European Biodiversity Goes AWOL

There is a worrying report from the European Environmental Agency suggesting that most of that continent's habitats and species are in a 'poor condition' with increased risks of extinctions (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/apr/24/europe-biodiversity-loss). The claim is that the losses may be worse that predicted from global warming (although this is hardly remarkable as it is clear that climate change as well as direct destruction of habitats, pollution, unsustainable exploitation and the introduction of alien species all play a role in exacerbating situations). The biggest habitat losses in Europe are seen in fenland, bogs, heathland and coastal areas (largely being replaced by 'constructed, industrial habitats' so favoured by our species). Although it is claimed by DEFRA that the conditions of England's Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) have improved since 2003, the UK species that are said to be particularly at risk include several kinds of Bumble bee (Bombus sp); the Honey bee (Apis mellifera); the Swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon); the Garden tiger moth (Arctia caja); the Stag beetle (Lucanus cervus); the Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus); the Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos); Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus); Common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) and the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra).