An annual survey published Wednesday by the World Conservation Union, IUCN revealed a sad and alarming truth: Life on Earth is disappearing fast and will continue to do so unless urgent action is taken.

“Our lives are inextricably linked with biodiversity and ultimately its protection is essential for our very survival. As the world begins to respond to the current crisis of biodiversity loss, the information from the IUCN Red List is needed to design and implement effective conservation strategies – for the benefit of people and nature.” said Jane Smart, Head of IUCN’s Species Programme.

According to The Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the IUCN one in four mammals and one third of all amphibians are in jeopardy and the most alarming aspect is that the conservation measures had made only a limited impact.

IUCN said that the number of species threatened by extinction is up with 88 percent compared to last year. In other words this means that from 41,415 species 16,306 will disappear over the next years.

But not only the mammals and amphibians are threatened by extinction. Almost 10,000 birds appear on the list, with 1,217 listed as threatened. Vultures in Africa and Asia have declined with five species reclassified. More than 12,000 plants are included, with 8,447 listed as threatened.

"The rate of biodiversity loss is increasing and we need to act now to significantly reduce it and stave off this global extinction crisis," Julia Marton-Lefevre said.

"The estimate is low - we know it's low," Craig Hilton-Tailor, the manager of the list, said.

Amongst the endangered species is one of man's closest relatives, the great ape, which status had shifted form Endangered to Critically Endangered after the scientists discovered that more than 70 percent of the Western Lowland Gorillas had been wiped out. The commercial meat trade and the Ebola virus were quoted as the reasons of this decline.

"All species are dependent on each other," said Peter Walsh, an IUCN assessor who specializes in gorillas. "The loss of one species can seriously affect the food chain, the levels of oxygen in the air, that kind of thing. For instance, all the vegetables we eat are pollinated by bees. Losing bees would be serious."

The Sumatran Orangutan remained in the Critically Endangered category and the Bornean Orangutan in the Endangered category as a result of loss of habitat through illegal and legal logging.

The unique Yangtze dolphin, only found in China’s largest river, has now been declared officially extinct. Its disappearance is the result of the intense pollution caused by China booming industry and by heavy fishing.

Earlier this month it was reported that after a six weeks search, conservationists and ecologists failed to come up with any conclusive evidence that the dolphin, also known in the local dialect as “baiji” or “goddess of the Yangtze”, might still be alive. Researchers said that even if they had missed the few specimens assumed to be swimming in the river’s waters, those specimens would be too weak and their number too small to ensure the healthy reproduction of the species.

Baiji populations have steadily declined since China declared the species endangered in 1979. In 1986 official estimates placed the Baiji population around 300 but an extensive survey in 1998 found only 7 individuals. The last confirmed sighting was in 2004 and the last captive baiji, Qi Qi, died in 2002 at the Institute of Hydrobiology in Wuhan.

India and Nepal’s crocodile, the Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is also facing threats from habitat degradation and its status was updated from Endangered to Critically Endangered. Its population has recently declined by 58%, from 436 breeding adults in 1997 to just 182 in 2006. Dams, irrigation projects, sand mining and artificial embankments have all encroached on its habitat, reducing its domain to 2% of its former range.

This year for the first time ten types of corals were added in the IUCN’s list, which is a clear indication for the effects of the climate change.

Ten Galápagos species have entered the list, with two in the Critically Endangered category and one in the Vulnerable category. Wellington’s Solitary Coral (Rhizopsammia wellingtoni) has been listed as Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct).

74 seaweeds from the Galapagos Islands threatened by rising seawater temperatures were also added on the list.

The list contains another said premiere as the Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) was listed for the first time as Endangered. The Banggai Cardinalfish which is only found in the Banggai Archipelago, near Sulawesi, Indonesia, has been heavily exploited, with approximately 900,000 extracted every year.

Over 700 species of Mexican and North American reptiles have been added to the red list, including two Mexican freshwater turtles that are threatened with extinction.

In its report IUCN explained in which manner the disappearance of species is affecting the people’s lives.

Fro example declining numbers of freshwater fish deprive rural poor communities not only of their major source of food, but of their livelihoods as well.

According to the survey, only one species had moved to a lower category of threat, the Mauritius Echo Parakeet had shifted from Critically Endangered to Endangered as a result of conservation action.

This one achievement was a disappointing tally for conservationists, said Jean-Christophe Vié of IUCN's species programme. "This is really worrying in light of government commitments around the world, such as the 2010 target to slow down biodiversity loss."

"It is time for people to stop talking and stare the reality in the face – the future of our planet, our children's heritage, is in jeopardy", said Dr. Susan Lieberman, director of the species programme at World Wildlife Federation (WWF), adding: "Do we really want the world to remember us as the flawed generation?"