The bad news is that an increasing number of birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish and mammals have moved closer to extinction.

The good news is that the number could be worse were it not for the conservation measures put in place around the world in recent decades.

It was analyzed data from vertebrates, including more than 25 000 species in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The problem is so great that the group says it is the sixth mass extinction in world history.

The study shows that one fifth of these species can be classified as “threatened” and that the number has increased. On average, 52 species of mammals, birds and amphibians move from the category each year, moving closer to extinction

Of the total vertebrate biomass, 20% are under some form of threat, including 25% of all mammals, birds 13%, 22% of reptiles, 41% of amphibians, 33% of the cartilaginous fish and 15% of bone fish.

The declines could have been 18% worse were it not for biodiversity conservation measures implemented. Efforts to address invasive species are more efficient than those directed to factors such as habitat loss and hunting, the work points.

Via: Care 2.