A recent scientific assessment has revealed that global wildlife populations have plummeted by an average of 73% over the past 50 years, driven by human activity and ecosystem degradation. The WWF and Zoological Society of London’s Living Planet Report shows that Latin America and the Caribbean have experienced the sharpest declines, with a 95% fall in wildlife populations. Africa saw a 76% decrease, while Asia and the Pacific reported a 60% drop. Europe and North America recorded smaller declines of 35% and 39%, respectively, due to earlier wildlife losses in these regions before 1970.
The report warns that the ongoing biodiversity loss could accelerate as global heating triggers tipping points in key ecosystems such as the Amazon rainforest, Arctic, and marine environments, with catastrophic effects on both nature and human society. Matthew Gould, ZSL’s chief executive, stressed the urgency of the situation, stating that we are nearing critical thresholds for nature and climate. However, he also emphasized that nature has the potential to recover if immediate action is taken.
The Living Planet Index, which tracks trends in populations of nearly 5,500 species, is a leading indicator of global wildlife health. Although it provides valuable insights, the index has faced criticism for potentially exaggerating wildlife declines due to its weighting towards regions like Africa and Latin America, where declines are more severe but data is less reliable. Some scientists argue that the index may suffer from statistical flaws, leading to an overestimation of the rate of decline, although they acknowledge that biodiversity loss is still a pressing issue globally.
Other studies, such as the IUCN’s Red List, corroborate the findings of the Living Planet Index. The Red List shows that nearly one-third of assessed species are at risk of extinction, with 41% of amphibians, 26% of mammals, and 34% of conifer trees classified as endangered. This highlights the broader challenge of species survival as habitat destruction, deforestation, and climate change continue to take a toll on global ecosystems.
The timing of the report’s release coincides with the upcoming COP16 biodiversity summit in Colombia, where world leaders will discuss strategies to halt the decline of life on Earth. Scientists are urging policymakers to take decisive action to meet international biodiversity targets, as past efforts have failed to prevent biodiversity loss. Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister and president of COP16, emphasized the urgency of addressing the degradation of ecosystems, including deforestation, coral reef bleaching, and polar ice cap melting.
Land-use change, driven by expanding agricultural frontiers, is identified as a primary cause of wildlife population declines. The fragmentation of natural habitats has weakened ecosystems’ resilience, exacerbating the effects of climate change. Mike Barrett of WWF-UK highlighted how countries like the UK contribute to biodiversity loss by importing food and livestock feed grown on former wildlands. He expressed shock at the findings, stating that these trends indicate a profound transformation in natural ecosystems, which are losing their capacity to withstand external pressures.
The report underscores the need for urgent global action to halt biodiversity loss and restore ecosystem resilience.