Source: myFox
More than 1,200 new species were discovered in the Amazon over the last decade, including a bald parrot and a pink river dolphin, a leading wildlife charity said Tuesday. The World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) "Amazon Alive!" report confirmed the South American rainforest as one of the most diverse places on Earth, with scientists averaging a new discovery of plant or animal species in the area every three days over the last 10 years.
The report detailed the discovery of 637 new plants, 257 fish, 216 amphibians, 55 reptiles, 16 birds and 39 mammals -- which also included a bright red blind catfish, a tiger-striped tarantula and a frog with a pattern like a “burst of flames."
"The rate of discovery of new species is astounding -- and does not even include insect groups, where the discoveries are almost too many to count. This report shows the incredible diversity of life in the Amazon, and we need urgent and immediate action if it is to survive," said Sarah Hutchison, WWF-U.K. forest program manager for Brazil.
While many parts of the Amazon remain relatively undisturbed, humans have contributed to the destruction of at least 17 percent of the Amazon rainforest over the last 50 years -- an area twice the size of Spain. Rapid expansion in regional and global markets for meat, soy and biofuels, unsustainable development models and increasing energy demands all put pressure on the Amazon’s resources.
