Brussels, 22 nov (EFE).-the freshwater ecosystems of the European Union (EU) are seriously threatened and require “urgent conservation measures”, according to a report of the International Union for conservation of nature posted today.
Pollution, overfishing, Habitat loss and the introduction of exotic species are among the reasons for this decline.
The report, known as “The list red European”, has evaluated the situation of some 6,000 species, and concludes that the situation affects 44% freshwater molluscs, 37% of the fish, 23% of the amphibians and 19% of the reptiles.
The most threatened are molluscs, and in particular the fresh water Mussel, formerly very extended and is now limited to a few rivers of France and Spain.
The existence of a European action plan and ongoing conservation programs allow, however, “hope for the future”, according to a statement of the European Commission.
Of fishes, sturgeon is the one most affected, with seven of the eight European species “in a critical situation”.
Linked to these habitats vegetation, also threatened, on the one hand includes crop plants such as sugar beet, wheat, oats and lettuce, and other wild plants such as the “Beta patula”, next relative of the beets.
15% Of mammals and dragonflies, 13% of birds, 11% of a selection of saproxÃlicos beetles, 9% of 467 species of vascular plants and butterflies are now threatened.
The European Commissioner for environment, Janez Potocnik, stated that the EU would “pay dearly” if not to address the causes of this decline and take urgent action to stop it.
The positive side of the report is that some conservation measures have produced good results, such as the habitats directive, which has helped the protection of areas natural.
The EU has a new biodiversity strategy adopted in May this year, claiming among other objectives to protect ecosystems, contributing to sustainable agriculture and forestry and improve controls on invasive species. EFE
