Global freshwater species face extinction risks as habitats deteriorate

Nearly a quarter of freshwater animal species are at risk of extinction due to habitat destruction, pollution and climate pressures, according to new research.

Christina Larson reports for The Associated Press.

In short:

• Freshwater habitats cover less than 1% of Earth’s surface but support 10% of animal species.
• Researchers found that 24% of freshwater species, including fish and dragonflies, face extinction due to multiple threats such as pollution, dams and illegal mining.
• The Amazon River system, despite its size, is highly vulnerable to deforestation, wildfires and mercury contamination from illegal gold mining.

Key quote:

“If something goes really wrong, like an acid or oil spill, you can threaten an entire species. There’s nowhere else for these animals to go.”

— Patricia Charvet, study co-author and biologist at Brazil’s Federal University of Ceará

Why this matters:

Freshwater ecosystems are essential to global biodiversity but are more vulnerable than many land habitats. The extinction of species in rivers and lakes could disrupt entire ecosystems and affect human water sources and fisheries.

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