Daniel Ross’ Post

📣 The first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species has been published 🐋. The authorship of the report was led by our Nature Conserved team at UNEP-WCMC. This is a truly landmark report with many important findings: - While some migratory species listed under CMS are improving, nearly half (44 per cent) are showing population declines. - More than one-in-five (22 per cent) of CMS-listed species are threatened with extinction. - Nearly all (97 per cent) of CMS-listed fish are threatened with extinction. - The extinction risk is growing for migratory species globally, including those not listed under CMS. - Half (51 per cent) of Key Biodiversity Areas identified as important for CMS-listed migratory animals do not have protected status, and 58 per cent of the monitored sites recognised as being important for CMS-listed species are experiencing unsustainable levels of human-caused pressure. - The two greatest threats to both CMS-listed and all migratory species are overexploitation and habitat loss due to human activity. - Three out of four CMS-listed species are impacted by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, and seven out of 10 CMS-listed species are impacted by overexploitation (including intentional taking as well as incidental capture). - Climate change, pollution and invasive species are also having profound impacts on migratory species. - Globally, 399 migratory species that are threatened or near threatened with extinction are not currently listed under CMS. Until now, no such comprehensive assessment on migratory species has been carried out. The report provides a global overview of the conservation status and population trends of migratory animals, combined with the latest information on their main threats and successful actions to save them. https://lnkd.in/enX_-rZG #cmscop14 #biodiversity

‘Billions of #animals make #migratory #journeys each year on land, in rivers and oceans and in the skies, crossing national boundaries and #continents, with some travelling thousands of miles across the globe to feed and breed.’

‘Migratory species play an essential role in maintaining the #world’s #ecosystems, and provide vital #benefits, by pollinating plants, transporting key #nutrients, preying on pests, and helping to store #carbon.’ What a wonderfull #miracle to treasure together! 🌱🌎☀️🦋 ‘Migratory species rely on a variety of specific #habitats at different times in their #lifecycles. They regularly #travel, sometimes thousands of miles, to reach these places. They face enormous #challenges and threats along the way, as well at their destinations where they breed or feed.’ ‘When species cross national borders, their #survival depends on the efforts of all countries in which they are found. This landmark report will help underpin much-needed policy #actions to ensure that migratory species continue to #thrive around the world, according to Amy Fraenkel, CMS Executive Secretary.’ ‘Species listed under the Convention are those at risk of #extinction across all or much of their range, or in need of coordinated international action to boost their conservation status.’ ‘Most worryingly, nearly all CMS-listed species of fish – including migratory sharks, rays and sturgeons – are facing a high risk of extinction, with their populations declining by 90 per cent since the 1970s.’ ‘The State of the World’s Migratory Species report issues a clear wake-up call, and provides a set of #priority #recommendations for #action, which include:   * Strengthen and expand efforts to tackle illegal and unsustainable taking of migratory species, as well as incidental capture of non-target species * Increase actions to identify, protect, connect and effectively manage important sites for migratory species * Urgently address those species in most danger of extinction, including nearly all CMS-listed fish species * Scale up efforts to tackle climate change, as well as light, noise, chemical and plastic pollution, and, * Consider expanding CMS listings to include more at-risk migratory species in need of national and international attention.’ ‘The UN #wildlife conservation conference (CMS COP14) starting today in Samarkand, Uzbekistan is one of the most significant global #biodiversity gatherings since the adoptionof the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (also known as “The Biodiversity Plan”).’ ‘It will also be the first COP of any global environmental treaty to take place in Central Asia, a region #home to many migratory species including the saiga antelope, the snow leopard, and many species of migratory birds.  #Governments, #wildlife organisations and scientists have come together at the week-long meeting to consider actions to advance implementation of the Convention.’

The first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report was launched today by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a UN biodiversity treaty. The report reveals some harsh realities, including: 🦈 - Nearly all (97%) CMS-listed species of fish, including migratory sharks, rays and surgeons, are facing a high risk of extinction, with their populations declining by 90% since the 1970s. 🦋 - More than one in five (22%) of CMS-listed species are threatened with extinction. The extinction risk is growing for migratory species globally, including those not listed under CMS. 399 migratory species, mainly birds and fish, including many albatrosses and perching birds, ground sharks and stingrays, are categorised as threatened or near-threatened but are not yet CMS-listed. 🌍 - Half (51%) of Key Biodiversity Areas identified as important for CMS-listed migratory animals do not have protected status. 🌊 - 58% of the monitored sites recognised as being important for CMS-listed species are experiencing unsustainable levels of human-caused pressure. 🔥 - The two greatest threats to both CMS-listed and all migratory species are overexploitation and habitat loss due to human activity. ❌ - Three out of four CMS-listed species are impacted by habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, and seven out of ten CMS-listed species are impacted by overexploitation (including intentional taking as well as incidental capture). 🌪 - Climate change, pollution and invasive species are also having profound impacts on migratory species. Why is this important? Billions of animals make migratory journeys each year on land, in the oceans and in the skies, crossing national boundaries and continents, with some travelling thousands of miles across the globe to feed and breed. Migratory species play an essential role in maintaining the world’s ecosystems, and provide vital benefits, by pollinating plants, transporting key nutrients, preying on pests, and helping to store carbon. Recommendations for action:   - Strengthen and expand efforts to tackle illegal and unsustainable taking of migratory species, as well as incidental capture of non-target species, - Increase actions to identify, protect, connect and effectively manage important sites for migratory species. - Urgently address those species in most danger of extinction, including nearly all CMS-listed fish species. - Scale up efforts to tackle climate change, as well as light, noise, chemical and plastic pollution. - Consider expanding CMS listings to include more at-risk migratory species in need of national and international attention. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gK9wVEVD. #conservation #wildlife #biodiversity #sharks

