27 December 2002 Media Statement
Over 2000 species threatened with extinction
At least 2373 of New Zealand's plants and animals are threatened with extinction, says a major report released by
Conservation Minister Chris Carter today.
The report is the most comprehensive list of threatened species yet compiled. It has been put together over the past
year by the Department of Conservation (DoC) using a new, more sensitive system for classifying risks to species.
"We now have 2373 species, ranging from soil fungi to blue whales, that have been flagged as at risk of extinction. This
is a shock because the previous classification system produced a list of about 400 species," Mr Carter said.
"Obviously, this new information is of concern and is crucial to the Government's efforts to preserve our biodiversity.
Thanks to DoC's work we have a clearer picture of what species and habitats are the highest priorities for
conservation."
The new classification system groups species into categories such as 'nationally critical', nationally endangered',
'gradual decline' and 'range restricted'. These categories take account of the size of a species' population, the areas
of habitat occupied by a species, and its rate of population decline.
For instance, any species ranked as 'nationally critical' (of which there are 312) has a total population of less than
250 adults, an area of habitat less than one hectare as a result of human activities, or a rate of decline estimated at
80 per cent in ten years.
"Any species that meets any of these criteria, even if not currently in decline, is facing the very real threat of
extinction in the near future," Mr Carter said.
"The new system also incorporates a much broader range of organisms than the old system. It classifies threats to some
species of fish, marine algae and smaller snails for the first time," he said.
Among those species that are new to the endangered list are:
- The Kauru longjaw galaxid: a freshwater fish recently discovered and described as a new species. It has only been
found in a single stream in Otago. The stream is subject to drying out in dry summers, and there is great concern about
the fish's survival.
- The pukatea bracket fungus: a fungus with very large, woody fruiting bodies that grow as brackets on the sides of
rotting trees. This species has not been seen for 30 years, and may be extinct because of habitat loss.
- Opisthoteuthis chathamensis: an octopus that has not been seen in the last two years, despite considerable effort to
find it. It was formerly common at depths of around 1000 metres on the Chatham Rise, but has been brought to the brink
of extinction by trawling.
- The Campbell Island snipe: a bird that was only discovered in 1997 on Jaquemart Island, offshore from Campbell Island.
The island is tiny, and only a very small number of the birds survive.
- Carmichaelia hollowayi: a native broom that is threatened by quarrying, weed encroachment, and lack of legal land
protection, among other things.
ENDS