Worldwide, more than 48 646 of 172 620 assessed species are threatened with extinction.
Details are contained in the latest Red List of Threatened Species released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at its just-ended World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi.
The report highlights both alarming declines and notable recoveries, offering a snapshot of global biodiversity.
Arctic seals are among the species most at risk as rapidly melting sea ice threatens their ability to breed, raise pups, rest, and find food (see separate article).
Three Australian mammals, the marl, the south-eastern striped bandicoot; and the Nullarbor barred bandicoot; as well as Delissea sinuata, a plant native to the Hawaiian Islands, were assessed for the first time and enter the Red List as Extinct.
The green sea turtle has rebounded from endangered to least concern after decades of global conservation.
Its recovery “reminds us that conservation works”, said the IUCN director general, Dr Grethel Aguilar.
Once classified as endangered, it is now viewed as a species of least concern due to conservation efforts.
Protecting nesting sites, reducing egg harvesting, and preventing bycatch have boosted populations by roughly 28% since the 1970s.
These turtles are essential for maintaining seagrass meadows and coral reefs, which in turn support numerous other marine species.
Bird populations worldwide are also declining.
A reassessment of 1 360 species finds that 61% are decreasing, up from 44% in 2016, while 1 256 species are now globally threatened.
Deforestation, habitat loss from agriculture and logging are the main drivers.
Birds play vital roles as pollinators, seed dispersers and pest controllers.
Dr Malin Rivers, head of conservation prioritisation at the Botanic Gardens Conservation International, said: “The fates of birds and trees are intertwined: trees depend on birds for regeneration and birds depend on trees for survival.”
– IUCN
