A quarter of freshwater fish species risk extinction by climate change: IUCN
- December 14, 2023
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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A quarter of freshwater fish species risk extinction by climate change: IUCN
Subject : Environment
Section: Climate change
Context:
- The IUCN Red List assessment highlights the peril facing about a quarter of the world’s freshwater fish species due to climate change.
Details:
- Out of nearly 15,000 species assessed, over 3,000 are at risk of extinction.
- Factors like decreasing water levels, shifting seasons, and rising sea levels are impacting these fish, compounded by pollution, dams, overfishing, disease, and invasive species.
- Examples include the decline of the Atlantic salmon population by 23%, moving it from least concern to near threatened, and large-toothed Lake Turkana robber (Brycinus ferox).
- Climate change disrupts their life cycles, affecting development, prey availability, and habitats.
- Additionally, threats to species like the green turtle, big-leaf mahogany, and Saiga antelope were noted, largely attributed to climate-related issues,Illegal logging and trade, habitat loss, incidental bycatch in industrial and artisanal fishing, and human activities.
- Conservation efforts:
- The scimitar-horned oryx and Saiga antelope (found in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Mongolia) are showing population recoveries due to conservation efforts.
Source: Down To Earth