TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The inaugural UN expert assessment by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) unveils alarming threats to migratory species globally. The report underscores the perilous situation faced by these species due to human-induced factors, including pollution, invasive species, and climate change.
EXPLANATION:
- The first-ever State of the World’s Migratory Species report was launched by the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), a UN biodiversity treaty.
- It was launched during the opening of the CMS COP14 wildlife conservation conference in Samarkand on February 12, 2024123.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE REPORT:
- Extent of Threats:
- Over 20% of migratory species under international protection, as outlined by the CMS, are on the brink of extinction.
- This includes a concerning trend among nomadic fish, with nearly all facing threats to their survival.
- The assessment, covering 1,189 CMS-listed species, reveals that 44% are experiencing population declines, attributed to habitat loss and overexploitation.
- High Extinction Risk for Key Species:
- Of particular concern is the stark reality that 97% of sharks, rays, and sturgeons on the CMS list are at a high risk of extinction, with their populations declining by a staggering 90% since the 1970s.
- Iconic species like gorillas and nearly half of all turtles covered by the convention also face the imminent threat of disappearing.
- Dramatic Migratory Journeys at Risk:
- The report highlights the remarkable migratory journeys undertaken by wildlife, from wildebeest in the Serengeti to Pacific salmon in the US.
- Yet even these awe-inspiring journeys are jeopardized, with species like bar-tailed godwits, straw-coloured fruit bats, and the critically endangered European eel experiencing declines.
- Global Summit and Urgent Conservation Measures:
- Governments are convening for a summit in Uzbekistan to address the protection of migratory species.
- The report’s executive secretary emphasizes the urgency of the situation, pointing out that 44% of listed species are in decline globally.
- Conservation efforts are recommended, focusing on minimizing human infrastructure along migration routes and understanding and protecting critical areas for migrations.
- Drivers of Decline:
- The assessment identifies key drivers of environmental change as threats to migratory species, including habitat destruction through agriculture, urban sprawl, and infrastructure development.
- Ecosystem integrity, essential for breeding, feeding, and travel, is compromised when vital sites are inaccessible or disappear.
- Conservation Opportunities:
- While the report signals a cause for alarm, it also emphasizes that governments can take action to reverse the trend.
- Concrete conservation measures include minimizing human impact on migration paths and understanding and safeguarding crucial areas.
- The report identifies 399 threatened migratory species not currently listed under the convention, indicating the need for broader international coordination.
- Call to Action:
- UN Environment Chief emphasizes the global community’s responsibility to translate scientific findings into concrete conservation actions.
- The urgency of addressing the drivers of environmental change, such as habitat destruction and urban sprawl, is underscored.
- With 70 listed species, including the steppe eagle and wild camel, experiencing population decreases over the past 30 years, immediate action is imperative.
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS):
- CMS is also known as the Bonn Convention. It is the only convention that deals with taking or harvesting of species from the wild.
- It currently protects 173 migratory species from across the globe.
- The Convention came into force on November 1, 1983. The Secretariat that administers the Convention was established in 1984.
- Species Covered: Convention has two Appendices:
- Appendix I lists migratory species that are endangered or threatened with extinction.
- Appendix II lists migratory species which have an unfavourable conservation status and which require international agreements for their conservation and management.