A recent biodiversity assessment in a mangrove forest revealed a stunning diversity of wildlife in these crucial but vulnerable areas. The survey was conducted in Cambodia’s Peam Krasop sanctuary and the adjacent Koh Kapik Ramsar reserve. It identified hundreds of species ranging from bats and birds to fish and insects.
“We discovered 700 distinct species in Cambodian mangroves”
During the survey, residents included hairy-nosed otters, smooth-coated otters, large-spotted civets, long-tailed macaques, fisher cats, and various bat species. Biologists are astounded by the abundance of species they have observed.
Stefanie Rog, the leader of the survey team, told the Guardian, “We discovered 700 distinct species in these mangrove forests, but we believe we have barely begun to explore the biodiversity.”
Mangrove forests are narrow strips of dense trees that grow along tropical and subtropical coastlines. They’re important because, unlike most plants, these trees can thrive in salty water. Unfortunately, cutting down mangroves for resorts or farmland has resulted in the loss of approximately 40% of them.
However, they are critical for coast protection, wildlife habitat, and fishing. The study discovered that mangroves serve as breeding sites for fish such as barracudas and groupers, which is significant for both local and commercial fishing. They also protect against tsunamis and efficiently store carbon, which helps to combat climate change.
Incredible variety of wildlife
Prionailurus viverrinus, a fishing cat, is an intriguing species found in Cambodian mangroves. It’s slightly larger than a typical house cat, with a robust physique and short legs.
Unlike other cats, it loves swimming. Its front paws are somewhat webbed, and it has claws to assist it in grabbing fish and rodents, which are its primary prey. It hunts by hiding amid mangrove roots and stalking its prey.
Camera traps in some older mangrove forest areas obtained images of the hairy-nosed otter, a relatively rare mammal. The Lutra sumatrana uses hairs around its snout to locate its prey, which includes crustaceans, mollusks, and other minute animals.
The hairy-nosed otter, Asia’s rarest otter, is on the verge of disappearing.
The study, supported by the Fishing Cat Ecological Enterprise, discovered 74 fish species and 150 bird species in mangrove waters. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list classifies 15 bird species as near-threatened or endangered.