Image Source: IUCN

A groundbreaking new study by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) reveals that nearly a quarter of the world’s freshwater animals face high risk of extinction, signaling a dire need for immediate conservation efforts. The study, which represents the most comprehensive global analysis of freshwater species to date, underscores the critical threats posed by human activities to biodiversity in freshwater ecosystems.

Published in Nature on January 8, 2025, the IUCN’s findings show that 24% of species, including freshwater fish, crabs, shrimp, crayfish, and dragonflies, are at significant risk. With freshwater habitats home to 10% of all known species on Earth, the degradation of these ecosystems is becoming a global crisis. Freshwater systems are essential for providing drinking water, flood control, and climate resilience, yet their inhabitants are increasingly under threat.

Rising Threats to Freshwater Ecosystems

The study identifies several key factors contributing to the decline of freshwater species. Pollution, particularly from agriculture and forestry, impacts over half of all threatened species. Invasive species, habitat loss due to land conversion, and the construction of dams that obstruct fish migration are also major contributors to the crisis. These threats are not only jeopardizing the survival of individual species but are also undermining the health of entire freshwater ecosystems that billions of people rely on for water and livelihoods.

“Freshwater landscapes are crucial to both nature and people,” said Catherine Sayer, IUCN’s Freshwater Biodiversity Lead. “The data we’ve gathered highlights that targeted, data-driven conservation measures are essential to halt the ongoing decline of these vital ecosystems.”

Among the regions most affected are Lake Victoria, Lake Titicaca, and Sri Lanka’s Wet Zone, which house some of the highest biodiversity in the world. Surprisingly, underground water systems and isolated freshwater bodies such as lakes and springs are also proving to be hotspots for extinction. Notably, North America’s crayfish populations, including the daisy burrowing crayfish in Arkansas, have been significantly impacted.

Urgent Call for Targeted Action and Policy Change

As governments and industries continue to grapple with the growing challenges of water scarcity and pollution, the IUCN stresses the importance of incorporating freshwater biodiversity data into water management strategies. The study calls for immediate action to protect freshwater species through stricter regulations, habitat preservation, and targeted conservation efforts.

Dr. Rajeev Raghavan, co-author and South Asia Chair of the IUCN Freshwater Fish Specialist Group, explained that conservation for freshwater species must be distinct from broader wildlife conservation efforts. Species like the critically endangered humpbacked mahseer in India, for instance, face unique threats that require tailored solutions, such as habitat protection, fishing regulations, and invasive species control.

“Conservation action must be specifically targeted to address the distinct needs of freshwater species in their unique habitats,” said Raghavan. “Failing to do so risks losing species that are vital to the health of our planet’s freshwater ecosystems.”