Did you know that rivers, lakes, and ponds cover less than 1% of our planet’s surface? Yet, these tiny spaces are home to 10% of all the animal species on Earth! That’s pretty amazing, right?
But here’s the bad news: Nearly a quarter of the animals living in these freshwater places are threatened with extinction. That means out of every four types of animals, one might disappear forever! 😢
Scientists like Patricia Charvet from Brazil and Catherine Sayer from England have been studying these animals. They looked at about 23,500 species like dragonflies, fish, and crabs that live only in freshwater. They found that pollution, dams, taking too much water, farming, invasive species, and climate change are making life really hard for these creatures.
Big rivers like the Amazon might seem strong and endless, but they’re actually very fragile. If we don’t take care of them, we could lose many of the amazing animals that call them home.
This is the first time researchers have looked at the global risk to freshwater animals. Before, they mostly studied land animals like tigers, elephants, and birds. Now, they’re realizing that our watery friends need help too! 🌍💧
So, what can we do to help? We can save water, reduce pollution, and learn more about these awesome animals. Every little bit counts! Let’s work together to protect our freshwater friends. 🐠🌿
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
