In connection with the groundwork for the
2010 Norwegian Red List for Species, impact factors for every Red List species
were recorded using a standard system. This made it possible to obtain an
overview of the most important impacts on the threatened and near threatened
species in various ecosystems in Norway and resulted in a separate publication giving
more information on the qualities found in the varied Norwegian environment, the
changes that are taking place and how these are affecting the Red Listed
species.
The publication, Environmental conditions
and impacts for Red List species, belongs thematically with the 2010 Red List
in that it complements the information in the Red List. Like the Red List, it
may be ordered or be downloaded in PDF format without cost from the website of
the Norwegian Biodiversity Information Centre. To order a copy send shipping address and billing address to postmottak@artsdatabanken.no
Download the publication Environmental conditions and impacts for Red List species
Land-use changes in a class of their own no less
than 87 % of the threatened and near threatened species on the 2010 Red List
have been or are negatively affected by human-induced changes in land-use in
their habitats. |
|
|
Click on the
illustration to download Environmental conditions and impacts for Red
List species. |
| |
Land-use changes
Land-use changes due to development – as
many as 2061 of the 3682 threatened and near threatened species in mainland
Norway and Norwegian waters are believed to be negatively affected by changes
in the use of areas connected with physical disturbance that is unrelated to
agriculture or forestry. Examples of such changes are the building of
dwellings, roads and business and industrial premises, extraction of building
raw materials and landfills.
Land-use changes in agriculture and
forestry – a further 1406 species are considered to be negatively impacted by
land-use changes connected with forestry and 661 species are thought to be
negatively affected by farming or changes in the use of agricultural areas.
The biggest proportion of the threatened
and near threatened species are impacted by land-use changes on land, but
changes in use are also thought to be the most important negative impact factor
in fresh water.
Pollution
After changes in land-use, pollution is believed to represent the most prominent
negative impact. It affects 373 (10 %) of the threatened and near threatened
species, principally beetles and fungi. Here it is increases in the input of
nutrients that are thought to be negatively affecting most of the species. This
concerns both long-transported and locally derived pollutants, including the
application of fertilisers, and it affects terrestrial, freshwater and marine
areas.
Climate change
Climate change is cited as a negative impact factor for 117 (3 %) of the
threatened and near threatened species. This mainly concerns vascular plants,
but also some bryophytes and lichens. Half of these species are found in arctic
and alpine habitats. Climate change is said to be negatively affecting a
somewhat larger proportion of the threatened and near threatened species in
Svalbard than in mainland Norway.
Harvesting and alien species
Harvesting is thought to be affecting only 1 % of the Red List species. These
are mainly species that have significant economic value for people and which
may be key species in the ecosystem.
As things are at present, alien species are
believed to be posing only a minor threat to threatened and near threatened
species in Norway (< 1 %). However, the serious lack of knowledge in this
sphere must be stressed.