Today is the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, a significant piece of legislation in the U.S. protecting wildlife most at risk of extinction. Though much work has been done, there is still much left to do which is where SDZWA's Biodiversity Bank could help transform the next 50 years of conservation. By preserving genetic information, we can better understand and safeguard biodiversity for the future. https://lnkd.in/gs6WrjAq #Conservation #Biobanking

UNEP issues its landmark report on migratory species. "While some migratory species listed under CMS are improving, nearly half (44 per cent) are showing population declines. More than one-in-five (22 per cent) of CMS-listed species are threatened with extinction. Nearly all (97 per cent) of CMS-listed fish are threatened with extinction. The extinction risk is growing for migratory species globally, including those not listed under CMS. Half (51 per cent) of Key Biodiversity Areas identified as important for CMS-listed migratory animals do not have protected status, and 58 per cent of the monitored sites recognized as being important for CMS-listed species are experiencing unsustainable levels of human-caused pressure. The two greatest threats to both CMS-listed and all migratory species are overexploitation and habitat loss due to human activity. "

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s has assessed for the first time the Himalayan Wolf and has put it in its Red List which means it is among “endangered” Species. Species are classified into one of nine Red List Categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near The list is based on a population size estimate of 2,275-3,792 mature individuals depending on best available data while also acknowledging uncertainty in this estimate. It added that all individuals were in one subpopulation stretching across the Himalayan range of Nepal and India and across the Tibetan Plateau. “…A continuous decline in the population is suspected considering ongoing substantial threats and lack of conservation action,” it noted. India has 227- 378 mature individuals in its section of the Himalayas and few more would be in Ladakh and the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. The Himalayan wolves’ prey on as many as 39 species and half their diet is domestic livestock because of loss in natural prey base. IUCN Red List classifies species into nine groups, specified through criteria such as rate of decline, population size, area of geographic distribution, and degree of population and distribution fragmentation. The Red List: Extinct (EX) – beyond reasonable doubt that the species is no longer extant. Extinct in the wild (EW) – survives only in captivity, cultivation and/or outside native range, as presumed after exhaustive surveys. Critically endangered (CR) – in a particularly and extremely critical state. Endangered (EN) – very high risk of extinction in the wild, meets any of criteria A to E for Endangered. Vulnerable (VU) – meets one of the 5 Red List criteria and thus considered to be at high risk of unnatural (human- caused) extinction without further human intervention. Near threatened (NT) – close to being endangered in the near future. Conservation Dependent (CD) - a category whose documentation previously was absent - inferred to simply be an oversight - which has been introduced into this article to preserve its ‘Term - Definition’ structure. Least concern (LC) – unlikely to become endangered or extinct in the near future. Data deficient (DD), Not evaluated (NE) In the IUCN Red List, “threatened” embraces the categories of Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable. https://lnkd.in/dpSdmkcv

Today kicks off National Invasive Species Awareness Week 2024! From the deceptively beautiful Dames Rocket (pictured) to insects like the emerald ash borer, invasives are present at Fontenelle Forest. Invasive species threaten the biodiversity by crowding out native plants, disrupting animal habitats and changing the food web. Here are a few ways you stop the spread of invasives: 1. Learn to identify invasive species in your area and report any sightings to local authorities at the Nebraska Extension Office. Stay informed about invasive species management practices and follow guidelines to prevent unintentional spread. Fontenelle Forest has several articles about invasives on our blog! 2. Avoid planting invasive species at home. When gardening, choose native plants that are well-adapted to the local environment. These plants create a beautiful and ecologically diverse landscape while supporting the health of our local environment. 3. Volunteer your time at local conservation organizations like Fontenelle Forest. Each year, our volunteers dedicated over 300 hours protecting against diminished land use, displacement of native species, and biodiversity collapse. Without these individuals we would only be able to accomplish a fraction of what we do. Read more about these efforts and learn how to get involved in our lasted blog post: https://lnkd.in/gjjpPXv8

