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Abstract:
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Area of the upstream forest of Lower Mekong River Basin has been known as one of the most important landscapes of the world. The topography and climate conditions of the Mekong River watershed make its high biodiversity, especially vertebrate groups. The results of the previous surveys recorded a total of 850 species of vertebrate, including 200 species of mammals (32 families, 12 orders), 550 species of birds (70 families, 19 orders), and 150 species of reptiles and amphibians. The most diverse vertebrate was recorded in the habitat of tropical evergreen forests that are located in the bordering areas of Vietnam, Lao and Cambodia. Among 168 species of vertebrate recorded in these areas, there are 71 species of mammals, 65 species of birds and 32 species of reptiles. The watershed area of the Mekong River does not only have high values of biodiversity conservation, but also plays an important role in sustainable socio-economic development in the basin region. Therefore, a program focusing on threatened vertebrate species is of a high priority for biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilization of the fauna in the area of the upstream forest of Lower Mekong River Basin. |