Despite being exposed to many stresses, freshwater environments are highly biodiverse and are critical for economic growth and livelihoods. Concerning biodiversity loss in rivers, lakes and wetlands has been ignored for many years. Although terrestrial and marine species receive most of the conservation attention, a significant portion of the world's biodiversity is found in freshwater ecosystems, which constitute a relatively small area. New research published in journal nature sheds a spotlight on this issue.
A study titled A quarter of freshwater animals are at risk of extinction Provides the first thorough assessment of threats to the survival of freshwater species. To assess the risk to freshwater fish, dragonflies, and damselflies, scientists used a recently completed “red list” of these species. Freshwater ecologists believe this research will shift focus on the need to protect these critical areas in order to conserve biodiversity around the world.
According to the authors, the study, “Globally, biodiversity is declining, with freshwater ecosystems being particularly affected.” Based on monitored natural inland wetlands (peatlands, bogs, wetlands, lakes, rivers, pools, etc.) and 35% of wetland area was lost between 1970 and 2015, three times faster than forests. ”
“Of the remaining wetland habitats, 65% are under moderate to high levels of threat, and 37% of rivers over 1,000 kilometers are no longer free flowing along their entire length. The decline continues. Despite the importance of freshwater bodies, they are home to 10% of known species, including approximately one-third of vertebrates and one-half of fishes. It supports the above. 1% of the earth's surface. ”
