OSLO, Oct. 8 (Xinhua) -- Nearly half of the protected animal species assessed in Denmark are now in "severely unfavorable" condition, according to a new conservation assessment on Wednesday.
Several animal species and natural areas in Denmark are now threatened and at risk of being lost as living conditions deteriorate, Danish broadcaster DR reported, citing a new Aarhus University assessment presented to the government and parties in Parliament.
The extensive review covers 88 species and 60 habitat types that Denmark risks losing if current trends are not reversed. Since the previous assessment six years ago, the share of species in "severely unfavorable conservation status" has climbed from 32 percent to 49 percent.
Species under particular pressure include grey seals, beavers, dormice, birch mice, sharp-nosed frogs, shore toads, dragonflies and several butterflies. The otter is assessed as "highly critical" in eastern Denmark.
Researchers point to pollution and climate change as key drivers. Conditions for several fish and crustaceans have worsened, with oxygen depletion below the sea surface making it difficult for marine life to survive. According to the scientists, climate change has now seriously begun to affect the Danish marine environment.
Senior researcher Jesper Erenskjold Moeslund of Aarhus University warned that species living under highly unfavorable conditions risk going extinct in Denmark if the trend continues. More national parks could make a decisive difference in the near term, he added.
Maria Reumert Gjerding, president of the Danish Nature Conservation Association, called the report a "declaration of bankruptcy" for nature policy, criticizing the creation of only one national nature park in the past six years and urging better protection of scarce nature. ■