54| | duke realty corporation annual report 2009 net income ( loss ) per common share basic net income ( loss ) per common share is computed by dividing net income ( loss ) attributable to common shareholders , less dividends on share-based awards expected to vest , by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period . diluted net income ( loss ) per common share is computed by dividing the sum of basic net income ( loss ) attributable to common shareholders and the noncontrolling interest in earnings allocable to units not owned by us ( to the extent the units are dilutive ) , by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and , to the extent they are dilutive , limited partnership units outstanding , as well as any potential dilutive securities for the period . during the first quarter of 2009 , we adopted a new accounting standard ( fasb asc 260-10 ) on participating securities , which we have applied retrospectively to prior period calculations of basic and diluted earnings per common share . pursuant to this new standard , certain of our share-based awards are considered participating securities because they earn dividend equivalents that are not forfeited even if the underlying award does not vest . the following table reconciles the components of basic and diluted net income ( loss ) per common share ( in thousands ) : .

1	2009	2008	2007
2	net income ( loss ) attributable to common shareholders	$ -333601 ( 333601 )	$ 50408	$ 211942
3	less : dividends on share-based awards expected to vest	-1759 ( 1759 )	-1631 ( 1631 )	-1149 ( 1149 )
4	basic net income ( loss ) attributable to common shareholders	-335360 ( 335360 )	48777	210793
5	noncontrolling interest in earnings of common unitholders ( 1 )	-	2640	13998
6	diluted net income ( loss ) attributable to common shareholders	$ -335360 ( 335360 )	$ 51417	$ 224791
7	weighted average number of common shares outstanding	201206	146915	139255
8	weighted average partnership units outstanding	-	7619	9204
9	other potential dilutive shares ( 2 )	-	19	791
10	weighted average number of common shares and potential dilutive securities	201206	154553	149250

weighted average number of common shares and potential diluted securities 201206 154553 149250 ( 1 ) the partnership units are anti-dilutive for the year ended december 31 , 2009 , as a result of the net loss for that period . therefore , 6687 units ( in thousands ) are excluded from the weighted average number of common shares and potential dilutive securities for the year ended december 31 , 2009 and $ 11099 noncontrolling interest in earnings of common unitholders ( in thousands ) is excluded from diluted net loss attributable to common shareholders for the year ended december 31 , 2009 . ( 2 ) excludes ( in thousands of shares ) 7872 ; 8219 and 1144 of anti-dilutive shares for the years ended december 31 , 2009 , 2008 and 2007 , respectively related to stock-based compensation plans . also excludes ( in thousands of shares ) the exchangeable notes that have 8089 ; 11771 and 11751 of anti-dilutive shares for the years ended december 31 , 2009 , 2008 and 2007 , respectively . federal income taxes we have elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust ( 201creit 201d ) under the internal revenue code of 1986 , as amended . to qualify as a reit , we must meet a number of organizational and operational requirements , including a requirement to distribute at least 90% ( 90 % ) of our adjusted taxable income to our stockholders . management intends to continue to adhere to these requirements and to maintain our reit status . as a reit , we are entitled to a tax deduction for some or all of the dividends we pay to shareholders . accordingly , we generally will not be subject to federal income taxes as long as we distribute an amount equal to or in excess of our taxable income currently to shareholders . we are also generally subject to federal income taxes on any taxable income that is not currently distributed to our shareholders . if we fail to qualify as a reit in any taxable year , we will be subject to federal income taxes and may not be able to qualify as a reit for four subsequent taxable years . reit qualification reduces , but does not eliminate , the amount of state and local taxes we pay . in addition , our financial statements include the operations of taxable corporate subsidiaries that are not entitled to a dividends paid deduction and are subject to corporate federal , state and local income taxes . as a reit , we may also be subject to certain federal excise taxes if we engage in certain types of transactions. .

Previous questions in this conversation: what was the net income ( loss ) attributable to common shareholders in 2008? and what was it in 2007?
Previous answers: 50408.0 211942.0
Question: what was, then, the change over the year?
Answer: -161534