Establishment 53
Regional Workshop Discusses Management
of Invasive Alien Species 54
Policy Brief
Ecotourism: When Vacations Nurture Nature 55
Surfing the Web of Life 46
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 5
O
ver 500 million people in Southeast Asia benefit
directly or indirectly from biological diversity or
biodiversity. This is not to discount the millions
of people in countries outside Southeast Asia who likewise
derive varied benefits and services from these biological
resources. These services are estimated to be worth over 200
billion US dollars annually within Southeast Asia alone.
Beneath the richness - more than 64,000 species recorded
- of the Southeast Asian biodiversity, lies the unfortunate fact
of massive species loss. Seven of the world’s 25 recognized
biodiversity hotspots are in Southeast Asia. Modern de-
velopment, the pressures and demands of the
growing human population, and our
wasteful and ineffi cient consumption
patterns are increasingly endanger-
ing our sources of life. There could
be massive decline and extinction

in Southeast Asia if governments
and their citizens fail to protect
and conserve the region’s biodi-
versity.
Reducing the rate of biodiversity
loss remains a major challenge con-
fronting the ASEAN Member States of
Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Lao PDR,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines,
Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam. As signatories to the
Convention on Biological Diversity, the fi rst global agree-
ment to cover the conservation of biological diversity, the
ASEAN Member States have committed to reduce biodiver-
sity loss by 2010 the International Year of Biodiversity.
Reducing biodiversity loss also means addressing many
other issues and challenges. Food security, climate change,
and the lack of critical support systems such as funding for
conservation efforts are among the outstanding risks and
challenges for biodiversity.
As a partner of the ASEAN Member States in helping ad-
dress these issues, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)
performs its mandate through programme development and
policy coordination, human and institutional capacity devel-
opment, biodiversity information management, and public
and leadership awareness of biodiversity values.
The ACB also supports governments in areas that are of
global and regional importance such as agriculture and food
security; access to, and fair and equitable sharing of benefi ts
from biological and genetic resources; climate change and
biodiversity conservation; ecotourism and biodiversity con-

servation; payment for ecosystems services scheme and valua-
tion of biodiversity; Global Taxonomic Initiative; support to
the Programme of Work on Protected Areas; and managing
biodiversity information and knowledge.
From 2005 to 2008, ACB has built on prior activities and
lessons learned, and refl ect priorities based on the concerns
of the Vientiane Action Programme (VAP) and the ASEAN
Member States.
Highlighting year 2008 are the completion of ACB’s hu-
man resources requirements, enabling the Centre to meet
its target programme outputs; enhanced efforts
to ensure ACB’s sustainability beyond
2009; identifi cation and implementa-
tion of strategic areas of interven-
tions with respect to biodiversity
conservation and management;
and addressing global and region-
al issues that emphasize the suc-
cess of biodiversity conservation
and management.
The ACB also undertook many
activities that contributed to further
strengthening its position as a regional
centre of excellence on biodiversity manage-
ment. The Centre partnered and is currently ex-
ploring other partnerships with international organizations in
such fi elds as research, capacity development and data sharing.
It has forged strategic partnerships with the Secretariat of the
CBD, the French Government, the United Nations Environ-
ment Programme-World Conservation Monitoring Centre,

the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit
(GTZ) GmbH, the ASEAN Foundation, the United Nations
University-Institute of Advance Studies (UNU-IAS), the Span-
ish Agency for International Cooperation (AECIDID), the
ASEAN-WEN, and the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies
(ISEAS). These partnerships, along with signifi cant successes
in the areas of course development for protected area work-
ers, joint research initiatives in biodiversity, public aware-
ness, and biodiversity information sharing, have enabled
the Centre to cater to the needs of the ASEAN Member
States.
Though these activities mark major milestones in ACB,
the future still holds many challenges, particularly as ACB
and the ASEAN prepare for an assessment of biodiversity
conservation efforts in 2010.
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity:
Partner of the ASEAN in Conserving Biodiversity
By RODRIGO U. FUENTES
Executive Director
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity
6 O C T O B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8  w w w . a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y . o r g
GLOBAL CONSERVATION NEWS
Colony of rare monkeys
found in Vietnam
December 11 - Researchers
have discovered a new popula-
tion of the Tonkin snub-nosed
monkey, one of the world’s
rarest monkeys, in the forests
of northern Vietnam. The

Tonkin snub nosed monkey
dwindled to the brink of
extinction due to habitat loss
and hunting. In the 1980s
scientists believed it was
extinct. More recently, only
200 were believed to remain
and the latest discovery of a
new colony of 20 monkeys,
including young, offers a glim-
mer of hope for the species.
– telegraph.co.uk
ADB to launch $200
million carbon fund
December 10 – The Asian
Development Bank (ADB)
said it is has secured half of
the fi nancing commitments
for a $200 million post-
2012 carbon fund it plans to
launch in 2009. The ADB’s
Future Carbon Fund aims to
provide money to build clean
energy projects in developing
countries in the Asia-Pacifi c
region. The fund will allow
participants to invest in clean
energy projects registered
under Kyoto’s Clean Develop-
ment Mechanism scheme,

even in the absence of a
global framework on climate
change. – Environmental News
Network
Noise in world’s seas
threatens wildlife
December 4 – A report by the
International Fund for Animal
Welfare states that man-made
noise in the world’s seas and
oceans is becoming an increas-
ing threat to whales, dolphins
and turtles that use sound to
communicate, forage for food,
and fi nd mates. Rumbling
ship engines, seismic surveys
by oil and gas companies, and
intrusive military sonars are
triggering an “acoustic fog
and cacophony of sounds”
underwater, scaring marine
animals and affecting their
behavior. Over the past 50
years, low frequency under-
water noise has doubled every
10 years over the previous
decade, while the number of
ships has tripled. The rising
number of vessels, and their
increasing speed, has led to

more ships striking marine
animals already threatened by
hunting and climate change.
There are also concerns that
rising levels of carbon dioxide
are pushing water acidity levels
up and contributing to noisier
oceans, because when acidity
rises, water absorbs less noise.
– Reuters
Centre to boost
knowledge on
under-utilized crops
November 25 – An interna-
tional body for gathering and
promoting knowledge about
underused crops called Crops
for the Future will be estab-
lished in Malaysia. There are
thousands of crops that poor
people rely on but are not
commercialized, such as maize,
wheat and beans. The centre
will encourage investment
and research into neglected
and underused plant species
— such as Africa’s baobab and
marula trees — for the benefi t
of the poor and the environ-
ment. Research might include

studies of the market chain
and niche markets, extended
shelf life, or dual use of crops.
– SciDev.net
Asia-Pacifi c leaders to
combat climate change,
food scarcity
November 24 – At the close
of their annual meeting in
Lima, Peru, the heads of states
and governments belonging
Species discovered in
the Greater Mekong
December 15 – More than
1,000 previously unknown
species have been discovered
in the Greater Mekong in
the past decade, according to
First Contact in the Greater
Mekong, a report from
the World Wide Fund for
Nature (WWF). The Greater
Mekong region comprises
Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar,
Thailand, Viet Nam and the
Yunnan Province of China.
The fi ndings include 519
plants, 279 fi sh, 88 frogs,
88 spiders, 46 lizards, 22
snakes, 15 mammals, 4 birds,

4 turtles, 2 salamanders and
a toad. The report calls for a
formal, cross-border agree-
ment by the governments
of the Greater Mekong to
conserve transboundary forest
and freshwater habitats in the
region, promote “sustainable
landscape management”, and
set “regional standards for
sustainable infrastructure and
climate change adaptation
measures”. – mongabay.com
Gumprechts green pitviper can be found in the Greater Mekong
region except Cambodia.
(Photo by Rene Ries)
Chiromantis samkosensis
(Photo by L Lee Grismer)
Tonkinomys daovantieni
(Photo by Darrin Lunde)
Kerivoula titania
(Photo by Gabor Csorba)
Desmoxytes purpurosea, a new
species of highly toxic shocking
pink millipede.
(Photo by Somsak Panha)
Gekko scientiadventura
(Photo by Thomas Ziegler)
Annamite striped rabbit
(Photo by Trinh Viet Cuong)

Tonkin snub-nosed monkey
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 7
GLOBAL CONSERVATION NEWS
to the Asia-Pacifi c Economic
Council (APEC) affi rmed their
support for “decisive and ef-
fective long term cooperation
now, up to and beyond 2012
to address climate change”.
The APEC leaders’ statement
supports “a global emission
reduction goal” for heat-trap-
ping greenhouse gas emissions
that is the primary issue to be
negotiated through the UN
process. The next step is a
12-day set of talks opening
in Poland on 1 December.
An agreement acceptable to
all parties is to be fi nalized
in Copenhagen in December
2009. The agreement will
follow the Kyoto Protocol,
which expires in 2012. APEC
consists of Australia, Brunei,
Canada, Chile, China, Hong
Kong, Indonesia, Japan, South
Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New
Zealand, Papua New Guinea,
Peru, the Philippines, Russia,

Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand,
the United States and Viet
Nam. – Environment News
Service
impact. Other regions prone
to climate change impact are
eastern Sulawesi and Kaliman-
tan. – China View
Indonesia discovers
long-lost species
of primate
November 19 – In a survey
of Mount Rore Katimbo in
Lore Lindu National Park on
the island of Sulawesi, a team
led by Texas A&M University
captured three pygmy tarsiers,
a tiny species of primate that
was last collected in 1921 and
was assumed to be extinct
until 2000 when two scien-
tists studying rats accidently
trapped and killed an indi-
vidual. The team spent two
months using 276 mist nets to
capture the gremlin-like crea-
tures so they could be fi tted
with radio collars and tracked.
One other individual was
spotted but eluded capture.

