BirdLife
International is a global alliance of
conservation organizations working together
for the world's birds and people. NNAS
members might be interested in the web-site
of this organization: www.birdlife.net.
In a recent article, writer Ian Pattie from Earthwise
summarized key findings from the report:
“State Of The World’s Birds 2004”. Among the
disturbing statistics are:
¨ One in eight of the world’s birds, or 1211
species in total, face extinction.
¨ Over 7500 sites in nearly 170 countries
have been identified as important bird
areas¨ Agricultural expansion and
intensification threaten 50 per cent of
important bird areas in Africa.
¨ Sixty-four per cent of globally threatened
birds, most of them in the tropics, are
threatened by unsustainable forestry.
¨ Alien invasive species threaten 67 per
cent of the endangered species on oceanic
islands.
The report goes on to emphasize that birds
are “indicator species” that highlight the
health of the broader environment. “The
decline of bird populations in many parts of
the world is of considerable concern,
indicating a fundamental flaw in the way
that we treat our environment.” ¨
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