Groundbreaking study warns: Almost a quarter of all freshwater animals at heightened risk of EXTINCTION

01/12/2025 / By Ava Grace

Nearly 25 percent of freshwater animal species, including fish, crabs and dragonflies, are at risk of extinction, classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered, according to a comprehensive study published in Nature.
Freshwater habitats cover less than one percent of Earth’s surface but support 10 percent of all known animal species.
Pollution, dams, agriculture, water extraction and invasive species are driving the crisis, with these factors interacting to create a “perfect storm” for freshwater biodiversity.
Key biodiversity-rich regions are severely impacted by overfishing, pollution, deforestation and invasive species.
Researchers call for global collaboration to address root causes, including reducing pollution, protecting water flows and enforcing better policies, emphasizing that freshwater conservation is vital for both biodiversity and human survival.

A shocking new study has revealed that nearly a quarter of all freshwater animals – ranging from fish and crabs to dragonflies and shrimp – are teetering on the brink of extinction.

The study published Wednesday, Jan. 8, in the journal Nature, is the most comprehensive assessment of freshwater biodiversity to date, involving hundreds of scientists and examining over 23,500 species.

The findings paint a grim picture. Twenty-four percent of freshwater animals are now classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.

Freshwater ecosystems – rivers, lakes, ponds, streams and wetlands – cover less than one percent of the Earth’s surface, yet they are home to 10 percent of all known animal species. These habitats are not just biodiversity hotspots; they are lifelines for humanity, providing drinking water, food, flood control and a variety of other benefits to the environment.

The study identifies a deadly cocktail of threats driving this crisis: Pollution, dams, agriculture, water extraction and invasive species. These factors are not acting in isolation but are compounding, creating a perfect storm for freshwater life.

For example, dams fragment rivers, blocking fish migration and altering water flows. Pollution from agriculture and industry poisons water sources, while invasive species outcompete native animals. (Related: Apex predator at large: Burmese pythons that can devour whole deer and alligators INVADING the Florida Everglades.)

The regions most affected include Lake Titicaca in South America, Lake Victoria in Africa, the Western Ghats in India and Sri Lanka’s Wet Zone – areas renowned for their extraordinary biodiversity.

In Lake Victoria, for instance, the iconic Nile perch and other native fish species are under threat from overfishing, pollution and invasive plants. Similarly, the Amazon River basin, often seen as a symbol of nature’s resilience, is facing unprecedented challenges from deforestation, illegal mining and wildfires.

Ecological crisis affecting freshwater species could turn into a crisis that affects humanity

The loss of freshwater species is not just an ecological tragedy; it is a human crisis. Freshwater ecosystems provide drinking water for billions of people and support global food security.

Fish, for example, are a primary protein source for millions, particularly in developing countries. The collapse of these ecosystems would have catastrophic consequences for both nature and humanity.

Catherine Sayer, the Freshwater Biodiversity Lead at the International Union for Conservation of Nature and lead author of the study, warned that the role of freshwater ecosystems has been historically overlooked.

The study also highlights the alarming rate at which freshwater habitats are disappearing. Since 1970, 35 percent of the world’s wetlands have been lost – a rate three times faster than deforestation. Additionally, 30 percent of the world’s long rivers no longer flow freely due to damming and other modifications. These losses are irreversible and have far-reaching consequences for biodiversity and human well-being.

The researchers emphasize that urgent action is needed to reverse this trend. They call for global collaboration to address the root causes of freshwater biodiversity loss, including reducing pollution, managing invasive species and protecting water flows. They also stress the need for better policies and enforcement to safeguard these critical ecosystems.

Watch this video featuring Dr. Sherri A. Mason, an expert on freshwater plastic pollution, regarding how pollution has impacted freshwater ecosystems.

This video is from the Finding Genius Podcast channel on Brighteon.com.