An English study published in the journal Nature January 8 showed that a quarter of species living in fresh water are on the verge of extinction.
A study assessed the risk of extinction of more than 23,000 species
Biodiversity is a subject that continues to be discussed, and in an alarming manner. Recently, an English study published on January 8 in the journal Nature has revealed worrying figures regarding the future of freshwater species. In fact, the team of researchers studied 23,496 species to assess their risk of extinction, based on data from the IUCN Red List. Among them, species of fish, dragonflies and even crustaceans.
They concluded that 24% of freshwater species are endangered, or around 6,000 species. Catherine Sayer, a zoologist at the International Union for Conservation of Nature in England and co-author of the study, told AP News that “most species do not face a single threat that puts them in danger of 'extinction, but many threats acting together'. For good reason, the work indicates that 84% of species in danger of extinction are threatened by several factors.
Pollution and dams as main threats
The threats to these animals are multiple. Indeed, the study found that among crustaceans, fish and dragonflies, 54% of species are threatened by pollution, such as plastic or ashes from illegal fires, 39% by dams and mining. water, 37% by land use change and associated effects of agriculture and 28% by invasive species and disease.
These factors have the consequence of degrading freshwater habitats, in particular the quality of water and the resources necessary for the proper development of these species. The main environments where these freshwater animals live are, for example, wetlands, rivers or large rivers like the Amazon in South America.
Example of threatened freshwater species in France
To illustrate this more than worrying situation, here are some examples of freshwater species threatened on French territory. For example, there is the European sturgeon. This fish is critically endangered due to poaching due to its eggs which are used for caviar.
There is also the European eel, which is considered critically endangered on the IUCN red list, and which has seen its number of individuals decline considerably since the 1980s.
Source: AP News
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