Freshwater Species
Freshwater ecosystems, which cover just 1% of Earth’s surface but host over 10% of all known species, are under severe threat, according to a recent study published in Nature. Researchers have found that 24% of 23,496 freshwater species assessed—including fishes, crustaceans, dragonflies, and damselflies—are at a high risk of extinction.
Key Findings:
- Major Threats Identified:
- Pollution: Industrial and agricultural waste pollutes freshwater habitats.
- Dams and Water Extraction: These disrupt the natural flow of rivers and impact aquatic life.
- Agriculture and Overharvesting: Excessive resource use depletes populations.
- Invasive Species: Non-native species like the Nile perch in Lake Victoria outcompete or prey on local species.
- Species at High Risk:
Exotic species facing extinction include:- Mini blue bee shrimp (Sulawesi)
- Seychelles duskhawker dragonfly
- Atlantic helicopter damselfly (Brazil)
- Daisy burrowing crayfish (Arkansas, USA)
- Shortnose sucker (Oregon and California, USA)
- Humpbacked mahseer (India)
- Global Threat Hotspots:
- Lake Victoria (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda): Threatened by pollution, invasive species, and overfishing.
- Lake Titicaca (Peru, Bolivia): Faces similar pressures as Lake Victoria.
- Western India and Sri Lanka: Regions with high concentrations of at-risk species.
- Habitat Loss:
Freshwater habitats like lakes, rivers, swamps, and peatlands have diminished by over a third since 1970, contributing to the decline of species dependent on these ecosystems.
Why Freshwater Ecosystems Matter:
Freshwater ecosystems provide essential services that sustain biodiversity and human well-being. These include:
- Carbon Sequestration: Wetlands like peat bogs absorb significant amounts of carbon.
- Food Sources: Fisheries supply sustenance for millions.
- Medicinal Resources: Plants from these ecosystems offer pharmaceutical potential.
- Cultural and Economic Value: Reeds from freshwater habitats are used in housing, and these ecosystems contribute an estimated $50 trillion annually in ecosystem services.
Conservation Call to Action:
The study emphasizes the urgent need for integrated water resource management that balances human water needs with ecosystem conservation. According to Ian Harrison, a co-author of the study, this approach can maintain ecosystem functions while mitigating threats to biodiversity.
The study serves as a critical baseline to identify regions requiring immediate conservation efforts, such as Lake Victoria and Lake Titicaca, and helps track the effectiveness of implemented measures over time.
Conclusion:
Freshwater biodiversity is a cornerstone of ecological health and human survival, yet it faces unprecedented challenges. Immediate, coordinated global efforts are required to preserve these vital ecosystems and the species they sustain. Conservation strategies must prioritize protecting biodiversity hotspots, regulating harmful practices, and fostering sustainable water use to halt the alarming decline.
