Nature conservation: WWF: Animal populations continue to decline sharply

Many of the world's wildlife populations continue to decline dramatically, according to a WWF report. From 1970 to 2022, the vertebrate populations recorded therein shrank by an average of 73 percent.

The largest declines occurred in rivers, lakes and other freshwater habitats, with an average decline of 85 percent. There is a decline of 69 percent on land and 59 percent in the seas, according to the WWF. The reason is man-made. Food production, energy supply and the financial system are largely responsible for the loss of habitat and its deterioration.

The ongoing loss of habitats such as forests is one of the drivers of this development, according to the WWF. An estimated 420 million hectares of forest were destroyed between 1990 and 2020. The area is often converted for agriculture.

Fisheries management measures protect species in the sea

In the oceans, the decline in animal populations is occurring somewhat more slowly. Lower fishing quotas and increased controls for certain species of tuna, for example, have helped to reverse the strong negative trend. However, the development is still negative for many sharks and rays.

Things are worse for species that live in freshwater. They are exposed to numerous human environmental impacts, such as water pollution, overuse, canalization and dam construction. These threaten fish stocks. Infrastructure projects also affect other species such as hippos, otters, crocodiles and large turtles.

Without biodiversity there is no livelihood for people

Like every other species, humans depend on biodiversity. It provides us with food, water and clean air, writes the WWF in its report. “Without biological diversity on this planet, there would be a lack of food, medicine, clean water and safe places to live,” said Kathrin Samson, head of nature conservation at WWF Germany. However, she sees reason for hope: “The downward trend can be reversed if we firmly anchor the protection of nature in the economy, politics and society.”

The global downward trend does not affect all recorded animal populations. Around half of the recorded populations are not shrinking, but are stable or growing. However, since many populations are declining very sharply, the index came to an average decline of 73 percent. The report shows that targeted protective measures can also enable recovery for the green sea turtle, the tiger and individual elephant populations in southern Africa. Political will and cooperation between governments, nature conservation organizations and the local population are often decisive.

The central data basis for the Living Planet Report is the Living Planet Index created by the Zoological Society of London. It has recorded the size of vertebrate populations worldwide since 1970. It includes 5,790 species of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. According to the WWF, it therefore contains data on around 7.4 percent of all known vertebrate species.