News
Thursday 18th March 2010
Following the latest release by the European Red List, there is increasing concern that habitat loss is severely impacting Europe's butterflies, dragonflies and beetles. The report for the European Commission revealed that an alarming 9 percent of butterflies, 11 percent of saproxylic beetles and 14 percent of dragonflies are threatened with extinction within Europe.
Jane Smart, Director of the IUCN Biodiversity Conservation Group said "When talking about threatened species, people tend to think of larger, more charismatic creatures such as pandas or tigers, but we mustn’t forget that the small species on our planet are just as important, and are also in need of conservation action."
Many species are suffering from habitat loss caused by intensive farming, climate change, forest fires and rapidly expanding tourism. This is most significant in Southern Europe, where the recent abandonment of traditional farming practices is resulting in the loss of many insect-rich grasslands.
Lulworth skipper (Thymelicus acteon)
Nearly a third of Europe's 435 butterflies, many of which are not found outside the continent, are now believed to be in decline. The large blue butterfly, once extinct in the UK, but successfully reintroduced in 1983, is endangered in Europe, declining throughout its range. Another familiar UK species, the Lulworth skipper, is also in decline, having suffered its worst year in the UK last summer.
Greek red damsel (Pyrrhosoma elisabethae)
Dragonflies are threatened by increasingly hot summers, intensified irrigation and water extraction drying wetlands. Many rare species are endemic to the brooks and rivers of Greece and surrounding countries, including the Greek red damsel, a species that is in such rapid decline, it is feared it may become extinct within the first half of this century.
Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina)
The status of Europe's saproxylic beetles was assessed for the first time. These unique beetles inhabit decaying wood, and play an important role in Europe’s forests by recyclying nutrients. However, changes in woodland practices and a decline in the number of mature trees are threatening several endangered species, including the violet click beetle and the rosalia longicorn.
Further information
To read the full press release, visit:
http://www.iucnredlist.org/news/habitat-loss-species-decline
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