The environmental impact caused by human activity has accelerated at an alarming rate in recent decades, directly affecting the planet's fauna and flora. With uncontrolled urbanization, water, soil and air pollution, numerous species are increasingly threatened, bringing them to the brink of extinction. In 2017, this worrying phenomenon reached its peak, with an unprecedented number of species in danger.
Record in threatened species
In 2017, according to the annual report of the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), 30% of the species evaluated are threatened, which is equivalent to 25.800 speciesThis figure reflects an increase of 1.800 species compared to 2016, when the number of species assessed was 24.000. The main animals affected include pangolins, koalas, seahorses and various species of flying insects, all of which have been victims of human impact.
Experts say the situation is dramatic. We often think of animal extinction as a distant problem that will not affect us directly. However, many species, such as pollinating insects, are essential for agriculture and the balance of ecosystems, and their extinction would pose a serious problem for humanity.
Pollinating insects
One group of animals that is particularly affected is pollinating insects. These are vital for the growth of fruits and vegetables, as many plants depend on them for the dissemination of seeds. However, the massive use of pesticides in agriculture has caused a decline in their population, which puts agricultural production at risk in many regions, especially in Europe.
In Germany, recent studies indicate that over the past 27 years, the population of flying insects has declined by 75%. The use of pesticides on crops, coupled with the loss of natural habitats due to urban expansion, is decimating these small but crucial pollinators.
There are solutions, such as implementing more sustainable agricultural practices and promoting organic farming. The agricultural sector, cities and individuals all have a responsibility to use pesticides in a controlled manner, minimising their negative impact on nature.
Pangolins: the most hunted mammal
The pangolin is the most illegally trafficked mammal in the world, mainly due to the belief in its supposed healing properties in traditional Asian medicine and the trade in its meat and skin. Although its international trade has been banned since January 2017, pangolins continue to be hunted and sold on the black market, especially in Africa and Asia.
This animal, unique due to its skin covered in large scales, is constantly seized by the authorities. According to the IUCN, more than 16 million live pangolins have been confiscated in the past 1,1 years. In addition to direct trafficking, the reduction of their natural habitats due to deforestation is accelerating their path to extinction.
The situation for other species is not encouraging either. African elephants have seen their population decline by 66%, mainly due to illegal ivory trafficking. Current figures estimate that there are fewer than 10.000 elephants left in the forests of central Africa.
Seahorses: a species in decline
While the seas provide an abundance of life, they are also the scene of a biodiversity crisis. A clear example is that of seahorses. In Europe, their population has decreased by 30% in the last decade, mainly due to overfishing, the destruction of their habitat by trawling and the use of fertilizers that pollute the waters.
Despite the fact that both fishing and trade in seahorses are banned in the Mediterranean Sea, these animals continue to be unintentionally captured in fishermen's nets, contributing to the decline of their populations. Climate change has also affected ocean temperatures, negatively affecting the marine ecosystem where this species lives.
Similarly, other marine species, such as dolphins and sea turtles, have been under serious threats, but recent reports indicate slight improvements in certain breeding areas.
Impact of climate change on ecosystems and biodiversity
Climate change is considered one of the biggest threats to animal and plant species worldwide. Alterations in climate patterns are changing the habitats and habits of living beings, and many species cannot adapt quickly enough to these changes.
Prolonged droughts, rising global temperatures, ocean acidification and extreme weather events such as hurricanes and cyclones have devastating effects on a range of species. For example, climate change is causing a significant decline in the polar bear population due to the loss of their Arctic habitat.
Rising sea levels are also having a serious impact on certain species of sea turtles, which rely on beaches to lay their eggs. Coastal areas that used to be safe havens are being eroded by more frequent storms and rising sea levels.
Koalas: an imminent danger
The situation for koalas is equally grim. Since the 80s, these Australian marsupials have seen their population decline by XNUMX% in several regions of Australia, mainly due to the destruction of eucalyptus forests, which constitute their main habitat.
In addition to habitat loss, koalas face threats from climate change, which causes extreme heat waves and prolonged droughts, affecting the availability of food and water for the animals. The species has also been affected by disease and competition from invasive species.
The Australian government and various organisations are working to restore habitats and protect koalas, but the challenges are immense. Without more drastic measures, koalas could disappear completely from certain regions in the coming decades.
Good news: rebounds in some species
Despite the many pieces of bad news, some hopeful signs stand out in the IUCN report. These include an increase in the sea turtle population in some regions of the world, thanks to conservation programmes and public awareness. These efforts have made it possible to protect critical nesting areas and to establish measures against accidental capture in fishing nets.
Another success story is that of the Mékong dolphin. Although it remains an endangered species, with only 80 individuals left, recent studies have revealed a decline in its mortality rate, offering hope that the species may begin to recover.
These cases demonstrate that with well-directed and coordinated conservation efforts, it is possible to reverse extinction trends and repair some of the damage done to ecosystems. However, these initiatives must be rapidly expanded to address the global biodiversity crisis.
Biodiversity loss is not just a problem for the animals and plants that are disappearing. It has direct implications for the stability of ecosystems that support human life. The time to act is now.