Pygmy tarsiers are among the
smallest and rarest primates
in the world. The species is
distinguished from tarsiers by
its diminutive size (50 grams)
and its fi ngers that have claws
instead of nails, which may
be an adaptation to its mossy
habitat some 7,000-8,000 feet
above sea level. The discovery
should encourage the Indo-
nesian government to better
protect the mountainous park
which is facing encroachment.
Sulawesi is characterized by
high levels of endemism more
than 60 percent of its mam-
mals and more than one third
of its birds are found nowhere
else on the planet. Unfortu-
nately, Sulawesi’s biodiversity
is poorly known by scientists
and has long been overlooked
by conservationists. – mong-
abay.com
Confl ict threatens Karen
biodiversity in Myanmar
November 17 – The Karen
people of Myanmar are now
facing severe impairment of

their environmental and cul-
tural foundations. Myanmar
has incredibly rich and highly
endemic biodiversity that
includes a recorded 11,800
plant species with a species
collection of 800 orchids, 100
bamboos, 1,000 birds and 145
globally threatened mammals.
A great part of this biodiver-
sity is found in Karen State in
southeast Myanmar border-
ing Thailand, which is now
suffering heavily due to the
ongoing confl ict between the
government’s State Peace and
Development Council (SPDC)
and the Karen National Union
(KNU). In the past, the Karen
people had survived for centu-
ries on a seven-year rotational
cycle of cultivation where
land is left to fallow. Today,
with mined lands and military
occupation, villagers make do
with shrunken land space that
is resulting in the overexploita-
tion of both biodiversity and
land. To add to the problem,
indigenous knowledge, a tradi-

tion handed orally down the
generations, is as threatened, as
local biodiversity, forests and
traditional lifestyles disappear
in the fi ghting. – IPS
Mosques support sea
turtle conservation
in Malaysia
November 17 – This week, al-
most 500 mosques around the
Malaysian state of Terengganu
presented sermons on turtle
conservation. Terengganu is
a state on the northeastern
side of Peninsular Malaysia,
near Thailand. Four species of
endangered marine turtles nest
on these beaches, including the
critically endangered Hawks-
bill and Leatherback turtles.
Two years ago, sermons on en-
vironmental conservation were
delivered in mosques through-
out Terengganu. Based on
the positive response to these
sermons, the state religious
administrators have prepared
a khutbah focused specifi cally
on turtle conservation. The
November 21st presentation

will support recent efforts by
the Ma’Daerah Heritage Com-
munity Association (Mekar)
and the World Wide Fund for
Nature (WWF) Malaysia to
involve mosques and religious
leaders in conservation work.
– mongabay.com
Malaysia seizes
rare turtle eggs
November 4 - The authori-
ties in Malaysia say they have
seized 10,000 endangered
turtle eggs that were being
smuggled into the country
Indonesia to implement
Bali Climate Change
recommendation in 2009
November 24 – Indonesia will
implement the Bali Climate
Change Recommendation,
which was proposed by the
United Nations (UN) in
2009. Funded by the UN,
the programme will involve
the forestry, agriculture and
public work ministries, and
will last for fi ve years. The
programme will cover 150 vil-
lages in six districts. East Nusa

Tenggara has been selected as
the location of a pilot project
in Indonesia, because the
province is one of the regions
prone to climate change
The pygmy tarsier. (Photo by Sharon
Gursky-Doyen/Texas A&M University)
Green turtles are under threat
from egg hunters and are also
harvested for meat
East Nusa Tenggara, Bali,
Indonesia
from the Philippines. The
eggs are considered a delicacy
and were destined for local
food markets where they can
fetch a good price. Police in
the Sabah region of Malaysia
say this is their largest ever
haul of smuggled turtle eggs.
The police intercepted four
men who were unloading the
cargo from a speedboat on a
beach. The smugglers escaped
but abandoned 20 sacks of
eggs, which police say are from
endangered species like the
Green and Hawksbill turtles.
– BBC News
8 O C T O B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8  w w w . a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y . o r g

GLOBAL CONSERVATION NEWS
Mekong nations save
forests to fi ght climate
change
October 28 – Representatives
from Viet Nam, Cambodia,
Thailand, China, Laos, and
Myanmar discussed ways
of reducing greenhouse gas
emissions from deforestation
and degradation at a workshop
co-hosted by the Ministry
for Agriculture and Rural
Development of Viet Nam and
the University of Queensland
in Australia. Viet Nam will be
the worst affected by climate
change due to sea level rise.
The areas along the Hong
(Red) River and Mekong River
deltas are particularly vulner-
able, since these contain most
of the Vietnamese population.
Workshop participants hope
to agree on policies that would
speed up the implementation
of the reduction of emissions
caused by deforestation and
degradation. – Viet Nam News
Service

Shell and HSBC
contribute to Borneo
rainforest conservation
project
October 25 – Brunei Shell
Petroleum and HSBC have
donated 500,000 Brunei
dollars ($333,000) each to
conserve forests on the island
of Borneo. The donation will
go to the establishment of
the Heart of Borneo Brunei
Centre, which will implement
the Heart of Borneo initiative
to protect roughly 220,000
square kilometers of tropical
forest in Brunei, Malaysia, and
Indonesia. – Borneo Bulletin
Rare bird rediscovered
in Southeast Asia
October 23 – Scientists have
rediscovered the endangered
Wetar ground-dove (Gal-
licolumba hoedtii), one of the
world’s least known birds, 100
years after it was last seen on
the remote Indonesian island
of Wetar, reports Columbidae
Conservation, a UK-based
conservation group. During

a survey, the Wetar ground-
dove was found to be locally
abundant, with 30-40 birds
recorded at a fi g tree. The sci-
entists also found the endan-
gered Timor imperial pigeon
(Ducula cineracea) to be locally
abundant. In all, the expedi-
tion reported 39 new bird
species for the island. Wetar
lies beside the island of Timor,
and is mountainous with 80
percent forest cover encom-
passing tropical evergreen
forest, tropical dry forest,
Eucalyptus savannas and hill
forest. - mongabay.com
U.S. funds coral reef
conservation
October 23 – The United
States will contribute $39.45
million to the Coral Triangle
Initiative, an effort that seeks to
protect and promote sustain-
able fi sheries in East Timor,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua
New Guinea, the Philippines,
and the Solomon Islands. The
Coral Triangle, a six million
square kilometers expanse of

ocean and coastline, is home to
30 percent of the world’s coral
reefs, 3,000 species of fi sh, and
three-quarters of the planet’s
reef-building coral species. This
ard habitat for 50 years. The
scheme has generated 1.36
million of biodiversity credits,
a new class of environment
product for sale by emissions
markets, and each credit
covers 100 square meters of
forest. – Reuters
Illegal wildlife trade
devastating Asia’s
pangolins
October 15 – The World
Conservation Union (IUCN)
has changed the status of the
Malayan and the Chinese
pangolins from near-threat-
ened to endangered species
since the anteaters have
become the victim of illegal
wildlife trade in Southeast
Asia. Malayan or Sunda
pangolin are caught by smug-
glers largely in Malaysia and
Indonesia then shipped to the
black market in China where

