Action needed to save biodiversity, UN report says

An unprecedented effort is required between now and 2010 to stop further deterioration of the planet's fragile biodiversity, according to a UN report that compiled the work of 1,300 researchers.

In fact, 2010 may be too late, say the authors of the report, pleading with governments, NGOs, international organizations and companies to immediately put in place long-term conservation plans. According to the report published this week in Montreal, "The world in 2100 could have substantial remaining biodiversity or it could be relatively homogenized and contain low levels of diversity."

"Changes in biodiversity due to human activities were more rapid in the past 50 years than at any time in human history," the report stated. Dubbed the Second Millennium Ecosystem Assessment report, it is part of a massive study launched by the UN in 2001 meant to fill in scientific gaps to better measure ongoing environmental changes and understand their global impact.

Thirty-five percent of mangroves -- tropical shrubs that grow on muddy sea shores -- have disappeared in the past two decades, and 20 percent of coral reefs have been destroyed, while 25 percent of conifers and 35 percent of amphibians are in danger of extinction, scientists say.

These tragic circumstances are due to the over-exploitation of natural resources, as well as growing demand for oil and natural gas that pollute the atmosphere, putting increasing pressure on ecosystems and biodiversity.

Proposed solutions aim to link economic development and the protection of biodiversity.

"I think this report is saying we can have a balance, but we need to reduce some of the influence, we need to also move away from just pure conservation, the `don't touch' kind of policy and a little bit more sharing," economist and co-author of the report Anantha Kumar Duraiappah told reporters.