WASHINGTON _ A new United Nations report warning of a global extinction crisis identifies three parts of the world in particular danger: South America, Africa and parts of Asia.
But there are signs of struggle everywhere, notably in California. Though the state boasts some of the most diverse plant and animal life in the United States, California has more than 300 endangered species, from the delta smelt to the birds of the Mojave Desert.
Many are imperiled by loss of habitat, rising ocean temperatures and rural and urban areas' demand for ever-increasing amounts of fresh water.
Worldwide, the U.N. assessment found that of an estimated 8 million plant and animal species, about 1 million are on the brink of extinction because of the damage humans are inflicting on the Earth through global warming, logging, farming, mining and other activities. It was compiled by 145 expert authors from 50 countries.
The full report won't be made public until later this year, but a summary released Monday offered a damning assessment of human impacts over the last five decades.
Native species _ both plants and animals _ have declined by about 20 percent. About a quarter of species are currently threatened and could disappear within decades. And the global rate of extinction is accelerating.
Here are some stories of what this loss of biodiversity looks like in California:
