A New Study Estimates 40% Of Marine Species Could Become Extinct
A new university study has analyzed the future of marine species and their environment. The study analyzed what would be the future of both marine species of plants and animals and their ecosystems if they remained on the path they were on. In other words, the study focused on what the future would be like for marine animals and plants and marine ecosystems if they faced the same decline in the next few decades, compared to how they are doing today.
The study focused on how marine megafauna would fair 100 years from now. It found that 18% of marine megafauna could be lost 100 years if nothing changed. This wouldn't just be damaging for critically endangered and endangered species, the study also noted that it would be damaging for species which are threatened with extinction today. The study estimates that 40% of marine species could be lost in 100 years.
If 40% of all marine species become extinct in 100 years, then it would have a detrimental knock-on effect on the ecological functions of marine habitats and environments, so much so that it is estimated that 48% of ecological functions could also become extinct if threatened species become extinct.
This wouldn't just be detrimental to marine species and marine habitats/environments, it would also be devastating to people globally, as it is estimated that 3 billion people worldwide depend on marine environments for their livelihoods. Therefore, it would also be damaging to the economy, as it is estimated that marine environments bring in 3-6 trillion dollars a year.
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