The latest World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Living Planet Index (LPI) shows that globally, there has been a 73% decline in the average size of wildlife populations worldwide. Africa’s percentage is even higher than the global average with a concerning 76% decline in the average size of African wildlife populations.
The Living Planet Index
The Living Planet Index tracks almost 35 000 vertebrate populations of 5 495 species. The alarming decline shown by the latest report is based on data from 1970 to 2020.
The steepest decline is in freshwater animal populations (85%), followed by terrestrial (69%) and then marine (56%).
‘Nature provides the foundation for human health, a stable climate, the world’s economy, and life on earth. The Living Planet Report updates fifty-year trend lines of how much we’ve lost and tipping points that lie ahead,’ said WWF-US President and CEO Carter Roberts.
“… a wake-up call that we need to get going, and fast.”
Carter Roberts, WWF-US President and CEO
Major drop for freshwater species
The WWF reported a major drop of 85% for the animal population sizes of freshwater species. This emphasises how human actions such as overuse of water and pollution are negatively impacting lakes and rivers.
Freshwater fish frequently face dangers due to changes in their habitats that can obstruct important migration paths. The latest report for migratory freshwater fish indicates a significant drop of 81% from 1970 to 2020.
African wildlife populations’ decline alarming
Although trends vary between regions due to different types and levels of pressure placed on nature over the last 50 years, some regions’ stats are more concerning than others, e.g. Africa.
Africa is home to significant numbers of large mammals and incredibly rich in biodiversity. The LPI for Africa shows a decline of 76% which is equivalent to 2.8% per year. Africa’s rich biodiversity is crucial for many rural communities, as well as for the entire continent and the world.
Reports indicate that overexploitation poses a bigger threat to animal populations in Africa compared to other areas, and the populations that people rely on are declining more sharply here than elsewhere. This situation underscores the pressing need to safeguard these important resources.
Other regions with steep declines are Latin America, the Caribbean, Asia, and also the Pacific.
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