International Year of Biodiversity: 2010

This year has been declared International Year of Biodiversity by the United Nations, this is in recognition that our planets wildlife is suffering serious losses on a scale never experienced in humanity’s time on this planet. In 2002 world leaders committed to reduce the global loss of species by 2010. The EU made a commitment to halt species loss completely by 2010. Sadly these aspirations are not being met, so this year we need to raise the awareness around the globe that whilst wildlife and biodiversity can do quite happily without us, we cannot survive without it.

 

Some facts and figures about the loss of species around the world:

  • The abundance of species has declined by 40% between 1970 and 2000. Species present in rivers, lakes and marshlands have declined by 50%.
  • Declines are alarming in amphibians, mammals, birds in agricultural lands, corals and commonly harvested fish species.
  • In the North Atlantic, fish have declined by 66% in the last 50 years.
  • Since 2000, 6 million hectares of primary forest have been lost each year.
  • In the Caribbean region, hard coral cover has declined from 50% to 10% in the last three decades.
  • 35% of mangroves have been lost in just 20 years.
  • The value of global ecosystem services is estimated at $16-$64 trillion.

 What are the threats to biodiversity?

  • 99% of threatened species are at risk from human activities.
  • Habitat loss and degradation are the leading threats. They affect 86% of all threatened birds, 86% of the threatened mammals assessed and 88% of the threatened amphibians.
  • Introductions of alien species. Some of the worst include cats and rats, green crabs, zebra mussels, the African tulip tree and the brown tree snake. Introductions of alien species can happen deliberately or unintentionally, for example, by organisms “hitch-hiking” in containers, ships, cars or soil.
  • Over-exploitation. Resource extraction, hunting, and fishing for food, pets, and medicine threatens many species.
  • Pollution and diseases.
  • Human-induced climate change is increasingly recognized as a crucial threat. Climate change is altering migratory species patterns, causing coral bleaching, etc.

The European Red List, published by IUCN and the European Commission, reveals that 23% of amphibians and 19% of reptiles (2009), 15% of mammals (2007) and 13% of birds (2004) in Europe are threatened with extinction.

 

The Objectives of the International Year of Biodiversity are to:

  • Raise awareness of the importance of conserving biodiversity for human well-being and promote understanding of the economic value of biodiversity
  • Enhance public knowledge of the threats to biodiversity and means to conserve it
  • Encourage organizations (and through them individuals) to take direct or indirect biodiversity conservation activities
  • Celebrate the achievements of Countdown 2010 partners and other stakeholders
  • Report on the possible failures for not achieving the Target
  • Prepare the ground for communicating the post-2010 target(s)

What can you do?

Help us make this a good year for wildlife in Wales. If you aren’t a member of The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales please do become one or encourage friends and family to join, donate here, or leave a legacy for wildlife here, it all helps us work both practically on the ground and at a policy level with Governments.