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World's common birds 'declining' | World's common birds 'declining' |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The populations of the world's common birds are declining as a result of continued habitat loss, a global assessment has warned. | The populations of the world's common birds are declining as a result of continued habitat loss, a global assessment has warned. |
The survey by BirdLife International found that 45% of Europe's common birds had seen numbers fall, as had more than 80% of Australia's wading species. | The survey by BirdLife International found that 45% of Europe's common birds had seen numbers fall, as had more than 80% of Australia's wading species. |
The study's authors said governments were failing to fund their promises to halt biodiversity loss by 2010. | The study's authors said governments were failing to fund their promises to halt biodiversity loss by 2010. |
The findings will be presented at the group's World Conference in Argentina. | The findings will be presented at the group's World Conference in Argentina. |
The State of the World's Birds 2008 report, the first update since 2004, found that common species - ones considered to be familiar in people's everyday lives - were declining in all parts of the world. | The State of the World's Birds 2008 report, the first update since 2004, found that common species - ones considered to be familiar in people's everyday lives - were declining in all parts of the world. |
In Europe, an analysis of 124 species over a 26-year period revealed that 56 species had declined in 20 countries. | In Europe, an analysis of 124 species over a 26-year period revealed that 56 species had declined in 20 countries. |
Farmland birds were worst affected, with the number of European turtle-doves (Streptopelia turtur) falling by 79%. | Farmland birds were worst affected, with the number of European turtle-doves (Streptopelia turtur) falling by 79%. |
In Africa, birds of prey were experiencing "widespread decline" outside of protected areas. While in Asia, 62% of the continent's migratory water bird species were "declining or already extinct". | In Africa, birds of prey were experiencing "widespread decline" outside of protected areas. While in Asia, 62% of the continent's migratory water bird species were "declining or already extinct". |
Biodiversity barometers | Biodiversity barometers |
"For decades, people have been focusing their efforts on threatened birds," explained lead editor Ali Stattersfield, BirdLife International's head of science. Silent spring: Cuckoo numbers are falling (Image: John Carey) We need to be looking at some of the policies and practices that affect our wider landscapes Ali Stattersfield,BirdLife International | "For decades, people have been focusing their efforts on threatened birds," explained lead editor Ali Stattersfield, BirdLife International's head of science. Silent spring: Cuckoo numbers are falling (Image: John Carey) We need to be looking at some of the policies and practices that affect our wider landscapes Ali Stattersfield,BirdLife International |
"But alongside this, we have been working to try to get a better understanding of what is going on in the countryside as a whole." | "But alongside this, we have been working to try to get a better understanding of what is going on in the countryside as a whole." |
By consolidating data from various surveys, the team of researchers were able to identify trends affecting species around the world. | By consolidating data from various surveys, the team of researchers were able to identify trends affecting species around the world. |
"It tells us that environmental degradation is having a huge impact - not just for birds, but for biodiversity as well," she told BBC News. | "It tells us that environmental degradation is having a huge impact - not just for birds, but for biodiversity as well," she told BBC News. |
While well-known reasons, such as land-use changes and the intensive farming, were causes, Ms Stattersfield said that it was difficult to point the finger of blame at just one activity. | While well-known reasons, such as land-use changes and the intensive farming, were causes, Ms Stattersfield said that it was difficult to point the finger of blame at just one activity. |
"The reasons are very complex," she explained. "For example, there have been reported declines of migratory species - particularly those on long-distance migrations between Europe and Africa. | "The reasons are very complex," she explained. "For example, there have been reported declines of migratory species - particularly those on long-distance migrations between Europe and Africa. |
"It is not just about understanding what is happening at breeding grounds, but also what is happening at the birds' wintering sites." | "It is not just about understanding what is happening at breeding grounds, but also what is happening at the birds' wintering sites." |
She said the findings highlighted the need to tackle conservation in a number of different ways. | She said the findings highlighted the need to tackle conservation in a number of different ways. |
"It is not enough to be looking at individual species or individual sites; we need to be looking at some of the policies and practices that affect our wider landscapes." | "It is not enough to be looking at individual species or individual sites; we need to be looking at some of the policies and practices that affect our wider landscapes." |
A veterinary drug has virtually wiped out Asia's white-rumped vultures (Image: Marek Jobda)Enlarge Image | A veterinary drug has virtually wiped out Asia's white-rumped vultures (Image: Marek Jobda)Enlarge Image |
The global assessment also showed that rare birds were also continuing to be at risk. | The global assessment also showed that rare birds were also continuing to be at risk. |
