BIRDS AND TARGETS BIODIVERSITY - What do birds tell us about progress to the Aichi Targets and requirements for the post-2020 biodiversity ...
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BIRDS AND
BIODIVERSITY
TARGETS
What do birds tell us about progress to the Aichi Targets
and requirements for the post-2020 biodiversity framework?
A STATE OF THE WORLD’S BIRDS REPORT
CONTENTS
Executive summary 3
Forewords 4
The wider context for a focus on birds and biodiversity targets 6
Introduction 7
WHAT BIRDS
TELL US
For key to progress
scores, see p.7 Strategic Goal A 8
Target 1 – Raising awareness of the value of biodiversity 10
Target 2 – Mainstreaming biodiversity values 12
Target 3 – Reforming incentives 14
Target 4 – Achieving sustainable production and consumption 16
Strategic Goal B 18
Target 5 – Reducing habitat loss and degradation 20
Target 6 – Sustainable fisheries 22
Target 7 – Ensuring sustainable agriculture, aquaculture and forestry 24
Target 8 – Reducing pollution 26
Target 9 – Tackling invasive species 28
Target 10 – Minimizing pressures on coral reefs and other vulnerable
ecosystems impacted by climate change 30
Strategic Goal C 32
Target 11 – Protecting and conserving biodiversity 34
Target 12 – Preventing extinctions 36
Target 13 – Maintaining genetic diversity in crops, livestock and
wild relatives 38
Strategic Goal D 40
Target 14 – Safeguarding and restoring ecosystems that provide
essential services 42
Target 15 - Enhancing ecosystem resilience and the contribution of
biodiversity to carbon stocks 44
Strategic Goal E 46
Target 18 – Traditional knowledge 48
Target 19 – Improving and sharing knowledge of biodiversity 50
Target 20 – Mobilising resources for implementing the CBD 52
Key implications for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework 54
Indicators for measuring progress 58
Targets are important, but implementation is key 60
References 62
2 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The tenth meeting of the
Parties to the Convention on
Biological Diversity was held
in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture,
Japan, in October 2010.
Photo: © Franz Dejon/IISD
In 2010, Parties to the Convention on Nevertheless, birds provide hope. Conservation of Important Bird and
Biological Diversity (CBD) adopted the For most targets assessed, there are Biodiversity Areas typically benefits
Strategic Plan, containing 20 ‘Aichi successes and positive trends for some people as well as biodiversity.
Biodiversity Targets’ to tackle the loss aspects, species or locations:
of nature. Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas
Birds help people to develop worldwide contain 300 Gigatonnes
Birds are excellent environmental an awareness of nature and the of carbon, almost 9% of the world’s
indicators. In this report, we synthesise biodiversity crisis. carbon stocks, so their conservation
data from birds to examine to what also contributes to climate change
degree each Aichi Target was met, and Data on birds are being used to mitigation.
to identify examples of positive trends mainstream biodiversity across sectors,
and successes. such as for financial institutions and Citizen scientists are increasingly
businesses to screen for biodiversity mobilising and sharing data on the
Data from birds suggest that we have risks when planning projects and occurrence and abundance of birds,
failed to meet in full any of the 18/20 developments. enabling innovative approaches to
Aichi Targets assessed: their conservation.
Reformed incentive systems such as
The underlying drivers of loss of nature agri-environment schemes have helped These results also provide valuable
remain, with biodiversity still not yet to slow or reverse bird population insights for the development and
adequately mainstreamed across all declines. implementation of goals and targets
sectors. of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity
Unsustainable hunting practices are Framework that is currently under
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries being eliminated through community negotiation through the CBD.
continue to be managed unsustainably, conservation efforts in some locations.
driving habitat loss and degradation. Birds point the way to a more effective
Mitigation measures are reducing and ‘smarter’ set of goals and targets,
Pollution, invasive alien species and bycatch of seabirds in fisheries, while and provide a suite of metrics and
climate change are growing threats to action to reduce pollution is benefiting indicators for measuring progress.
birds and other biodiversity. many species.
Birds also inform more effective
Protected area networks are yet Over 160 native bird species have implementation measures addressing
to provide adequate coverage of benefited from successful eradications enabling conditions such as reporting,
Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas of invasive species on islands, while verification, resourcing and international
(IBAs, Key Biodiversity Areas identified biosecurity has saved at least one bird cooperation.
for birds), with 36% of IBAs being species from extinction.
entirely unprotected.
Conservation efforts have prevented
Species continue to be driven towards up to 18 bird species from going
extinction, with declines of common extinct since 2010, and have slowed
species undermining delivery of the effective extinction rate of birds by
ecosystem services such as pollination. at least 40%.
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 3
FOREWORD
BRAULIO FERREIRA DE SOUZA DIAS
CHAIR OF BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL
GLOBAL COUNCIL
The Strategic Plan on Biodiversity But this should not be cause for giving up. As
2011-2020, and the 20 Aichi shown in this report, birds also provide reasons
Biodiversity Targets it contained, for hope: inspiring examples of success, positive
was adopted by Parties to trends, and insights into how biodiversity targets
the Convention on Biological can be met. In the last decade, conservation efforts
Diversity in 2010. It represented have prevented up to 18 bird extinctions, reduced
an unprecedented attempt by the accumulation of bird ‘extinction debt’ by 40%,
world governments to slow the loss of nature and reduced seabird bycatch in fisheries by up to 99% in
promote its recovery. At the end of the period for some cases, removed the threat of invasive species
implementing actions to meet these targets, the from numerous islands, significantly increased the
recently launched Fifth Global Biodiversity Outlook coverage of marine protected areas and increased
summarised what was achieved. public awareness and engagement. These examples
illustrate that we have the necessary tools and
BirdLife’s Birds and Biodiversity Targets report knowledge to tackle the biodiversity crisis.
dives deeper into some of the findings, focusing on
the unique insights and unparalleled datasets that Moving forward, these results provide key
birds provide to underpin such an assessment. It insights into what is needed for the design
shows that the world has failed to fully meet the and implementation of the post-2020 Global
ambitious goals it set a decade ago. This failure Biodiversity Framework currently being negotiated
stems from insufficient implementation of national between governments. The findings summarised
targets in most countries, a mismatch between in this report should inspire governments to adopt
the ambition level of most national targets and ambitious, well-crafted goals and targets to put
that of the global targets, a lack of mainstreaming nature on a path to recovery over the coming
of biodiversity across the social and economic decade. We must fully succeed this time – our
sectors, and insufficient engagement of heads- future depends on a healthy planet.
of-state in the CBD Framework negotiation and
implementation. We must recognise, however, the
increased efforts by most countries to improve their
biodiversity agenda, with almost half of all countries
adopting their updated National Biodiversity
Strategies and Action Plans as a “whole-of-
government” policy, thereby effectively promoting
the mainstreaming of biodiversity in all sectors.
