Karsten Weitzenegger’s Post

IUCN published an update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 📕, which now includes 166,061 species, of which 46,337 are threatened with #extinction. A whopping one third! While this latest update focuses on #trees, of which 38% percent is at risk of extinction, there are also some #animals that have unfortunately found themselves in greater trouble. 🐧 The African #penguin, for instance, has now been marked as 'critically endangered'. Their reproductive pairs have declined below 10K, which means they might go extinct within 10 years! Our friends at Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) are doing great work to help safeguard this species. We've worked and trained with them to rescue and rehabilitate birds from disasters such as oilspills. 🦔 The Western European #hedgehog also finds itself higher on the list, as 'near threatened'. Their numbers have shrunk in more than half the countries where it lives, including the #Netherlands, with local studies reporting declines of up to 50%. #Sonic's friends are in trouble! That's why we supported local wildlife centres in Ukraine and Poland during disasters. With all that, the #COP16Colombia is a great moment for countries to push forward with their #biodiversity and #climatechange plans. How much more evidence do we need that concrete and urgent action is needed? Until we are on the list ourselves as a species? Let's not. Let's get to work. ifaw #boldaction

Are there places in the world that serve as “biodiversity havens”? Recent research has identified nearly 17,000 such sites globally, spanning approximately 164 million hectares. These sites urgently require protection to prevent the anticipated extinction of thousands of rare species. Interestingly, almost 61% of these ‘Conservation Imperatives’ sites are situated in the tropics, with over three-quarters nestled within tropical rainforests. Furthermore, 38% of these sites are conveniently located near existing protected areas, simplifying their conservation through integration into these areas or linkage via wildlife corridors. "Targeting these areas for immediate protection offers an achievable win for nature conservation by heading off the sixth great extinction of life on Earth", explains Dr. Eric Dinerstein of RESOLVE, the lead author of the paper. These Conservation Imperatives are home to over 4,700 threatened species residing in some of the world’s most biodiverse yet endangered ecosystems. These species include not only mammals and birds that rely on intact habitats, such as the tamaraw in the Philippines and the Celebes crested macaque in Indonesia, but also range-restricted amphibians, reptiles, and rare plant species. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gkASCZK5 OneEarth Living #biodiversity #climateaction #natureconservation #naturepositive

The IUCN Red List has grown with every update since its inception 60 years ago. It now includes 166,061 species, with 46,337 threatened with extinction. It is fitting that for the 60th anniversary of the Red List, most of the world’s trees have joined this invaluable list of species. The update earlier this week reveals that at least 16,425 of the 47,282 tree species assessed are at risk of extinction. Tree species now account for over 25% of species on the IUCN Red List, and the number of threatened trees is more than double that of all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians combined. The threat to tree species is global, with species at risk of extinction in 192 countries worldwide. “As the IUCN Red List celebrates 60 years of impact, this assessment highlights its importance as a barometer of life, but also, crucially, as a unique tool guiding action to reverse the decline of nature.”  -Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General.

An update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, announced at COP16, has shown that 38% of the world's trees are at risk of extinction. The first Global Tree Assessment analysed 47,282 species, and found at least 16,425 to be at risk of extinction. Tree species are at risk of extinction in 192 countries around the world. “This comprehensive assessment presents the first global picture of the conservation status of trees, which enables us to make better informed conservation decisions and take action to protect trees where it is urgently needed,” said Dr Malin Rivers, Global Tree Assessment lead at Botanic Gardens Conservation International, a Red List Partner. Trees now account for over 1/4 of the species on the IUCN Red List, and the number of threatened trees is more than double the number of all threatened birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians combined. #TropicalForests #Forests #IUCN #RedList #COP16 #Trees

For the first time, the majority of the world’s trees have been listed on the IUCN Red List, revealing that at least 16,425 of the 47,282 species assessed are at risk of extinction. Trees now account for over one quarter of species on the IUCN Red List

Sage Grouse in Canada are going to go extinct according to Dr. Mark Boyce at the University of Alberta. The challenges of species at risk protection on our disappearing native grasslands is why CWF partners with working ranches on the Prairies to conserve grassland biodiversity. Action to reinforce sage grouse populations and conserve native sagebrush grasslands is needed now to prevent sage grouse extinction. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gZin3Far

Interesting research identifying 'Conservation Imperative' locations across the world: "The researchers identified nearly 17,000 sites around the world, covering approximately 164 million hectares, in need of urgent protection in order to prevent the predicted extinctions of thousands of rare species. "Almost 61% of these ‘Conservation Imperatives’ sites are located in the tropics, with more than three-quarters of them found specifically in tropical rainforests. "38% of all sites are in close proximity to existing protected areas, making them easier to conserve -- either by incorporation into existing protected areas or by connection via wildlife corridors." Plus a suggestion of how much it would cost to protect these areas: $34billion per year over the next five years. “This represents just 0.03% of global GDP and less than 2% of environmentally harmful subsidies provided by governments annually – a small price to pay to prevent thousands of impending plant and animal extinctions.” At Sumatran Orangutan Society we're focussed on protecting and connecting highly vulnerable Orangutan landscapes which fall outside of protected status...get in touch to find out more. #orangutans #nature #sustainabilityimpact #research #conservation

A recent report reveals alarming trends regarding migratory species. Nearly half of the species listed under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS) are experiencing population declines, while 22% are threatened with extinction. Fish species are particularly at risk, with 97% of CMS-listed fish species facing the imminent threat of extinction. Urgent action is needed to reverse this trend and protect these species and their habitats. The report's findings should serve as a call to action for all involved in conservation efforts.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released its updated Red List of Threatened Species on 27 June. https://lnkd.in/gdV_PJgB The update includes assessments of around 6,000 additional species bringing the total to more than 160,000. Of these, IUCN concludes that more than 45,000 are threatened with extinction, an increase of around 1,000 since last year. Species and wildlife populations newly classed as threatened include Asian elephants in Borneo, reptiles on the island of Gran Canaria and cactuses from Chile. See the IUCN press release. https://lnkd.in/gqy4AY_V #Redlist #biodiversity #endangered

Fascinating! In one of the "...most comprehensive biodiversity surveys ever carried out in a mangrove forest" they have discovered 700 new species, from bats to birds and fish to insects! Mangroves are extremely interesting ecosystems with a wide range of creatures yet to be discovered. I'm eager to see what else we have yet to discover, especially since they "have not even scratched the surface," according to Stefanie Rog! #Wildlife #Biodiversity #Ecosystems