Brussels, 03/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - In order to prevent certain species from becoming extinct, EU countries should step up their conservation efforts and fully implement EU diversity strategy by 2020, according to a recent analysis of the European red list of endangered species, supported by the European Commission and coordinated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). According to the findings of that study published on 2 May, it is in the Mediterranean region where there is the greatest biodiversity in continental Europe and also where one finds the largest proportion of endangered species in the EU. Although conservation measures must be taken as a matter of urgency in the Mediterranean region, all EU member states are urged to put adequate measures in place in order to reverse the current trend towards declining populations of species that could otherwise be on the way to extinction.
“Thanks to its bioclimatic conditions, the Mediterranean region is a recognised global hotspot for biodiversity, hosting a large number and extraordinary variety of species. The survival of many of these species is at risk as their habitats are being negatively impacted by human activities. This is a major challenge that European policy-makers shall address”, Antonio Troya, Director of the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, has said. In his view, the UICN's red list “can be an important tool to analyse species population trends to guide effective policy and action at different levels”.
The study presents a breakdown of threatened species at European level for each EU member state. It does not provide any information on the state of species at national level but on the level of threat to groups of species on the continent as a whole, with exception made for the overseas territories.
Spain, Portugal and Greece have the highest proportion of species threatened with extinction and should act with the greatest urgency. Out of the 2,032 species assessed in Spain, 21% are considered as threatened at European level; 15% of the 1,215 European species present in Portugal are threatened and the same is true for 14% of the 1,684 European species in Greece.
Of the species assessed so far, freshwater species - including fish, molluscs and amphibians - are at the highest risk, with species such as the European eel (Anguilla Anguilla) and the freshwater pearl mussel (Margaritifera margaritifera) being particularly threatened. The status of terrestrial molluscs, dragonflies and mammals, such as the European mink (Mustela lutreola), also raise significant concern. Species are mainly threatened by the loss, fragmentation and degradation of their habitat, due in large part to agricultural and urban expansion, construction of dams and water pollution.
“Species can be saved from extinction, but this requires a combination of sound research and greater coordinated efforts”, says Ana Nieto, Regional Biodiversity Conservation Officer at IUCN, adding: “All EU heads of state and government have committed to halting biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystem services by 2020. Considerable conservation investment is needed from these countries and the EU to achieve this target and assure a long-term improvement in the status of European species”.
Nature conservation policy as conducted by the EU is among the most advanced globally. The so-called birds and habitats directives have led to successful recovery of many species. “The increase in the population of the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) in southern Spain from 94 individuals in 2002 to 312 in 2011 is a case in point. The EU and member states need to continue to act to protect Europe's invaluable natural heritage. IUCN stands ready to provide the science and support needed to scale up these efforts”, states Simon Stuart, Chair of IUCN Species Survival Commission.
The European red list gives an overview of the state of conservation of some 6,000 European species (mammals, reptiles, amphibians, freshwater fish, butterflies, dragonflies, and certain groups of beetles, molluscs and vascular plants) according to IUCN red listing guidelines. It identifies those species that are threatened with extinction at the regional level so that appropriate conservation action can be taken to improve their status. Assessments of pollinators, medicinal plants, birds and marine fishes are currently underway. (AN/transl.jl)