2018陷入困境的龟类（英文版）_84页-25mb

Turtles in Trouble: Summary

Core Content

This document, Turtles in Trouble: The World's 25+ Most Endangered Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles — 2018, presents an overview of the global extinction crisis affecting turtles and tortoises. It highlights the alarming rate at which these ancient reptiles are being threatened by human activities and emphasizes the need for immediate conservation action.

Main Points

• Turtles are among the most threatened vertebrates, with 148 species (41.6% of all turtle and tortoise species) officially listed as Threatened by IUCN criteria (Vulnerable, Endangered, or Critically Endangered).
• Over 50% of all turtle species are under threat, and 10 taxa (7 species and 3 subspecies) have gone extinct in recent human history.
• The Ploughshare Tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) and Pinta Giant Tortoise (Chelonoidis abingdonii) are highlighted as examples of species lost due to human pressures, with Lonesome George being the last known individual of the Pinta Giant Tortoise.
• The Top 25+ list is a collaborative effort by the Turtle Conservation Coalition, which includes several organizations such as the Turtle Conservancy, Turtle Survival Alliance, and others. The list is updated every four years and is based solely on extinction risk and survival prospects, not on phylogenetic uniqueness or conservation priority.

Key Threats

• Habitat loss and degradation due to agriculture, land development, and pollution.
• Overharvesting for food, traditional medicine, and the pet trade, especially in Asia.
• Poaching and smuggling driven by high demand and economic incentives.
• Captive breeding and reintroduction challenges, including lack of breeding expertise, high costs, and risks of poaching resuming or disease transmission.

Geographic and Taxonomic Distribution

• Asia is the epicenter of the extinction crisis, with 17 of the Top 25+ species and 29 of the Top 50 species native to the continent.
• China and Vietnam are the countries with the most endangered species, accounting for 22% and 18% of the Top 50 list, respectively.
• The Geoemydidae family (Old World Pond Turtles) is the most affected, with 20 species in the Top 50 (40%).
• The Testudinidae family (tortoises) also contributes significantly, with 13 species in the Top 50 (26%).

Conservation Efforts

• In-situ conservation is emphasized as the preferred strategy, with habitat protection being a key method.
• Captive breeding and reintroduction programs are in place for some species, but they come with significant risks and are only considered when other methods have failed.
• Collaborative efforts among conservation organizations are ongoing, with the goal of preventing further extinctions and restoring populations.

Conclusion

• Turtles and tortoises, despite their evolutionary resilience and ecological importance, are facing unprecedented threats due to human activities.
• The document serves as a call to action for increased international attention and resources to address the extinction crisis.
• Human intervention is crucial for the survival of these species, and the turtle conservation community believes it is possible to win this battle with continued efforts.