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Nature in crisis: The current state of global nature loss
SPECIES POPULATIONS ARE PLUMMETTING
The 2024 Living Planet Index reveals the scale of the nature loss crisis. Between 1970 and 2020, the average size of wildlife populations plummeted by 73% on average. This is based on almost 35,000 population trends across 5,495 species of amphibians, birds, fish, mammals and reptiles. Regionally, the worst losses happened in Latin America and the Caribbean (-95%). Freshwater species experienced the greatest decline – a shocking 85%.
NATURE LOSS ACROSS THE WORLD
- 1. North America
- 2. Latin America and the Caribbean
- 3. Europe and Central Asia
- 4. Africa
- 5. Asia and the Pacific
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SPECIES ARE LOST?
When a species’ population falls below a certain level, it can cause the ecosystem as a whole becomes less resilient, which also undermines the benefits that ecosystems provide to people – like food, clean water or regulating our climate. Take the Stoplight Parrotfish for example. They graze on the algae and microbes on the surface of coral, which keeps the reef healthy as it gives coral space, light and nutrients to grow, However, when the parrotfish is overfished and its population declines, the reef becomes overrun by algae growth, causing the corals to die. This not only causes a decline in the fish and invertebrate populations that depend on the corals, but threatens the coastal communities that rely on the reefs for their food, livelihoods, and storm protection.
Species snapshots
Hawksbill turtle: 57% decline
Despite benefitting from the highest level of marine reserve protection within the Great Barrier Reef, there was an alarming decline in the important nesting population of critically-endangered hawksbill turtles on Milman Island between 1990 – 2018. Scientists suggest this north eastern Australian population species could be locally extinct as early as by 2036. The Hawksbill turtles are vulnerable to habitat loss, climate change, legal and illegal harvesting, as well as entanglement in fishing nets.
African forest elephant: 78-81% decline
Between 2004 and 2014 there is strong evidence that poaching for the ivory trade, both from within Gabon and from Cameroon, caused a 78-81% decline in critically-endangered forest elephants in Minkébé National Park. Since almost half of all forest elephants in Central Africa are thought to live in Gabon, scientists consider a loss on this scale to be a considerable setback for the future of the species.
Chinstrap penguin: 61% decline
The decline in chinstrap penguin (94) colonies from 1980 to 2019 is thought to be linked to changes in sea ice and shortages of krill due to climate change and an increase in Antarctic krill fisheries. Warmer conditions with lower levels of sea-ice cover result in fewer krill, the shrimp-like crustaceans which are the penguins’ main food source. The penguins then spend more time foraging, which can increase the risk of breeding failure.
Amazon river dolphin: 65% decline
Between 1994 and 2016 the population of Amazon pink river dolphins (boto) declined by 65%, while the population of the smaller tucuxi declined by 75% in the Mamirauá reserve. The dolphins are vulnerable to entanglement in fishing nets and are also hunted for fish bait. Recent research indicates the downward trend is continuing and climate change is a growing threat. In 2023 more than 330 river dolphins died in just two lakes during a period of extreme heat and drought.
European Bison: Making a comeback
Following this species' extinction in the wild in 1927, the species comeback (1950 - 2020) is due to large scale breeding, reintroductions and translocations (across ten countries in Europe). Most of the bison (91-100%) live in protected areas, and the species is protected throughout Europe.
WHAT’S DRIVING NATURE LOSS?
Habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation, invasive species, disease and climate change are the biggest threats to wildlife worldwide. The main drivers behind these threats are our food and energy systems, which require urgent transformation.
How can we reverse nature loss?
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