Scientist praises conservation in action
Earthwatch Research Manager Dr. James Burton has praised the work of Earthwatch's global network of scientists on the day a study about the world's extinction crisis was launched in Nagoya, Japan.
The most comprehensive assessment of the world's vertebrates confirms an extinction crisis with one fifth of species threatened, but according to the study launched recently at the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Nagoya, Japan, the situation would be worse without current global conservation efforts.
Dolphins in the Amvrakikos Gulf.
Dr. Burton said: "This paper shows that without the successful conservation actions for many threatened species, these species would be far closer to extinction. It is the first time that the impact of conservation actions has been assessed across 25,000 species. This is a rare opportunity for those achieving these actions to be recognized and commended for their success. Many Earthwatch scientists are leading these efforts, conducting research and implementing conservation activities concurrently."
The study, to be published in the international journal Science, used data for 25,000 species from The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, to investigate the status of the world's mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fishes. The results show that on average, 50 species of mammal, bird and amphibian move closer to extinction each year due to the impacts of agricultural expansion, logging, over-exploitation and invasive alien species.
While the study confirms previous reports of continued loses in biodiversity, it is the first to present clear evidence of the positive impact of conservation efforts around the globe. Results show that the status of biodiversity would have declined by at least an additional 20% if conservation action had not been taken.
The study involved around 174 authors from 115 institutions and 38 countries, including Dr. James Burton and Earthwatch scientists Dr. Caryn Self-Sullivan and Dr. David Garshelis.
Results from Earthwatch research have been making a contribution to global conservation efforts since the organization was founded almost 40 years ago. For example, efforts by Earthwatch scientists in Barbados and other conservation organizations have caused a significant increase in the number of nests of the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, shown by data collected by volunteers. Recent findings suggest that Barbados is now the second largest rookery of hawksbills in the wider Caribbean.
Data from Earthwatch research on Robben Island in South Africa has been used to support an experimental program of fishery closures, near penguin colonies during the breeding season.
A recent UN-sponsored study called the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB), calculated the cost of losing nature at $2-5 trillion per year, predominantly in poorer parts of the world.
Dr. Burton added: "There is an increasing focus on evaluating biodiversity and the vital services that nature provides. This is one of the key stories coming from CBD's COP10 Nagoya meeting, as the TEEB report is launched. As species conservation moves into the mainstream, it will mean that conservation actions have to result in greater achievements. So conservationists, scientists and 'citizen scientists' can learn lessons from these findings to improve conservation successes in future."
Read more about this story.
