Salween River - A Global Ecoregion
Second largest river in Southeast Asia, after the Mekong
Snapshot: Ecoregion 173
Size:
330 sq. km (130 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Small Rivers
Geographic Location:
Southeast Asia: China, Myanmar, and Thailand
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable
Quiz Time!
How does the fishing cat fish?
Answer:
In wetlands along the Salween River, the fishing cat perches on banks and waits for fish to come near. Then it grabs with its jaws or paws - or even leaps right in after its prey. Besides fish, it eats crustaceans, mollusks, frogs, snakes, birds, and small mammals.
About the Area
The Salween River originates in the eastern highlands of the Tibetan Plateau and flows through valleys that are at first steep and narrow, then increasingly broad as the river approaches the tropical lowlands. Eventually it enters the Andaman Sea in eastern Myanmar.
The Salween runs parallel to the mighty Mekong River for much of its course and forms part of the border between Myanmar and Thailand.About 140 fish live in this river (approximately one-third endemic species) with Minnows (Cyprinidae) being the most diverse group of fish.
The area is also home to the world's most diverse turtle community, with between 10 and 15 genera of turtles represented, many of which are riverine species.
Local Species
Endemic fish species include Hampala salweenensis and Hypsibarbus salweenensis. Freshwater turtles found in the Salween include stream Terrapin (Cyclemys dentata), giant asian pond Terrapin (Heosemys grandis), and Bigheaded turtle (Platysternon megacephalum).
The Salween delta and associated wetlands also support populations of Fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinerea), and Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis).
Threats
Intensive agriculture, overfishing, mining, construction of dams, and inter basin water transfers pose significant problems for the integrity of these freshwater systems, in particular for migratory species.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