4 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS
PHOTO: Common Cranes Grus grus © Arndt Sven-Erik/ Alamy Stock Photo
FOREWORD
PATRICIA ZURITA
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF
BIRDLIFE INTERNATIONAL
Birds are more popular and in animals. If we continue to expand our cities,
better studied than any other crops and livestock into previously untouched
comparable group of organisms, landscapes, force wildlife to seek refuge near
and are consequently excellent human populations by destroying their natural
barometers for change in the habitat, and exploit species for illegal wildlife trade
wider environment. This report and consumption, we are exposing ourselves to
is the latest in the State of the deadly risks.
World’s Birds series, which has been produced
with the generous support of the Aage V. Jensen The contents of this report tell us that it is
Charity Foundation. The evidence compiled in it time to wake up. We humans need to stop seeing
shows unequivocally that the state of the natural ourselves as the owners of nature. We are part
world continues to deteriorate. Pressures such as of nature, and the planet is a system on whose
habitat loss, over-exploitation, and invasive species delicate balance our own survival depends. It is time
continue to drive species towards extinction, to think beyond human health, and more in terms
disrupting delicately balanced ecosystems and of the wider planetary health. Birds show us what
reducing the capacity of our planet to sustain us action is needed: by conserving birds, we address
into the future. the threats affecting biodiversity more widely,
helping to restore and sustain the health of our
A healthy planet is essential for our own health planet. If we want to prevent further health crises, it
and well-being. Access to nature has been shown is imperative that we listen to the birds.
to improve physical health, reduce chronic stress,
anxiety, and depression, and boost concentration
and self-esteem. Never has the importance of a
healthy planet been more evident than this year,
as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect
us all. Studies have shown that 75% of new or
emerging diseases that affect humans originated
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 5
THE WIDER CONTEXT FOR
A FOCUS ON BIRDS AND
BIODIVERSITY TARGETS
ver the last two decades, BirdLife’s
Photo: © Rachel Gartner
O
State of the World’s Birds reports
have summarised what birds
tell us about the state of nature,
the pressures upon it, and the
solutions needed. Building on these and many
other sources, the first Global Assessment from
the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Panel on
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
concluded in 2019 that, from genes to species and
ecosystems, humanity’s common natural heritage,
and ultimately its collective safety net, is declining
fast. The report included an estimate (drawing
on data from the International Union for the
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, including
BirdLife’s assessments of extinction risk for all
birds) that a shocking one million species may be
currently threatened with global extinction.
Not only do we risk losing a million unique and
wondrous lifeforms, we also risk fundamentally As public awareness and interest in the continuing
impairing the biological processes that sustain our biodiversity crisis grows, increasing numbers of people from
own existence. A healthy ecosystem is one that around the world are engaging in climate protests.
has both variety and abundance of life, and it is this
richness that underpins ecosystem functions and
delivers ‘ecosystem services’, such as pollination,
water purification, carbon sequestration and The UN-75 Global Dialogue reveals that people
storage, which in turn provide us with the food, around the world overwhelmingly believe that
water and clean air we need to live. climate and the environment will most affect
humanity’s future. The UN must recognise the value
Nature underpins the delivery of the Sustainable of nature, not just as the foundation of a healthy
Development Goals. However, our systematic and resilient economy, but as the basis for human
disregard for the environment is jeopardising well-being, peace and security, and put nature at
progress towards sustainable development. the core of its agenda.
Continued loss of nature threatens over half of
global GDP as well as human lives and well-being, As we end the UN Decade on Biodiversity with
with the poorest and most vulnerable the first and nature in a poorer state than when the decade
hardest hit. This has been brought into sharp focus began, governments must reflect on the successes
this year, with the roots of the current, devastating and failures of the last global plan on biodiversity
COVID-19 pandemic linked to our mismanagement documented in the Fifth Global Biodiversity
of nature. Outlook. The post-2020 framework must this time
succeed in putting nature on a path to recovery
While an economic and societal tragedy, and securing a healthy, just and sustainable future
COVID-19 presents an unprecedented opportunity for all, for the sake of both current and future
to reset humanity’s relationship with nature and to generations. Birds can both illuminate the failures
catalyse the transformative change necessary in of recent targets and inform the requirements of
our political, economic and financial systems. new goals. This report shows us how.
Sources: Díaz et al. (2019), IPBES (2019), UN75 (2020), UNEP (2012), UNEP & ILRI (2020), WEF (2020)
6 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS
INTRODUCTION
The Aichi Biodiversity Targets considerable conservation attention, and the
solutions identified to safeguard and restore their
In 2010, Parties to the Convention on Biological populations and habitats are typically relevant to
Diversity (CBD) adopted a bold Strategic Plan wildlife more broadly. To summarise: birds can tell
for Biodiversity for 2011-2020. It contained 20 us about the state of the planet, the pressures
‘Aichi Biodiversity Targets’ to tackle the loss and on nature, and the solutions needed to conserve
degradation of nature, aiming to improve the state species and habitats.
of nature, reduce direct pressures, address the
underlying drivers of loss, enhance the benefits to Reasons for hope
people from nature, and enhance implementation
of the Convention to achieve these aims. Despite the ongoing loss and degradation of life
At the end of this period, it is timely to examine on earth, there are numerous reasons for hope. In
the progress made towards achieving these this report, we identify at least one ‘good news’
targets, and to learn from successes and failures. story for each target, to illustrate that successes
In this report, we synthesise data from birds to have been achieved and progress made, even if the
examine to what degree each target was met, overall trend is negative owing to the magnitude
and to identify examples of positive progress and of growth in the drivers and pressures on nature on
success. our planet.
