Catastrophe Australia lost billions of animals

Australia, the fire has caused in recent months Balance dramatic. more than 15,000 fires – that burned out mostly Forests And woods but also Land used for pastures and meadows – At least total area affected 19 million hectares In several states and was launched into the atmosphere 900 million tons of carbon dioxide. The most devastating impacts on human life and biodiversity have been recorded in eastern Australia, with approximately 12.6 million hectares of forest burned, including 54% of Australia’s rainforests, Gondwana (Queensland and New South Wales), 81% of the Blue Mountains region The Grand (NSW) and 99% of the Old Great North Road: Three World Heritage Sites that house habitats and fauna unique to the world.

According to a first study by the Australian government, Ben 191 threatened species have seen their habitats decline dramatically. Of these, 49 lost more than 80%, 65 more than 50% and 77 more than 30%. As of January 2020, Professor Chris Dickman estimated that more than It is possible that a billion vertebrates have died Due to the fires, but a recent report from WWF Australia Update this estimate to approx 3 billionTaking into account the latest data on the densities of different populations of mammals (143 million), reptiles (2.46 billion), birds (181 million) and amphibians (51 million), and taking into account the animals indirectly affected by the secondary effects of fires.

Animals that survive the influence of smoke and flames run the risk of not surviving because of one Reduced availability of food resources And areas of refuge, which translate into greater intra- and inter-species competition and an increased risk of predation by species such as domestic cats (Felice catus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), exotic species introduced by ‘man. These are medium to long-term threats, which can increase the already high rate of species extinction, as well as expose additional species and ecosystems that were not previously considered threatened. Only among mammals it has been estimated that they lived in areas devastated by fires 40 million possums And gliders, more than 36 million anticholinergics, Marsupial mice and other insects, 5, 5 million rat kangaroos, Bandicoot, quokka e potoroo, 5 million kangaroos Wallabies, 1.1 million wombats114,000 echidna and about 60,000 koalas.

2019 was the hottest and driest year on record in Australia and the forecast is Climate change Current reports indicate that fires will intensify and expand as dry seasons extend. Now more than ever, the mitigation of these disasters in the coming years must be seen as a priority for preserving biodiversity. The government decided to spend $ 200 million to restore local wildlife And the habitats most affected.

But while the amount is important, it is not enough to commence concretely the prevention and recovery program that Australia needs. This is why WWF Launch the initiative ‘Re-create Australia’ A five-year, $ 300 million program to support habitat restoration, wildlife restoration, and foster a sustainable economy – dependent on renewable energy sources rather than coal – with the goal of making Australia a “future proof” nation. It is Australia’s largest and most ambitious “regeneration” program, addressing all causes Loss of biodiversityFrom fires to climate change. Our goal is not only Save unique animals from extinction Back home, they brought home to Koala, But to push Australia to become a true champion in the fight against climate change that is fueling fires across the planet, and endangering the future of humanity and other species.