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A recent study built on 20 years’ worth of evidence uncovered the alarming reality of freshwater species, reflecting the lack of proper data on global biodiversity loss.
The trend of species going extinct is not a strange concept for humanity, for our actions drive it.
Such tragedies have been traced to over 60,000 years, when Homo Sapiens started to migrate out of Africa. However, only in the last 5,000 to 500 years ago have our activities intensified the loss of diverse species.
That said, we are currently the root cause of the sixth mass extinction event in Earth’s history – experts have named it the Holocene Extinction.
The study of extinctions has allowed researchers to understand the delicate balance that could be disrupted in the absence of a certain species. The findings have prompted the implementation of policies for conservation. As such, a recently published research study has highlighted the calamity that freshwater fauna are facing.
The results, which took two decades to assess, discovered that at least 4,294 species out of 23, 496 freshwater animals were marked as having a high risk of extinction on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List.
The list, which aided the investigation, contains a comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status and extinction risks of various biological species.
The proportion of threatened freshwater species indicated that 24% – almost a quarter, were extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, or considered vulnerable.
The most threatened were decapods, which are large crustaceans, and fishes. With the IUCN not completely assessing species of molluscs, the researchers involved in the study were unable to add them to their analysis.
However, with a sample list of mollusc species and extinction rates, they were able to infer that it would have unequivocally increased the total percentage of threatened freshwater species.
The regions with the most affected species include Lake Victoria, Lake Titicaca, Sri Lanka’s Wet Zone, and the Western Ghats. In comparison to their total biological richness, these areas have a high ratio of endangered species.
The authors of the paper did emphasize that such adverse loss of biodiversity was not to be attributed to a single cause, but rather many different sources. These include pollution, dams/water extraction, agricultural changes – such as the use of pesticides or herbicides – and climate change, amongst many others.
The one inherently apparent thing is the human influence in many of these causes.
The systemic defects are evident with the more prevalent threats coming from unsustainable water and agricultural management practices.
Hence, the authors of the study have reiterated the importance of integrating biodiversity considerations when developing water structures or strategizing for agricultural growth.
Taking into account these results, why did it take so long to assess the gravity of this extinction event? Well, it is mainly due to freshwater habitats being heavily fragmented and isolated, rendering them difficult to pull data from.
As such, this study provides a wider perspective on the Holocene extinction, reflecting the extent to which this planet is losing biodiversity. In the past 50 years, Earth’s biodiversity has reduced by over 60%, underscoring the need for similar studies.
By identifying the species that are at peril, scientists and experts are allowed to prioritize conservation efforts and allocate resources effectively. These targeted actions can be developed into strategies such as habitat restoration and protective legislation.
Additionally, the involvement of freshwater species in the policies allows for a well-rounded focus that addresses the connectivity of many different ecosystems.
The publication of this study opens new doors for further research, probing into more ecosystems.
With this newfound data, governments and scientific bodies are more inclined and informed to make policies for safeguarding the interconnectedness of Earth’s ecosystems – rather than just one aspect of it.
