Study finds nearly 25% of freshwater animals at risk of extinction

A new study reveals that nearly 25% of freshwater animals, including fish and dragonflies, are at risk of extinction. This is due to various environmental threats affecting rivers, lakes, and wetlands, which cover less than 1% of the Earth's surface. Researchers analyzed over 23,500 species and found that 30% of decapods, 26% of fish, and 16% of dragonflies are vulnerable. Since 1500, at least 89 freshwater species have gone extinct, with 178 more suspected to have disappeared. Freshwater ecosystems are crucial for food security and drinking water but are declining faster than forests. The study highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to address pollution, invasive species, and habitat destruction.