More than 900 at-risk animal and plant species not covered by global trade protections, new research shows A new study has revealed that two-fifths of species likely threatened by the international #wildlife trade are not covered by the global agreement that regulates it. This includes 370 species that are Critically Endangered or Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Overexploitation is a major threat to vulnerable animal and plant species, and one of the key drivers of biodiversity loss. Consequently, the recent UN-brokered deal for nature – the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework – included international pledges to ensure that the harvest, use, and trade in wild species is sustainable. With the Framework now in place, a team of researchers set out to identify potential gaps in international trade #protections for the world’s #biodiversity. The researchers used the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species – the most authoritative global source on at-risk animals and plants – to identify species likely threatened by international trade... In total, the results identified 2,211 species that are likely to be threatened by international trade. Of these, 904 are not included in current CITES protections. These include hundreds of #fish and flowering plants, besides many species of #birds, #reptiles and #amphibians. Of the 904 animal and plant species, 370 are classed as Endangered or Critically Endangered. These include 31 species of shark and ray traded for their #meat and fins, as well as 23 species of palm heavily traded for #horticulture. The list also includes the Endangered Owston's Civet – which is snared for wild meat and traditional #medicine – and the Endangered Greater Green Leafbird – which is caught for the songbird trade. The analysis also identified 1,307 species that are likely to be threatened by international trade, despite being included within current CITES protections. This indicates that these species may require increased scrutiny to determine whether there are sustainability issues that may merit tighter controls through CITES provisions, as well as other measures. These species include 671 that are facing an extremely or very high risk of #extinction, such as pangolins, the European eel, and various #orchids. #endangeredspecies #internationaltrade #biodiversityloss #plantspecies #IUCN #UN #sustainability #montrealprotocol https://lnkd.in/eFumiKCq

UNBELIEVABLE: Even conservationists are still blind to rivers & freshwater species. Press release for World's Migratory Species report talks of "journeys on land, in the oceans & in the skies". Forgetting billions of fish that migrate up rivers! Don't get me wrong, the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) report is important - alarming statistics with a clear call for action. And it does refer to migratory freshwater fishes. But it says so much that the press release does not. That it actually goes out of its way to exclude rivers. Rivers that are host some of the world's most famous migrations - salmon, anyone? Or the Gilded catfish that swims 5700km up the Amazon? Or possibly the largest migration of them all in terms of numbers of animals - the annual multi-species migration of fishes in the Mekong? Needless to say, the media is following the press release rather than the report so this idea that migratory species only "journey on land, in oceans and in the skies" is taking root and reinforcing widespread freshwater blindness and ignorance about the importance of fish that migrate along rivers. Their importance to people (tens of millions rely on them for food security, nutrition and livelihoods) and the health of ecosystems (e.g. salmon feed numerous species and fertilise riverine ecosystems). And the fact that they are declining at an alarming rate - there has been a 76% decline in migratory freshwater fish populations since 1970. How will we ever get decision makers to factor in rivers and freshwater fish & fisheries into their decisions if even conservationists forget rivers and freshwater fish in their communications? https://lnkd.in/eUjyEbQM Stuart Orr Michele Thieme Kathy Hughes Herman Wanningen Zeb Hogan James Dalton Ian Harrison Brian Zimmerman Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Christine Colvin Gill Braulik Michael Baltzer Michael Edmondstone Marc Goichot UNEP-WCMC Lis Mullin Bernhardt Convention on Wetlands IPBES UN Biodiversity Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) Inland Fisheries Alliance IUCN Species Survival Commission Mina Guli #environment #conservation #CMSCOP14 #rivers #fish #fisheries

.'Restore The Endangered Species Act' 'The Biden administration just moved closer to undoing the Trump administration’s unprecedented damage to the regulations that interpret the Endangered Species Act. For 50 years, the Act’s served as the last line of defense for countless species and habitats. Today, it is our strongest tool for tackling the worsening biodiversity crisis, which is why the Biden administration must fix the rules that implement it.' 'Since the Trump administration began its attacks on the Endangered Species Act four years ago on behalf of special interests who stood to profit, Earthjustice attorneys have fought back in court. And advocates like you submitted tens of thousands of comments, calling out the Trump administration for its shameless actions. Your support helped persuade the Biden administration to undo parts of the Trump administration’s damage last year.' 'Despite the broad support for restoring and strengthening the rules that implement the Act, the Biden administration declined to do everything within its power to protect endangered wildlife. It left multiple loopholes from the Trump-era rollbacks in place, which will undoubtedly jeopardize future efforts to protect wildlife and habitat.' 'This is unacceptable — the Biden administration promised a return to normalcy, yet these proposed rules do not fully undo the Trump administration’s damage. Tell the Biden administration to quickly and fully restore the Act’s regulations to their former strength.' 'The Endangered Species Act is wildly popular and effective. It has prevented extinctions, recovered imperiled plants and animals, and protected the ecosystems on which they depend. Ninety-nine percent of species that have received protection under the Act — including bald eagles, Florida manatees, and gray wolves — have been spared from extinction.' 'Fully undoing the damage the Trump administration inflicted upon the Endangered Species Act is necessary, but ultimately we need the Biden administration to commit to strengthening the Act. In the coming decades, a million of Earth’s species face the possibility of extinction due to climate change, pollution, and habitat loss. Even species that are not yet on the brink will face huge population declines. The biodiversity crisis means fewer pollinators for agriculture, depleted fisheries, and disappearing places like old-growth forests and wetlands that provide a long-term, low-cost source of clean air and water.' 'We don’t have any more time to waste — tell the Biden administration to act finally restore the Endangered Species Act regulations.' https://lnkd.in/eGpdxfFH