A startling new study reveals that nearly one in four freshwater animals are on the brink of extinction. Published in Nature on Wednesday, the research highlights the fragile state of ecosystems that cover less than 1 percent of the Earth's surface but support a tenth of its animal species.
Patricia Charvet, a biologist at Brazil's Federal University of Ceara, emphasizes the vulnerability of freshwater habitats, including rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, bogs, and wetlands. Despite their seemingly robust environments like the Amazon River, these ecosystems are delicate and easily disrupted.
Catherine Sayer, a zoologist at the International Union for Conservation of Nature in England, points out that these vital habitats are home to around 23,500 species of dragonflies, fish, crabs, and more. However, 24 percent of these species are now classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.
The decline is attributed to multiple threats, including pollution, dam construction, water extraction for agriculture, invasive species, and the overarching impact of climate change. This comprehensive analysis marks the first global assessment of extinction risks specifically for freshwater species, expanding the focus beyond previous studies that concentrated on land animals like mammals, birds, and reptiles.
Conservationists urgently call for coordinated efforts to protect and restore freshwater ecosystems to prevent further loss of biodiversity.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
