Plummeting wildlife population

Land conversion for farming and the wildlife trade were key reasons for the 68% average drop across thousands of populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish

The average size of wildlife populations has plummeted by two-thirds worldwide since 1970 as forests were felled to grow food. Green group WWF warned that harming ecosystems hikes the risk to humans of infectious diseases like Covid-19. Let’s read in detail reasons for decrease in wildlife population and conservation efforts…

Land conversion for farming and the wildlife trade were key reasons for the 68% average drop across thousands of populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish between 1970 and 2016, according to WWF’s Living Planet Report 2020.

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Tropics, sub-tropics at risk

Conservationists point finger at large-scale commercial agriculture mainly in the tropics and sub-tropics, including the production of palm oil, soy and beef.In 2019, tropical rainforests – whose preservation is considered crucial to curbing climate change – disappeared at a rate of one football pitch every six seconds, according to data from monitoring service Global Forest Watch.

Environmentalists say conserving existing forests and restoring damaged ones reduces the risk of flooding, helps limit global warming by storing more carbon and protects biodiversity.

The WWF report, with contributions from about 125 experts, tracked almost 21,000 populations of nearly 4,400 vertebrate species, giving an overview of the state of the natural world.Those that live in freshwater suffered an 84% decline, it noted. Other worst-hit wildlife included Eastern lowland gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the African grey parrot in Ghana.

Deforestation leads to spread of diseases

Scientists say the rapid pace of deforestation is also a major factor in the spread of zoonotic diseases – which are passed from animals to humans – such as the new coronavirus.

If the world continues with business-as-usual over the next decade, the losses in wildlife would take decades to reverse and populations are less likely to be revived, say environmentalists.

Solution

Separately, researchers at the University of Oxford said  that nature-based solutions – such as restoring forests and mangroves – are key to reducing climate change impacts.

In what they said was the first systematic review of evidence on nature-based solutions around the world, they found that almost 60% of them alleviated climate-related pressures such as flooding, soil erosion and loss of food production.

The WWF report included 20 essays by experts from China to Mexico, ranging from young activists, authors and academics to business leaders, journalists and indigenous leaders, writing on how they perceive a healthy planet for people and nature.

• Natural areas that used to support biodiversity and have been converted for farming are the biggest reason for the population decline of species.

• The WWF study has found that the average population size has dropped by 68% worldwide since 1970.

• These declines are stark warnings that human activity is becoming unsustainable on Earth.

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