REGION

STATUS

COMMENTS

Europe

Satisfactory

Satisfactory within the context of the minute remnant of natural vegetation and wild animals that exist.  Great changes from prehistoric times, during which natural vegetation largely disappeared and most wildlife vanished.  Remaining natural areas and wild animals are, in general, reasonably protected.  Mediterranean region is exception: population pressure and poverty prevent effective restoration.  And who attends to wildlife conservation during war?

former Soviet

      Union

Satisfactory?

In the midst of air, water and soil pollution, the former Soviet Union mad serious efforts to restore past damage.  The conservation efforts were largely economically oriented, however, and the collapse of the government led to economic collapse.  Conservation efforts have now stagnated in most places till economies strengthen and stabilize and wars cease.

China

Unsatisfactory

Government attitude has been unfavorable.  Past damage is severe and is present population pressure.  Despite sincere dedication by biologists, the extensive effort to save giant pandas appears to be considered by the government as a public relations effort to save an international symbol.

Mediterranean

   Asia and Africa

Unsatisfactory

Extreme past damage and desertification.  Little effective conservation today.

North America

Generally

   Satisfactory

Wildlife changed during settlement and natural habitats and vegetation of Mexico and the US largely destroyed.  Wildlife conservation is now among the most effective in the world.  Yet, the government is capable of slowing or reversing conservation efforts.

Southeastern

      Asia

Generally

   Satisfactory

Rapid population growth and governmental indifference has caused much land deterioration and disappearance of natural vegetation.  Many species are near extinction.  But, governments are beginning to show interest in wildlife conservation and 2 new species of mammal have been discovered in Southeast Asia in the past 2 years.  Wildlife must gain a greater value aline than dead.

Africa

Unsatisfactory

Efforts of colonial administrations at protection halted drastic changes of earlier times in some areas.  At present all resources threatened by political turmoil and unbridled population growth.  Future depends on ending war and conditions that cause war, on resolving major political disputes, on adoption of enlightened attitudes by governments, and on wildlife gaining greater value alive than dead.

South America

Generally

   Satisfactory

Rapid population growth threatens future of large areas that were previously little affected.  Large areas of tropical rain forests are logged annually, decreasing habitat for species dependent on those forests.  Roughly 98% of the tropical dry forests have been converted to agriculture, seriously affecting the wildlife species for whom those forests were habitat.  Tropical dry forests are more endangered than tropical rain forests.

Australia and

      New Zealand

Satisfactory

The period of unchecked exploitation and destruction of natural communities and animal life is now over.  The Maoris overhunted all the large, flightless birds in New Zealand roughly 1000 years ago.  About 50% of the native mammal species of Australia became extinct during the period of Western settlement.  Enlightened policies now the norm, confused somewhat in New Zealand by the issue of exotic wildlife and their futures.

Oceanic Islands

Unsatisfactory

Widespread destruction of natural areas and native wildlife.