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Threats Rising for Mediterranean Species


MALAGA, Spain, September 15, 2006 (ENS) - Reptiles and amphibians native to the Mediterranean basin face increasing habitat loss and more than 70 species are threatened with extinction, the World Conservation Union (IUCN) warned Thursday. The new study of Mediterranean basin is of particular concern to conservationists because the area is considered a biodiversity hotspot.

A quarter of Mediterranean amphibians - 26 of 106 species of frogs, toads, newts and salamander - are threatened with extinction, according to the IUCN.

More than 60 percent of these species are endemic to the region.

"This means that as our native species reach extinction, part of our natural heritage disappears forever," said Annabelle Cuttelod, Red List Coordinator at the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation.

IUCN found that 46 of the Mediterranean's 355 reptile species, half of which are occur only in the basin, are currently threatened with extinction.

Thirteen of the basin's reptile species are critically endangered, including three species of giant lizard only found in the Canary Islands.

Only one of the Mediterranean's amphibian species - a salamander endemic to coastal Turkey - is critically endangered.

Experts evaluated all of the Mediterranean reptile and amphibian species to determine their status for the new report. The primary threat to species within the Mediterranean basin is the same problem facing many species across the world - habitat loss.

Many of the wetlands in the basin have been destroyed or degraded and Mediterranean forests "are now fragile and under threat," the report said.

Over-harvesting, human disturbance, pollution and invasive alien species are also significant threats. In addition, many reptiles - mainly snakes - are persecuted and vehicle collision affects several snake and turtle species.

For amphibians, natural disasters and diseases are also significant threats. A fungal disease first found in Spain in 1997 has been implicated in the declines of the midwife toad and the fire salamander.

But the example of the Mallorca midwife toad demonstrates that conservation efforts can pay off, the report said. A conservation project between local officials, conservationists and the Barcelona Zoo has led to an improvement in status.

The species, known as "Ferreret" breeds well in captivity and reintroductions have been taking place since 1988, with several breeding populations already successfully established.

Annual surveys are taking place and a reserve has been proposed to help protect the species.

"Examples like this show that by groups working together we can make a difference and we should all be encouraged to get more involved, " said Jane Smart, head of the IUCN Species Program.

IUCN said the new Mediterranean Red List is aimed to assist in regional conservation planning and help governments at every level take the necessary actions to contribute to the IUCN initiative "Countdown 2010."

The initiative aims to significantly reduce the loss of biodiversity by 2010, as agreed under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

But the list adds to growing concerns about the fate of species throughout the world.

The Global Amphibian Assessment, released in 2004, found that a third of all amphibian species are now considered threatened with extinction and cautioned that the true picture is probably even far worse.

Earlier studies found 12 percent of all bird species and 23 percent of all mammal species are threatened with extinction.