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Biodiversity of islands is at risk and needs protection
23.05.2014 08:02 "Agro Perspectiva" (Kyiv) —
The International Day for Biological Diversity is an opportunity to recognize the central role of biodiversity to life on earth and to human well-being, UN Radio reports referring to
Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, the Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Marked every 22 May, this years focus is on island diversity.
Mr. Dias said almost one third of the worlds countries are islands that provide habitat for 20 per cent of all bird, reptile and plant species.
Islands also harbour more than half of the worlds known marine biodiversity.
Yet, Mr. Dias said the biodiversity of islands is at risk.
«Islands have higher extinction rates. For example, 64 per cent of all recorded extinctions in recent human history in the last centuries happened on islands. Extinction rates for mammals are 177 times higher in island ecosystems than the average for all ecosystems,» Mr. Dias emphasized.
Besides, Mr. Dias added that once thriving coral reefs are now suffering the effects of bleaching, ocean acidification and pollution.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his message on this day, said the world needs to commit to protecting fragile ecosystems for the benefit of all the islanders, and people everywhere who depend on them.
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