A new WWF report showed that more than 1,200 new species of plants and vertebrates were discovered in the Amazon biome in a decade (1999-2009). These translates to one new species discovered every three days, and further confirms that the Amazon is one of the most diverse places on Earth,

WWF's Living Amazon Initiative leader Francisco Ruiz said, "This report clearly shows the incredible diversity of life in the Amazon."

Ruiz added that the report also serves as "a reminder of how much we still have to learn about this unique region, and what we could lose if we don't change the way we think about development."

The Living Amazon Initiative leader urged the promotion of conservation at a regional level that provides economic, social, and environmental benefits to people in the region and those within the Amazon's far-reaching climatic influence.

"Amazon Alive!: A Decade of Discoveries 1999-2009" presents 637 plants, 257 fish, 216 amphibians, 55 reptiles, 16 birds and 39 mammals discovered in the last decade. For details of the findings in the report, visit World Wildlife Fund Web site here.

View the slideshow of the discoveries from Amazon (courtesy of World Wildlife Fund) in the last decade below:

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