This synthesis report is published by the CBD Secretariat in  October 2009, to help the further implementation of the CBD programme of work on forest biodiversity, as well as for efforts to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD)

Reptiles and amphibians top the list of Europe’s most endangered species and amphibians are recognised as the planet’s most threatened group of animals, with one in three of the globally 6 000 known amphibian species considered at risk of extinction. Efforts to improve the fate of these species were discussed during August at an Amphibian Mini Summit in London. The event brought togther amphibian specialists from around the world and established a new Amphibian Survival Alliance with objectives to protect Red List species from natural hazards and habitat destruction.

LIFE projects have been active in these fields and LIFE experiences provide valuable good practice for the red listed species.

In July the Commission published a report on the conservation status of over 1150 species and 200 habitat types protected under EU law. Only a small proportion of these vulnerable habitats and species have achieved good conservation status and Member States will need to strengthen their efforts if this situation is to improve.

A new EEA report "Progress towards the European 2010 biodiversity target" is the first assessment of progress towards the target to halt the loss of biodiversity, based on the SEBI 2010 set of biodiversity indicators.

Lifewatch is a European funded (FP7-ESFRI) project research programme, which is getting prepared to set up an infrastructure for biodiversity research addressing the huge gaps in the understanding of life on Earth. We invite you to complete the question survey, which will take only about 15 minutes.

A European Commission conference on biodiversity in Athens has issued a forward-looking message regarding the future biodiversity policy of the European Union.

Key findings include the need to improve communication about the loss and its consequences, the importance of thinking about ecosystem protection rather than species protection, and the need to ensure that available funds are indeed channelled towards nature protection projects.