A new survey, the most comprehensive conducted on reptiles to date, found that over a fifth of the world's species are at risk of extinction. The main cause? Deforestation followed by other human activities
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him
A new survey led by the Monash University of Melbourne, the most comprehensive conducted on reptiles to date, revealed that at least 1.829 species out of 10.196 scattered in 24 different countries of the world (21,1%) are endangered, classified as Vulnerable, Endangered or Critically Endangered. Virtually 1 in 5 species is at risk. Turtles and crocodiles are at the forefront, representing 57,9% and 50,0% of endangered species.
The survey published in Nature, launched in 2005, involved around 1.000 scientists and 52 co-authors working for IUCN, NatureServe and Conservation International, and found that some of the main threats to reptile survival are agriculture, deforestation, urban development. and invasive species. But also hunting and climate change. In short, human activity is the main cause of their extinction.
NEWS: More than one in five of the world’s reptiles are threatened with #extinction, according to the Global Reptile Assessment published on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species ™.
➡️https://t.co/2eEpUakz2i @natureserve, @ConservationOrg pic.twitter.com/tN8reUMnL3
— IUCN Red List (@IUCNRedList) April 27, 2022
The most threatened reptiles are those concentrated in forest areas, such as the king cobra, while desert dwellers are at less risk. Probably because forests are more exploited by man than arid environments.
The researchers also created a map of the areas with the highest concentration of endangered species, which resulted in Southeast Asia, West Africa, Northern Madagascar, the Northern Andes and the Caribbean. Knowing them will allow them to understand what types of conservation efforts might be most helpful in stemming this tragedy.
In any case, habitat protection remains essential to prevent the extinction of reptiles and many other animals. - If we were to lose them - said Neil Cox, Manager of the IUCN-Conservation International Biodiversity Assessment Unit, - we would lose billions of years of evolutionary history.
SOURCE: Nature
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- The 25 primates at risk of extinction: the complete list