We cover all but two of the Aichi Targets,
omitting Target 16 (on implementing the Nagoya Implications for the future
Protocol on Access and Benefits Sharing) and
Target 17 (on developing and implementing Lastly, we focus on the implications of this review
national biodiversity strategies and action plans), for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
as information from birds is less relevant or currently being negotiated through the CBD. We
unavailable for assessing these. consider what the information from birds tells
us about the threats that need addressing, the
Why birds? actions that are required, and how to express the
outcomes we wish to achieve in order to meet
Birds are by far the best known class of organisms the CBD Vision of living in harmony with nature
on the planet. They are popular and engaging, for the coming decades. We show how birds can
and as a consequence there is an army of casual point the way to a more effective and ‘smarter’ set
birdwatchers as well as professional ornithologists of goals and targets, provide a suite of metrics and
and conservationists collecting data on birds indicators for measuring progress and inform more
all across the world. Fortunately, birds are also effective implementation measures addressing
very useful indicators of wider biodiversity: they enabling conditions.
are found in all countries and nearly all habitats;
Photo: Wandering Albtaross Diomedea exulans © Henri Weimerskirch
most species are generally straightforward to
detect, identify and count; their taxonomy is well WHAT BIRDS TELL US
understood and fairly stable; and their populations Each target in this report is scored as follows:
are responsive to environmental change. This
means that there is a plethora of data available
Target fully met
on birds, and they can be used as indicators of
the health of ecosystems. Birds have also received
Target largely met
Some progress
but target not met
Little progress and target
far from being met
Movement away
from target
This assessment is based on information and data on birds, including the case
Birds are widespread, engaging, and relatively easy to studies presented here, and reflects progress achieved in relation to bird
observe and identify, making them the best studied taxon in conservation, rather than a comprehensive assessment of all dimensions of each
the world. target, which can be found in the Global Biodiversity Outlook-5.
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 7
STRATEGIC
GOAL A
Address the underlying causes of
biodiversity loss by mainstreaming
biodiversity across government
and society
8 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS
PHOTO: Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris murmuration © Nicky Kenny/ Shutterstock.com
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 9
RAISING AWARENESS OF THE
VALUE OF BIODIVERSITY
Birds are spectacularly popular and have engaged increasing numbers of people
across the world, raising awareness of biodiversity and the pressures it is under.
Alongside growing public awareness of the linked biodiversity and climate
crises, this provides hope for more effective actions to tackle biodiversity loss in
the coming decade.
WHAT BIRDS TELL US
Some progress but target not met
AICHI SOME PROGRESS…
1
TARGET Birds help people to develop an
awareness of nature and the biodiversity
crisis.
Being conspicuous, colourful and engaging,
birds are popular. They are therefore an
effective entry point for people to engage
By 2020, at the latest, with the natural world and develop awareness
people are aware of the of biodiversity and understanding of its value.
values of biodiversity Each October, thousands of people participate
and the steps they can in EuroBirdwatch: a series of hundreds of local
take to conserve and use birdwatching events open to all across Europe
and Central Asia. Experienced birders, inquisitive
it sustainably. While birdwatching has long been a popular activity in
newcomers, the young and old alike join up to
western countries, interest in Asia has grown rapidly in
observe, identify and count passing birds during recent years. This has contributed to a greater understanding
autumn migration, when millions of birds make of bird population trends and increased local support for
their epic journeys southwards to wintering conservation. PHOTO Vivian Fu
areas in the Mediterranean and in Africa. The aim
of EuroBirdwatch is not only to share the joy
of birdwatching but also to educate people by UK, to enjoy birdwatching activities, informative
introducing wider audiences to the specific needs lectures, art and nature-focused shopping. For
of migratory birds and the potential perils they face over 30 years, Birdfair has been managed to raise
along their flyways twice a year. Similar numbers awareness and funds for conservation, with a
of people attend the annual ‘Birdfair’, in Rutland, different project being the focus each year.
Number of participants (thousands)
Number of visitors (thousands)
26 31 60
50
24 27
40
Number of societies
22 23 30
20
20 19
10
18 15 0
2011 Year 2019 2013 Year 2019 2010 Year 2018
>20,000
visitors to UK Birdfair
52%
increase in participation
30
new Chinese birdwatching
every year since 2013 societies set up since 2010
10 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETSAves Argentinas, Latin America’s oldest environmental
organisation and BirdLife Partner, organises several
education and engagement programmes to raise
awareness of birds and biodiversity, including
birdwatching courses, a “Guardians of Nature”
programme, and Argentina’s School of Naturalists.
PHOTO Andrea Filadoro
...AND FURTHER POSITIVE TRENDS
Increasing numbers of people are joining civil society organisations
as a positive step to conserve nature
As well as engaging people, birds largest global partnership of national nature ensure its use is sustainable. The number of
increasingly inspire them to take action conservation organisations. Registering as members of Natagora (BirdLife in Wallonia,
to conserve biodiversity. Growing a member of a BirdLife Partner provides Belgium) and Aves Argentinas (BirdLife in
numbers of people are supporting civil individuals with the opportunity to support Argentina) have each more than doubled
society organisations focused on nature the conservation of nature as well as to since 2010, reflecting the growing trend
conservation. With 115 Partners in 112 receive information and advice on the steps of support for nature conservation, and of
countries, BirdLife International is the that they can take to conserve nature and people taking action to achieve this.
25000 4000
3500
20000
3000
2500
No. members
No. members
15000
2000
10000 1500
1000
5000
500
0 0
2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
Year Year
Growth in the number of members of BirdLife International Partners in Wallonia, Belgium (Natagora) and Argentina (Aves Argentinas) during 2010-2019.
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 11
11MAINSTREAMING
BIODIVERSITY VALUES
Data on birds are increasingly being integrated into development and planning
processes, from the use of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas to screen
development finance and corporate footprints to the use of information on
sensitive species and locations in renewable energy development planning.
