UN Report Reveals One in Five Migratory Species Threatened with Extinction
The first-of-its-kind report finds alarming population declines are being fuelled by human activity, including hunting, overfishing, and habitat loss.
A first-of-its-kind report into the population numbers of the world’s migratory species has revealed alarming results with many animals at risk of extinction.
Launched this week, the landmark State of the World’s Migratory Species report was compiled by the United Nations, and provides the most comprehensive assessment on migratory species so far.
Migratory species refers to the billions of animals who make journeys on land, in the oceans, and in the skies, each year, often crossing continents and sometimes traveling thousands of miles to find food or to reach breeding grounds.
The UN says that migratory species and their routes play an essential role in maintaining ecosystems around the world, by fulfilling roles like pollinating plants, transporting key nutrients, and helping to store carbon.
However, the report, which focuses on 1,189 species recognized as needing protection, has now found that nearly half (44 percent) are showing population declines, and more than one-in-five (22 percent) are threatened with extinction.
Ocean life is particularly at risk, with nearly all (97 per cent) of the tracked fish species threatened with extinction, including migratory sharks, rays and sturgeons.
Despite such population declines, the majority of these species do not have protected status to help conservation efforts, while 58 percent of monitored sites which are recognized for their importance to migratory species are experiencing unsustainable levels of human-caused pressure.
What’s Causing the Decline?
“[This] report clearly shows us that unsustainable human activities are jeopardizing the future of migratory species – creatures who not only act as indicators of environmental change but play an integral role in maintaining the function and resilience of our planet’s complex ecosystems,” explains Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme.
By tracking sites of importance for migratory species, the report identifies that the two greatest threats to these animals are both caused by human activity: overexploitation and habitat loss.
Overexploitation includes hunting and overfishing, as well as the capture of non-target animals in fisheries. Habitat loss, including habitat degradation and fragmentation, is described as being fuelled by activities including agriculture, and the expansion of transport and energy infrastructure.
As a result of these threats, migratory species, who already face difficult challenges and threats along their long routes, are facing increased pressures.
The steppe eagle, Egyptian vulture, and the wild camel are among the migratory species who now face extinction due to these threats. Only 14 migratory species have improved their conservation status over the last 30 years, including the humpback whale, the white-tailed sea eagle, and the black-faced spoonbill.
The UN points out that there is still hope in these figures, as conservation efforts can be very effective to recover species at the risk of extinction.
Among the report’s recommendations to address the impending threats, the UN says that national and international conservation efforts must be increased. These include action to help tackle illegal and unsustainable taking of migratory species, as well as safety protections for important sites for migratory species.
Efforts to tackle climate change must be scaled up, the report adds, as well as more action against light, noise, chemical and plastic pollution.
“The global community has an opportunity to translate this latest science of the pressures facing migratory species into concrete conservation action,” concludes Andersen. “Given the precarious situation of many of these animals, we cannot afford to delay, and must work together to make the recommendations a reality.”
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