Study finds nearly 25% of freshwater species face high extinction risk worldwide

A new study reveals that nearly 25% of freshwater species, including fish, crustaceans, and dragonflies, are at high risk of extinction. This assessment, based on the IUCN Red List, evaluated 23,496 species worldwide. The main threats include pollution from agriculture, water extraction, and invasive species. Freshwater habitats, which support a significant portion of global biodiversity, are being damaged, with over a third of wetlands lost since 1970. The study highlights critical areas with high extinction risks, such as Lake Victoria, Lake Titicaca, Sri Lanka's Wet Zone, and India's Western Ghats. Crustaceans face the highest risk, with 30% threatened, followed by 26% of fish and 16% of dragonflies.