The Atlas of Endangered Species: Threatened Animals and Plants of the World

Richard Mackay, 2002
Paperback, 128 pages, 245x175mm, ISBN:1-85383-874-8, approx. R220-00
Published by Earthscan, London.

"Up to 20% of all species may be extinct by 2030, a loss that threatens our own security" - so says Richard Mackay in his introduction to this excellent little book. Rarely has so much information been packaged into such a small format, in so attractive a style. The book is divided into seven parts, beginning with an overview of evolution and extinction, with dinosaurs and hominids (us humans) singled out for special treatment.

Our planet's major biomes or ecosystems are then described and discussed, with colourful and accurate maps depicting key aspects of their threatened status. Interesting pie charts, graphs and silhouettes accompany the maps, and this combination serves to put across information in a graphic and easily comprehensible form. By flipping through this mapped section, we can see which countries (or regions) have the most to worry about, and which have achieved the most. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that developed nations such as Britain, France, U.S.A and Canada often appear to be in the biggest mess, but this situation is sometimes skewed due to the fact that wildlife inventories are more comprehensive in these places. Tropical forests, grasslands, mangroves and coral reefs are among the featured ecosystems; and in the case of coral reefs, calculated projections are made as to how much coral might be left by the year 2028, given the current understanding of climatic trends.

A select range of endangered animals and plants make up another section, with similarly incisive maps showing conservation 'hot spots' for groups such as Primates (Brazil has 'critically endangered' and more than 25 'threatened' according to I.U.C.N Red Data Book criteria); Big Cats; Bears, Bats, Whales and Fish.

Endangered birds get their own section, and on the overview map we can see at a glance that India, China, Indonesia, U.S.A and Brazil (each with 'more than 50' threatened species) come off worst. Parrots, Seabirds and Birds of Prey, all of which are subjected to major man-made impacts, are discussed and mapped separately.

The book is by no means all 'bad news.' We learn that Cameroon, Uganda, Costa Rica, Panama and Guatamala have the greatest animal biodiversity in terms of their size, and that Malaysia, South Africa, Mexico, Costa Rica and Brazil are among the countries with the greatest plant biodiversity. A detailed account of the import and export trades in wildlife is presented; we can see which countries are doing the most to combat this trade, and which are the biggest culprits. The book ends with 'World Tables,' which give statistics for every country in terms of its 'protected ecosystems,' 'biodiversity' and 'threatened species.'

Overall, The Atlas of Endangered Species is a brilliantly conceived and presented book, which should be owned or read by everyone with an interest in the survival of wildlife.

- Duncan Butchart -

Posted: Plants by CC Africa, Date: 22 November 2006