World Wildlife Fund survey indicates many Canadian species declining

An extensive survey of Canadian birds, fish, mammals, reptiles and amphibians over more than four decades has found that half of them are in serious population decline. Here are a few findings from the World Wildlife Fund’s Living Planet Index on Canada:

— The 903 species surveyed experienced an overall population decline of eight per cent.

— Of the 451 species with diminishing populations, the decline was 83 per cent.

— Mammals dropped 43 per cent.

— Fish declined 20 per cent.

— Reptiles and amphibians fell 16 per cent.

— Birds increased seven per cent, mostly due to higher populationsin waterfowl and raptors. Grassland birds dropped 69 per cent, insectivores fell 51 per cent and shorebirds lost 43 per cent.

— Some 403 species increased and 45 were stable.

— Overall numbers in fresh-water ecosystems were stable, largely because of waterfowl numbers.

— Overall numbers in marine ecosystems dropped nine per cent

— Overall numbers in terrestrial ecosystems dropped nine per cent