1. Half of the wild species we harvest are plants
According to the new report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) published this Friday, some 7,500 species of fish and wild aquatic invertebrates are directly used by people around the world. This is also the case for 31,100 species of wild plants (out of 50,000 wild species exploited by humans) including 1,500 species of fungi and 7,400 species of wild trees; 1,700 species of wild terrestrial invertebrates; and 7,500 species of amphibians, reptiles, birds and wild mammals.
2. A third of fish come from overfishing
This is a worrying proportion. The experts in the report show that 34% of wild marine fish stocks are overexploited (66% are fished at biologically sustainable levels, but this overall finding shows strong heterogeneity). And we are talking about pharaonic figures: 90 million tonnes of wild fish have been caught each year for several decades; approximately two-thirds are intended for human consumption and the remaining third for the feeding of aquaculture species and livestock.
3. A third of sharks and rays threatened
In addition, nearly 450 species of sharks and rays, or 37.5%, are considered to be threatened. “Overexploitation is one of the main threats to the survival of many terrestrial and aquatic wildlife species,” said report co-author John Donaldson.
4. A third of the world’s population depends on wood for cooking
In wildlife, we must not forget about trees. The report points out that some 2.4 billion people (about a third of the world’s population) depend on wood
as fuel for cooking, 880 million people cut wood for fuel or produce charcoal, especially in developing countries.
50% of the wood consumed in the world is exploited for energy, 90% of the wood harvested in Africa.
5. A quarter of industrially exploited forests
In addition, more than 25% of the world’s forests are subject to industrial logging and two thirds of this roundwood production comes from wild tree species. 12% of wild tree species are threatened by unsustainable logging.
6. Over half of wild mammals at risk from unsustainable hunting
About 1.4 million km2 of the African continent (out of its 30 million) are exploited for recreational hunting. Between 55% and 75% of the total game biomass comes from the hunting of large mammals. Some 1,341 species of wild mammals are threatened by unsustainable hunting, including 669 species already assessed as threatened. Over the past 40 years, the global wildlife trade has increased substantially, the report also notes.
7. One in five wild species exploited to be eaten
The report points out that more than 10,000 wild species are exploited for human food, making the sustainable use of wild species a crucial element for food security and improved nutrition in rural and urban areas around the world. . In addition, about 70% of the world’s poor are directly dependent on
wildlife species and the activities they support.
8. Wildlife ranks third among global illegal trade activities
Over the past 40 years, the global wildlife trade has increased substantially. The illegal wildlife trade is worth between $69 billion and $199 billion, making it the third largest illegal trade activity in the world. Wood and fish are the wild species most affected by this trafficking, which often goes hand in hand with unsustainable resource management.
9. Some 8 billion visitors to see wildlife
Wildlife-watching tourism is one of the main reasons why, before the Covid-19 pandemic, protected areas around the world received 8 billion visitors (i.e. visitors who come several times) and generated 600 billion dollars each year.
10. 40% of protected areas are occupied by indigenous peoples
The report also shows that indigenous peoples live from fishing, gathering and taking terrestrial animals, among other uses of wildlife, on a
area of more than 38 million km2, or about 40% of terrestrial protected areas, in 87 countries. “Sound management of biodiversity by indigenous peoples is often embedded in local practices, spirituality and knowledge,” says Dr. Emery. The sustainable use of wildlife is central to the identity and existence of many indigenous peoples and local communities. »
Biodiversity. Wild species: the 10 most striking figures of the new global report