75% more animal species listed as endangered in 11 years
The number of endangered species in Brazil has increased by 75% between 2003 and 2014, according to the latest national listing of endangered species published Wednesday (Dec. 17) by the Ministry for the Environment. An additional 395 species are listed, for a total 698 endangered species. Environment Minister Izabella Teixeira attributes the increase to the higher number of species covered in the study.
The survey was conducted between 2010 and 2014 by more than 1,300 experts, and covered 12,256 species – a number 800% larger than the previous report according to the Environment Ministry.
“We have made the world's largest inventory of fauna, and for some classes of animals, we have counted in all known species in Brazil unlike in previous experiences. The more you find out and the larger your sample, the larger the number of endangered species tends to be,” said the minister.
The largest increase was among land invertebrates (148), followed by birds (100), reptiles (62), mammals (55) and amphibians (30). With the update, the birds are the most threatened animals, with 234 species endangered. The semipalmated sandpiper bird is one of the new endangered species facing sharp population declines, the ministry reported. Another threatened species is the blond capuchin monkey which is endemic to northeastern Brazil. Its population has been on the wane for the past few decades.
Agricultural and urban expansion, large enterprises and settlements, pollution, bush fires, deforestation and invasive species were all cited as key factors leading to increased threats faced by animal species.
The endangered animals were categorized into three groups – critically endangered (extremely high risk of extinction); endangered (very high risk) and vulnerable (high risk) – which will provide a guideline for protection efforts in the country.
“The species that have recently been listed will be dealt with by conservancy plans, and will all be ranked and included as part of a national plan in an effort to help them out of this list. This will demand scientific knowledge combined with conservancy policies and new political approaches,” Teixeira said.
Among the animals no longer in the danger list are the humpback whale and the hyacinth macaw, which are reported by the ministry as under stock recovery. More information on the species and population growth are factors considered by researchers as critical in helping some of the animal groups off the list.
The Environment Ministry has also released data on endangered species of plants and fish. Those threatened of dying out totaled 2,113 plant species, 4.8% of Brazil's flora. Out of this number, 286 have socioeconomic value, like medicinal plants and timber species.
In total, 82 species of fish or aquatic invertebrates are no longer listed as endangered, but 325 were included in the list, for a total increase of 232 to 475 endangered species. The ministry maintains the main factor threatening the species of continental fish is habitat loss. As for marine species, overfishing was cited among the main threats.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: 75% more animal species listed as endangered in 11 years
