AN ATLAS of the world’s extinction hot spots, in which at least one species is in imminent danger of dying out, has been drawn up by scientists to guide global conservation.
The map, prepared by researchers from the Alliance for Zero Extinction (AZE), pinpoints 595 clearly defined sites that provide either the only or major remaining habitat for an endangered or seriously endangered species. Only a third of the hot spots are currently protected as conservation areas, and most are surrounded by large human populations that are threatening their future.
Urgent action to safeguard these sites is critical if humanity is to prevent a biodiversity crisis in which species are being lost at between 100 and 1,000 times the natural rate, scientists behind the study said.
NORTH AMERICA AND MEXICO
Mexico/Sur del Valle de Mexico: volcano rabbit
US/Huachuca mountains: Ramsey Canyon leopard frog
US/Cache river: ivory-billed woodpecker
SOUTH AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN
Colombia/Reserva Natural El Mirador: Fuertes’s parrot
Chile/Robinson Crusoe Island: Juan Fernández firecrown
Jamaica/Hellshire Hills: Jamaican ground iguana
EUROPE, CENTRAL ASIA AND JAPAN
China/Ahnui Chinese Alligator National Nature Reserve: Chinese alligator
Portugal/Azores, east of São Miguel: Azores bullfinch
Turkey/Silifke: Asia Minor spiny mouse
AFRICA AND MADAGASCAR
Madagascar/Daraina forest: golden-crowned sifaka
Madagascar/Tsimanampetsotsa Strict Nature Reserve: Giant-striped mongoose
Ivory Coast, Guinea, Liberia/Mont Nimba: Mont Nimba viviparous toad
SOUTH EAST ASIA
Indonesia/Ujung Kulon: Javan rhinoceros
Indonesia/Roti Island: Roti Island snake-necked turtle
AUSTRALASIA AND PACIFIC
Australia/Epping Forest National Park: northern hairy-nosed wombat
New Zealand/Codfish Island: kakapo