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Using the IUCN Red List to map threats to terrestrial vertebrates at global scale

Published version
Peer-reviewed

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Authors

Harfoot, Michael B. J.  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2598-8652
Balmford, Andrew 
Burgess, Neil D. 
Butchart, Stuart H. M.  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1140-4049

Abstract

Abstract: The Anthropocene is characterized by unparalleled human impact on other species, potentially ushering in the sixth mass extinction. Yet mitigation efforts remain hampered by limited information on the spatial patterns and intensity of the threats driving global biodiversity loss. Here we use expert-derived information from the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List on threats to 23,271 species, representing all terrestrial amphibians, birds and mammals, to generate global maps of the six major threats to these groups: agriculture, hunting and trapping, logging, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. Our results show that agriculture and logging are pervasive in the tropics and that hunting and trapping is the most geographically widespread threat to mammals and birds. Additionally, current representations of human pressure underestimate the overall pressure on biodiversity, due to the exclusion of threats such as hunting and climate change. Alarmingly, this is particularly the case in areas of the highest biodiversity importance.

Description

Keywords

Article, /704/172/4081, /631/158/672, article

Journal Title

Nature Ecology & Evolution

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

2397-334X

Volume Title

5

Publisher

Nature Publishing Group UK
Sponsorship
Villum Fonden (Villum Foundation) (VKR023371)