New research published on Wednesday has unveiled a startling revelation: nearly 24 percent of animals living in rivers, lakes, and other freshwater sources are threatened with extinction worldwide. This significant finding highlights the fragile state of freshwater ecosystems that, despite covering less than 1 percent of the planet’s surface, support 10 percent of its animal species.
“Huge rivers like the Amazon can appear mighty, but at the same time freshwater environments are very fragile,” noted Patricia Charvet, a biologist at Brazil’s Federal University of Ceara. Freshwater habitats—including rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, bogs, and wetlands—are facing unprecedented pressures from human activities.
Catherine Sayer, a zoologist at the International Union for Conservation of Nature in England, emphasized the critical role these ecosystems play in global biodiversity. “Freshwater habitats support a vast array of life, but they are often overlooked in conservation efforts,” she said.
The research team examined approximately 23,500 species of dragonflies, fish, crabs, and other animals that rely exclusively on freshwater ecosystems. Their study revealed that 24 percent of these species are at risk of extinction, classified as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered.
The threats are multifaceted, stemming from pollution, dams, water extraction, agriculture, invasive species, climate change, and other environmental disruptions. The cumulative impact of these factors is pushing many species to the brink.
Published in the journal Nature, this study marks the first comprehensive global assessment of freshwater species’ extinction risks. Previous research has predominantly focused on land animals such as mammals, birds, and reptiles, often leaving freshwater species underrepresented in conservation discussions.
As the findings underscore the urgent need for action, conservationists and policymakers are called upon to prioritize freshwater ecosystems. Protecting these habitats is essential not only for the species that inhabit them but also for the overall health of our planet.
(Cover image: Freshwater fish. /CFP)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