WHAT BIRDS TELL US
Some progress but target not met
AICHI SOME PROGRESS…
2
TARGET Data on birds and key sites for their
conservation are increasingly being
used by the private sector to screen for
biodiversity risks when planning projects
and developments
By 2020, at the latest, To minimise negative impacts on biodiversity,
companies and financial institutions are
biodiversity values
increasingly screening potential projects for their
have been integrated biodiversity risk using data on birds and other
Wind farms can have a detrimental impact on birds if poorly
into national and well-known groups compiled into the Integrated sited. The renewable energy sector, government agencies
local development Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT). This is a web- and conservation practitioners are increasingly working
and poverty reduction based map and reporting tool that provides fast, together to ensure that the expansion of renewable energy
easy and integrated access to critical biodiversity does not harm wildlife. PHOTO STRIX
strategies and planning
processes and are information, including from the World Database
on Protected Areas, the World Database of
being incorporated into
Key Biodiversity Areas (incorporating data on Bank (ADB), the European Investment Bank and
national accounting, >13,000 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas), the World Bank Group. Francesco Ricciardi, an
as appropriate, and and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species environmental specialist at ADB, explains that the
reporting systems. (incorporating assessments of >11,000 bird species). bank uses IBAT “to identify if a proposed project
Users of IBAT include large energy and extractive is located in an area of high biodiversity value, if
industry companies such as BP, ExxonMobil, potentially there are endangered species recorded
Total, Anglo American, Rio Tinto and BHP, utility in proximity, as well as protected areas or natural
companies including EDF, Enel and Engie, and reserves. If one or more such risks are identified, it
financial institutions such as BNP Paribas, J.P. triggers additional studies and evaluations required
Morgan, Standard Chartered, Asian Development by ADB’s Safeguards Policy Statement.”
22,523
locations in 228 countries
assessed by IBAT users
Percentage of all
5,341
reports downloaded in 2019
locations uploaded
by IBAT users
1%
2%
3,502
users on the IBAT platform
3-4%
5-7%
8-10%
The Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool is widely used by the private sector to integrate biodiversity values into planning and reporting.
12 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETSBirdLife’s Soaring Bird Sensitivity
Mapping Tool is used throughout
the Mediterranean, Middle East
and north-east Africa to support
sustainable wind energy expansion.
...AND FURTHER POSITIVE TRENDS
The renewable energy sector is increasingly using information on birds
to avoid sensitive locations
A swift transition from CO emitting fossil displacement from their key flight paths and practitioners are increasingly working
²
fuels to renewable sources of energy is migration routes. Fortunately, wind and solar together to ensure that the expansion of
essential. However, renewable energy radiation are widespread resources and there renewable energy does not harm wildlife.
facilities, such as wind and solar farms, can is considerable scope to choose locations Central to this ambition is avian sensitivity
have a detrimental impact on wildlife if for development where the impact on birds mapping, a technique whereby spatial bird
poorly sited. For instance, one of the wildlife and other wildlife will be minimal. With data is used to identify areas where conflict
groups most directly impacted by wind careful, strategic and proactive planning, it is between renewable energy and birds is likely
energy is birds. Not only can inappropriately possible to meet renewable energy targets to occur. The preparation of such maps in
sited wind farms destroy important without adversely affecting wildlife. To advance of wind and solar expansion can
bird habitat, birds can also be impacted achieve this, the renewable energy sector, significantly reduce the likelihood of conflict
through collision with turbine blades and government agencies and conservation with birds and other wildlife.
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 13REFORMING
INCENTIVES
Information from birds is informing revisions to subsidy systems, but many
incentives remain damaging to biodiversity, driving unsustainable practices in
agriculture, fisheries and other sectors that destroy and degrade habitats, and
drive declines in nature.
WHAT BIRDS TELL US
Little progress and target far from being met
SOME PROGRESS…
AICHI
3
TARGET In the USA, environmental measures
under the Farm Bill have reversed bird
population declines
After two decades of declines, wetland bird
populations grew dramatically—and forest
and grassland bird populations stabilized—
By 2020, at the latest,
following the introduction of key conservation
incentives, including programmes linked to subsidies under the Farm
subsidies, harmful Bill – the agricultural and food policy tool of the US A new, updated Farm Bill is signed into law approximately
every five years. Recent changes have included
to biodiversity are Government. For example, wetland bird numbers
consolidation of conservation programs to allow greater
eliminated, phased out had declined 10% since 1970 when ‘wetland coordination between them, and increased incentives
or reformed in order easements’ (voluntary legal agreements that limit for organic farming, rotational grazing, and use of cover
to minimize or avoid certain types of land-uses in perpetuity) were crops. PHOTO Official White House Photo by Pete Souza
added to the Farm Bill in 1990, but have risen by
negative impacts, and
51% since then. Forest birds declined by 19% during began in 1985, but eventually stabilized, and rose
positive incentives 1970-1990, but the decline levelled off and then by 3% after ‘grassland easements’ were added to
for the conservation populations rose by 3% since the ‘forestry title’ was the Farm Bill in 2003. These examples based on bird
and sustainable use added to the Bill in 1990. Finally, long-term declines data show that revisions to subsidy systems can
of biodiversity are in grassland bird populations had reached 34% halt and reverse biodiversity trends at a continental
developed and applied, by the time the ‘Conservation Reserve Program’ scale. Source: NABCI (2017).
consistent and in
harmony with the 1985 1990 2003
Convention and other Conservation Forestry title and Grassland
relevant international 30 Reserve Program wetland easements easements added Wetland birds
(CRP) introduced added to Farm Bill to Farm Bill
obligations, taking into
20
Population trend (% change)
account national socio
economic conditions. 10
0 Forest birds
-10
-20
Grassland birds
-30
-40
-50
1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2008 2013 2018
Year
Average population trends for suites of bird species dependent on major habitat types. Source: North American Breeding Bird Survey and wetland bird surveys (courtesy of
John Sauer USGS Patuxent Wildlife Research Center).
