Africa’s Wildlife Populations Plummet by 76% in 50 Years, Signalling a 'System in Peril'
The Living Planet Report 2024 serves as a stark reminder that biodiversity loss is not just an African issue but a global crisis demanding urgent and coordinated action.
NAIROBI, