A new report by the WWF has recently been published. The report is about freshwater fish and is called 'One-third of freshwater fish face extinction and other freshwater fish facts'.
The report was published today, on the 23rd of February 2021.
The report highlights some worrying news for freshwater fish and freshwater ecosystems. The WWF says that one-third of all freshwater fish are now sadly at risk of extinction.
The WWF report also says that 'freshwater fish populations are collapsing'. This is worrying news for several reasons.
It's worrying news because it suggests that freshwater ecosystems are not healthy and are in decline. Which is bad for both animals and people. It's bad for animals because many different animal species rely on freshwater ecosystems for their survival. It's also bad for us, as we rely on freshwater for many things - like the water we drink.
Freshwater ecosystems have been significantly harmed over the past few decades. According to the report, we have lost 35% of wetlands in just 50 years and only 1/3 of free-flowing rivers remain free-flowing rivers today.
This decline in rivers and wetlands is causing a decline in wildlife, and in some instances, the destruction of some species. Just last year, the planet lost many freshwater fish, as 16 different freshwater fish became extinct in 2020. This is an example of how much our freshwater ecosystems are declining and how unhealthy they are today.
Many other freshwater species are also at risk of extinction today. For example, in Great Britain, 13% of freshwater species are at risk of extinction today. The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) says that so many freshwater species are at risk of extinction, due to a loss of habitat and a decline in water quality.
Around the world, it is estimated that 40% of the world's biodiversity relies on freshwater wetlands, therefore, wetlands and other freshwater habitats are crucial for biodiversity and the survival of so many of the world's animals.
Wetlands and rivers are also home to some of the world's cutest, majestic and unique animals across the world. Many mammals also rely on freshwater ecosystems for their survival - animals from Jaguars to voles can be found in freshwater ecosystems in the natural world. Therefore, by protecting freshwater ecosystems, we will not only be preserving some of the world's most beautiful places, but we will also be preserving many of the the world's beautiful and unique animals.
A decline in freshwater fish is important and significant, as the decline in freshwater fish not only harms the freshwater fish, it also harms the other animals which eat freshwater fish, and therefore, the decline in freshwater fish can also harm other species of animals.
Back To The Report
The WWF report about freshwater fish says that freshwater fish are in crisis. The reason the fish are in crisis is due to human activity.
Among two of the main reasons that freshwater fish are at crisis point is due to 1) because of overfishing and 2) because of dam building. Both dam building and overfishing harm freshwater fish and freshwater ecosystems.
But, the WWF also says that there is hope and that things can be turned around - which is great news for beautiful freshwater animals and ecosystems!
Protecting and restoring the natural world - specifically freshwater ecosystems and species, in this case - are two of the main ways that we can help turn this ship around.
Another big way that we can help is by reducing pollution, which will create a healthier and cleaner planet for animals, people, and the environment.
We know that when nature is given the chance to bounce back and recover that it can result in us seeing tremendous and often miraculous results for the natural world and animals.
There have been animals that have been pulled back from the brink of extinction before, and, by helping to restore and rewild nature, we can see future successes with habitats and animals.
Together we can create a better world for us all.
If you want to read the full WWF report about freshwater fish, then please go - here!
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