While Southeast Asia is rich in flora and fauna, Southeast Asia is facing severe deforestation which causes habitat loss for various endangered species such as orangutan and the Sumatran tiger. Predictions have been made that more than 40% of the animal and plant species in Southeast Asia could be wiped out in the 21st century. At the same time, haze has been a regular occurrence. The two worst regional hazes were in 1997 and 2006 in which multiple countries were covered with thick haze, mostly caused by "slash and burn" activities in Sumatra and Borneo. In reaction, several countries in Southeast Asia signed the ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution to combat haze pollution. COUNT 5
QSN1 What percentage of plant and animal species extinction is predicted in the 21st century? ANS1 40% QSN2 Where has haze been predominant? ANS2 Sumatra and Borneo QSN3 How is a haze formed? ANS3 caused by "slash and burn" activities QSN4 What agreement has the Southeast Asian countries signed to combat haze pollution? ANS4 Transboundary Haze Pollution QSN5 When did the 2 worst haze pollution occur in Southeast Asia? ANS5 1997 and 2006