Scientists by Environmental Issue: Asian Biodiversity Did you know that 50 percent of our medicines come from wild plants, fungi, and animals? Many economically important plants, fungi, and animals are found in Asia, but are threatened by over-harvesting and hunting. For example, there are some 1,500 species in the ginseng plant family, but some, especially those in the ginseng genus, are rare or endangered because they’re exploited as a tonic for strengthening those who are weak or ill. In addition, animals such as tigers and certain snakes are in danger of extinction due in part to their use in traditional medicines. Examine how Field Museum scientists study Asian plants, fungi, and animals, to understand how different species are related and identify issues threatening plant biodiversity. These researchers are developing cutting-edge techniques that help protect economically valuable species. Select which scientist you’d like to meet first: John Engel—Liverworts of Australasia Patrick Gnoske—Birds of Bhutan Greg Mueller—Macrofungi of China Richard Ree—Flowering Plants of South-Central China Trina Roberts—Fruit Bats in the Philippines Rob Steubing—Snakes and Crocodiles of Borneo Fui Lian Tan—Amphibians and Reptiles of Borneo Anne Underhill—How People Use the National Park in Yunan, China Harold Voris—Water Snakes of Southeast Asia Matt von Konrat—Liverworts of Japan Jun Wen—Flowering Plants of Asia David Willard—Birds of Bhutan   back to Scientist by Environmental Issue >>   continue to Biodiversity In Your Backyard >> Introduction | Investigate Biodiversity | YBC | Meet the Scientist | Explore Global Diversity | Events and Programs | Take Action! | Teaching Biodiversity | Biodiversity Exhibition | Credits Nowadays, you can hardly find any wild ginseng. We have to develop strategies to learn their biology cultivate plants, and conserve the wild sources. —Jun Wen, Ph.D., Associate Curator, Botany The Field Museum