威爾斯物種急速告急

威爾斯成為英國首個依據物種地理分布範圍，全面辨識其最稀有生物的地區。根據威爾斯自然資源局最新發布的物種瀕危評估，近三千種物種正處於極度不穩定的生存狀態，其中許多只存在於五個甚至更少的地點。自二千年以來，已有十一種物種在威爾斯正式消失，包括斑鳩與稀有的 Belted Beauty 蛾，顯示生物多樣性喪失的危機已不再是警告，而是現實。

Wales has become the first country in the United Kingdom to identify its rarest species based on geographical limitation, uncovering that nearly three thousand species are now in an increasingly precarious state. According to a new assessment by Natural Resources

本次 Species in Peril 報告以地點為核心的評估方法取代傳統族群數量監測，凸顯地理侷限性如何使許多物種面臨近乎滅絕的風險。

Wales, many species survive in fewer than five locations, and eleven have already disappeared from Wales since 2000, including the Turtle Dove and the Belted Beauty moth. The findings indicate that biodiversity loss is no longer a distant risk but an ongoing reality.

包含北極高山豌豆蚌、羊毛羽蘚以及 Eyed Chestnut Wrinkle-lichen 等物種皆呈現急遽下降。

報告指出，在收錄的二千九百五十五種物種中，將近一半僅侷限於單一地點，使其對氣候變遷或棲地干擾格外脆弱。

The Species in Peril report adopts a location based assessment method rather than traditional population monitoring, highlighting how geographic restriction places many species at the brink of extinction. Species such as the Arctic Alpine Pea Mussel, Woolly Feather moss and the Eyed Chestnut Wrinkle lichen are undergoing severe declines. Among the two thousand nine

部分保育熱點，如 Newborough 森林與 Warren 地區，更集中超過一百三十種稀有物種，同時有五十六種物種僅在威爾斯境內存在，使其保育工作具有國際重要性。

hundred fifty five species evaluated, almost half are confined to a single site, making them extremely vulnerable to climate impacts and habitat disturbance. Conservation hotspots such as Newborough Forest and Warren host over one hundred thirty rare species, while fifty six species exist nowhere else in the UK, making Wales’ conservation actions globally significant.

全球生物多樣性正因氣候變遷、棲地破碎化與人類活動壓力而面臨危機。英國在近年制定多項保育策略，包含環境法規、生態系修復計畫與國家級保護區網絡的提升。然而，威爾斯的物種喪失速度顯示，全國層面的行動仍需加速。此次報告提供科學化的優先順序，協助政府與保育單位採取更聚焦的政策與資源配置。

The global biodiversity crisis is accelerating due to climate change, habitat fragmentation and increasing human pressure. Although the United Kingdom has introduced new environmental regulations and ecosystem restoration programmes, the rapid rate of species loss in Wales underscores the need for more urgent and targeted action. This report offers clear scientific priorities to guide government agencies and conservation organisations in resource allocation and policy development.

報告也指出，小幅度的管理調整即可能帶來顯著成效，包括植被管理策略調整、放牧模式優化以及強化特定棲地保護。此外，由於三分之二以上的受威脅物種已分布於受保護區內，威爾斯具備強化棲地管理的基礎，只需更精確地評估威脅來源並提升生態系韌性。

The assessment emphasises that modest changes can yield meaningful improvements, including adjustments in vegetation management, grazing practices and the protection of critical habitats. Since more than two thirds of threatened species are already located within protected areas, Wales has a strong foundation for improving outcomes by refining management strategies and addressing threats such as habitat loss, climate stress and natural rarity.

威爾斯自然資源局目前正運行多項保育計畫，其中包括國家級 Species Recovery 計畫 Natur am Byth，以及由政府投入二千六百六十萬英鎊的 Nature Networks 計畫，旨在提升棲地連結性、改善受保護區狀態並協助物種因應環境快速變遷。這些研究結果也將直接應用於科學重要地點的管理，並作為保育人員的日常工作指南。

Natural Resources Wales currently leads several major conservation initiatives, including the national Species Recovery programme Natur am Byth and the Welsh Government funded Nature Networks Programme, which invests twenty six point six million pounds to improve habitat connectivity, enhance protected sites and help species adapt to environmental change. The report’s findings will also directly inform the management of Special Sites of Scientific Interest and serve as guidance for conservation officers working on the ground.

藉由率先以地理稀限性評估瀕危物種，威爾斯向全球展示一套系統化、生態學與治理並行的生物多樣性策略。未來保護雪墩甲蟲、High Brown Fritillary 蝴蝶以及珍稀樹生地衣等物種，都將依賴更完善的監測、科學管理與持續的政府投入，確保生態系服務不再持續流失。

By adopting a geographic scarcity based method to identify species in peril, Wales is positioning itself as a model for national and international biodiversity conservation. Protecting species such as the High Brown Fritillary butterfly, the Snowdon Leaf Beetle and rare tree lichens will require continued monitoring, scientific management and long term investment to strengthen ecosystem resilience and safeguard natural heritage for future generations.