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HUMANS A MAJOR INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES

Written by Sandra Kanck

Thursday, 04 June 2009 11:04

MEDIA RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL BIODIVERSITY DAY

22 May 2009.

HUMANS A MAJOR INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES

Humans are a major invasive alien species in most ecosystems, according to Sustainable Population Australia (SPA).

May 22 is International Biodiversity Day, the theme of which this year is invasive alien species.

According to the UN's Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MEA) Report of 2005, over the past 50 years, humans have changed ecosystems more rapidly and extensively than in any comparable period of time in human history, largely to meet rapidly growing demands for food, fresh water, timber, fibre and fuel. This has resulted in a substantial and largely irreversible loss in the diversity of life on Earth.

SPA national president, Ms Sandra Kanck says that global population in the past 50 years has more than doubled from 3 billion to today's 6.8 billion.

"We have become like other invasive species, destroying other species and damaging the very habitats on which we all depend," says Ms Kanck.

"Species are becoming extinct at between 50 and 100 times the 'normal' rate. The primary cause of this is loss of natural habitat. Habitat loss is generally greatest where population density is highest.

"For instance, up to 95 per cent of the giraffe population in the Masai Mara reserve in Kenya has declined as a result of increased human settlement around the unfenced park."

Harvard Professor Edward O Wilson, known as the 'Father of Biodiversity', in his book The Diversity of Life wrote: 'The raging monster upon the land is population growth”.

"But it is not just other species at risk," says Ms Kanck. "We depend on the natural world; on ecosystems. Yet the MEA Report noted that approximately 60 per cent of the ecosystem services it examined 'are being degraded or used unsustainably, including fresh water, capture fisheries, air and water purification, and the regulation of regional and local climate, natural hazards, and pests.'

"As Edward O Wilson himself has warned, our own immediate future on the planet is jeopardised by the current human-induced mass extinctions," says Ms Kanck.

Further information: Sandra Kanck 08 8336 4114

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"Australia's population size will be determine by how we manage this old flat and salty land. Population growth is one of the main drivers of increasing greenhouse gas emissions, along with energy consumption, economic growth and land use," he said.-Barry Pittock, retired scientist with the CSIRO's division of Atmospheric Research speaking at a conference titled "Food, Energy, and Population" held in Adelaide at the University of South Australia in July of 2002

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Sustainable Population Australia, the nation’s only environment group campaigning on reducing human population, is greatly encouraged by the comments of incoming Prime Minister Gillard about reducing immigration.

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Discover biodiversity - every day

Biodiversity is the backbone of all life on earth, and its conservation lies at the very core of IUCN’s work. ‘Species of the Day’ has been launched as part of IUCN’s involvement in the International Year of Biodiversity.

With mounting scientific evidence of a serious extinction crisis, it’s time to take action. “The latest analysis of the IUCN Red List shows the 2010 target to reduce biodiversity loss will not be met,” says Jane Smart, Director of IUCN’s Biodiversity Conservation Group. “It’s time for governments to get serious about saving species and make sure it’s high on their agendas for next year, as we’re rapidly running out of time.”

Each day of 2010 will see a different species featured on the IUCN website, with information on the threats it faces. The 365 species selected represent the entire range of taxonomic groups and cover all regions. We have started by featuring some better known species, including the Polar Bear and will move on to cover plants, fungi, invertebrates and more. Both charismatic and obscure species will be featured, providing an insight into the astonishing level of biodiversity that exists.

If you would like to access the archived list of species go to www.iucnredlist.org/species-of-the-day/archives

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