Middle East

Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Echinoderms Insects Crustaceans Cephalopods Gastropods Bivalves Cnidarians Plants Algae Fungi Bryophites

Middle East faces severe biodiversity threat

Alarming trends – We need to act to curb the alarming trends highlighted by the Environment Outlook for the Arab Region, which identified 1,084 threatened species in the Arab region; with 24 per cent of fish, 22 per cent of birds, and 20 per cent of mammals in the region threatened with extinction. Ecosystems in West Asia are undergoing massive pressures from overexploitation, such as overfishing and marine construction, triggered by one of the highest rates of urban population growth worldwide. Some habitats are showing signs of irreversible collapse after being pushed beyond their ecological thresholds or “tippingpoints”. Urgent proactive and preventive interventions are necessary to avoid these extreme situations. To coincide with the target year, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2010 as the “International Year of Biodiversity.” The primary objectives of this important year are to effectively communicate to different target audiences the value of biodiversity, and to motivate them to conserve and promote sustainable practices. But above all, we should take time to celebrate the web of life that sustains us all. The International Year of Biodiversity will raise political attention to the vital role that biodiversity plays in people’s lives…

Wild Arabia – Hidden Deep in the Desert | Death in the Dunes… Wild Israel Animal Life Around the Dead Sea… Wilder Iran… Wild Edens Turkey…