Oct 14, 2024
The human population has more than doubled over the past 50 years. But wildlife has seen a “catastrophic” fall over the same time span. That’s according to a report published Thursday by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
The WWF’s Living Planet Report is published every two years. It tracks the populations of 5,495 animal species across all seven continents. The latest report looked at data from 1970 to 2020. The WWF found that the average vertebrate species’ population declined by 73%. The loss was most profound in freshwater habitats. River- and lake-bound species numbers fell by 85%. Land-based species plunged 69%. Saltwater animals saw a 56% decrease.
"Nature is issuing a distress call,” Kirsten Schuijt said in a statement. She is the director general of WWF International. “The linked crises of nature loss and climate change are pushing wildlife and ecosystems beyond their limits."
The report also found that animal population decline wasn't spread evenly across the globe. The most drastic losses were in Latin America and the Caribbean. There, vertebrate populations have fallen about 95% since 1970. African species saw a 76% drop. Species in the Asia-Pacific region declined 60%.
The chief driver of the declines? Human food production.
Habitat loss and decline is mainly caused by use of land for food, the WWF wrote in the report. The WWF said this is the most reported threat to wildlife around the world. Overuse of natural resources is a second threat. Invasive species and disease are others, the WWF said.
Authors of the report stressed that there is still much humans can do to avoid a “tipping point” from which species cannot rebound. Humans can reduce habitat loss. We can also protect endangered species from exploitation. We can also work toward more global cooperation.
Reflect: If you could make one change to help the planet and protect wildlife, what would it be and why?
Photo of an egret from Unsplash courtesy of May.
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