Asia is the largest and most populous continent of the earth. Even though it covers only 8.7% of the earth’s total area, it comprises 30% of the land areas. It contains approximately one-fifth of the world’ s bird species, or approximately 20%.
For example, China is home to one-fifth of the world’s people, who are all living in a nation only slightly larger than the United States. China’s diverse ecosystems provide habitat for about 10% of the Earth’s wildlife, some of which is found nowhere else, including the giant panda and golden snub-nosed monkey.
China’s rapidly developing economy and growing population are placing greater demands on its wildlife and natural resources. In the past half century, 10 animal species and 200 plant species have become extinct. Another 20 birds or mammals are on the verge of extinction; some 400 more animal species are threatened or endangered, as are 4,000 higher plant species.
The Wildlife Without Borders-East Asia program works with the Chinese government and other East Asian countries to promote dialogue on issues of conservation of natural resources. The program coordinates technical exchanges to address the illegal wildlife trade, protect giant pandas and other key species, carry out the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), and preserve natural habitats.
Examples include:
- Engaging forums for American and Chinese biologists to exchange information on how to better manage wetlands and terrestrial and aquatic habitat.
- Supporting USFWS staff to work with Chinese wildlife managers in such places as the Chebaling National Nature Reserve in Jilin Province and Futian Mangrove-Bird Reserve in Guangdong Province.
- Coordinating with Japan on implementing a convention to protect migratory birds and birds in danger of extinction. This work benefits species such as shorebirds and the critically endangered short-tailed albatross.
Asian Bird Photo Gallery
Birds of Cambodia
Birds of Kolkata (Calcutta)
Birds of Tropical Asia
Birds of Vietnam
Birdwatch Phillipines
Borneo
China Birds
Hong Kong
India 2
List of Asian Birds
Mongolia
Myanmar Birds
Okinawa
Nepal
New Guinea Birds
Sarawak
Saving Asia’s Threatened Birds
Thailand ChecklistSoutheast Asian Birds
(Birdwatching in) Thailand
