There are many migratory species at risk of extinction and this could have devastating consequences on our planet. Unfortunately, protecting these animals is not easy, due to the very nature of migration. There is a Convention, signed 40 years ago by many countries in the world, which sets guidelines, which are not always respected. As always, it is human activities that put the survival of many migratory animals at risk.
The alarm is raised by the UN, which in a recent report reveals that the migratory species are at risk. And this is a problem for everyone, since they are fundamental for the planet. There are many animals that are increasingly at risk of extinction in the world: turtle doves, green turtles, the European eel, the African penguin, migratory birds. If we don’t intervene in time, we could create an imbalance in terrestrial habitats. Why are they so important for our planet?
Migratory Species at Risk: Earth Could Be Affected
All migratory species are crucial for the “health of the planet“. In fact, they play an essential role in protecting terrestrial habitats, because they transfer nutrients, carry out the important task of pollination and preserve woods and forests. Unfortunately, due to the exploitation of the soil and ecosystems and pollution, many species are on the brink of extinction.
The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS)an agreement signed by many nations of the world, more than 40 years ago, aims precisely to protect these animals. A recent first global assessment examining the number and health of these animals. The researchers analyzed 1,189 species, finding that one in five is at risk of extinction. For 97% of the fish on the list, the risk of extinction is very high. Virtually all of them.
Amy FraenkelExecutive Secretary of the United Nations Convention, declared at the BBC:
There has been a lack of attention for migratory species and if we do not reverse the trend, we will see extinction. There are species that are already borderline.
Why migratory species are at risk
Due to human activities, such as hunting and overkill, habitat destruction, climate change, the expansion of towns and cities, and the resulting noise and light pollution, many animals are at risk of disappearing forever from the Earth. With all the consequences that this entails.
According to estimates, between 11 and 36 million birds are killed or captured illegally in the Mediterranean every year. A few million suffer the same fate in the Arabian Peninsula, Iran and Iraq.
Dr Rob Cooke, an ecological modeller at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, said the report illustrated how migratory species are faced with so many challenges different threats. This happens because they move between different habitats. Apparently, however, despite the signature of many countries in the world, what is contained in the Convention is not respected. Even if much has been done for example for the illegal trade of animals. Not much has been done, however, to stem a terrifying phenomenon, that of animals killed for sport, leisure and food and never traded.
Protecting these animals is difficult
Kelly Malschlead author of the report and head of the UNEP-WCMC Species Programme, stresses that due to the nature of the migration itself, protecting these animals becomes really difficult.
Whether it is birds, or animals on land, or those swimming in our oceans, they interact with different national regulations, which highlights the need for consistent approaches.
The UN report also explains how migratory animals could be protected:
- Countries must identify sites along the migratory routes of the most at-risk species, establishing key biodiversity areas
- infrastructure that impacts migration routes, such as dams, must be reduced
- it is necessary to create corridors of protected territory
- It would be useful to ensure the restoration of 30% of degraded land and marine areas as soon as possible
Source: www.greenstyle.it
