14 DAY TRIAL // Judging by the fact that invertebrates make up 97% of the world's animal species, it can be argued that these creatures barely get the attention they deserve.
However, the truth remains that animals such as polar bears and tigers tend to steal their spotlight most of the times, regardless of the fact that consideration efforts need be directed towards all plant and animal species equally.
A new report focusing on the invertebrates presently inhabiting our planet brings forth one very troubling piece of news: apparently, as many of 20% of the species belonging to this class of animals are presently facing extinction.
As one can easily guess, the main drives behind this phenomenon are roughly the same that are threatening the more popular species: the destruction of their natural habitats and shifts in environmental conditions, of which the latter need to necessarily be linked to climate change and global warming.
Mongabay explains how these invertebrates play a crucial role in keeping natural ecosystems up and running, both because they help pollinate various plant species, and because they constitute one very important source of nutrients for several other animals.
Richard Edwards, presently working with Wildscreen (i.e. an organization that wishes to promote the appreciation of global biodiversity), commented on the findings of this report as follows: “We need to successfully communicate the significance and value of invertebrate life, if we are to rescue the many thousands of threatened species from the brink of extinction.”
Jonathan Baillie from the Zoological Society of London backs up these statements and shows how, “The initial findings in this report indicate that 20 percent of all species may be threatened. This is particularly concerning as we are dependent on these spineless creatures for our very survival.”
However, the fact remains that, when it comes to protecting these species, conservation projects tend to stumble upon two major issues: lack of data and the fact that monitoring these creatures is significantly more troublesome than monitoring bigger animals is.
Still, efforts are presently made to ensure that invertebrates also benefit from conservation projects, and that their overall population will soon experience a much-needed boost.