14 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETSThe EU’s Common Agricultural
Policy (CAP) continues to reward
intensively managed farms while
offering much poorer deals to
wildlife-friendly farming systems.
Only 25% of CAP spending goes to
rural development, while just 4% is
spent on agri-environment schemes.
PHOTO Fotokostic/ Shutterstock.com
…BUT TARGET NOT MET
European agricultural policies are driving
0.10 6.0
declines in birds and other biodiversity
5.8
The EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) remains
heavily biased in favour of intensive farming, and is 0.05 5.6
Mean yield (kg x 1,000/ha)
Mean relative abundance
still driving intensification and hence environmental
harm. A 2018 study for the Czech Republic
5.4
showed that farming intensified and farmland bird 5.2
0.00
populations declined steeply after the country
joined the EU in 2004. Similar results have been 5.0
found in other EU countries: for example in Spain,
the CAP has driven the loss of fallow land (which -0.05 4.8
is not used for production), and this is associated 4.6
with the loss of farmland birds. Finally, a scientific
opinion supported by over 3,600 scientists in 2020 -0.10 4.4
confirmed that the CAP “supports a variety of
practices contributing to wide-scale biodiversity 4.2
loss”. Incentives for growing biofuels have also led
-0.15 4.0
to increased use of land to grow maize, oilseed and
other biofuel crops. A 2014 study estimated that
Before After Before After
the increase of farmland for maize cultivation in
The abundance of farmland bird populations declined as farmland yields increased following the
Germany could result in a 10% decline of farmland implementation of the Common Agricultural Policy after the Czech Republic joined the EU. Bars
birds by 2050. Sources: Pe’er et al. (2019), Reif & show means with 95% confidence intervals. Abundance is shown relative to 1982 levels, comparing
Vermouzek (2019), Sauerbrei et al. (2014), Traba & 1993-2004 and 2005-2017. Yield is shown as the mean per hectare yield of wheat, comparing 1993-
Morales (2019). 2004 and 2005-2016. Source: data from Reif & Vermouzek (2019).
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 15ACHIEVING SUSTAINABLE
PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
While there have been some successes in reducing the negative impacts of
unsustainable use of bird species since 2010, data from birds show that overall
human consumption patterns are not yet sustainable.
WHAT BIRDS TELL US
Little progress and target far from being met
AICHI SOME PROGRESS…
4
TARGET Unsustainable hunting of Amur Falcons
in India ended through community
conservation
Amur Falcon Falco amurensis is a migratory raptor
that undertakes spectacular annual journeys
between its breeding grounds in East Asia and
By 2020, at the latest, wintering areas in southern Africa. In 2012, the
Governments, business Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS, BirdLife
and stakeholders at in India) was alerted to mass trapping of very
all levels have taken large flocks of Amur Falcons at Doyang Reservoir
steps to achieve or have in Nagaland, India. This vital stopover site is used
implemented plans for by up to one million falcons every autumn, but
Up to a million Amur Falcons Falco amurensis use the Doyang
an estimated 100,000-140,000 individuals were
sustainable production Reservoir in Nagaland as a stopover site during their annual
being trapped each season, mostly for sale at 22,000 km migration, forming spectacular flocks which
and consumption and local food markets. In response, BirdLife launched attract thousands of tourists. PHOTO Ramki Sreenivasan/
have kept the impacts of an international appeal, raising funds to support Conservation India
use of natural resources a long-term community outreach project. An
well within safe innovative PR campaign—“Friends of the Amur
ecological limits. Falcon”—was developed to galvanise community successful, with many former hunters becoming
action and build awareness of the importance guardians of the falcons, and there have been no
of conserving the species. Local people were reports of falcon hunting in the area since 2013.
employed to patrol the Doyang area and to Doyang Reservoir was declared an Important Bird
start eco-clubs through churches, schools and and Biodiversity Area in 2016, and is becoming an
other local groups. This approach proved hugely increasingly popular avitourism destination.
>100,000 Amur Falcons >500 children >2,500 tourists
Counted during a transect of Doyang Currently take part in eco-clubs run by Visited home stays in Nagaland set up
Reservoir by BNHS in 2018 BNHS across 6 villages in Nagaland for bird tourism since 2015
16 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETSThe Common Hill Myna Gracula
religiosa is one of the most popular
avian pets in Asia. Intensive trade of
this species has caused significant
population declines – during
2000-2019, over 40,000 wild-caught
individuals were exported from
countries across South and South-
East Asia. PHOTO Aphisit Sailueam/
Shutterstock.com
…BUT TARGET NOT MET
0.8980
The Red List Index shows that human
use of the world’s birds remains 0.8975
unsustainable
0.8970
At least 45% of extant bird species (over 4,500
species) are used by humans, principally for pets 0.8965
(37%) and for hunting for food (14%), but other
uses include sport hunting, ornamentation and 0.8960
traditional medicine. Much of this use drives
trade at an international scale, involving at least 0.8955
a third of bird species, mostly for the pet trade.
0.904 2010 2012 2014 2016
Unfortunately, however, human use of birds
remains unsustainable: 39% of threatened birds
are impacted by unsustainable levels of direct
Red List Index of
species survival
exploitation (hunting and trapping), and 75% are
threatened by all forms of biological resource use
(including effects of logging and fisheries). Much
of this is illegal: recent studies estimate that 13-43
million individual birds are killed illegally each year
in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
The Red List Index showing impacts of utilisation
shows that although successful control and 0.894
management of use and trade have led to
some species improving in status, this has 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016
been outweighed by the number of species Year
deteriorating in status owing to unsustainable The Red List Index for the world’s birds showing trends driven by use indicates that unsustainable levels of
exploitation. Sources: Brochet et al. (2016, 2017, hunting and trapping continue to drive them towards extinction. A value of 1.0 indicates that all species are
2019), Butchart (2008). Least Concern, while a value of 0 indicates that all species have gone extinct.
