current threats to biodiversity

What is the estimated range of species on Earth?

Species estimates range from 2 million to 1 trillion.

What percentage of species on Earth are bacteria?

70-90% of species are bacteria.

How many bird species are estimated to exist on Earth?

May only be 12,000 bird species.

How long did it take for one birder to see 10,000 bird species?

It took 38 years.

What is the current range of named species?

Between 10,906 and 11,189 named species.

What is the trend in the rate of species discovery?

The rate of discovery is declining.

What is happening to terrestrial biodiversity?

Terrestrial diversity is declining rapidly.

What has been the impact of conservation efforts on biodiversity loss?

Conservation efforts have had little impact on these losses.

How many species have gone extinct since 1600?

At least 900 species have gone extinct.

What is the global extinction rate per year?

The global extinction rate is 0.63% per year.

What are the main direct drivers of biodiversity loss?

Habitat loss/fragmentation, overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, and climate change.

What are the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss?

Economic, cultural, policy, and demographic factors.

What percentage of species in Madagascar have been driven to extinction by deforestation?

9.1% of species have been driven to extinction.

What is the effect of toxic pollution on organisms?

Toxic pollution can be lethal and affect organism function.

What are some sources of toxic water pollution?

Factories, sewage treatment plants, agricultural runoff, and accidents.

What was the impact of DDT on British raptors?

DDT caused a decline in raptors due to thinner eggshells from bioaccumulation.

How does climate change affect species' phenology?

Species change their life cycle events related to climate variations, such as early migration or reproduction.

What is a significant example of plant blooming changes due to climate change?

Plant blooming has advanced by around 26 days in British plants.

Which species are less likely to adapt to climate change?

Polar/high elevation species, tropical mountain species, and low motility species.

What are synergistic effects in biodiversity loss?

The combined impact of two factors is greater than the sum of their individual effects.

What happens to habitat specialists in the context of climate change?

Habitat specialists may not be able to respond to climate change due to lack of available habitat.