See The Threatened Animals And Regions.

Sept. 12, 2003 — More than 223 bird, 140 mammal, and 346 amphibian species threatened with extinction are completely unprotected, according to a report presented Sept. 11 at the World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa.

The "global gap analysis" report, prepared by the Center for Applied Biodiversity Science at Conservation International, also found that another 943 plus species exist in protected regions that are too small to ensure preservation. The study's authors predict "a major wave of extinctions within the next few decades," unless further land area is targeted for conservation.

For the analysis, scientists compared a map of all protected areas, for which reliable information was available, to maps of more than 11,000 species ranges for birds, mammals and amphibians. While the researchers identified many unprotected areas, they gave priority to regions necessary for the conservation of species that are now close to extinction.

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Eighty percent of these regions fall within the tropics. Rainforests and islands throughout the world remain especially vulnerable, according to the analysis.

Critically endangered species living in unprotected areas include the Caerulean Paradise flycatcher bird (Eutrichomyias rowleyi) of which only about 100 exist on Sangihe Island in Indonesia, the Wuchuan frog (Rana wuchuanensis) found only in a single cave in Guizhou, China, and the Handley's slender mouse opossum (Marmosa handleyi) from Columbia.

Ana Rodrigues, research fellow with CABS at CI, said the study's data mainly addresses smaller range species, which often are vulnerable to extinction.

"Some species today only exist because of protected areas," Rodrigues told Discovery News. "The white rhino, for example, was literally brought back from near extinction death thanks to protection in South Africa."

Conservationists worldwide hope to protect at least ten percent of the world's land area. Rodrigues said the current gap analysis reveals that the ten percent goal and the global network behind it are "far from finished."

"Our measures are not yet strategic enough, and we must acknowledge that the responsibility for conservation belongs to the world," she said. "Most unprotected areas possess incredible biological wealth, but not economical wealth."

Adding to the problem is a 2.5 billion dollar shortfall now affecting protected areas, according to another study released at the Congress.

Andrew Balmford, senior lecturer in the Department of Zoology at the University of Cambridge, indicated threatened animals would not be the only ones to benefit from added government, foundation, organization and private funding.

"In weighing the costs and benefits of a global network of protected areas, it is critical to take into account the enormous benefits that undeveloped habitats provide to society," Balmford said. "These areas protect our natural heritage, provide numerous local benefits, and generate a wide range of globally valuable ecosystem services."

Balmford indicated local benefits include soil and water protection for farmers. One possible global benefit is carbon sequestration, which many scientists believe helps to control climate.

Amazonas, Brazil, announced Thursday at the Congress the creation of six new protected areas covering 3.8 million hectares, or about the size of Belgium. The Brazilian state is extremely rich in biodiversity.

Nelson Mandela, who opened the World Parks Congress Sept. 8, highlighted responsible ecotourism as one solution for protecting biodiversity. Mandela suggested that ecotourism could lead to environmental sustainability, while reducing poverty in surrounding communities.