Census reveals extinction threat
from Take Our Planet Back added 29 September, 2009 at 08:00 AM
Almost 10% of the World's mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish are at risk of extinction, says an Australian report.
The animals face threats including habitat loss and climate change.
The report comes from Australia's Biological Resources Study, a project aiming to document all of the planet's known animal and plant species.
The study found that almost 1% of the World's 1.9 million classified species were threatened.
This included 9.2% of major vertebrate species.
The publication, Numbers of Living Species in Australia and the World, is part of a major effort to document the entire planet's animal and plant life.
It said that 20% of mammals were endangered, as were 12% percent of birds and 29% of amphibians.
Almost 5% of reptiles were considered threatened, along with 4% of fish species.
Peter Garrett, Australian Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, said: "We need this essential information to do a better job of managing our biodiversity against the threats of invasive species, habitat loss and climate change."
Mr Garrett also announced a partnership between the the Australian Biological Resources Study, and the mining company BHP Billiton to name and describe 500 reef species over the next three years.
Comments
AussieCatDoll said 1 month and 23 days ago:
Peter Garret is a legend he is such a great inspiration, if you don't know who he is, he's the skinny bald man who was the lead singer of Midnight oil.. he continues to help the environment more than we know.. Also the Great Barrier reef is close to extinction including the coral, reef, other plants as well as all the fish. i wish i could help, but its those in political power who have to make the right choices for everyone.. :)
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i am studying to be biologist ,and it's true that so many species are endangered. But it's natural it happens, every day some species disappear and some new appear. but it's true that we are altering that process.