- The Living Planet Report 2022 by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) reveals a substantial 69% decline in the global populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish over the past 50 years.
- This biennial report provides insights into the state of wildlife and is released every two years.
KEY FINDINGS OF THE REPORT
Population Decline:
- Over the last five decades, there has been a substantial 69 percent reduction in the global populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.
- The most significant decline, averaging 83 percent from 1970 to 2018, is observed in freshwater populations.
- The IUCN Red List highlights cycads, an ancient group of seed plants, as the most threatened species, with corals experiencing the fastest decline, followed closely by amphibians.
Regional Assessment:
- Latin America and the Caribbean region witnessed the highest decline at 94 percent, while Africa recorded a 66 percent fall in wildlife populations from 1970 to 2018.
The Asia Pacific region observed a 55 percent decrease in monitored populations, with Southeast Asia facing significant threats to species. - The Polar Regions, as well as the east coast of Australia and South Africa, exhibited the highest probabilities of impact from climate change, particularly affecting birds.
Mangroves:
- Mangroves are diminishing at a rate of 0.13 percent per year due to aquaculture, agriculture, and coastal development.
- This loss not only signifies a reduction in biodiversity habitat but also results in the loss of crucial ecosystem services for coastal communities.
- The Sundarbans mangrove forest in India and Bangladesh, spanning approximately 137 square kilometers, has eroded since 1985, impacting the land and ecosystem services for the 10 million people residing there.
Corals:
- Half of warm water corals have already disappeared, and a 1.5-degree Celsius warming could lead to a further loss of 70-90 percent.
- The Bramble Cay melomys, a small Australian rodent, has been declared extinct due to sea-level rise.
Sharks:
- The global abundance of 18 out of 31 oceanic sharks has plummeted by 71 percent in the last half-century.
- The report warns that by 2020, three-quarters of sharks and rays faced extinction.
Other Findings:
- Only 37 percent of rivers longer than 1,000 km remain free-flowing throughout their entire length.
- Land-use change, accounting for 41 percent, poses the most significant current threat to nature.
- The report emphasizes the urgency of action to reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and limit global warming to 1.5ºC.
- Shifting to sustainable, healthy, and culturally appropriate diets has the potential to reduce agricultural land use by 41 percent and wildlife loss by up to 46 percent.
INDIA SPECIFIC BIODIVERSITY STUDY
- The Himalayan region and the Western Ghats emerge as particularly susceptible areas within India regarding biodiversity loss, especially with the anticipation of heightened biodiversity decline in the future if temperatures rise.
- Notably, India has witnessed a noticeable decline in the populations of various species during this period, including honeybees and 17 species of freshwater turtles.Â
- This decline underscores the pressing concerns related to biodiversity conservation in the country.
FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR LOSS
Factors contributing to the decline of migratory fish species include habitat loss and obstacles in migration routes, accounting for approximately half of the identified threats.
- The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has pinpointed six primary threats to biodiversity—namely agriculture, hunting, logging, pollution, invasive species, and climate change.Â
- These threats are emphasized to highlight “threat hotspots” that particularly impact terrestrial vertebrates.
- Currently, land-use change stands out as the predominant threat to nature, leading to the destruction or fragmentation of natural habitats for various plant and animal species in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems.
- The global challenges of human-induced climate change and biodiversity loss pose dual emergencies, jeopardizing the well-being of present and future generations.
- Mangroves, vital ecosystems, face degradation due to factors like overexploitation, pollution, and natural stressors such as storms and coastal erosion.
- In the context of India, climate change is anticipated to have far-reaching effects on critical areas such as water resources, agriculture, natural ecosystems, health, and the food chain.
- Amphibians, which inhabit both land and water, are most threatened by agriculture, while birds and mammals face their primary threats from hunting and trapping.Â
- These findings underscore the urgent need for comprehensive conservation efforts to address the multifaceted challenges facing global ecosystems.
WAY AHEAD
- Integration of Challenges:
Addressing biodiversity loss and the climate crisis should be approached as interconnected challenges rather than distinct issues. Recognizing the intertwined nature of these problems is essential for effective solutions.
- Nature-Positive Transformation:
To secure a future that is positive for nature, transformative and game-changing shifts are necessary in production methods, consumption patterns, governance models, and financial practices. This holistic approach aims to reshape human interactions with the environment.
- Collective Inclusivity:
A comprehensive and inclusive collective approach is imperative. This approach should guide us toward a more sustainable trajectory, ensuring that the costs and benefits arising from our actions are distributed equitably and align with principles of social justice. Collaborative efforts on a global scale are essential for achieving meaningful and lasting change.
FAQs : Living Planet Report 2022
Q1: What is the Living Planet Report 2022, and why is it significant?
A1: The Living Planet Report 2022, released by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), highlights a substantial 69% decline in global populations of various wildlife species over the past 50 years. This biennial report offers crucial insights into the state of global biodiversity and serves as a comprehensive assessment of the ongoing challenges.
Q2: What are the key findings of the report regarding population decline?
A2: The report reveals a significant 69% reduction in global populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish. Freshwater populations experienced the most substantial decline, averaging 83% from 1970 to 2018. Threatened species, such as cycads and corals, are identified, along with regional variations in population decline.
Q3: What are the regional assessments provided in the report?
A3: Latin America and the Caribbean witnessed the highest decline at 94%, while Africa recorded a 66% fall in wildlife populations. The Asia Pacific region observed a 55% decrease, with Southeast Asia facing significant threats. Climate change impact probabilities were highest in the Polar Regions, the east coast of Australia, and South Africa.
Q4: How are specific ecosystems, such as mangroves and corals, affected?
A4: Mangroves are diminishing at a rate of 0.13% per year due to overexploitation, pollution, and natural stressors, impacting biodiversity and ecosystem services. Half of warm water corals have disappeared, and further loss is anticipated with a 1.5-degree Celsius warming, affecting marine ecosystems and species.
Q5: What are the major threats identified by WWF to biodiversity globally?
A5: WWF identifies six key threats to biodiversity: agriculture, hunting, logging, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. These threats are emphasized to highlight “threat hotspots” for terrestrial vertebrates, with land-use change currently standing as the most significant threat.
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