1 million species can be found today in Danger of extinction: UN experts have since established an interrelationship of risks the acceleration of vulnerable species in the ecosystem causes a domino effect of biodiversity loss. The United Nations University (UNU) draws attention to simultaneous extinction: the chain reaction that occurs when the complete disappearance of one species affects the others.
The topic is current for the International Day for Biological Diversity 2024which was held on May 22, and where it was featured in the most recent edition of the report UNU Interrelated Disaster Risks.
Among the animals at risk is the gopher tortoise, one of the oldest living species on Earth.
This tragic story of biodiversity loss takes place in the heart of the southern coastal plains of the United States. However, their small numbers are not only problematic for the survival of the population tortoise as a species, as these charismatic creatures also play a crucial role in maintaining the delicate balance of their coastal kingdom.
Gopher tortoises are not just residents of their habitat; they are architects What They form ecosystems and provide refuge for more than 350 species. Using their forelimbs, which act as shovels, they dig burrows six to nine meters long and 1.8 to 2.5 meters deep.
Each organism plays a crucial role in the intricate web of ecosystem life that these burrows provide, from small insects to larger amphibians. For some, gopher tortoise burrows provide a safe haven for breeding and raising their children, while for others they provide respite from predators and the elements.
If the gopher tortoise were to disappear, there would likely be a domino effect throughout the ecosystem.
One of the most vulnerable species is the sevosa frog, in serious danger of extinction. The disappearance of the tortoise It would also likely endanger its survival, as it relies on its burrows for shelter and survival.
To shed more light on the simultaneous extinctionthe A says that Intensive human activities, such as land use change, overexploitation, climate change, pollution and the introduction of invasive species, are causing an acceleration of extinctions that is at least tens to hundreds of times faster than the natural process of extinction..
For example, over the past hundred years, more than four hundred species of vertebrates have been lost.. That’s why the report names accelerated extinctions as one of six interconnected “risk tipping points.”
These points have been reached when the systems on which humanity depends cannot absorb the risks and function as expectedmainly as a result of human actions.
The domino effect could lead to the extinction of more species and even the collapse of entire ecosystems
Ecosystems are built on complex networks of connections between different species, as shown by the example of the turtle and the sevo frog. With almost one million endangered animal and plant speciesthe domino effect of the extinction of a single species can affect countless others, disrupting vital ecological functions.
The marina of nutria, in danger of extinction, is another example of the complex interdependence of ecosystems. They were once abundant in the Pacific kelp forests, but are now threatened by the brutal hunt for their skin in the past.
In a refined ecological dance, Sea otters feed on sea urchins and prevent their populations from growing unchecked.. Without otters present, these spiny herbivores go on the rampage, transforming lush kelp forests into barren plains after being devoured by sea urchins.
The disappearance of sea otters would have consequences far beyond the disappearance of seaweed., the UN said. More than 1,000 species, including sharks, turtles, seals, whales, birds and a host of fish, depend on these underwater sanctuaries for their survival.
Avoiding extinction and co-extinction will be the only realistic solution to halt biodiversity loss
Tackling the biodiversity crisis requires a multifaceted approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of risks and solutions. He International Day for Biological Diversity 2024 urges everyone to support the implementation of the programme Biodiversity planadopted in 2022, setting concrete objectives and measures halt and reverse nature loss by 2050.
One goal includes reducing the extinction rate of all species by mid-century and increasing the abundance of native wild species to healthy, resilient levels.said Zita Sebesvari, deputy director of the UNU Institute for Environment and Human Safety (UNU-EHS) and lead author of the Interconnected Disaster Risks report.
“While adaptation strategies, such as restoring and protecting green corridors between animal habitats, provide some respite, it remains critical to address the underlying drivers of extinctionbecause this objective cannot be achieved as long as we risk accelerating extinctions,” he explained.
Long-term, Avoiding extinction and co-extinction will be the only realistic solution to halt biodiversity losswhich requires a change in mentality.
“Conservation efforts must go beyond individual species and encompass entire ecosystems”said Sebesvari.
“Urgent and decisive action is needed to maintain the resilience of ecosystems and ensure the survival of our planet’s diverse web of life. “Embracing nature as an integral part of our culture is essential to ensuring a sustainable future, recognizing that our fate is inevitably intertwined with the fate of the natural world.”