Study Finds 24% of Freshwater Species Threatened with Extinction

Pollution, habitat destruction, and invasive species are driving biodiversity loss in critical freshwater ecosystems.

A global assessment of over 23,000 freshwater species reveals that nearly a quarter are at risk of extinction, with decapod crustaceans, fish, and dragonflies among the most affected groups.
Freshwater habitats, which cover less than 1% of Earth's surface, support over 10% of known species and play a vital role in providing drinking water, flood control, and climate regulation.
The study identifies pollution, dams, water extraction, agriculture, and invasive species as the primary threats, with pollution alone affecting 54% of threatened species.
Regions with the highest concentrations of at-risk species include Lake Victoria in Africa, Lake Titicaca in South America, and the Western Ghats in India.
Researchers emphasize the urgent need for targeted conservation efforts, including reducing pollution, protecting water flows, and managing invasive species, to prevent further biodiversity losses.