Status and distribution of threatened vertebrates in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is recognized as one of the world’s most biologically rich yet critically threatened regions, harboring an exceptional concentration of endemic and threatened vertebrate species. In this study, we present a comprehensive assessment of the status and spatial distribution of threatened vertebrates across the region from January to December 2025. Using harmonized datasets derived from IUCN Red List assessments and recent ecological literature, we analyzed 7,797 vertebrate species, which spans 1,251 for amphibians, 2,997 for birds, 1,363 for mammals, and 2,187 for reptiles, of which 13.9% are classified as threatened. Threat levels varied across taxa, with mammals and amphibians exhibiting the highest proportional risks. This pattern reflects an escalating conservation crisis driven predominantly by habitat loss, overexploitation, landscape fragmentation, and other anthropogenic pressures. 

Threatened species are unevenly distributed, with major concentrations in high-endemism zones of Sundaland, Indo-Burma, and the Philippines. Habitat loss, forest cover change, and rapid deforestation in Southeast Asia overlap extensively with threatened-species hotspots, intensifying extinction risk. To support evidence-based conservation, we employ spatial overlays combining threatened-species hotspots with regional deforestation patterns, ASEAN Heritage Parks, and existing protected-area networks. Hotspots were identified using species richness and threatened species weighted criteria, revealing landscapes of highest conservation priority. These integrated spatial analyses identify priority landscapes essential for preventing human-induced extinctions and reducing long-term species extinction risks, directly supporting Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) Target 3 and the global “30 by 30”. By tracking habitat pressures, ecosystem degradation, and landscape transformation, our approach also contributes to Target 21 through enhanced data accessibility.

Our findings highlight the urgent need for coordinated regional action to strengthen and expand protected areas, improve ecological connectivity, and intensify efforts to mitigate human-induced pressures. Conservation education and public awareness initiatives and local community engagement combined with participatory monitoring programs are key strategies for protecting biodiversity. By safeguarding Southeast Asia’s threatened vertebrates, we are not only protecting the regional biodiversity but also the ecosystem integrity that underpins human well-being.