Communities of freshwater species, such as fish and frogs, have declined by an average of 83%, globally|Brian Gratwicke|CC BY 2.0
The monitored population of animals declined by an average of 69% from 1970 to 2018, according to the latest Living Planet Report by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
The report identifies several key drivers of biodiversity decline including habitat loss, species overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, climate change and diseases.
Communities of freshwater species, such as fish and frogs, have declined by an average of 83%, globally. During the same period, populations of all major vertebrate groups found in Latin America have gone down by an average of 94%.
Why?
The loss is mainly due to agriculture, with humans destroying forest lands for cultivation and fishing. Climate change also plays a crucial role.
The effect
Wildlife contributes to the balance and stability of ecosystems. The devastating plunge in its population shows the looming crisis in biodiversity.
Flora and fauna in every ecosystem share a mutually beneficial relationship, and it would deeply affect the environment if one of them declines.