The number of wild animals in the world has more than halved in half a century

Wild animal populations are disappearing at an alarming rate, a situation described as “catastrophic” by the WWF.THE'analyses, based on over 35,000 populations of more than 5,000 different species, shows a global decline of 73% over the last 50 years.This loss would be especially severe in Latin America and the Caribbean, where some regions have seen a 95% drop.THEThe Living Planet Index, edited by the WWF and the Zoological Society of London, and to which over 125 experts from all over the world contributed, tracks the trend of populations of vertebrates such as amphibians, birds, mammals, reptiles and fish.The data highlights that freshwater populations are the most affected, with an average drop of 85%.Terrestrial and marine populations also suffered significant declines, by 69% and 56% respectively.

According to the report, the most endangered species include the eastern lowland gorilla, whose numbers in Kahuzi-Biega National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo) saw an estimated 87% decline between 1994 and 2015. , mainly due to illegal hunting, and the gray parrot in southwestern Ghana, whose number has decreased by up to 99% between 1992 and 2014 due to traps used for the wild bird trade and habitat loss.

The main causes of this decline are linked to the food system and human activities, with the habitat destruction, overexploitation of natural resources, pollution and invasive species that put constant pressure on ecosystems.Deforestation and climate change, particularly in tropical regions, are other factors contributing to this crisis.

The drastic reduction in wildlife not only represents a significant loss, but it also compromises the stability of ecosystems, putting their survival at risk.

In fact, each species plays a unique and irreplaceable role in maintaining natural balance.The disappearance of a single species can trigger cascade effects on the entire ecosystem.Wildlife provides fundamental ecosystem services, such as pollination, regulation of the water cycle and the decomposition of organic matter, contributing to the conservation of biodiversity.The latter is essential for the productivity and resilience of ecosystems, improving their capacity to resist adverse events such as floods, droughts and diseases.

However, not everything is completely lost yet:we also know that by acting on species conservation activities we can move away from the abyss.In fact, it has been proven that barren lands with abandoned rice fields that burn down every year are degraded and devoid of wildlife can be completely restored and become a real ecosystem for flora and fauna that helps local populations:it demonstrates this specifically a study peer-reviewed and published in the journal Tropical Natural History, which describes the commitment and results obtained on the island of Borneo, Indonesia, thanks to work that lasted almost 15 years.Here, since 2009, a local environmental group and nearby communities have worked together to restore the land by planting native plants, eradicating weeds and irrigating the area.A commitment that has led to a significant decrease in deforestation and the appearance of over 47 species, 18 of which are at risk of extinction.

[by Gloria Ferrari]