There are 1200 known species of fish and it is thought that there are as many as 1700 living in the Mekong River Basin. High diversity is present due to plant groups and other aquatic animal groups. The Mekong's ecosystem is one of complexity with variations in climate, geology, terrain and water flow." (Coates, et al. 2003) the results of these variations are a rich habitat that is said to 'rival that found on tropical coral reefs. The pictures below show the impact of the flooding of the Mekong.

Figure 2.0 Figure 2.1

Source: (Coates, et al., 2003)

III. Cultural Significance of the River

Diversity is important for the following reasons:

Direct Use Value: biodiversity is used directly as food and good produced from natural resources and as the basis for tourism activities.

Indirect Use Value: biodiversity supports ecosystems and the way they function which serves to support the humans dependent on the ecosystems.

Option value: once a species is extinct it is lost for good robbing future generations of the benefit form the existence of those species.

Intrinsic and artistic/visual value: biodiversity and nature are regarded by many as being among those things that are "good" in their own right with inherent or intrinsic value.

It is important that the destruction of local spawning grounds or dry season refuges be avoided, that local changes in the quality and quantity of water available be unchanged as storage in dams and abstraction for irrigations and that the construction...

Deforestation and loss of riparian vegetative cover are cited as problems in the area. Many of the areas surrounding the river have instituted conservations zones, gear restrictions and seasonal restrictions in an effort to save the biodiversity of the Mekong River Basin. Other problems in terms of environmental effects are that the quality of water is increasingly becoming worse with declines in fish quantity and salt water intrusion which are cited to be caused by logging, tourism, mining, soil erosion, irrigation, and other factors.
IV. Contemporary Economical Significance of the River

Clearly the economical significance of the river is due to the livelihood provided by the fisheries, the crops grown in nearby fields dependent upon irrigation waters from the river as well as the other aquatic provisions of the river that are utilized in the livelihoods of the people that dwell along the river.

Summary and Conclusion

The wealth provided by the Mekong River for those who live and dwell along the basin area as well as in the adjoining areas where the streams branch into the river can never be replaced once it has been lost. The Mekong is the lifeblood of the area providing electricity, transport, water and many diverse resources. There are many programs presently in development that hope to address the issues affecting the river and the life within and without the river banks in order to preserve for future generations what has been enjoyed for those past. It is vital that the biodiversity of areas such as the Mekong River Basin be guarded closely and that sustainable development be the guide in future decisions of development and governance of precious regions such as the Mekong River Basin.

Works Cited

Coates D. et al. (2003) Biodiversity and Fisheries in the Mekong River Basin Mekong River Commission, Mekong Development Series No.2, 2003 June

Coates, D. (2001) Biodiversity and Fisheries Management Opportunities in the Mekong River Basin "Blue millennium-managing global fisheries for biodiversity. GEF-IDRC 3-7 July 2001. World Fisheries Trust, Victoria, Canada CD Rom.

Agreement on the Cooperation for the Sustainable Development of the Mekong River Basin Online available at http://www.mrcmekong.org/pdf/95%20Agreement.pdf

Mekong River Basin