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Declining Fortunes of Earth’s Migratory Species


A landmark UN report highlights the increased risk of extinction faced by the world's migratory species. The role of human activity in this decline is emphasized, and the urgent need for protection and conservation measures is evident.

  

Published on 12/02/2024 21:55


  • UN warns of increased extinction risk for one in five of the world's migratory species including turtle doves, green turtles, and African penguins.
  • Decades of human exploitation cited as the primary cause, with habitat destruction, climate change, and illegal hunting threatening survival.
  • Landmark report urges countries to take action by identifying key migration routes, creating protected areas, and restoring degraded ecosystems.
  • Success of conservation efforts demonstrated by the rebound of Humpback Whale populations in the South Atlantic.
  • Global assessment under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) reveals alarmingly high risk for migratory fish species and millions of birds killed illegally annually.

    • The extraordinary journeys of migratory species, from the turtle doves' graceful flights to the arduous swims of the green turtles, showcase nature's remarkable ability to traverse our planet. Among these, the European eel's relentless push against currents and the African penguin's tireless swims highlight the resilience and adaptability of nature's great explorers. These animals, embarking on migrations that span oceans and continents, are crucial to the biodiversity of the Earth. They transfer nutrients across vast distances, pollinate plants, and play a vital part in sustaining the wilderness, from maintaining woodlands to balancing ecological networks.

    However, this incredible vitality faces a dire threat, the shadow of extinction creeping closer with each passing year. Decades of human exploitation have pushed many species to the brink, a concern echoed in a sobering report by the United Nations. The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a global agreement forged over forty years ago to safeguard wandering wildlife, has been spotlighted by the UN's first comprehensive assessment, which exposes alarming figures and a call to immediate action.

    The researchers' findings paint a troubling portrait of the 1,189 species studied. Alarmingly, one-fifth are on the cusp of extinction. For fish species under the convention’s protection, the prognosis is particularly grim; a staggering 97% are at risk. Amy Fraenkel, the UN Executive Secretary to the CMS, voiced her concern to the BBC, highlighting the perilous situation of these migratory species and the consequences of continued neglect. The urgency of reversing this trend is critical, lest we witness the irreversible loss of species already teetering on the edge.

    The decline is attributed to an array of human activities, with excessive hunting and killing of animals at the forefront. Habitat destruction amplifies the problem, as does climate change and the disruptive expansion of urban areas, introducing pervasive noise and light pollution. The cumulative impact of these threats is significant, leaving migratory species with rapidly diminishing refuges and escape routes.

    Compelling insights from Dr. Rob Cooke, an ecological modeller at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, bring to light the complexity of the crisis. The inherent mobility of these creatures subjects them to a patchwork of dangers across different habitats, exposing them to a cocktail of threats, each with the potential to hasten their demise.

    Illegal killings remain a grisly testament to the challenges in protecting migratory species. Despite the binding nature of the CMS and the efforts spanning decades to curb illegal trading of animals, the enforcement of laws remains spotty. The statistics are harrowing: between 11 and 36 million birds are illegally slain or captured each year in the Mediterranean alone, with additional millions facing the same fate in the Arabian Peninsula, Iran, and Iraq.

    Kelly Malsch, the report’s lead author and head of UNEP-WCMC's Species Programme, outlines the inherent difficulty in migration protection. Animals ranging from high-flying birds to monarch butterflies, which journey thousands of miles across numerous borders, constantly interact with varying national regulations. This underscores the necessity for unified and consistent cross-border protection strategies.

    To combat the decline, the report proposes several key actions. Countries are called upon to pinpoint and safeguard the most critical migration pathways and habitats. There is a push for infrastructure modifications, such as dam removals, and for establishing wildlife corridors to guarantee safe passage. Furthermore, there is an urgent need to restore 30% of degraded terrestrial and marine environments to bolster the health of ecosystems that migratory species depend on.

    Mapping these migration corridors is vital, not just for land and air wanderers, but also for sea creatures like sharks and rays, whose migratory paths often intersect dangerously with global fishing activities. Satellite imagery has revealed this overlap, highlighting the risk of these species being inadvertently caught as bycatch, a primary threat to their survival.

