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G_j

(40,366 posts)
Wed May 16, 2012, 02:29 PM May 2012

Loss of biodiversity Could Rival Climate Change, species population sizes down 28%

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/05/120502133106.htm

ScienceDaily (May 2, 2012) — Loss of biodiversity appears to impact ecosystems as much as climate change, pollution and other major forms of environmental stress, according to a new study from an international research team.

The study is the first comprehensive effort to directly compare the impacts of biological diversity loss to the anticipated effects of a host of other human-caused environmental changes.

The results highlight the need for stronger local, national and international efforts to protect biodiversity and the benefits it provides, according to the researchers, who are based at nine institutions in the United States, Canada and Sweden.

"Loss of biological diversity due to species extinctions is going to have major impacts on our planet, and we better prepare ourselves to deal with them," said University of Michigan ecologist Bradley Cardinale, one of the authors. The study is scheduled for online publication in the journal Nature on May 2.

..more..

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http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/all_publications/living_planet_report/health_of_our_planet/

Global biodiversity has declined.. The 28% decline in LPI means that on average, species population sizes were 28% smaller in 2007 than in 1970.


The Living Planet Index reflects the overall health of our planet's biodiversity.
It works a bit like a stock exchange index, by tracking average changes in animal populations from around the world.

Since 1970, the global Living Planet Index has declined by 28 per cent.
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/all_publications/living_planet_report/health_of_our_planet/
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