they are eaten or used for
traditional medicine. Pangolin
scales are a popular herbal
remedy and are believed to
cure toxicosis, infl ammation,
and rheumatic pain. They are
also used to soothe aches and
pains, and even as an aphro-
disiac. Eating pangolin meat
is believed to promote general
health. – mongabay.com
“Lost” deer species
rediscovered
October 12 – In the fi rst ever
photograph of a live Sumatran
muntjac, the dog-size deer
awaits release from a poacher’s
snare on the Indonesian island
of Sumatra. The photo is the
fi rst record of the “lost munt-
jac of Sumatra” in 80 years,
says U.K. conservation group
Flora & Fauna International.
An anti-poaching patrol had
photographed the mountain
deer at 6,400 feet in 2002. It
was only recently, however,
that muntjac expert Robert
Timmins recognized the rain-
forest deer in the photo as the

fi rst documented Sumatran
muntjac since 1930. The spe-
cies closely resembles the red
muntjac. Now confi rmed as
a distinct species, the Suma-
Wetar ground-dove (Photo by Colin Trainor/Birdlife)
supports artisanal fi sheries and
tourism, but is increasingly at
risk from unsustainable fi shing
practices, pollution, reef deg-
radation, and climate change.
– mongabay.com
Putting a price on nature
October 21 – New Forests,
an international forestry
investment fi rm, stated that
putting a price on nature
by creating tradeable credits
can limit the loss of forests,
wetlands and rivers from the
expansion of agriculture.
Carbon, water and biodiver-
sity are emerging as the three
main environmental market
forces in this century, and if
remaining ecosystems are not
priced then they are basically
traded as free agricultural
input. Earlier this year, New
Forests signed a deal with the

government of Indonesia’s
Papua province and Indo-
nesia-based Emerald Planet,
which advises and invests in
green projects. The aim of
the Papua project is to save
two tracts of forest from
development in return for car-
bon credits estimated between
US$4 and $10 a ton per year.
New Forests has
also helped develop
the Malua BioBank
in Malaysia’s Sabah
state on the island
of Borneo. The
project involves the
protection and res-
toration of 34,000
hectares (80,000
acres) of orangutan
and clouded leop-
Coral Triangle
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 9
GLOBAL CONSERVATION NEWS
T
he ASEAN region is signifi cant to global biodiversity
because it contains 40 percent of all species on Earth
despite covering only 3 percent of the world’s surface.
It includes three mega-diversity countries (Indonesia,

Malaysia and the Philippines), several biogeographical
units (e. g., Malesia, Wallacea, Sundaland, Indo-Burma
and the Central Indo-Pacifi c), and numerous centers of
concentration of restricted-range bird, plant and insect
species. Saving ASEAN’s Natural Treasures is a testament
to the richness of the region’s biodiversity, as well as an
illustration of numerous threats to local resources.
Saving ASEAN’s Natural Treasures provides information
on the signifi cance of biodiversity, the wealth of habitats,
species and ecosystems of the Southeast Asia, and various
threats to the environment. The video also highlights the
formation of the ASEAN Heritage Parks Programme and
the need for trans-boundary cooperation. It includes video
vignettes on the wonders and dangers faced by specifi c
species, habitats and ASEAN Heritage Parks. It was
Available in DVD and VCD format. To get a copy, log on to www.aseanbiodiversity.org.
produced by the ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiversity
Conservation (now the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity)
with support from the European Union.
Saving ASEAN’s Natural Treasures
tran muntjac has been placed
on the global Red List of
Threatened Species. – National
Geographic
Indonesia to protect
Sumatran forest
October 9 – Indonesian au-
thorities have pledged to stop
the loss of forests and species
in Sumatra, one of the world’s

most ecologically important
islands. Representatives of the
island’s 10 provinces, national
government, and the environ-
ment group World Wildlife
Fund launched the deal at the
World Conservation Con-
gress. Sumatra has lost about
half of its forest cover in the
last 20 years. It is also
home to a number of
important and iconic
species such as the
tiger, orangutan, rhi-
noceros and elephant.
Aside from protecting
and restoring forests,
the Indonesian au-
thorities have pledged
to make develop-
ments in Sumatra conform to
principles of “ecosystem-based
planning”, where any project
detrimental to the island’s
ecological health would be
banned. – BBC News
13% of the world’s
land surface declared
protected areas
October 7 – The Nature

Conservancy, in its book
“The World’s Protected Ar-
eas”, stated that more than 10
percent of the world has been
declared legally protected for
the use of future generations.
The area is equivalent to the
US, European Union and In-
donesia combined, and marks
a signifi cant step forward for
the conservation commu-
nity. However, the fi gure also
highlights the importance of
protecting the world’s oceans
of which less than 0.5 percent
is currently protected. The
book also examines the rela-
tionship between people and
protected areas, investigates
threats and opportunities,
cites the history of protected
areas, provides expert conser-
vation advice, and celebrates
the success of protected areas
around the world. – telegraph.
co.uk
Enhanced strategic
partnership to benefi t
life on earth
October 7 – The Secre-

tariat of the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD)
and The Nature Conservancy
announced that they have
entered into a groundbreak-
ing partnership agreement
to support the 191 United
Nations CBD signatories in
enhancing the implementa-
tion of the objectives of the
Convention. Through this
new agreement, the CBD and
The Nature Conservancy will
continue to strengthen imple-
mentation of the Programme
of Work on Protected Areas;
continue to catalyze com-
mitment and implementa-
tion of the Programme of
Work on Island Biodiversity;
broaden collaboration to
catalyze government action
on forests, marine and coastal
biological diversity, invasive
alien species, inland waters,
sustainable use, biodiversity
and climate change, and other
relevant programmes; analyze
common factors of success for
catalyzing and implementing

commitments under the Con-
vention, particularly in the
area of national, regional and
international collaboration;
and strengthen the science
and understanding of linkages
among biodiversity conser-
vation and climate change
adaptation and mitigation.
– The Nature Conservancy
Sumatran muntjac
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BIODIVERSI
B
iological diversity or biodiversity is the
foundation of all life on earth. Under-
standing the importance of biodiversity
and how it affects the environment, all
other living things, humankind and
people’s way of life, will provide a better understand-
ing of how people’s actions affect others and the natural
environment.
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A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 11
Today, the global community is
overcome by a long list of environ-
mental problems, ranging from pollu-
tion, deforestation, overharvesting of
plants and wildlife, poor agricultural

production and food security, and cli-
mate change, among others. Respect
for biodiversity and its signifi cance to
humankind could possibly provide the
fi rst step to addressing all these concerns
that affect people today.
What is biodiversity? The United
Nations Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) defi nes biodiversity
as “the variability among living organ-
isms including, inter alia, terrestrial,
marine and other aquatic systems and
the ecological complexes of which they
are part. This includes diversity within
species, between species and of ecosys-
tems.” It covers the grand diversity of
life and the interconnections that make
all life on Earth possible. The interre-
lationships between all species, habitats
and ecosystems form a web and provide
the conditions that allow life to exist
TY IS LIFE
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 11
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– habitable temperatures, clean air, po-
table water, and healthy soils. Without
biodiversity, life - as we know it - would
not be possible.
Biodiversity covers all species, rang-
ing from the usual, such as household

pets and livestock, to the more exotic,
such as tigers, elephants and whales. All
forms of plants, from the grass in our
fi elds to unusual fl owers and towering
trees, are part of the wondrous diversity
of life on earth. All plants and animals
have a role to play in maintaining the
balance of life. The environments that
house these species are similarly impor-
tant. The integrity and stability of for-
ests, mangroves, coral reefs, and other
habitats ensure that all living things will
continue to survive in harmony with
their environment.
Why is biodiversity important?
The interplay between species and
ecosystems provides numerous benefi ts
that underline the signifi cance of biodi-
versity to humankind. It provides peo-
ple’s needs, ensures quality of life, and
feeds people’s souls.
Biodiversity is the basis
of agriculture
All forms of nourishment come
from nature. We seldom think of bio-
diversity when we eat a hearty breakfast,
but the scrambled eggs, fragrant steam-
ing rice, and sliced tomatoes that many
people relish come from thousands of
species that are used by humans as food.

