Endangered species

This document summarises findings from two independent programme-level assessments that provide a consolidated analysis of the effectiveness of conservation approaches under SOS AWI, with a particular focus on large African carnivores, the habitats they depend on and associated community livelihood support activities. It is intended as a synthesis of study findings, project results and learnings from across the SOS AWI portfolio of projects.

Las especies son los pilares fundamentales de los ecosistemas. Garantizan la salud, la estabilidad y la resiliencia de los sistemas naturales que sustentan la vida en la Tierra. Cuando estos pilares comienzan a colapsar, debido al declive o la extinción de especies, ecosistemas enteros pueden desmoronarse lo que desata una serie de efectos en cadena sobre la biodiversidad, el bienestar humano y la salud ambiental mundial.

Les espèces sont les éléments de construction des écosystèmes. Ils assurent la santé, la stabilité et la résilience des systèmes naturels qui sont au fondement de la vie sur Terre. Lorsque leurs populations s’effondrent, que les espèces déclinent, voire s’éteignent, les effets en cascade de ces effondrements sur la biodiversité mettent en péril des écosystèmes entiers, le bien-être des êtres humains et l’ensemble de la santé environnementale. 

At first glance this is a lovely story about the friendship between children and young leopard cats who happen to be in the same situation, showing how children can understand animals and become their friends because they do not threaten them. But the story also raises major environmental issues. Through the account of the leopard cats, we are alerted to the way in which human exploitation of nature puts species in danger and leads to loss of biological diversity.

Species are the building blocks of ecosystems. As predators, prey, pollinators, seed dispersers, and habitat engineers, they shape ecological processes and uphold the delicate balance of nature. Together, they ensure the health, stability and resilience of the natural systems that sustain life on Earth.