    Inger Andersen, the executive director of the UN Environment Programme, holds onto a shard of optimism amidst the grim revelations. Some species, like the Humpback Whales in the South Atlantic, have seen their numbers surge from a dismal 450 in the 1950s to an encouraging estimate of over 25,000 today, thanks to dedicated conservation efforts. This turnaround serves as a beacon of hope, a testament to the power of concerted action.

    While the report has shed light on the perils facing many migratory species, Dr. Cooke emphasizes that there is still a significant gap in our knowledge. Thousands of species, particularly insects, evade assessment, with only one insect species currently listed under the CMS. Due to their diminutive size and elusive behavior, tracking and observing insects like dragonflies pose a considerable challenge. However, this is an avenue that demands improvement if a holistic conservation strategy is to be realized.

    In response to the findings of this landmark research, government officials began to convene in Uzbekistan. Their objective is to forge a coordinated plan that addresses the myriad threats to migratory species. The vital steps outlined in the report provide a blueprint for action, one which is desperately needed to safeguard the irreplaceable treasures of our planet's migrating fauna.


    The article discusses the significant challenges faced by migratory species, primarily due to human activities. It underlines the need for immediate action and global cooperation to mitigate risks such as habitat destruction, climate change, and illegal hunting, which have led to a decline in numerous migratory populations. The findings emphasize the role of international agreements, conservation efforts, and the importance of tackling the many threats that these species encounter across their migratory paths.

    • Subjectivity: Moderately subjective
    • Polarity: Negative

      Amy Fraenkel serves as the UN Executive Secretary to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), where she plays a critical role in advocating for and managing the protection of migratory species.

      Dr. Rob Cooke is an ecological modeller at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, contributing to the understanding and analysis of the threats to migratory species through his expertise in ecological modelling.

      Kelly Malsch is the lead author of the UN report on migratory species and heads the Species Programme at the UN Environment Programme - World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), focusing on the conservation and monitoring of international wildlife.

      Inger Andersen is the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), where she oversees and guides global environmental efforts and initiatives, including conservation projects aimed at protecting migratory species and their habitats.

      Migratory species are animals that travel long distances at regular intervals, often seasonally, between breeding and non-breeding areas. These journeys can take place on land, in the air, or through oceans and are crucial for the survival of the species.

      CMS is an international treaty, also known as the Bonn Convention, aimed at the conservation and sustainable use of migratory animals and their habitats across the globe, by bringing together countries and organizations to coordinate and enhance protective measures.

      Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of life on Earth, including the diversity within species, between species, and of ecosystems. It is essential for ecosystem resilience and provides numerous environmental services that sustain human life.

      Habitat destruction is the process by which natural habitat becomes incapable of supporting its native species. It is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss and is driven by human activities such as agriculture, mining, logging, and urbanization.

      Climate change involves significant changes in temperature, precipitation, or wind patterns, among other effects, that occur over several decades or longer. It is largely driven by human activities, such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, affecting natural systems and species worldwide.

      Bycatch refers to the incidental capture of non-target species, such as dolphins, turtles, or seabirds, during commercial fishing activities. It is a significant threat to marine wildlife and a challenge for sustainable fisheries management.

      UNEP is the leading global environmental authority that sets the global environmental agenda, promotes sustainable development within the United Nations system, and serves as an authoritative advocate for the global environment.

      KBAs are sites of international importance for the conservation of biodiversity, including threatened species, geographically restricted species, and sites that are significant for sustaining biological processes or ecosystem services.

      Ecological corridors are strips of natural habitat that connect populations of wildlife that would otherwise be separated by human-made structures or landscapes. They enable the safe passage of migratory species and promote genetic exchange.

    1,189

    Assessed Migratory Species

    This number reflects the total migratory species assessed in the global report for their conservation status.

    20%

    Species Threatened with Extinction

    The report uncovered that one in five of the assessed migratory species is threatened with extinction, highlighting the broad scale of vulnerability.

    97%

    At-risk Fish Species

    Out of the fish species listed under the CMS, 97% are found to be at risk, signaling critical dangers to this particular group of migratory species.

    11 to 36 million annually (mediterranean); additional millions in arabian peninsula, iran, and iraq

    Illegally Killed or Taken Birds

    This statistic indicates the scale of illegal hunting and capturing of birds specifically in the Mediterranean region and nearby areas, illustrating the intensity of human pressure on certain avian migratory species.