Photo: Rabbs Fringe-limbed Treefrog © Brad Wilson
According to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), a widely acclaimed source for information on environmental and biodiversity issues, there is urgent need for sobering consideration to be given to the planet’s flora and fauna. And for action to follow.
The latest update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species reveals that 17,291 species out of 47,677 studied are in danger of extinction.
To break this down further, the study found that of species discovered and assessed so far, 21 percent of mammals, 30 percent of amphibians, 12 percent of birds, 28 percent of reptiles, 37 percent of freshwater fishes, 70 percent of plants, and 35 percent of invertebrates are under threat.
The scientific evidence of a serious extinction crisis is mounting… January sees the launch of the International Year of Biodiversity. The latest analysis of the IUCN Red List shows the 2010 target to reduce biodiversity loss will not be met… we’re rapidly running out of time. – Jane Smart, Director of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group
Although a comparison of last year’s figures with the 2009 Red List results shows that the overall percentage of threatened species has dropped by two percent, this is due to the fact that more species have been assessed and added to the list, not because of improvement in the world’s biodiversity.
Granted, some species are ‘high-maintenance’ such as The Queen of the Andes (Puya raimondii) found in the mountains of Peru and Bolivia, a plant that only produces seeds once in 80 years before dying, and whose young shoots do not take well to being trampled on by cattle.
However, the status of some species has improved thanks to conservation efforts, such as is the case with the Australian Grayling (Prototroctes maraena), a freshwater fish that has benefited from fish ladders built over dams to allow for migration and from heavy penalties being imposed on fisherman if found with this species.
These results are just the tip of the iceberg. We have only managed to assess 47,663 species so far; there are many more millions out there which could be under serious threat. We do, however, know from experience that conservation action works so let’s not wait until it’s too late and start saving our species now. – Craig Hilton-Taylor, Manager of the Red List Unit
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is considered the definitive source of information on the global conservation status of both animal and plant life on the planet. It employs an objective system for evaluating the risk of extinction of a given species should no conservation measures be taken. More than just a list of names, the Red List gives information on the threats to the species and their ecological requirements, detailing how conservation actions can be used to preserve the astonishing variety of life on earth.
Global figures for 2009 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species:
- Total species assessed = 47,677
- Total Extinct or Extinct in the Wild = 875 (2%) [Extinct = 809; Extinct in the Wild = 66].
- Total threatened = 17,291 (36%) [Critically Endangered = 3,325; Endangered = 4,891; Vulnerable = 9,075].
- Total Near Threatened = 3,650 (8%).
- Total Lower Risk/conservation dependent = 281 (<1%) [this is an old category that is gradually being phased out of the Red List]
- Total Data Deficient = 6,557 (14%)
- Total Least Concern = 19,023 (40%)
