25% of mammals at risk of extinction

[kepler]

At least 25% of the world's mammal species are at risk of extinction, according to the first assessment of their status for a decade.

The Red List of Threatened Species says populations of more than half of mammalian species are falling, with Asian primates particularly at risk.

BBC NEWS | Science & Environment | Mammals facing extinction threat

[cdw]

This is really tragic - I wish we could use some of the money we've used to bailout Wall Street and help these little (and big) guys!

[arno]

Does anyone have a link to the actual report?

[addict]

How much of this is a result of legal issues and more detailed observations as well as the increased number of known species, many of which are probably "threatened" due to their small numbers.

Global warming would stand to increase biodiversity. If earth's history is to be a judge, life flourishes in the warmest periods, and we are not near the all time warmth record. Also the increased Carbon dioxide will increase life's abundance as tree lines stretch to higher elevations and plants grow more vigorously in general.

For every arctic animal threatened by global warming there must be many more warm weather species that benefit.

[addict]

On a related note, there's this new tool

Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool

Basically a database of wildlife around the world so developers (for instance) can check an area out before building starts.