Threatened Indomalayan faunal realm
- Threatened Oriental biogeographic realm
Nature
The Threatened Indomalayan faunal realm refers to the escalating risk of extinction faced by animal species within the Indomalayan biogeographic region, which spans South and Southeast Asia. This crisis is driven by habitat loss, deforestation, illegal wildlife trade, and climate change, severely impacting biodiversity. Iconic species such as tigers, Asian elephants, and orangutans are among those endangered. The decline of these species disrupts ecological balance, undermines ecosystem services, and threatens cultural heritage. Urgent conservation efforts are required to address these threats and preserve the unique and rich biodiversity of the Indomalayan faunal realm.
Background
The Oriental biogeographic realm was a part of the Arctogaean faunal realm in the older system which divided the globe into three faunal realms: Neogaean (New World), Notogaean (Australasia) and Arctogaean (Old World).
Incidence
The Indomalayan faunal realm, encompassing South and Southeast Asia, is experiencing severe biodiversity loss, with numerous endemic species facing extinction due to habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, and rapid urbanization. This region, home to iconic species such as the Sumatran tiger and Javan rhinoceros, has seen dramatic population declines, making it a global hotspot for threatened fauna. Conservation efforts are often hampered by political instability and insufficient resources, exacerbating the crisis.
In 2023, Malaysia’s Taman Negara National Park reported a significant decline in Malayan tiger sightings, with estimates dropping below 150 individuals. This alarming trend highlights the ongoing threats from poaching and deforestation.
In 2023, Malaysia’s Taman Negara National Park reported a significant decline in Malayan tiger sightings, with estimates dropping below 150 individuals. This alarming trend highlights the ongoing threats from poaching and deforestation.
Claim
The threatened state of the Indomalayan faunal realm is an urgent crisis demanding immediate global attention. This region harbors irreplaceable biodiversity, yet relentless habitat destruction and poaching are pushing countless species to the brink of extinction. Ignoring this catastrophe not only erases unique wildlife but also destabilizes vital ecosystems that millions depend on. We cannot afford complacency—protecting the Indomalayan faunal realm is a moral and ecological imperative for our planet’s future.
Counter-claim
Frankly, concerns about the threatened Indomalayan faunal realm are vastly overstated. With so many pressing human issues—poverty, health, and economic development—devoting resources to obscure animal species seems misplaced. Nature adapts, and extinction is a natural process. Prioritizing these faunal concerns distracts from real, immediate problems facing people. The Indomalayan realm’s threatened status is simply not an important problem compared to the urgent needs of humanity.
Broader
Related
Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(C) Cross-sectoral problems
Biological classification
N/A
Content quality
Unpresentable
Language
English
1A4N
J6612
DOCID
12066120
D7NID
167604
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Oct 4, 2020