| Times of India | - |
WASHINGTON:
The decline of large predators such as lions, wolves and bears is
threatening the Earth's delicate ecosystems , changing the face of
landscapes from the tropics to the Arctic, scientists have warned.
Loss of large predators damaging ecosystems
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WASHINGTON: The decline of large predators
such as lions, wolves and bears is threatening the Earth's delicate
ecosystems , changing the face of landscapes from the tropics to the
Arctic, scientists have warned.
The analysis of 31 carnivore species shows for the first time how threats such as habitat loss, persecution by humans and loss of prey combine to create global hotspots of carnivore decline.
Over 75% of the 31 largecarnivore species are declining , and 17 species now occupy less than half of their former ranges, researchers said.
Southeast Asia, southern and East Africa and the Amazon are among areas in which multiple large carnivore species are declining, researchers said. With some exceptions , large carnivores have already been exterminated from much of the developed world, including Western Europe and the eastern US.
"Globally, we are losing our large carnivores," said William Ripple, lead author of the paper from Oregon State University.
"Many of them are endangered . Their ranges are collapsing. Many of these animals are at risk of extinction , either locally or globally ," he said.
The researchers reviewed published scientific reports and singled out seven species that have been studied for their widespread ecological effects or "trophic cascades".
This includes African lions , leopards, Eurasian lynx, cougars, grey wolves, sea otters and dingoes.
The research found that fewer predators lead to an increase in browsing animals such as deer and elk. More browsing disrupts vegetation , shifts birds and small mammals and changes other parts of the ecosystem in a widespread cascade of impacts.
The analysis of 31 carnivore species shows for the first time how threats such as habitat loss, persecution by humans and loss of prey combine to create global hotspots of carnivore decline.
Over 75% of the 31 largecarnivore species are declining , and 17 species now occupy less than half of their former ranges, researchers said.
Southeast Asia, southern and East Africa and the Amazon are among areas in which multiple large carnivore species are declining, researchers said. With some exceptions , large carnivores have already been exterminated from much of the developed world, including Western Europe and the eastern US.
"Globally, we are losing our large carnivores," said William Ripple, lead author of the paper from Oregon State University.
"Many of them are endangered . Their ranges are collapsing. Many of these animals are at risk of extinction , either locally or globally ," he said.
The researchers reviewed published scientific reports and singled out seven species that have been studied for their widespread ecological effects or "trophic cascades".
This includes African lions , leopards, Eurasian lynx, cougars, grey wolves, sea otters and dingoes.
The research found that fewer predators lead to an increase in browsing animals such as deer and elk. More browsing disrupts vegetation , shifts birds and small mammals and changes other parts of the ecosystem in a widespread cascade of impacts.
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