One-in-eight of the world's birds - 1,226 species - was listed as being Threatened. Of these, 190 faced an imminent risk of extinction. | One-in-eight of the world's birds - 1,226 species - was listed as being Threatened. Of these, 190 faced an imminent risk of extinction. |
The white-rumped vulture, a once common sight in India, has seen its population crash by 99.9% in recent years. | The white-rumped vulture, a once common sight in India, has seen its population crash by 99.9% in recent years. |
An anti-inflammatory drug for cattle, called diclofenac, has been blamed for poisoning the birds, which eat the carcasses of the dead livestock. | An anti-inflammatory drug for cattle, called diclofenac, has been blamed for poisoning the birds, which eat the carcasses of the dead livestock. |
"That has been a really shocking story," Ms Stattersfield said. The world is failing in its 2010 pledge to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biodiversity Dr Mike Rand,BirdLife International's CEO | "That has been a really shocking story," Ms Stattersfield said. The world is failing in its 2010 pledge to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biodiversity Dr Mike Rand,BirdLife International's CEO |
"Four years ago, we were not even sure what was responsible for the dramatic declines. It happened so suddenly, people were not prepared for it. | "Four years ago, we were not even sure what was responsible for the dramatic declines. It happened so suddenly, people were not prepared for it. |
"Since then, the basis for the decline is well understood and measures are being taken to remove diclofenac from veterinary use in India. | "Since then, the basis for the decline is well understood and measures are being taken to remove diclofenac from veterinary use in India. |
"However, it is still available for sale and there still needs to be a lot more work to communicate the problem at a local level. | "However, it is still available for sale and there still needs to be a lot more work to communicate the problem at a local level. |
"But it demonstrates that we can get to the bottom of the reasons behind declines." | "But it demonstrates that we can get to the bottom of the reasons behind declines." |
The plight of albatrosses becoming entangled in long-line fishing tackle has also been the subject of sustained campaigning, attracting high-profile supporters such as Prince Charles and yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur. | The plight of albatrosses becoming entangled in long-line fishing tackle has also been the subject of sustained campaigning, attracting high-profile supporters such as Prince Charles and yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur. |
About 100,000 of the slow-breeding birds are estimated to drown each year as a result of being caught on the lines' fish hooks.Future on the line - the Chatham albatross (Image: Alan Tate)Enlarge Image | About 100,000 of the slow-breeding birds are estimated to drown each year as a result of being caught on the lines' fish hooks.Future on the line - the Chatham albatross (Image: Alan Tate)Enlarge Image |
But fisheries in a growing number of regions are now introducing measures to minimise the risk to albatrosses. | But fisheries in a growing number of regions are now introducing measures to minimise the risk to albatrosses. |
Ms Stattersfield said these examples showed that concerted effort could investigate and identify what was adversely affecting bird populations. | Ms Stattersfield said these examples showed that concerted effort could investigate and identify what was adversely affecting bird populations. |
But she quickly added that prevention was always better than finding a cure. | But she quickly added that prevention was always better than finding a cure. |
"We don't want to have to react to problems that come about from bad practice. | "We don't want to have to react to problems that come about from bad practice. |
"What we are trying to do with this report is to be as clear as possible about what are the underlying causes, and then present a range of conservation measures that can preserve birds and biodiversity." | "What we are trying to do with this report is to be as clear as possible about what are the underlying causes, and then present a range of conservation measures that can preserve birds and biodiversity." |
BirdLife International will use the report, which is being published at its week-long World Conference in Buenos Aires and on the group's website, to call for governments to make more funds available for global conservation. | BirdLife International will use the report, which is being published at its week-long World Conference in Buenos Aires and on the group's website, to call for governments to make more funds available for global conservation. |
"Effective biodiversity conservation is easily affordable, requiring relatively trivial sums at the scale of the global economy," said Dr Mike Rands, BirdLife's chief executive. | "Effective biodiversity conservation is easily affordable, requiring relatively trivial sums at the scale of the global economy," said Dr Mike Rands, BirdLife's chief executive. |
He estimated that safeguarding 90% of Africa's biodiversity would cost less than US $1bn (£500m) a year. | |
"The world is failing in its 2010 pledge to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biodiversity," he warned. | "The world is failing in its 2010 pledge to achieve a significant reduction in the current rate of loss of biodiversity," he warned. |
"The challenge is to harness international biodiversity commitments and that concrete actions are taken now." | "The challenge is to harness international biodiversity commitments and that concrete actions are taken now." |
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