According to the Food and Agriculture
Organization (FAO), about 15,000 spe-
cies of mammals and birds, as well as
7,000 species of plants have been cul-
tivated ever since humans fi rst began
farming.
The wealth of biodiversity, however,
is under-utilized. Only a fraction of
all available species are tapped to pro-
vide for the energy requirements of the
global population. It has been reported
that only 30 crops are regularly farmed,
with wheat, rice and maize providing
about half of the world’s dietary energy
requirements. Around 30 to 40 species
of animals have been domesticated for
SPECIAL REPORTS
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The interplay between species and ecosystems provides
numerous benefits that underline the significance of biodiversity
to humankind. It provides people’s needs, ensures quality
of life, and feeds people’s souls.
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A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 13
food production and less than 14 – in-
cluding cattle, goats, sheep, buffalo and
chickens – account for 90 percent of
global livestock production.
The choice of limiting species for
food production has created a host of

problems that threaten biodiversity. Sin-
gle crop production or mono-cropping
transforms vast areas of forest and tracts
of land for agricultural use. Intense pro-
duction requires massive infusions of
chemical fertilizers and pesticides to en-
sure a viable harvest and satisfy increas-
ing demand for food. These chemicals
poison the soil and crops and other el-
ements in the food chain. Large herds
of cattle require bigger grazing land and
pastures. Poultry and other livestock
are also given artifi cial feeds to increase
weight and volume.
Such unnatural conditions have put
massive stresses in agricultural produc-
tion in the past few decades thereby
threatening the global food supply.
Conversion of forests for agricultural
use destroys habitats for other sig-
nifi cant species. Pollinators also have
mysteriously disappeared. Livestock
production practices have altered land-
scapes and caused pollution.
The diversity of plants and animals
that have been domesticated and used
for thousands of years forms the basis
of farming systems and provides the
resources used by farmers and agricul-
turists. When we erode these genetic

resources, we lessen our increasingly
vulnerable food supply. It is thus im-
perative for us to protect biodiversity to
ensure a steady food and medicine sup-
ply for future generations.
Biodiversity safeguards
human health
Tropical forests have long been con-
sidered a major source of ingredients for
hundreds of common cures. Temperate
regions and oceans are little explored,
but are major storehouses of biodiver-
sity and have the potential to provide
major contributions to medicine.
Biodiversity provides thousands of
plants that have many healing proper-
ties. Our natural environment has been
a steady source of genetic material for a
wide range of herbal and pharmaceutical
drugs. Indigenous tribes have known this
for centuries, and often go to the forest
to cure illnesses ranging from coughs and
colds to stomach aches and burns. The
World Health Organization (WHO) es-
timates that up to 80 percent of the pop-
ulation in developing countries, especial-
ly those who are poor, are dependent on
traditional medicines from nature.
Many pharmaceutical companies
have also sourced ingredients for various

drugs from nature to develop medicines
that are now taken for granted. The
global market value of medicinal plants
exceeds US$60 billion annually. Biodi-
versity not only provides the cure for
the many illnesses that affect the world
population but also supports a billion
dollar industry.
Many species are also medicinal
models that help scientists understand
human physiology and disease. Hiber-
nating bears, for example, though im-
mobile for fi ve months or more, do not
lose bone mass. This is not the same for
humans, and understanding how bears
prevent bone loss during immobility
can help bedridden and paralyzed pa-
SPECIAL REPORTS
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 13A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 13
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SPECIAL REPORTS
tients, the elderly, and people affl icted
with osteoporosis. Sharks, after millions
of years of successful evolution, rarely
develop tumors and infections. Discov-
ering their secret could provide human-
kind with the incredible gift of fi nally
fi nding the cure and possibly a vaccine
against all kinds of cancers.
Thousands of species of plants have

yet to be discovered, and biodiversity
perhaps holds the key to cures for dis-
eases such as HIV/AIDS and cancer.
When we lose plants and valuable mi-
croorganisms, we may also be losing the
potential to fi nd cures for untreatable
diseases.
There are countless other examples
of unique microorganisms, plants, and
animals that may hold the key to solv-
ing many other human ailments. The
Samples of ecosystem services
• Climate regulation
• Water regulation and purifi cation
• Soil formation and protection
• Provision of genetic resources
• Nutrient storage and recycling
• Pest regulation
• Protection against natural disasters
• Pollination
• Landscape beauty and diversity for
recreation
Biodiversity provides sources of livelihood for millions of people
as the economy of many countries is driven by the use of species
in industries such as biotechnology, forestry, agriculture,
fisheries, and pharmaceuticals.
tremendous rate of species loss and ex-
tinction, however, shows that they are
in danger of being lost forever to medi-
cal science.

Biodiversity conservation
supports communities
Biodiversity provides sources of
livelihood for millions of people as the
economy of many countries is driven
by the use of species in industries such
as biotechnology, forestry, agriculture,
fi sheries, and pharmaceuticals.
The agricultural industry is based
on nature, and supports millions of
people ranging from farmers who till
the soil and raise crops, their wives and
children who harvest produce and sort
these for selling; livestock producers
who raise hogs and cattle; drivers that
haul goods and services from farms to
markets; and market vendors who sell
meat and vegetables to consumers. The
fi shing industry does the same for fi sh-
erfolk communities, boat operators, and
other associated professions in fi shing.
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Various scientifi c industries also sup-
port millions of families.
On a smaller scale, communities
near pristine areas depend on their envi-
ronment for sources of food, shelter, and
medicine. With so many people depen-
dent on nature, many have considered
biodiversity conservation as a restric-

tion on their sources of sustenance and
survival. Recent trends in ecotourism,
however, show professions that develop
as a result of biodiversity conservation
initiatives not only protect the environ-
ment and their associated species, but
also provide alternative sources of liveli-
hood to local communities and alleviate
poverty.
The International Ecotourism Soci-
ety (TIES) defi nes ecotourism as “Re-
sponsible travel to natural areas that
conserves the environment and im-
proves the well-being of local people”.
The TIES stresses that those who im-
plement and participate in ecotourism
activities should follow the ecotourism
principles. These are:
• Minimize impact
• Build environmental and cul-
tural awareness and respect
• Provide positive experiences for
both visitors and hosts
• Provide direct fi nancial benefi ts
for conservation
• Provide fi nancial benefi ts and
empowerment for local people
The CBD stresses that sustainable
tourism generates jobs and revenues,
and thus provides an incentive for pre-

serving natural areas. It can also raise
public awareness of the many products
and services provided by natural eco-
systems and biological resources, and
respect for traditional knowledge and
practices. Sustainable tourism clearly
has the potential to reconcile economic
and environmental concerns and give
practical meaning to sustainable devel-
opment.
When areas are conserved as in the
case of protected areas, extraction of re-
sources is largely prohibited, but may be
limited to some parts of the protected
area. These are largely provided for
those communities who have sourced
these sites for food and other needs for
thousands of years. Ecotourism, how-
ever, provides opportunities for local
communities to earn from biodiver-
sity conservation. Given their wealth
of knowledge regarding protected ar-
eas and their inherent resources, local
people are often tapped as guides for
scientists and recreational visitors, or
as rangers to protect species within the
protected area. Some households also
offer homestays, where rooms are rented
out to visitors so they can feel integrated
into the community and have home-

cooked meals. Fishers can rent out boats
for sightseeing. Indigenous groups can
also showcase their hand-crafted prod-
ucts or provide vignettes of their tradi-
tional way of life.
While species and ecosystems within
protected areas are expected to benefi t
from biodiversity conservation, areas
adjoining these sites usually refl ect re-
juvenation of species stocks, particularly
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 15
SPECIAL REPORTS
References:
Chivian, Eric (Ed). 2002. Biodiversity: Its
Importance to Human Health. Center for Health and
the Global Environment. Harvard Medical School
Convention on Biological Diversity (www.cbd.int).
Furu, Peter. Biodiversity, Traditional Medicine and
Health. Trondheim Conferences on Biodiversity
2007 - Session 4: Biodiversity and Poverty:
Obstacles and Opportunities. WHO Collaborating
Centre for Health and Environment in Sustainable
Development.
Human health, ecosystem services and biodiversity.
Fact Sheet from SwedBio No1.
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological
Diversity (2008). Biodiversity and Agriculture:
Safeguarding Biodiversity and Securing Food for
the World. Montreal, 56 pages.
Secretariat of the Convention on Biological

Diversity. Biological Diversity and Tourism:
Development of Guidelines for Sustainable Tourism
in Vulnerable Ecosystems.
The International Ecotourism Society
(www.ecotourism.org)
WWF. Ecosystem Services and Payments for
Ecosystem Services: Why should businesses
care? WWF Macroeconomics Program Offi ce.
Washington, USA.
in marine areas. Protection of coral reefs
and mangroves ensures healthy breeding
and feeding grounds for fi sh and other
marine life, so fi shers will defi nitely reap
the benefi ts of effective conservation of
marine areas.
Biodiversity protects
life-support systems
The conditions that enable life on
earth do not come from single entities,
but from the interactions of various ele-
ments in biodiversity. Society often fo-
cuses on the production and extraction
of nature-based goods such as food, wa-
ter, fi bers and minerals. But how would
people survive without clean air and
water, fertile soils and healthy environ-
ments that provide food, shelter and
medicines?
Ecosystem services are often less ap-
preciated but are of increasing impor-

tance for society. These include climate
regulation, water purifi cation and regu-
lation, protection against natural and
man-made hazards, and biodiversity.
However, increasing global demand for
natural resources has led to a weakening
of ecosystem services. Current rates of
change and loss in the environment far
exceed its ability to recover and provide
benefi ts to society. When humans inter-
vene in a stable ecosystem, by allowing
deforestation, overharvesting, pollution,
and other forms of neglect to reach ex-
cessive levels, these actions disrupt the
ability of the environment to function
normally. Human-induced environ-
mental deterioration has caused various
problems of global proportions, includ-
ing depletion of the ozone layer, climate
change, and air pollution. Biodiversity
loss creates a vulnerable ecosystem and
lessens our ability to cope with natural
or man-made environmental disasters.
Biodiversity creates cultures
and rejuvenates the spirit
Humankind has always turned to
nature not only for its survival but also
to add value to life. People’s relationship
and dependence on nature is refl ected in
religion, artwork, dances, handicrafts,

and other traditional cultural practices.
Many local festivals also celebrate re-
lationships between nature, religious
fi gures, and communities. These form
a valuable part of human heritage, and
should be protected as they represent
legacies to future generations.
In more current times, nature has
also provided the necessary respite from
the daily grind of working in a fast-
paced society. Beaches and mountains
are popular weekend destinations for
those looking for rest and relaxation.
Beautiful sunsets, towering mountains,
enchanting fl owers and birds, and ma-
jestic mammals always stir the emotions
and leave people awestruck. Nature-
based recreational activities, such as
hiking, mountain climbing, and bird
watching are becoming more and more
popular and show an increasing appre-
ciation for nature’s gifts.
Biodiversity conservation
is our responsibility
The complexity and scope of biodi-
versity makes the issue both a compel-
ling and unappealing advocacy. Still, the
inter-linkages in the environment show
that all environmental concerns have
their roots in biodiversity loss. Habitat

destruction, food security, wildlife trade,
climate change, desertifi cation, and oth-
ers could benefi t from increased bio-
diversity conservation. Human actions
towards the land, freshwater, and oceans
have already caused biodiversity to de-
cline. Even greater losses will occur in the
future if humanity continues its present
unsustainable use of natural resources.
Everyone shares the responsibility
in caring for the environment. Big or
small, all actions cumulatively evolve
into a larger conservation effort, wider
benefi ts to society and nature, and a
better future. Humankind is mostly re-
sponsible for most threats to biodiver-
sity. Thus, people also have the oppor-
tunity to repair and heal much of the
damage.
Here are examples of specifi c actions
that people can take to help nurture na-
ture:
Simple things: Buy organic pro-
duce, recycled paper products, shade-
grown coffee, biodegradable toiletries,
detergents and vegetable-based cleaning
products; choose products with mini-
mal packaging; reduce overall consump-
tion; avoid products that cannot be re-
used or recycled. Conserve water. Turn

off lights and air conditioning when not
in the room. Learn about native plants
in your area.
Less simple but still easy: Use na-
tive plants in your garden; start an or-
ganic garden and save the seeds; and
compost. Use compact fl uorescent light
bulbs. Use reusable canvas bags when
shopping. Minimize use of plastics and
other petroleum products. Join an envi-
ronmental group, provide fi nancial sup-
port, or participate in environmental
activities. Pick a public policy issue, and
learn about it. Get involved.
Big things: Reduce your automobile
use by using mass transit, car pooling,
walking or biking whenever possible.
Buy low environmental impact appli-
ances and products; buy sustainably-
produced wood products. Really reduce
your overall consumption of products,
especially those that cannot be reused
or recycled. Change eating habits. Con-
sider reducing meat consumption. Eat
more locally grown food. Support re-
newable energy and other environmen-
tal causes.
By undertaking concrete actions to
help heal the environment, we show our
commitment to the environment, to

our family, and the future. Humankind
has to work together to repair years of
environmental damage to ensure a bet-
ter quality of life for everyone.
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 15
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S
outheast Asia (SEA) comprises countries
that are geographically south of China, east
of India and north of Australia. The region
lies on the intersection of geological plates,
with heavy seismic and volcanic activity.
Countries within the region have bonded to form the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to
accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural
development; and promote regional peace and stability
in the region. ASEAN Member States include Brunei
Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malay-
sia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Viet Nam.
THE NATURAL
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HERITAGE OF
SOUTHEAST ASIA
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 17A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 17
The climate in Southeast Asia is mainly tropical
– hot and humid all year round. There is plenty of
rainfall, and most countries have a wet and dry
season caused by seasonal shift in winds or mon-

soon. The tropical rain belt causes additional
rainfall during the monsoon season. The rain
forest is the second largest on earth (with the
Amazon being the largest). Exceptions to this
type of climate and vegetation are mountain
areas in the northern region, where high alti-
tudes lead to milder temperatures and drier
landscape. Some parts of the region are also
desert-like.
Despite occupying only 3 percent of
the earth’s total surface, Southeast Asia is
home to a tremendous wealth of biodiver-
sity and provides habitats for 20 percent
of all known species of plants and ani-
mals. The region includes three mega-di-
verse countries (Indonesia, Malaysia and
the Philippines); several bio-geographi-
cal units (e.g. Malesia, Wallacea, Sun-
daland, Indo-Burma, and the Central
Indo-Pacifi c); and numerous centers of
concentration of restricted-range bird,
plant and insect species. Southeast Asia
has one-third or 284,000 square kilome-
ters of all coral reefs, which are among
the most diverse in the world. Common
land and water borders have allowed the
ASEAN Member States to share many
species that are biologically diverse from
the rest of the world.
Each ASEAN Member State has

levels of biodiversity that continue to as-
tound scientists all over the world. Long-
term research often results in new spe-
cies discoveries, showing that science has
barely scratched the surface of biodiversity
information and knowledge in the region.
These factors and more make Southeast
Asia critically important to global environ-
mental sustainability.
Threats to Biodiversity
As a region of dynamic and rapid eco-
nomic growth, Southeast Asia’s rich natural
environment is constantly under threat. The
need to support a growing population, increase
development and sustain economic growth has
resulted in issues that drive biodiversity loss and
pose enormous challenges to biodiversity conser-
vation in the region.
Some factors that affect biodiversity include:
• Rising rural-urban migration. A 2005 United
Nations report states that 42 percent of ASEAN
populations can be found in urban areas. Con-
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gestion in the region’s cities puts
a strain on productive green ar-
eas, which are often transformed
to house a growing population.
Water resources are severely
stressed by high demand, and

water sources are often polluted
by improper disposal of domes-
tic and industrial waste. More
people mean more vehicles on
the streets and higher fossil fuel
consumption, resulting in great-
er pollution. Production practic-
es and consumption patterns in
urban centers also add pressure
on the environment.
• Intensifi cation and expansion
of agricultural production.
Out of the ASEAN Member
States’ total land area of 4.4 mil-
lion square kilometers, only 1.1
million square kilometers (26
percent) are suitable for agricul-
ture. The agricultural industries
push these areas to the limit to
produce enough crops and live-
stock to support the ASEAN
population pegged at 575 mil-
lion and satisfy demands by
other consumers all over the
world. Agricultural practices
that aim to maximize produc-
tion such as mono-cropping,
heavy use of chemical fertilizers
and pesticides, and others have
proven unsustainable since these

destroy soil viability, poison pol-
linators and harm other essential
elements in healthy crop pro-
duction. The remaining forests
and other productive areas are
constantly encroached upon to
support agricultural production,
resulting in habitat and species
loss. Marine resources are like-
wise severely stressed. Overhar-
vesting of fi sh and other marine
life, as well as illegal and damag-
ing fi shing practices increasingly
strain marine resources and hab-
itats. Marine stocks cannot be
replenished at a sustainable rate
due to increasing regional and
global demand.
• Deforestation and habitat de-
struction. After Brazil, South-
east Asia is home to some of the
world’s most pristine and intact
forests, and some of the world’s
most diverse habitats. The rate
of deforestation, however, has
caused massive habitat destruc-
tion and species loss, caused
largely by illegal logging, min-
ing, illegal wildlife trade, and
land conversion for agriculture.

Habitat destruction has severely
affected an untold number of
species, and has severe impacts
on ecosystem services, food
production, and human health.
Aquatic, marine and coastal
systems are also affected by all
peoples, but more so by 80 mil-
lion people that live near bodies
of water and depend on their
resources for their livelihood.
Coral reefs, mangrove ecosys-
tems, fi sh and other marine life,
however, have been severely de-
graded by human activities such
as pollution, overharvesting and
illegal fi shing practices, as well as
climate change.
• Climate change. As a region
with heavily forested areas,
Southeast Asia is a huge carbon
sink and the integrity of its for-
ests presents an opportunity to
mitigate climate change impacts.
Deforestation, however, has re-
duced the ability of forests to ab-
sorb carbon dioxide. The race to
development has caused ASEAN
Member States to adopt practic-
es that increase greenhouse gas

emissions into the atmosphere.
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A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 19
SPECIAL REPORTS
of valuable species. The massive loss of
biodiversity in the region and its signifi -
cance to global biodiversity has led to
the identifi cation of major biodiversity
hotspots in the region.
In 1988, British ecologist Norman
Myers defi ned the biodiversity hotspot
concept to identify conservation priori-
ties, given the varying number of species
and areas that continue to suffer all over
the world.
What areas are the most immedi-
ately important for conserving biodi-
versity?
The hotspots strategy emphasizes
species endemism. Since these species
can only be found in specifi c areas, the
loss of such areas would be considered
“irreplaceable”. Sites that house en-
demic species and have a high level of
threat are also identifi ed. Areas need-
ing the most urgent action are ranked
and areas that need the least money for
conservation are also identifi ed. Con-
servation International (CI) adopted

hotspots as its central strategy in 1989.
The organization employs a dual con-
servation strategy that always prioritizes
endemic-rich areas and high risk areas,
while preemptively protecting equally
unique places that are not yet under ex-
treme threat.
Changes in the environment and
changes in hotspot analysis mean that
there will be an evolving list of biodi-
versity hotspots in the world. Threats
and impacts change, so some areas may
grow increasingly threatened or hope-
fully recover. Constant improvement in
science and technology also adds to the
knowledge of the status of biodiversity,
and thus may provide changes in previ-
ously identifi ed hotspots, or add other
areas to the list. An updated analysis by
CI shows the existence of 34 biodiver-
sity hotspots, each holding at least 1,500
endemic plant species, and having lost
at least 70 percent of its original habitat
coverage. These hotspots once covered
15.7 percent of the Earth’s land surface.
In all, 86 percent of the hotspots’ habi-
tat has already been destroyed, and the
intact remnants of the hotspots now
cover only 2.3 percent of the Earth’s
land surface. Four of these hotspots are

in the ASEAN: Indo-Burma, the Philip-
pines, Sundaland and Wallacea.
Indo-Burma
The Indo-Burma hotspot encom-
passes 2,373,000 square kilometers of
tropical Asia east of the Ganges-Brahma-
putra lowlands and has now been more
narrowly redefi ned as the Indo-Chinese
sub-region. The hotspot contains the
Lower Mekong catchment, and begins
in eastern Bangladesh and then extends
across north-eastern India, south of the
Bramaputra River, to encompass nearly
all of Myanmar, part of southern and
western Yunnan Province in China, all
of the Lao People’s Democratic Repub-
lic, Cambodia and Vietnam, the vast
majority of Thailand and a small part of
Peninsular Malaysia. The hotspot also
covers the coastal lowlands of southern
China, and several offshore islands.
A wide diversity of ecosystems is
represented in this hotspot, including
mixed wet evergreen, dry evergreen, de-
ciduous, and montane forests. There are
also patches of shrub land and wood-
land on karst limestone outcrops and,
in some coastal areas, scattered heath
forests. A wide variety of distinctive, lo-
calized vegetation formations also occur,

including lowland fl oodplain swamps,
mangroves, and seasonally inundated
grasslands.
Some of the features of biodiversity
richness in Indo-Burma include:
• Around 13,500 vascular plant
species, of which about 7,000
(52 percent) are endemic;
• Wide array of orchid and gin-
ger species (there are more than
1,000 orchid species in Thailand
alone);
• Over 1,260 bird species, of which
more than 60 are endemic;
• 430 mammal species, of which
more than 70 species and seven
genera are endemic;
Biodiversity hotspots by region
NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA
• California Floristic Province
• Caribbean Islands
• Madrean Pine-Oak Woodlands
• Mesoamerica
ASIA-PACIFIC
• East Melanesian Islands
• Himalaya
• Indo-Burma
• Japan
• Mountains of Southwest China
• New Caledonia

• New Zealand
• Philippines
• Polynesia-Micronesia
• Southwest Australia
• Sundaland
• Wallacea
• Western Ghats and Sri Lanka
SOUTH AMERICA
• Atlantic Forest
• Cerrado
• Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian
Forests Tumbes-Chocó-Magdalena
• Tropical Andes
EUROPE AND CENTRAL ASIA
• Caucasus
• Irano-Anatolian
• Mediterranean Basin
• Mountains of Central Asia
AFRICA
• Cape Floristic Region
• Coastal Forests of Eastern Africa
• Eastern Afromontane
• Guinean Forests of West Africa
• Horn of Africa
• Madagascar and the Indian Ocean
Islands
• Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany
• Succulent Karoo
Source: Conservation International
Hotspots mark Southeast Asia

Various drivers of biodiversity loss
continue to undermine Southeast Asia’s
natural environment. Out of 64,800
species found in the region, 1,312
are endangered due to deforestation;
wildlife hunting for food, pets, and
medicine; climate change; pollution;
population growth; and other causes.
Destruction of habitats will result in
long-term impacts on ecosystem ser-
vices, as well as lead to the extinction
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 19
20 O C T O B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8  w w w . a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y . o r g
• Species discoveries in the last 23
years, including six large mam-
mals: the saola (Pseudoryx nghet-
inhensis), large-antlered muntjac
(Muntiacus vuquangensis), An-
namite muntjac (M. truongso-
nensis), grey-shanked douc (Py-
gathrix cinerea) and Annamite
striped rabbit (Nesolagus tim-
minsi), and leaf deer (Muntiacus
putaoensis);
• 520 reptile species, of which 12
genera and over 200 species are
endemic. Endemism is especially
high among snakes of the Colu-
bidae family;
• Highest diversity of freshwater

turtles in the world with 53 spe-
cies, representing one-fi fth of
the world’s species;
• More than 280 amphibian spe-
cies, of which over 150 are en-
demic; and
• More than 1,260 documented
freshwater fi sh species, or about
10 percent of the world’s fresh-
water fi shes. More than 560 of
these species are endemic, as are
30 genera and one family, the
Indostomidae, or armored stick-
lebacks.
enormous Philippine eagle. Amphib-
ian endemism is also unusually high
and boasts unique species like the
panther flying frog.
The Philippines is also one of the
world’s most endangered areas. The for-
ests suffer from extensive logging, land
clearing for farming, and infrastructure.
The Philippines is one of the few na-
tions that is both a hotspot and a mega-
diversity country, placing it among the
top priority hotspots for global conser-
vation.
Hundreds of years ago, lowland
rainforests dominated by towering dip-
terocarps blanketed most of the country.

Montane and mossy forests, which con-
sist mostly of smaller trees and vegeta-
tion, covered the higher elevations. Small
regions of seasonal forest, mixed forest
and savanna, and pine-dominated cloud
forest covered the remaining land area.
Geological movements, the tropi-
cal weather and the once extensive for-
est cover of the country have developed
high species diversity in some groups of
organisms and a very high level of ende-
mism. There are fi ve major and at least
fi ve minor centers of endemism, from
Luzon (103,000 square kilometers),
which has at least 31 endemic species
of mammals, to tiny Camiguin Island
(265 square kilometers), with at least
two species of endemic mammals. The
Philippines ranks among the highest
rates of discovery in the world with 16
new species of mammals discovered in
the last 10 years.
Some features of the Philippines’
rich biodiversity include:
• Around 9,250 vascular plant
species, of which at least one-
third is endemic;
• More than 150 species of palms,
around two-thirds of these are
endemic;

• 1,000 species of orchids, with 70
percent endemic;
• Over 530 bird species, of which
about 185 (35 percent) are en-
demic and over 60 are threat-
ened;
• At least 165 mammal species,
with over 100 endemic species
(61 percent), one of the highest
levels of mammal endemism in
any hotspot;
• 235 species of reptiles, of which
some 160 are endemic (68 per-
cent);
• Nearly 90 amphibian species, of
which almost 85 percent are en-
demic;
• More than 280 inland fi sh, in-
cluding nine endemic genera
and more than 65 endemic spe-
cies, many of which are confi ned
to single lakes; and
• 21,000 recorded insect species,
of which 70 percent are endem-
ic.
Enriched with remarkable levels of
species endemism, the Philippines un-
fortunately is one of the world’s most
threatened hotspots, with only about
7 percent of its original, old-growth,

closed-canopy forest left. A mere 3 per-
cent is estimated to remain in the low-
land regions. About 14 percent of the
original vegetation remains as secondary
growth in various stages of degradation.
Philippines
The Philippine archipelago is
identified as one of the world’s rich-
est countries in biological resources.
Many endemic species are confined
to forest fragments, including over
6,000 plant species and many birds
species such as the Cebu flower
pecker, the Philippine cockatoo, the
Visayan wrinkled hornbill, and the
SPECIAL REPORTS
Sundaland
The Sundaland hotspot covers the
western half of the Indo-Malayan archi-
pelago, an arc of some 17,000 equato-
rial islands. Sundaland is dominated by
two of the largest islands in the world:
Borneo (725,000 square kilometers)
and Sumatra (427,300 square kilome-
ters). More than a million years ago, the
islands of Sundaland were connected
to mainland Asia. As sea levels changed
during the Pleistocene, this connection
periodically disappeared, eventually
leading to the isolation of the islands.

The topography of the hotspot ranges
from the hilly and mountainous regions
of Sumatra and Borneo where Mt.
Kinabalu rises to 4,101 meters, to the
fertile volcanic soils of Java and Bali.
20 O C T O B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8  w w w . a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y . o r g
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 21
SPECIAL REPORTS
Sundaland is bordered by three
hotspots. The boundary between the
Sundaland Hotspot and the Indo-
Burma Hotspot to the northwest is
known as the Kangar-Pattani Line,
which crosses the Thailand-Malaysia
border. Wallacea lies immediately to
the east of the Sundaland Hotspot,
separated by the famous Wallace’s
Line, while the 7,100 islands of the
Philippines Hotspot lie immediately
to the northeast.
Samples of Sundaland’s unique and
threatened biodiversity include:
• About 25,000 species of vascular
plants, of which 15,000 (60 per-
cent) are endemic;
• About 3,000 species of trees in
Borneo, including more than
265 species of dipterocarps, of
which 155 are endemic. Borneo
also has more than 2,000 species

of orchids;
• Approximately 770 bird species,
of which nearly 150 are endemic
while Borneo alone supports
nearly 30 endemic species;
• More than 380 mammal species,
with over 170 known as endem-
ic; Borneo has the most endemic
mammal species, with over 25
species;
• Over 450 species of reptiles, of
which roughly 250 are endemic,
including 24 genera;
• More than 240 species of am-
phibians, of which nearly 200
are endemic; and
• About 1,000 known species of
fi sh, of which about 200 species
have only been discovered in the
last decade. Borneo has about
430 species, of which more than
160 are endemic.
Wallacea
Wallacea encompasses the central
islands of Indonesia, east of Java, Bali,
and Borneo, and west of the province
of New Guinea, and the whole of
Timor Leste. The hotspot occupies a
total land area of 338,494 square ki-
lometers including the large island of

Sulawesi, the Moluccas, and the Lesser
Sundas (which encompasses Timor
Leste, and the Indonesia region of
Nusa Tenggara).
Wallacea is divided from Sundaland,
the other hotspot found in Indonesia,
by Wallace’s Line, which separates the
Indo-Malayan and Australasian bio-
geographic realms. Sulawesi and the
Moluccas are largely tropical rainforest,
but in many parts of the Lesser Sundas,
rainforest formations are found only at
high elevations and in areas facing the
rain-bearing winds, while signifi cant
areas are covered in the savanna wood-
land, including some Eucalyptus for-
ests. In some lowland areas, such as in
eastern Sulawesi, there are unusual and
infertile ultrabasic soils with high con-
centrations of iron, magnesium, alumi-
num, and heavy metals. The lowland
forests on these nutrient-poor ultra-
basic soils have rather short trees, and
appear to be dominated by the myrtle
family.
These differences in geological
foundation and vegetation have created
a wide variety of fl ora and fauna in Wal-
lacea. Some features include:
• An estimated 10,000 species of

vascular plants, with roughly
1,500 (15 percent) endemic spe-
cies and at least 12 endemic gen-
era; about 500 endemic species
on Sulawesi, 120 on the Lesser
Sudas and 300 on the Moluc-
cas;
• About 650 regularly occurring
bird species, of which roughly
265 (40 percent) are endemic,
and belong to 29 endemic gen-
era;
• Sulawesi has the largest number
of fauna, with 356 species that
include 96 endemic species;
• More than 220 mammal species,
with around 125 endemic spe-
cies;
• Sulawesi Island is home to at
least seven species of endemic
macaques and at least fi ve spe-
cies of endemic tarsiers;
• More than 220 reptile species, of
which nearly 100 are endemic;
• Nearly 50 amphibian species, of
which 30 or more are endemic;
• More than 300 freshwater fi sh
species, of which about 75 are
endemic; most species tolerate
fresh and saltwater environ-

ments; Sulawesi has nearly 70
known fi sh species, of which
about three-quarters are en-
demic.
Hotspots are not the only system
devised for assessing global conserva-
tion priorities. BirdLife International,
for instance, has identifi ed 218 “En-
demic Bird Areas” (EBAs) each of
which hold two or more bird species
found nowhere else. The World Wild-
life Fund-U.S has derived a system
called the “Global 200 Ecoregions”
that aims to select priority Ecoregions
for conservation within each of 14
terrestrial, 3 freshwater, and 4 marine
habitat types. These are chosen for
their species richness, endemism, taxo-
nomic uniqueness, unusual ecologi-
cal or evolutionary phenomena, and
global rarity. All hotspots contain at
least one Global 200 Ecoregion and all
but three contain at least one EBA; 60
percent of Global 200 terrestrial ecore-
gions and 78 percent of EBAs overlap
with hotspots.
Identifying biodiversity hotspots
in the region stresses the signifi cance
of a regional approach to biodiversity
conservation. Southeast Asia’s rich bio-

diversity base is a shared heritage, and
all ASEAN Member States must work
together to ensure greater success in re-
ducing biodiversity loss and thus maxi-
mizing its benefi ts to the people of the
region.
References
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity. 2009.
Accomplishment Report 2005 – 2008. ASEAN
Centre for Biodiversity: Partner of the Philippines
and ASEAN in conserving biodiversity. Philippines
Conservation International
(www.biodiversityhotspots.org)
National Geographic News
(news.nationalgeographic.com)
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 21
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SPECIAL REPORTS
ACB REFLECTS
T
hree years after its establishment in
2005, the ASEAN Centre for Biodiver-
sity (ACB) has moved on from a rough
start and is well on its way towards
achieving its goal as a regional centre of
excellence in biodiversity conservation. With guidance
from Member States of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN) as well as from the ASEAN
Secretariat, ACB hopes to truly support the ASEAN by
providing regional approaches or strategies in conserv-

ing biodiversity and helping reduce biodiversity loss.
22 O C T O B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8  w w w . a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y . o r g
ON
THE
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 23
Common land and water borders
have allowed the ASEAN Member
States to share many species that are
biologically diverse from the rest of the
world, and further underline the need
for a concerted effort in biodiversity
conservation and management.
ASEAN responds to
environmental challenges
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia,
Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, the
Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and
Vietnam comprise the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations. Facing evolv-
ing challenges that continue to degrade
their environment, each member state
has developed various national strate-
gies designed to repair damages to
precious biodiversity resources. These
strategies involve subscribing to vari-
ous international agreements that set
standards in the sustainable manage-
ment of natural resources, including
the Convention on International Trade
of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna

and Flora (CITES), the Convention
on Wetlands of International Impor-
tance, especially as Waterfowl Habi-
tat (Ramsar), the Cartagena Protocol
on Biosafety, and the World Heritage
Convention, among others. More sig-
nifi cantly, all ASEAN Member States
are parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD) that was
established in 1992 during the Earth
Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. As of
2008, some 191 countries have become
parties to the Convention, a clear sign
that biodiversity conservation has be-
come a global priority among nations.
The CBD is the fi rst global agree-
ment that encompasses three major
goals: the conservation of biologi-
cal diversity, the sustainable use of its
components, and the fair and equitable
sharing of benefi ts arising from the use
of genetic resources. In April 2002, the
Parties to the Convention adopted a
strategic plan that targets a signifi cant
reduction in the current rate of biodi-
versity loss at the global, regional, and
national levels by 2010. This would
ultimately contribute to global poverty
YEAR THAT WAS
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 23

