STATE OF THE WORLD ’ S BIRDS
Response : the actions needed to conserve birds and biodiversity
Campbell Albatross Thalassarche impavida
Photo Alan Tate
The pressures on the world ’ s flora and fauna and the habitats where they live are considerable . Yet , conservation does work . For birds in particular , there are numerous inspiring success stories that demonstrate that , given sufficient resources and political will , species can recover and habitats can be restored . The BirdLife Partnership has been responsible for many of these successes , and continues to find innovative ways to safeguard biodiversity in a way that benefits and involves local communities and the wider society .
Protecting habitats is essential
Targeting conservation at individual species has had some phenomenal results , but this needs to be complemented by broader-scale strategies . BirdLife is responsible for identifying a network of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas ( IBAs ). Around the world , the IBA inventory has helped inform the designation of hundreds of protected areas , especially within the European Union .
The ambitious Trillion Trees programme , a partnership between WWF , WCS and BirdLife , is aiming for one trillion trees planted , protected and restored by 2050 . The initiative builds on BirdLife ’ s already extensive programme of work on forest restoration .
At sea , BirdLife ’ s Albatross Task Force has made huge advances in preventing seabirds from becoming accidentally hooked and drowned in fishing gear . In South Africa , albatross bycatch in the hake deep-sea trawl fleet was reduced by 99 % over six years through the introduction of measures such as bird-scaring lines . BirdLife is working to replicate these spectacular results throughout the industry .
we can do it – but decisionmakers need to act now
We know what needs to happen , and it is eminently achievable – so long as there is sufficient action by decision-makers . Everyone has a role to play in tackling the current unsustainable impacts of human activities on the planet . Individually , we need to minimise the effects of our lifestyles on biodiversity , particularly through consumption and carbon emissions . But governments have a particular responsibility to implement policies that lead to environmentally sustainable development . Many have made commitments through the Convention on Biological Diversity and other multilateral environmental agreements , as well as the Sustainable Development Goals , to end the biodiversity crisis . It is the role of governments to work with civil society and the business sector to ensure that these commitments are met .
18 birdlife • jul-sep 2018