🌊 Freshwater Friends in Danger: 1 in 4 Face Extinction!
Hey there, nature lovers! 🌍 Did you know that our rivers and lakes might look strong and endless, but they're actually super fragile? A new study just dropped some shocking news: nearly 25% of animals living in freshwater—like rivers, lakes, and wetlands—are threatened with extinction! 😢
Biologist Patricia Charvet from Brazil's Federal University of Ceara reminds us that even mighty rivers like the Amazon are more delicate than they seem. \"Freshwater environments are very fragile,\" she says. 🌱
These habitats cover less than 1% of our planet's surface but are home to 10% of all animal species! 🐟🐢 According to zoologist Catherine Sayer from the International Union for Conservation of Nature in England, that's a huge deal.
The researchers took a deep dive into around 23,500 species of cool critters like dragonflies, fish, and crabs that live only in freshwater. Guess what they found? A whopping 24% are at risk of extinction! 😱 They're vulnerable, endangered, or even critically endangered because of problems like pollution, dams, taking too much water, farming, invasive species, climate change, and other disruptions.
This is the first time researchers have looked at the global risk to freshwater species. Before, they mostly focused on land animals like mammals, birds, and reptiles. It's about time our freshwater friends got some attention! 💧
So, what can we do? Let's spread the word, reduce pollution, and protect these vital ecosystems. Every little bit helps to keep our planet's biodiversity vibrant and alive! 🌿💚
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
