"We estimate that one in four species is threatened with extinction and that the population of one in two is declining," the researchers said in a report to be published Fridayin the journal Science. The findings were being released Monday at the IUCN meeting in Barcelona, Spain.
"Within our lifetime hundreds of species could be lost as a result of our own actions, a frightening sign of what is happening to the ecosystems where they live," added Julia Marton-Lefevre, IUCN director general. "We must now set clear targets for the future to reverse this trend to ensure that our enduring legacy is not to wipe out many of our closest relatives."
In general, larger mammals were found to be more threatened than smaller ones. Larger species tend to have lower population densities, grow more slowly and have larger home ranges.
For land species, habitat loss is a major threat across the tropics, including deforestation in the Americas, Africa and Asia. Hunting is having devastating effects in Asia, but African and South American species are also affected.
For marine mammals the major threat is accidental death, especially fisheries by-catch and vessel strike.
Climate change is also affecting sea ice-dependent species such as polar bears and harp seals.
No comments:
Post a Comment