24 O C T O B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8  w w w . a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y . o r g
SPECIAL REPORTS
alleviation, and ensure that future gen-
erations continue to benefi t from natu-
ral resources, as well as benefi t all life
on Earth.
The ASEAN and the ASEAN
Centre for Biodiversity
The need to address urgent bio-
diversity conservation issues and the
signifi cance of providing a regional ap-
proach to save shared resources provid-
ed the basis for the establishment of the
ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB).
Each member state has individual na-
tional concerns, but the region has re-
sources of global signifi cance.
The ACB traces its origins to the
ASEAN Regional Centre for Biodiver-
sity Conservation (ARCBC), a joint
undertaking of the Philippines, the
ASEAN and the European Union (EU),
which ran from 1999 to 2004. Hosted
by the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources of the Philippines,
the project generated partnerships
among member states on various efforts
to save the region’s threatened biodi-
versity. ARCBC successfully fostered
strong collaboration among ASEAN

Member States and between ASEAN
and EU partner institutions, and gained
recognition in the regional and global
arena for biodiversity.
In 2005, the ASEAN and the EU
agreed to establish the ASEAN Centre
for Biodiversity to carry on the work of
the completed ARCBC project.
The ACB envisions a biodiversity
that is protected, conserved, managed
and sustainably used, and its benefi ts
fairly and equitably shared for the so-
cial, economic and environmental well-
being of the ASEAN Member States.
The ACB intends to benefi t the
ASEAN Member States by:
1. Serving as an effective coordina-
tive body to facilitate discussion
and resolution of cross-country
biodiversity conservation issues.
2. Providing a framework and
mechanism for sharing informa-
tion, experiences, best practices
and lessons learned for effi cient
access of ASEAN Member
States.
3. Implementing a pro-active ap-
proach in monitoring and as-
sessing biodiversity conservation
status as a strategic approach to-

wards identifying critical issues
and future trends.
4. Delivering/facilitating conduct
of capacity-building services and
technology transfer through en-
gaging relevant and appropriate
expertise.
5. Enhancing common under-
standing of biodiversity con-
servation issues strengthening
ASEAN regional positions in
negotiations and in compliance
with relevant multilateral envi-
ronmental agreements.
6. Promoting regional public
awareness to develop champions
and enhance support at different
stakeholder levels on biodiver-
sity concerns.
7. Undertaking innovative resource
generation and mobilization
measures to pursue impact activ-
ities that will enhance biodiver-
sity conservation in the region.
The ASEAN Senior Offi cials on
the Environment (ASOEN) and the
ASEAN Secretary-General compose
the Governing Board of ACB, which
approves and provides guidance to the
activities of the ACB. With the techni-

cal oversight of the ASEAN Working
Group on Nature Conservation and
Biodiversity (AWGNCB), the Centre
pursues its objectives through the fol-
lowing components:
• Policy Development and Coor-
dination
• Human and Institutional Ca-
pacity Development
• Digital Knowledge Management
Capacity
• Public and Leadership Aware-
ness of Biodiversity Values
To strengthen ASEAN’s capacity
to conserve biodiversity and meet each
state’s commitments to various multi-
lateral environment agreements, ACB
supports governments in the following
areas that are of global and regional im-
portance:
• Agriculture and food security
• Access to, and fair and equitable
sharing of benefi ts from biologi-
cal and genetic resources
• Climate change and biodiversity
conservation
• Ecotourism and biodiversity
conservation
• Payment for ecosystems services
and valuation of biodiversity

• Wildlife law enforcement
• Managing invasive alien species
• Peatland management and bio-
diversity
• Global Taxonomy Initiative
• Support to the Programme of
Work on Protected Areas
• Managing biodiversity informa-
tion and knowledge
The ACB facilitates the discus-
sion and resolution of cross-country
biodiversity conservation issues and
supports the capacity building of part-
ners for policy development to increase
knowledge and skills to better assess
current biodiversity situations in the
The need to address urgent biodiversity conservation issues
and the significance of providing a regional approach to save
shared resources provided the backdrop for the development
of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.
24 O C T O B E R - D E C E M B E R 2 0 0 8  w w w . a s e a n b i o d i v e r s i t y . o r g
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 25
SPECIAL REPORTS
regional/national levels, and develop
appropriate response mechanisms.
ACB’s capacity building programme
also aims to enhance the competence
of protected area managers and other
frontline personnel to develop further
their skills in biodiversity conservation

and management.
The Centre also facilitates data-shar-
ing platform such as the regional Clear-
inghouse Mechanism (CHM) and ac-
cess to integrated data and information
on key biodiversity areas and concerns.
Increasing better awareness of biodiver-
sity issues and concerns is also a major
aspect of ACB activities, thus, the Cen-
tre actively pursues activities to promote
leadership and public awareness of the
values of biodiversity.
Highlights of ACB
Accomplishments in 2008
The accomplishments of ACB for
2008 build on prior activities and les-
sons learned, and refl ect priorities based
on the concerns of the Vien-
tiane Action Programme
(VAP) and the ASEAN
Member States.
Some of the highlights
include enhancing efforts
to solidify ACB’s existence
by ensuring its sustainabil-
ity beyond 2009; identify-
ing and implementing stra-
tegic areas of interventions
in biodiversity conservation
in the region; and develop-

ing responses to emerging
global and regional envi-
ronmental issues. ACB also
crafted its long-term Orga-
nizational Strategic Frame-
work, which, along with
other accomplishments,
served as the transition of ACB’s
programme from short-term to long-
term beginning 2010.
The ACB also undertook many
activities that contributed to further
strengthening its position as a regional
centre of excellence on biodiversity
management. The Centre partnered and
is currently exploring other partnerships
with several international organizations
in such fi elds as research, capacity devel-
opment and data sharing.
Strategic partnership with the
Secretariat of the Convention on Bio-
logical Diversity (SCBD). The ACB
forged this partnership to conduct joint
programmes in biodiversity research,
capacity building and training, public
education and awareness, policy devel-
opment and coordination, as well as
technical cooperation for the conser-
vation and sustainable development of
biodiversity in the ASEAN region. The

collaboration is expected to enhance the
capacity of ASEAN Member States to
meet the target of signifi cantly reducing
biodiversity loss by 2010, and reinforce
the ASEAN’s efforts in articulating poli-
cies that integrate biodiversity with de-
velopment concerns.
Partnership with the French Gov-
ernment. This partnership resulted in
plans for ACB to conduct a workshop
in the fi rst quarter of 2009. The work-
shop is the “ASEAN Regional Workshop
on Global Taxonomy Initiative: Needs
Assessment and Networking”, which
would provide a venue for sharing ex-
periences in the implementation of the
Programme of Work for the Global
Taxonomy Initiative and identify future
programmes for capacity development
in Southeast Asia.
Partnership with the Global En-
vironmental Centre. In partnership
with the Global Environmental Cen-
tre, ACB was involved with the project
“Conservation of Peatland Biodiversity
in Southeast Asia-Year 1”, which was
completed in June 2008. ACB contin-
ues its partnerships with the SEARRP
Darwin Initiative Program based in
Danum Valley, Malaysia. The Centre is

currently working on a possible part-
nership with the Global Biodiversity
Information Facility (GBIF) on bio-
diversity information and knowledge
sharing for the ASEAN region.
Partnership with the United Na-
tions Environment Programme-World
Conservation Monitoring Centre
(UNEP-WCMC). ACB discussed with
the UNEP-WCMC a possible partner-
ship to make ACB the regional hub for
the World Database on Protected Ar-
eas.
Partnerships with public, private
and international organizations.
ACB explored partnerships with public,
private and international organizations
including the Deutsche Gesellschaft für
Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ)
GmbH, the ASEAN Foundation, the
United Nations University-Institute of
Advance Studies (UNU-IAS), the Span-
ish Agency for International Coopera-
tion (AECIDID), the ASEAN-WEN,
and the Institute of Southeast Asian
Studies (ISEAS). These partnerships,
along with signifi cant successes in the ar-
eas of course development for protected
area workers, joint research initiatives
in biodiversity, public awareness, and

biodiversity information sharing, en-
abled the Centre to cater to the needs
of ASEAN Member States.
A S E A N B I O D I V E R S I T Y 25