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 17
17STRATEGIC
GOAL B
Reduce the direct pressures on
biodiversity and promote sustainable use
18 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETSPHOTO: Indian Roller Coracias benghalensis © Swayamsiddha Mohapatra
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 19REDUCING HABITAT LOSS
AND DEGRADATION
While there have been encouragingly successful efforts to stem habitat loss and
safeguard important locations, deforestation in the most significant sites for bird
conservation is symptomatic of wider trends in habitat loss and degradation.
WHAT BIRDS TELL US
Little progress and target far from being met
SOME PROGRESS…
AICHI
5
Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea is a
TARGET Migratory waterbirds inspire international Critically Endangered species with an estimated
cooperation to stem habitat loss on the global population of around 250 mature
Yellow Sea coast individuals. The Yellow Sea provides an important
stopover habitat during their annual migration.
PHOTO Kajornyot Wildlife Photography/
Shutterstock.com
The network of coastal wetlands along the Yellow
Sea coast of China and the Koreas are vital staging
By 2020, the rate of loss sites for migratory waterbirds of the East Asian-
of all natural habitats, Australasian flyway, like the Critically Endangered
including forests, is at Spoon-billed Sandpiper Calidris pygmaea. By
least halved and where 2012, an influential analysis highlighted that rapid
feasible brought close economic growth had driven losses averaging
35% of intertidal wetlands across key areas of the
to zero, and degradation
Yellow Sea since the early 1980s. This led to the
and fragmentation is formation of a working group in which the three
significantly reduced. national governments could collaborate for their
shared coastal ecosystem. In 2018, China restricted years earlier was set to be destroyed by one of
further coastal wetland reclamation, promoting the largest ever coastal land-claim projects. The
ecosystem restoration instead. In 2017, China added remaining Chinese sites are to be nominated in
16 Yellow Sea coastal wetland sites to its proposed 2022, while South Korea’s Yellow Sea coast World
UNESCO World Heritage List, and the largest Heritage nomination was due to be inscribed
two were inscribed on the list in 2019, including in 2020. Other countries along the Flyway are
Tiaozini, an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area following suit to help connect critical networks
and the world’s most important stopover site of coastal sites and secure their future. Source:
for the Spoon-billed Sandpiper, which only three MacKinnon et al. (2012)
NORTH
KOREA
SOUTH
KOREA
Yellow Sea
Proposed World
Heritage Site
CHINA Inscribed World
Heritage Site
Migratory routes
Locations in the Yellow Sea proposed as World Heritage Sites, and the bird migratory routes that connect them to other parts of the world.
20 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETSEven in areas where commercial
exploitation is prohibited, illegal
logging is still rife. In 2018, the Brazilian
Environmental and Renewable Natural
Resources Institute (IBAMA) seized 7,387
logs illegally harvested in the densely
forested Pirititi indigenous Amazon lands.
PHOTO Felipe Werneck, IBAMA/ Flickr
…BUT TARGET NOT MET
Forest continues to be lost across 0.7
Annual % loss of tree cover in IBAs
the network of Important Bird and
Biodiversity Areas 0.6
Three-quarters (74%) of Important Bird and 0.5
Biodiversity Areas (IBAs, Key Biodiversity Areas
identified for birds) are threatened by factors that 0.4
impact habitat extent and condition, including
unsustainable agriculture and commercial and 0.3
residential development. Since 2000, 5.6% of forest
cover has been lost from Key Biodiversity Areas 0.2
identified for forest-dependent birds, and 3.4% has
been lost since 2010. Of considerable concern, the 0.1
rate of loss appears to have continued to increase
since 2010, although there is variation between 0
years. Globally, the main drivers of deforestation
2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
include forestry, commodity production, wildfire,
shifting agriculture and urbanisation. The failure to Year
address these drivers and to safeguard the most
Total annual percentage tree cover lost between 2000 and 2019 within Important Bird and Biodiversity
important locations for bird conservation from Areas identified for forest-dependent bird species. Increased losses in 2016 were driven by expanding
their impacts indicates that this target has not agriculture, plus forestry and fires. Source: Hansen Global Forest Change v1.7 (2000-2019; http://
been met. Sources: Global Forest Review (2020). earthenginepartners.appspot.com/science-2013-global-forest).
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 21
21SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES
Implementation of mitigation measures has spectacularly reduced seabird
bycatch in some fisheries. However, extinction risk trends driven by fisheries and
their impacts show that overall, many of the world’s fisheries
remain unsustainable.
WHAT BIRDS TELL US
Some progress but target not met
AICHI TARGET NOT MET…
6
TARGET Unsustainable fisheries are continuing to
drive declines in the world’s birds
Despite the successes in mitigating the impact
of fishing gear on seabirds, bycatch is still the
major at-sea threat to seabirds, particularly for
some of the most threatened groups, including
By 2020, all fish and albatrosses and large petrels. Threats related to
invertebrate stocks fisheries (including bycatch, but also overfishing
and aquatic plants are of prey species) are increasing and affecting
managed and harvested more threatened seabird species compared with
sustainably, legally and the situation a decade ago. The challenge in
applying ecosystem solving this problem remains in ensuring practical
implementation of measures and effective
based approaches,
compliance to monitor uptake, particularly on the
so that overfishing is high seas. Furthermore, solutions for gillnet bycatch
avoided, recovery plans (which particularly affects coastal species such as
and measures are in sea-ducks, some penguins and auks) remain elusive It is estimated that an albatross dies in a fishery every five minutes.
place for all depleted and are an urgent research priority. Incidental capture of Wandering Albatross Diomedea exulans
significantly reduces adult and juvenile survival, driving global
species, fisheries have population declines. PHOTO Brook Whylie
no significant adverse
impacts on threatened
species and vulnerable
ecosystems and the
60
impacts of fisheries Bycatch Overfishing
on stocks, species and
ecosystems are within 50
safe ecological limits.
Number of species impacted
40
30
20
10
0
2010 2019 2010 2019
The numbers of globally threatened seabird species impacted by bycatch and overfishing have increased since 2010 by 25% and
120% respectively. Sources: Croxall et al. (2012), Dias et al. (2019).
22 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETSBird Scaring Lines deter seabirds
from trawl cables and hooks,
reducing seabird mortality by 90%
or more when used alongside
other mitigation measures.
