Global wildlife populations drop by 73%, scientists warn loss could quicken ahead

Global wildlife populations have declined by an average of 73 per cent in 50 years as humans continue to push ecosystems to the brink of collapse, according to a new scientific assessment.

The latest edition of the Living Planet report, issued on Thursday (Oct 10), by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), stated that despite such promises, the health of the planet's animal species and ecosystems is continuing to deteriorate.

According to the annual update of the Living Planet Index (LPI), between 1970 and 2020, the population size of monitored birds, mammals, amphibians, fish and reptiles have shrunk, on an average by 73 per cent on a global scale.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

However, earlier in 2022's edition, it stated that the population has declined by 69 per cent.

"This flagship WWF report reveals the extent of the decline in biodiversity and confirms the trend of previous editions," Véronique Andrieux, director general of the NGO's French branch said, adding, "Behind each species, environments and ecosystems are affected."

Latin America and the Caribbean recorded the steepest average declines in recorded wildlife populations, with a 95% fall, according to the WWF and the Zoological Society of London’s (ZSL) biennial Living Planet report.

It was further followed by Africa with 76 per cent and Asia and the Pacific at 60 per cent. Meanwhile, North America recorded comparatively lower falls of 35 per cent and 39 per cent respectively since 1970.

Watch |World Tourism Day Special: Sustainable Tourism & Global Adventures

Scientists have warned that the loss could fasten in future years as global heating accelerates, triggered by tipping points in the Amazon rainforest, Arctic and marine ecosystems, which could have catastrophic consequences for nature and human society.

Matthew Gould, ZSL’s chief executive, said the report’s message was clear, saying, “We are dangerously close to tipping points for nature loss and climate change. But we know nature can recover, given the opportunity, and that we still have the chance to act.”

Meanwhile, in a critique of the index published in June, scientists said it, “suffers from several mathematical and statistical issues, leading to a bias towards an apparent decrease even for balanced populations”.

“This does not mean that in reality there is no overall decrease in vertebrate populations [but the] current phase of the Anthropocene [epoch] is characterised by more complex changes than … simple disappearance," they added.

(With inputs from agencies)