A quarter of freshwater fish species risk extinction by climate change: IUCN

Climate change driving multiple species towards extinction at all stages of its lifecycle, assessment noted.

Climate Change and Biodiversity Loss:

• IUCN Assessment: Climate change is emerging as a significant driver of biodiversity loss, according to the latest update from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
• Freshwater Ecosystem:The assessmentreveals alarming trends, especially in freshwater ecosystems, and highlights the interconnectedness of climate change, habitat degradation, and other anthropogenic factors affecting diverse species.

1. Freshwater Fish Under Threat:

• Statistics: About 25% of the world's freshwater fish species face extinction risks due to climate change.
• Factors:Decreasing water levels, shifting seasons, and rising sea levels impact 17% of threatened freshwater fish species.
• Compound Threats:Climate change compounds threats from pollution (57%), dams and water extraction (45%), overfishing (25%), disease, and invasive species (33%).

2. Species-Specific Impacts:

• Lake Turkana Robber:Large-toothed Lake Turkana robber (Brycinusferox) in Kenya moves from least concern to vulnerable due to overfishing, habitat degradation, and dams.
• Atlantic Salmon:Global population drops by 23%, moving the species from least concern to near threatened due to multiple threats during migration, climate influence, and invasive species.

3. Green Turtle Populations Decline:

• Threats:Central South Pacific and East Pacific green turtle populations move from endangered and vulnerable to extinction.
• Climate Influences:High temperatures affect hatching success, rising sea levels threaten nests, and warming oceans impact seagrass growth, a crucial part of the turtle's diet.
• Human Impact:Industrial and artisanal fishing contribute to incidental bycatch, while harvesting for consumption and trade further depletes numbers.

4. Commercial Timber Tree Facing Extinction:

• Big Leaf Mahogany:The commercially popular big leaf mahogany (Swieteniamacrophylla) moves from vulnerable to endangered.
• Reasons:Unsustainable harvesting, urban encroachment, and agriculture lead to a 60% reduction in numbers over the past 180 years.
• Ongoing Threats:Despite legal protection, illegal logging and trade persist, compounded by climate change impacts on habitat.

5. Positive Conservation Outcomes:

• Scimitar-Horned Oryx:Upgraded from extinct in the wild to endangered due to successful reintroduction efforts in Chad.
• Saiga Antelope:Moved from critically endangered to near threatened, with population increase in Kazakhstan attributed to anti-poaching measures.

IUCN Red List Updated:

• The IUCN Red List update underscores the vulnerability of global biodiversity to the complex interplay of climate change and various anthropogenic pressures.
• Freshwater ecosystems, in particular, face compounded threats, with a quarter of freshwater fish species at risk of extinction.
• The report sheds light on how decreasing water levels, shifting seasons, and rising sea levels intensify risks, affecting not only fish but entire ecosystems.

Impact on specific species:

• Lake Turkana robber and Atlantic salmon: Notable case studies highlight the impact on specific species, such as the Lake Turkana robber and Atlantic salmon, where overfishing, habitat degradation, and changing climates contribute to their vulnerability.
• Green turtle:The decline ofgreen turtlepopulations exemplifies the intricate relationship between climate factors, human activities, and the survival of iconic species.

Commercial Sector Impact:

• Big leaf mahogany: The assessment also points to the commercial sector, with the big leaf mahoganyfacing extinction due to unsustainable practices and climate-induced habitat threats.
• Illegal logging persists: Despite legal safeguards, illegal logging persists, underscoring the challenges in enforcing conservation measures.

Positive conservation efforts:

• Scimitar-horned oryx: On a positive note, successful conservation efforts are evident in the case of the scimitar-horned oryx, showcasing the potential for species recovery through strategic initiatives.
• Saiga antelope's: The Saiga antelope's shift from critically endangered to near threatened reflects the positive impact of anti-poaching measures, although ongoing threats persist.

Way Forward:

• The IUCN Red List update emphasizes the urgency of addressing climate change as a primary driver of biodiversity decline.
• Conservation efforts must integrate climate resilience strategies, legal protection, and community involvement to ensure the survival of vulnerable species.