PHOTO Nahuel Chavez
…BUT SOME PROGRESS
Mitigation measures are reducing
bycatch of seabirds in fisheries
Unintentional capture of non-target species Chile Argentina Namibia
(‘bycatch’) is a major threat in the marine
Trials of modified nets Regulations in place since >95% reduction in
environment. Encouragingly, however, bycatch 2017, resulting in increasing demersal longline
by the Albatross Task
mitigation measures are now being implemented Force demonstrate use of bird-scaring lines in bycatch rates
in many oceanic areas, within and beyond national 98% reduction in purse trawl fleets
jurisdictions. Examples include the requirement seine seabird bycatch
for seabird mitigation measures in all tuna
fisheries commissions, and the introduction of
seabird bycatch regulations in nine out of ten of
the fisheries targeted by BirdLife International’s
Albatross Task Force. This has led to a 99%
reduction in albatrosses killed in the South African
hake trawl fishery since 2004-2005. The numbers
of some well-studied populations of albatrosses,
such as Black-browed Albatrosses Thalassarche
melanophris breeding at Bird Island, South Georgia,
seem to now be stabilizing after steep declines
in recent decades. These successes were possible
thanks to cutting-edge science to identify hotspots Uruguay
of bycatch and develop mitigation solutions, South Africa
allied with grassroots work on fishing vessels and Pelagic longline 99% reduction in albatross
bycatch mitigations bycatch from demersal trawling
in ports, as well as intensive advocacy work with in place since 2009
industry, governments and the Regional Fisheries
Management Organizations. Sources: Maree et al.
(2014), ATF (2015, 2017, 2019). Progress in implementing seabird bycatch mitgation and the benefits for seabird populations.
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 23ENSURING SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE, AQUACULTURE
AND FORESTRY
Some agri-environment measures can deliver impressive benefits for birds
and other biodiversity, but declines in farmland bird populations since 2010
show that such measures are insufficient, and overall, agriculture remains
unsustainable, representing the largest threat to birds worldwide.
WHAT BIRDS TELL US
Little progress and target far from being met
AICHI SOME PROGRESS…
7
TARGET Agri-environment measures are
benefiting common farmland birds and
moderating their declines
Agri-environment schemes provide funding to
farmers and land managers to farm in a way that
benefits biodiversity, enhances the landscape,
By 2020 areas under and improves the quality of water, air and soil.
agriculture, aquaculture Measures include leaving strips unploughed, grass
and forestry are margins, and reducing pesticide and fertiliser
managed sustainably, inputs. One recent study showed that for resident
ensuring conservation of and short-distance migratory common farmland
birds in Europe, population declines were less
biodiversity.
severe in countries where agricultural areas under
agri-environment schemes were more abundant,
even though such schemes are usually not
designed to protect bird species, but rather to
generally improve farmland environmental quality.
Establishing wildflower margins around agricultural
This suggests that the non-targeted environmental
fields provides nesting habitat and enhanced feeding
measures within these schemes could be beneficial opportunities, benefiting species such as Cirl Bunting
to some common farmland birds at the EU level. Emberiza cirlus and Eurasian Thick-knee Burhinus
Source: Gamero et al. (2017). oedicnemus. PHOTO Pixabay
0.10
Population growth rate (log scale)
0.05
0.00
-0.05
-0.10
-0.15
-0.20
20 40 60 80 100
% farmland under AES
The UK Cirl Bunting population has increased nine-fold since Population growth rates of common farmland birds (resident and short-distance migrants) in relation to
the introduction of agri-environment schemes designed to percentage of farmland under agri-environment schemes, showing that in areas with a higher proportion of
provide overwinter stubbles, grass margins, and beneficially farmland under such schemes, declines are less severe (i.e. less negative growth rates). Dashed lines show
managed hedges. PHOTO Mickaël Dia/ Flickr confidence intervals. Source: Gamero et al. (2017).
24 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETSGrey Partridges Perdix perdix
were recently declared extinct in
Switzerland, and continue to show
marked declines across their native
European range due to agricultural
intensification.
PHOTO Ekaterina Chernetsova/ Flickr
…BUT TARGET NOT MET
Farmland bird population trends in 45.0
Europe show that agriculture remains
unsustainable in the region 44.5
Unsustainable agriculture remains the predominant
44.0
threat to threatened birds and the key sites
for their conservation, but it also affects many
common and widespread taxa worldwide. Almost 43.5
2020
half of Europe’s 530 bird species are impacted by
agriculture, including 40 regionally threatened 43.0
2010 2012 2014 2016 2018
Farmland Bird Index (1980=100)
species. The impacts of agriculture on birds in
Europe are revealed by the European Farmland Year
Bird Index. This is based on annual breeding
bird survey data from 28 European countries 100
collected through the Pan-European Common Bird
Monitoring Scheme. Regional trend indices for 170 75
common and widespread species, weighted by
the proportion of the population in each country, 50
are combined to produce multi-species indicators 25
showing trends in bird populations in key habitats.
The European Farmland Bird Index, combining data 0
for 39 farmland specialists, has declined by 57% 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
since 1980, with no sign of recovery since 2010 Year
(trend = -4%). This represents a net loss of more
than 300 million birds, indicating that European The European Farmland Bird Index showing trends in average population abundance of 39 farmland
agriculture remains unsustainable. Source: BirdLife specialist species in 28 European countries (1980-2018). Source: Pan-European Common Bird Monitoring
International (2015), PECBMS (2019). Scheme (European Bird Census Council/BirdLife International/RSPB/CSO).
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 25REDUCING POLLUTION
Significant progress has been made in tackling particular types of pollution, from
oil spills to veterinary drugs. However, pollution remains a major threat to the
world’s birds and is a factor driving some species towards extinction.
