An endangered black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes). Photo credit: Tami S. Black/US Fish & Wildlife Service

The International Union for Conservation of Nature recently released a report that describes a losing battle to protect species and natural habitats from the impact of human development.  The IUCN analyzed more than 44,000 of the 1.8 million known species.  The two most significant harms to wildlife were habitat destruction and overuse, such as over-fishing or over-hunting.  The report also found that while currently climate change is having only a minimal impact on biodiversity, this will likely change.  Additionally, the IUCN reported that many species that are not currently threatened are susceptible to climate change.  For more information on the report, see the Scientific American.