Document Type
Article
Department/Program
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Publication Date
2010
Journal
Science
Volume
330
Issue
6010
First Page
1503
Last Page
1509
Abstract
Using data for 25,780 species categorized on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, we present an assessment of the status of the world's vertebrates. One-fifth of species are classified as Threatened, and we show that this figure is increasing: On average, 52 species of mammals, birds, and amphibians move one category closer to extinction each year. However, this overall pattern conceals the impact of conservation successes, and we show that the rate of deterioration would have been at least one-fifth again as much in the absence of these. Nonetheless, current conservation efforts remain insufficient to offset the main drivers of biodiversity loss in these groups: agricultural expansion, logging, overexploitation, and invasive alien species.
DOI
10.1126/science.1194442
Keywords
Global Biodiversity; Climate-Change; Extinctions; Declines; Benefits; Future; Index
Recommended Citation
Hoffmann, M; Hilton-Taylor, C; Angulo, A; Bohm, M; Brooks, TM; and Et al., The Impact of Conservation on the Status of the World's Vertebrates (2010). Science, 330(6010), 1503-1509.
10.1126/science.1194442
