Roughly 1 in 5 Reptile Species at Risk of Extinction, According to New Study
From changes in land and sea use to pollution and climate change, species across the globe are threatened. A 2019 United Nations report found that an estimated 1 million plant and animal species were at risk of extinction. Now, a new study finds that reptiles also face a high rate of extinction risk, but efforts to protect other animals may benefit them, as well.
Researchers from the nonprofit NatureServe, the International Union for Conservation and Nature (IUCN), and Conservation International teamed up to examine extinction risk for reptiles on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The team – which included representatives from 24 countries on six continents – found that about one in five of all reptile species throughout the world are threatened with extinction. The study, published in the journal Nature, also analyzed conservation needs for these species compared with those of other animals.
Dr. Sean T. O’Brien, President and CEO of NatureServe, says, “Reptiles are not often used to inspire conservation action, but they are fascinating creatures and serve indispensable roles in ecosystems across the planet. We all benefit from their role in controlling pest species and serving as prey to birds and other animals. The analysis of the first Global Reptile Assessment enable us to pinpoint where reptiles need the most help and serve as a major step to countering the global extinction crisis.”
Among the 10,196 species studied – including turtles, crocodiles, lizards, and snakes – at least 1,829 were found to be threatened with extinction. This applied to animals living in varied climates. The study authors note that reptiles in forested areas, where most of the species actually live, face more of an extinction threat (30%) than those in arid regions (14%). This is due to issues like agriculture and logging.
There was good news, though: Existing conservation efforts may help. Habitat preservation, trade control, and invasive species management aimed at protecting other animals likely benefit reptiles, as well.
Dr. Bruce Young, study co-lead and Chief Zoologist and Senior Conservation Scientist at NatureServe, says, “I was surprised by the degree to which mammals, birds and amphibians, collectively, can serve as surrogates to reptiles. This is good news because the extensive efforts to protect better known animals have also likely contributed to protecting many reptiles. Habitat protection is essential to buffer reptiles, as well as other vertebrates, from threats such as agricultural activities and urban development.”
However, there are targeted conservation efforts needed for many types of crocodiles and turtles, as well as lizards that are unique to specific islands. The team notes that introduced predators are a big threat to these island species and human activities like hunting have a big impact crocodiles and turtles.
The team says their findings can serve as a baseline to gauge changes in species population and extinction risk in the coming years.
