20 Apr 2018
The latest data gathered by the
BirdLife Partnership reveals that over 240 areas globally important for the
conservation of birds are in imminent danger of being lost forever. Explore
some of the most imperiled sites, and discover the threats they face, with our
updated IBAs in Danger Story Map
It might be impossible to save
every field and forest on the planet, but by identifying the places that are of
great significance to the conservation of the world’s threatened birds, we
might be able to save enough to secure the future of all the world’s 10,000+
extant bird species.
That’s the thought process behind
BirdLife’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) programme, which since
the 1970s has strived to identify and document the world’s most vital sites for
birds. Today, the list of IBAs stands at over 13,000 - over both land and
sea. If we protect these sites, we can secure the long-term viability of
all the world’s birds. Since its inception the IBA inventory has helped to determine
national priorities, and inform the designation of hundreds of sites. But
unfortunately, many are in grave danger.
An IBA is considered to be in
danger when it is determined that, unless something is done to preserve it, it
will soon be lost. Since 2013, BirdLife has published a list of IBAs in Danger
based on information gathered from BirdLife Partners through Local Conservation
Groups, volunteers and experts. The most recent update finds that 241 IBAs are
in imminent danger of being wiped out.
By far the biggest danger to IBAs
is dams and water management. Nearly one fifth of all IBAs in danger – 47 – are
affected by dam building or other water management works. Agriculture
development also remains a big danger, threatening 39 IBAs, while irresponsible
hunting and trapping affected 23.
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