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They inhabit our lakes, rivers and swamps. We may soon lose almost a quarter of them

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Almost a quarter of known freshwater animal species are at risk of extinction. Analysis by an international team of researchers has revealed that although human activities have a huge impact on populations of fish, dragonflies and crabs, we still know relatively little about them. The loss of these animals may have irreversible consequences for entire ecosystems.

Although freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, swamps and lakes cover less than one percent of the Earth's surface, they are essential to life on our planet. In many places, they are a source of drinking water, protect inhabited areas from floods and alleviate the effects of droughts, and are also a valuable tourist and recreational resource. New research reveals that the ongoing degradation of these environments could lead to the extinction of at least 24 percent of freshwater species. An article on this topic was published in early January in the journal Nature.

Knowledge gaps

The study covered almost 24,000 species dependent on freshwater environments (mainly fish, dragonflies and large crustaceans). An international team of scientists analyzed information on their numbers and population status against the criteria used by the International Union for Conservation of Nature when creating the Red List of Threatened Species. As it turned out, almost a quarter of the studied species were at risk of extinction. Of these, almost 1,000 are considered critically endangered and 200 are considered potentially lost.

These numbers may only be the tip of the iceberg because scientists had data on a relatively small group of species. Due to the lack of information, freshwater molluscs were not included in the analysis – only half of the species were known well enough to assess their condition according to IUCN criteria. Catherine Sayer, lead author of the study, said urgent action was needed to protect these animals.

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– Freshwater landscapes are home to 10 percent of all known species on Earth and are crucial to us. They provide a source of access to drinking water, help people sustain themselves, and mitigate floods and the effects of climate change. They must be protected […]- she added.

Lesser spirea (Nehalennia speciosa) – a rare dragonfly that prefers swampy habitatsShutterstock

The role of pollutants

Scientists explained that freshwater species are threatened by various phenomena. Decapods – crabs, lobsters and shrimp – are particularly sensitive to agricultural pollutants, washed into surface waters by rain. Dangerous for them include, among others: insecticides that disrupt the growth and shedding processes. In fish, they can affect the ability to have offspring and influence behavior. Dragonflies, which spend most of their lives in water in larval form, also suffer from pollution.

The analysis showed one more issue – despite the important role they play, freshwater environments are still relatively poorly explored. Study co-author Topiltzin Contreras-MacBeath from Mexico's University of Morelos said that if freshwater species are to survive, we need to better understand their environments.

– It is very important that data on freshwater species are included in nature conservation and water management strategies. Allocating more funds for monitoring these animals is necessary to ensure that the data is always up to date, the scientist added.

Main photo source: Shutterstock



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