WHAT BIRDS TELL US
Some progress but target not met
0.8975
TARGET NOT MET…
AICHI 0.8970
8
A diversity of types of pollution threaten
TARGET 0.8965
the world’s birds and drives them
towards extinction 0.8960
Pollution currently threatens 434 bird species 0.8955
worldwide, including 212 globally threatened 0.8950
species. Agricultural effluents cause ecosystem 2010 2012 2014 2016
By 2020, pollution, degradation, and industrial effluents such as oil
Red List Index of species survival
including from excess 0.902
spills can also cause direct and indirect mortality.
nutrients, has been Increasing light pollution is already affecting 7.5% 0.900
brought to levels that of seabird species, particularly small pelagic petrels
are not detrimental to which are attracted to artificial lights at night in 0.898
coastal settlements, as well as on ships and oil
ecosystem function and
and gas platforms at sea. Confused by the lights, 0.896
biodiversity. birds can be injured or “grounded” and unable
to fly, and incineration of huge numbers of birds 0.894
has been recorded in oil and gas platform flares.
0.892
Other emerging forms of pollution such as marine
plastic debris are poorly studied but likely to have 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004 2008 2012 2016
widespread impacts. The Red List Index showing
the impacts of pollution indicates that pollution
The Red List Index for the world’s birds showing trends driven by
has continued to drive declines in the world’s birds pollution indicates that this threat continues to drive birds towards
since 2010. Sources: BirdLife International (2019); extinction. A value of 1.0 indicates that all species are Least Concern,
Dias et al. (2019); Rodríguez et al. (2019). while a value of 0 indicates that all species have gone extinct.
Agricultural & Artificial lights in the Canary
forestry effluents Islands disorientate young Cory’s
Shearwaters Calonectris borealis,
causing them to become grounded
Industrial & and significantly increasing mortality.
military effluents PHOTO Airam Rodríguez
Types of pollution
Excess light
& noise
IUCN Red List Category
Domestic & urban n Critically Endangered
waste water
n Endangered
Garbage & n Vulnerable
solid waste n Near Threatened
n Least Concern
Air-bourne
pollutants
0 50 100 150 200
Number of species
Number of bird species threatened by different types of pollution. (Past threats are omitted, as are those
with unknown scope and/or severity). Source: BirdLife International (2019).
26 I BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETSAt Chitwan National Park,
2002 level (pre-decline)
Nepal, numbers of nesting
vulture pairs increased
from 17 to 45 in the three
abundance
Population
years following the ban of
Diclofenac and creation of
50%
Vulture Safe Zones. PHOTO
Paul Hilton
2012 2014 2016 2018 2020
Indices of population abundance for White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis in Nepal
for 2012-2018, relative to 2002, reflecting recovery since the ban on veterinary use of
diclofenac in 2006. Source: adapted from Galligan et al. (2019).
…BUT SOME PROGRESS
From oil spills to veterinary drugs, action to reduce pollution is benefiting birds
The incidence of oil spills has declined in threatened seabird species. Another positive treated with it is the driver of recent
recent decades, with a 66% reduction in the example of progress in reducing pollution is vulture population crashes in South Asia.
number of significant spills (>7 tonnes) per the reduction in veterinary use of the drug Banning its veterinary use has helped to halt
year since 2010 compared with the previous diclofenac in South Asia since 2010, including catastrophic declines and initiate recovery
decade. The threat posed by oil spills and a ban in some countries such as India, of some vulture populations, although the
other types of marine pollution to seabirds Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh. The toxic issue remains a concern elsewhere. Sources:
has consequently decreased since 2010, effects on vultures of ingesting diclofenac Dias et al. (2019); Galligan et al. (2019) ; ITOPF
now affecting 23 rather than 30 globally from carcasses of animals that had been (2020).
140
120 7-700 tonnes
Number of spills per year
100 > 700 tonnes
80
60
40
20
0
1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Year
Number of oil spills from tankers worldwide during 1970-2019. Source: ITOPF (2020).
BIRDS AND BIODIVERSITY TARGETS I 27TACKLING INVASIVE
ALIEN SPECIES
Eradications of invasive alien mammal populations have significantly improved
prospects for the world’s birds since 2010, but, overall, invasive species remain a
major threat to the survival of many species.
WHAT BIRDS TELL US
Some progress but target not met
AICHI SOME PROGRESS…
9
TARGET Over 160 native bird species have
benefited from successful eradications of
invasive mammal populations on islands,
while biosecurity has saved at least one
bird species from extinction.
By 2020, invasive alien At least 1,084 successful eradications of invasive
species and pathways animals have been carried out on 806 islands
are identified and to date, and these have benefited at least 80
prioritized, priority seabird and 82 terrestrial bird species, with
species are controlled many others likely to have benefited but lacking
The BirdLife International Partnership has recently removed
data to demonstrate this. Encouragingly, further
or eradicated, and invasive mammal populations from more than 30 Pacific
eradications of 107 invasive mammal populations
measures are in place on islands are considered technically and socially
Islands, including the Acteon Gambier island group – home
to the last viable population of the Critically Endangered
to manage pathways feasible in the near future, and would benefit Polynesian Ground-dove Alopecoenas erythropterus.
to prevent their at least 80 highly threatened native vertebrate PHOTO Marie-Helene Burle/ Island Conservation
introduction and species, mostly birds. Introduced Brown Tree
establishment. Snakes Boiga irregularis drove extinct the
population of Critically Endangered Mariana Crows
Corvus kubaryi on the Pacific island of Guam,
but stringent biosecurity efforts (including use
of trained dogs to inspect vessels leaving the
island) have prevented snakes from becoming
300 Successful mammal
established on the adjacent island of Rota, with
population eradications
at least one snake that managed to reach Rota
being successfully trapped in 2014 before it could
move from the port area. Given Rota holds the
225 only remaining population of Mariana Crows, these
efforts have so far successfully prevented the
Cumulative number
global extinction of this species. Sources: Bolam et
al. (2020), Holmes et al. (2019), Jones et al. (2016) Islands with successful
eradications
150
75
0
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 2020
Year
Cumulative number of successful invasive alien mammal population eradications (296) on islands (174) that have benefited native bird populations. Note that some islands have
had multiple eradications. Source: Data from Jones et al. (2016) and the Database of Island Invasive Species Eradications, developed by Island Conservation, Coastal Conservation
Action Laboratory UCSC, IUCN SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group, University of Auckland and Landcare Research New Zealand. http://diise.islandconservation.org;
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