Environment Japan's sparrows on brink of endangered status

[thomas]

According to a survey by the Ministry of the Environment, the number of sparrows, other birds, and butterflies in Japan is rapidly declining. At this rate, they could be listed as endangered species.

According to the report released on 1 October by the ministry and the Nature Conservation Society of Japan, the population of 15% of avian species and 33% of butterfly species inhabiting "satoyama" secondary forests close to human settlements has been decreasing at an annual rate of 3.5% or more. Suppose the pace of decline continues for a long time. In that case, sparrows and other birds, as well as butterflies commonly seen in human neighbourhoods, may reach the criteria of being labelled as endangered species under the ministry's Red List. The findings came after the ministry and the conservation group conducted fixed-point observations of the status of animals and plants across the country. Satoyama is part of areas known as "satochi-satoyama," which lie midway between pristine nature and urban locations and consist of farmlands, irrigation ponds, secondary forests and grasslands, providing a space for people's living.

Global warming and the increasing number of neglected satoyama areas are likely contributing to the decline of these species. Rising temperatures in their habitats may be making them unsuitable for survival, and changes in land use are also impacting their populations. Satoyama (里山) are transitional zones between mountains and cultivated plains. The name means "village" or "countryside" (里 sato) and "mountain" (山 yama). Satoyama areas have been shaped over centuries by small-scale farming and forestry practices.

Sparrows in Japan may be listed as endangered species at this rate of decline: survey - The Mainichi

TOKYO -- A report released by the Environment Ministry and a nature conservation group warns that the number of sparrows and other birds as well as bu

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