BirdLife
International is a global alliance of
conservation organizations working together
for the world's birds and people. NNAS
members might be interested in the web-site
of this organization: www.birdlife.net.
In a recent article, writer Ian Pattie from Earthwise
summarized key findings from the report:
�State Of The World�s Birds 2004�. Among the
disturbing statistics are:
� One in eight of the world�s birds, or 1211
species in total, face extinction.
� Over 7500 sites in nearly 170 countries
have been identified as important bird
areas� Agricultural expansion and
intensification threaten 50 per cent of
important bird areas in Africa.
� Sixty-four per cent of globally threatened
birds, most of them in the tropics, are
threatened by unsustainable forestry.
� Alien invasive species threaten 67 per
cent of the endangered species on oceanic
islands.
The report goes on to emphasize that birds
are �indicator species� that highlight the
health of the broader environment. �The
decline of bird populations in many parts of
the world is of considerable concern,
indicating a fundamental flaw in the way
that we treat our environment.� �
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