Threats to Birds

[Lisbeth]

Almost half of the world's bird species are declining, while only 6% are increasing. This is what the new scientific report of BirdLife International reveals. In Switzerland, the situation is particularly critical.

The research shows that on our planet one in eight species (13%) is on the world Red List, while 187 species are already extinct, it is explained in a statement today by BirdLife Switzerland.

In the Confederation, the situation is even worse. The Red List of breeding birds, drawn up with the same criteria as the international one, contains a proportion about three times higher: 40% of the 205 species are part of it. Birds that live in agricultural environments and wetlands are particularly at risk, while in the woods they are somewhat better off.

Five species appearing on the world alert list are also nesting birds in Switzerland: the Rock Partridge, the Ferruginous Duck, the Great Curlew (in fact extinct in Switzerland), the Bearded Vulture and the Red Kite.

“The crises of climate and biodiversity must be resolved together. We are in the sixth wave of global extinctions that we must fight with determination and without delay ”, is the appeal launched by Raffael Ayé, director of BirdLife Switzerland, quoted in the note. "If political circles, authorities, the economy and society seriously invest in the protection of biodiversity in Switzerland, a great improvement is possible!" He added.

One of the most urgent measures is to protect the areas necessary for the conservation of biodiversity and birds. There are also many others, including the fight against poaching and the strengthening of interventions against the worldwide spread of invasive exotic animal and plant species.

https://www.cdt.ch/news/mondo/il-numero ... nte-295091