Egyptian vulture, a small vulture in danger of extinction. – Pixabay/CC/fda54
Egyptian vulture, a small vulture in danger of extinction. – Pixabay/CC/fda54
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Animals
There are fewer and fewer birds. A study published on May 5 in the scientific journal Annual Review of Environment and Resources shows that their populations are plummeting at an alarming rate around the world. Populations of 48 % of species are in decline (proven or suspected). Populations of only 9 % of species are increasing, and the status of 7 % of them is unknown. Populations of the remaining species are stable. Among the (very) many species that are becoming extinct: the Egyptian vulture, the giant ibis, the dove of Granada, the blue-cheeked Amazon…
These results do not bode well for the rest of life. “ Birds are highly visible and sensitive indicators of environmental healthconservation specialist Ken Rosenberg said in a statement. We know that their loss is a sign of a much greater loss of biodiversity, posing many threats to human health and well-being. »
The causes of this collapse are well known: fragmentation of habitats, destruction of natural areas, artificialization of soils, hunting, pollution, pesticides, climate change… The degradation of places where birds live is “ often caused by resource demand »observes Alexander Lees of Manchester Metropolitan University. “ We need to take better account of how commodity flows contribute to biodiversity loss, and try to reduce the human footprint on the natural world. »
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