90 per cent of Europeans concerned about biodiversity loss

The research found that concern is greatest in Greece, Portugal and Romania and that Europeans are more worried about biodiversity loss on a global basis than in their own country.

Climate change was seen as the second biggest threat to biodiversity with 19% of the vote after air/water pollution and man-made disasters with 27%.

Stavros Dimas, commissioner for the environment, said: "Biodiversity loss is irreversible. Since the 1970s, the European Union has been committed to protecting nature, and we are working hard to realise our target of halting biodiversity loss on our continent by 2010.

"Achieving this target requires everyone across the Union to work together to ensure that our ecosystems are sustainable and healthy. Complacency is not an option."

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