First-ever multi-taxon global freshwater fauna assessment identifies Western Ghats as a hotspot of threatened species

Freshwater Biodiversity – Western Ghats 

Key Findings – Global Assessment:

• Study: First-ever multi-taxon global freshwater fauna assessment (IUCN Red List, published in Nature).
• Scope: 23,496 species of decapod crustaceans, fishes, odonates.
• Global insight: ~25% of freshwater species threatened with extinction.
• Confirmed extinctions since 1500 AD: 89
• Suspected extinctions: 187

Western Ghats – Freshwater Hotspot:

• Identified as hotspot of threatened freshwater species.
• Home to >300 freshwater fish species, 1/3 threatened.
• Only region in Asia with two endemic families of freshwater fish in groundwater/subterranean systems.
• Iconic species: Humpbacked Mahseer (critically endangered, up to 60 kg).
• Critical conservation priority: Periyar River.
• Kerala: highest number of threatened freshwater fishes in India (74 of 188 species assessed).

Threats to Freshwater Biodiversity:

• Pollution: 54% of threatened species affected.
• Dams & water extraction: 39% affected.
• Agriculture / land-use change: 37% affected.
• Invasive species & disease: 28% affected.
• Multiple threats: 84% of threatened species face >1 threat.
• Tetrapods threats: agriculture (74%), logging (49%), climate change/extreme weather (~20%).

Significance:

• Freshwater ecosystems historically underappreciated in global environmental governance.
• Require distinct management strategies, separate from terrestrial and marine approaches.
• Conservation essential to prevent further species loss and maintain evolutionary diversity.
  
  Updated - January 08, 2025 10:30 pm | The Hindu