Although Southeast Asia is a beloved home to many living organisms, it is currently in danger. Our natural habitats are being destroyed and we are losing our homes. At this rate, up to 42% of the biodiversity is predicted to be lost by 2100. 

Across the globe, there have been at least 25 identifiable biodiversity hotspots – geological locations which house a significant reservoir of biodiversity, yet is being threatened with destruction. Southeast Asia overlaps with 4 of these hotspots.

Image Credit: Williams

So what are the reasons causing these areas to become hotspots? 2 main reasons have been identified:

• Animal Exploitation
• Deforestation

Of course, these are not the only threats to biodiversity in Southeast Asia. There are other possible threats which are still being researched extensively.

1 oversimplified reason provided is due to human overpopulation. However, there is no 1 reason which can explain such a complicated problem. Therefore, let’s find out why this is happening first.