Common birds in global decline - September 22, 2008
The world’s common bird species are in decline as a result of habitat loss, a global survey warns.
The assessment from BirdLife International, a conservation group, found that 45% of common European bird populations are falling, including the Turtle-dove which has seen a 62% drop in numbers of the last 25 years. On the other side of the world, Australian wading birds have seen population losses of 81% over the same time period, the assessment says.
In North America, 20 common bird species have more than halved in number over the last four decades, with the Bobwhite falling most dramatically by 82%.
Over the last sixteen years, Asian White-rumped Vulture populations have plummeted by 99.9%. The species is now classified as critically endangered.
The assessment, which is launched today at BirdLife international’s world conference in Buenos Aires, is the first update on the state of the world’s birds since 2004. It calls on the world’s governments to take urgent action if commitments to halt biodiversity loss by 2010 are to be met.
The report also shows rare birds continue to be at risk. BirdLife international produces the assessment for the world’s birds for the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) red list of threatened species. The IUCN is due to publish its 2008 list for all species in October.
But the most recent figures for birds detailed in the report show that one in eight of the world’s birds – 1226 species – are considered threatened with extinction. Of these, 190 are considered critically endangered and face a high risk of extinction in the immediate future.
Key global threats to bird populations include the intensification of industrial scale agriculture and fishing, the spread of invasive species, logging and the replacement of natural forest with monocultural plantations.
But Mike Rands, BirdLife international’s chief executive, said that in the long term climate change may be “the most serious stress of all” (press release).
The group aims to use the report to push governments for more funding for biodiversity conservation.
“The world is failing in its 2010 pledge to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biodiversity. The challenge is to harness international biodiversity commitments and ensure that concrete actions are taken now.”
News Coverage
World's common birds 'declining' - BBC
Image: Bobwhite / USFWS
Comments
WOW. It's almost hard to believe how much our environment is changing right before our eyes. Articles like this one really make you open your eyes and take a look at the world around you - for it might be gone before you know it.
Posted by: Christie Wilcox | September 22, 2008 05:29 PM
The bad news just keeps rolling in.
We are picking up speed as the precipice approaches.
Posted by: mark johnson | September 23, 2008 03:25 PM