The flora and fauna of the region are increasingly threatened but only a few countries have designated more than 15 per cent of their land area as protected areas ( See Figure 1.14). The drive for increased agricultural production has resulted in the loss of genetic diversity. The area of land under rice cultivation rose by only 25 per cent between 1960 and 1970 although production rose by 77 per cent due to the replacement of traditional varieties by higher yielding, semi-dwarf varieties. It is estimated that by 2005 India will produce 75 per cent of its rice from just 10 varieties, compared with the 30,000 varieties traditionally cultivated. In Indonesia, 1,500 varieties of rice have disappeared during the period 1975–90 (WRI/UNEP/IUCN, 1992). 

The Indo-West Pacific is the key area for shallow water marine biodiversity. Coastal habitat loss and degradation, combined with increased sediment, nutrient and pollutant discharge into coastal areas, is a major cause of concern particularly for the insular countries of the region. The rates of loss of coral reef and mangrove habitats in this region are amongst the highest in the world. Thailand alone has lost about 0.2 million hectares of mangrove forest during the period 1961–93 (Government of Thailand, 1994). Conversion of mangrove forest to shrimp mariculture and the use of unsustainable fishing practices, such as blast fishing, are widespread. However, the impacts of such unsustainable practices on regional biodiversity are difficult to quantify. 

Although terrestrial biodiversity loss has been identified as a major concern, actual losses still have to be quantified. It has been estimated that as much as 70 per cent of the major vegetation types in the Indo-Malayan realm have been lost, with a possible associated loss of up to 15 per cent of terrestrial species. Dry and moist forests have suffered 73 per cent and 69 per cent losses respectively, while wetlands, marsh and mangroves have been reduced in extent by 55 per cent. Overall habitat losses have been most acute in the countries of the Indian sub-continent (ESCAP, 1995b), the People’s Republic of China (ESCAP, 1995b), Vietnam and Thailand. 

The underlying causes of biological diversity loss in the region include international trade, particularly the trade in timber (which results in habitat losses); population growth (leading to accelerated rates of land-use change); poverty (in conjunction with demand leading to unsustainable consumptive use of "common access resources"); introduction of non-native species (leading to destruction of predator–prey equilibrium); and improper use of agrochemicals (leading to loss of aquatic species). Other major reasons for biodiversity loss include loss of keystone species, extensive deforestation and habitat loss, increased trafficking in animals and animal body parts, widespread conversion of land for agriculture and the construction of large-scale dams. 

In response to this issue, national Governments are participating in the implementation of conventions related to biodiversity and are taking measures to protect biologically-rich areas. Twenty nine Asia-Pacific countries had ratified the Convention on Biological Diversity by the 1 May 1996. Several regional conventions covering parts of the Asia-Pacific region deal with specific aspects of biological diversity; the most significant are the Convention on Conservation of Nature in the South Pacific (Apia Convention), the ASEAN Agreement on the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (ASEAN Agreement), and the Convention on the protection of the Natural Resources and the Environment of the South Pacific (SPREP Convention). 

Progress in designating protected area is generally positive. It is clear that almost all countries in the region understand the importance of establishing terrestrial and aquatic areas as natural reserves in the form of national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, gene pool reserves, etc. Some species-specific projects, such as "Project Tiger" in India, have also been initiated. Figure 1.15 shows the dramatic increase in number and total area of protected areas in both South and South-Eastern Asia (See Figure 1.15). The Pacific region has also shown a major increase in the number of protected areas although increases in this sub-region have been less dramatic. 

In summary, biological diversity has finally been accepted as a legitimate issue at national and international levels in the Asia-Pacific region with a considerable response (e.g. conventions on biological diversity and designation of protected areas) at both levels. However, patterns of unsustainable use and conflicting policies contribute to continued losses of diversity throughout the region. With only 10–30 per cent of natural habitats remaining in many countries of the region, any further decrease could have serious consequences for biodiversity (ESCAP, 1995a). High rates of population and economic growth in most countries of the region suggest even greater losses will occur in coming years, unless decisive action is taken. Such action could include intensifying in situ conservation such as protected area systems and ex situ conservation such as zoological parks, botanical gardens, gene resource centres, seed banks and the use of tissue culture techniques.