Study finds nearly 25% of freshwater animals face extinction risk

New research reveals that nearly 25% of freshwater animals are at risk of extinction. This includes species like fish and dragonflies, which face threats from pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction. Freshwater habitats, though covering less than 1% of Earth's surface, support 10% of its animal species. The study, published in the journal Nature, is the first to assess global risks to freshwater species. Previous research primarily focused on land animals. The findings highlight the fragility of freshwater ecosystems, which are increasingly affected by human activities. Researchers examined about 23,500 species and found that many face multiple threats simultaneously. This comprehensive analysis underscores the urgent need to address the challenges facing these vital ecosystems.