The Living Planet Report 2020, recently released by the World Wide Fund for Nature, brings to light a startling fact. Vertebrate species populations have seen a significant decline over the past half-century, indicating a dire need for conservation.
Understanding Vertebrates
Vertebrates, characterized by backbones or vertebral columns, also possess a muscular system consisting primarily of bilaterally paired masses. Additionally, they have a central nervous system that is partly enclosed within the backbone.
About the World Wildlife Fund for Nature
A leading international conservation organization, the World Wildlife Fund for Nature or WWF, operates in more than 100 countries across the world. Established in 1961, with its headquarters located in Gland, Switzerland, WWF’s mission encompasses the ambition to conserve nature and tackle threats to biodiversity on Earth. Through innovative solutions, WWF strives to safeguard communities, wildlife, and their habitats.
Methodology of the Report
The Living Planet Index (LPI) was used in the report to determine the decline in vertebrate species. LPI, provided by the Institute of Zoology (Zoological Society of London), assesses the state of the world’s biological diversity based on vertebrate species population trends in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine habitats. The index monitored nearly 21,000 populations of over 4,000 vertebrate species between 1970 and 2016.
Key Findings of the Report
According to the report, there was an average 68% decrease in global vertebrate species populations between 1970 and 2016. Notably, a 94% decline in the LPI for the tropical subregions of the Americas represented the most significant drop worldwide. Freshwater species populations plunged by an average of 84% since 1970. Furthermore, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) notes that nearly one-third of freshwater species are now threatened with extinction.
The Vulnerability of Megafauna
Larger animals, or megafauna, are especially susceptible due to heightened anthropogenic threats and overexploitation. For example, large fish species suffer significantly due to dam construction, which obstructs their migration routes to spawning and feeding grounds.
Ecological Footprint Since 1970
Our Ecological Footprint, a measure of the ecological assets required to produce the resources we consume, has exceeded Earth’s regeneration rate since 1970. Currently, human development demands 1.56 times more than what Earth can regenerate, equivalent to living off 1.56 Earths.
Biodiversity Threats: Land and Sea Use Changes, Overexploitation, Pollution, Invasive Species, and Climate Change
The report outlined several major threats to biodiversity. These include changes in land and sea use leading to habitat loss and degradation, overexploitation of species, pollution, invasive species and disease, and climate change.
A Way Forward and Connection to Human Health
The report advocates for ambitious conservation efforts and transformational changes in food production and consumption. It also calls for a global New Deal for Nature and People with clear, ambitious goals to be set for recovery by 2030. Notably, the report establishes a link between human health and the planet’s health, indicating that recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and responses to global environmental change will greatly affect future generations’ health and livelihoods.
