Threat to the Survival of Freshwater Species

Extinction Statistics

The study identified 4,294 species at high risk of extinction, which equates to approximately 18.3 per cent of the total assessed. The majority of these species are found in biodiversity hotspots such as Lake Victoria, Lake Titicaca, Sri Lanka’s wet zone, and India’s Western Ghats. These areas are home to unique species that exist nowhere else on the planet.

The Historical Background of Extinction

There have been 89 confirmed extinctions since 1500, and another 178 are suspected. Among freshwater species, the United States, Mexico, and the Philippines have reported the highest rates of extinction. Remarkably, eleven freshwater fish species are now only found in captivity and are no longer found in the wild.

Significant Risks to Freshwater Species

According to the study, invasive species and agriculture pose a threat to freshwater biodiversity. For these species, pollution, dam construction, and water extraction are especially harmful. To properly handle these risks, the researchers advise a change in water management techniques.

Impact of Climate Change

Freshwater ecosystems are threatened by climate change in two ways. It directly modifies flow regimes and temperatures. Indirectly, it makes already-existing dangers worse, like habitat invasions and rising water resource demand from humans. The scientists predict that as time goes on, the effects of climate change on freshwater species will become more severe.

Strategies for Conservation Are Needed

The analysis emphasizes how crucial it is to combine conservation initiatives for tetrapods and freshwater species. Since freshwater species have different needs than terrestrial species, conservation plans must take these needs into consideration. Effective threat mitigation requires collaborative management techniques.

The Value of Biodiversity in Freshwater

More than 10% of all known species, including a percentage of fish and vertebrates, are found in freshwater environments. Important services like flood control, climate change mitigation, and nutrient cycling are provided by these ecosystems. Freshwater habitat protection is essential for human livelihoods and biodiversity.

1. There are fifteen endemic species in the Philippines' Lake Lanao.
2. Climate change affects about one-fifth of threatened freshwater species.
3. Freshwater ecosystems are home to more than 10% of all known species.
4. In October 2025, Abu Dhabi will host the IUCN World Conservation Congress.
5. Eleven freshwater fish species are no longer found in the wild.

The Need for Quick Action

In order to stop additional freshwater species declines, the study urges quick action. It emphasizes that inaction can no longer be justified by a lack of data on freshwater biodiversity. Since freshwater ecosystems support billions of people, protecting them is crucial for both the environment and human welfare.