Sea turtles are among the wildlife species whose populations have fallen dramatically during the past 40 years, according to the WWF report.WIKIMEDIA, CLAUDIO GIOVENZANA
Populations of vertebrate animals decreased by an average of 52 percent from 1970 to 2010, as measured by the Living Planet Index. The index, an analysis of 10,000 populations of more than 3,000 species, is part of the biennial “Living Planet Report” released yesterday (September 30) by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
WWF scientists examined worldwide populations of mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish, analyzing trends in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. They found that freshwater populations experienced the greatest declines—an average of 76 percent. The report cites habitat degradation, along with hunting and fishing, as the major drivers of global wildlife declines, and notes that climate change is an increasing threat. The most dramatic drops were in tropical and low-income regions, tied to the high ...
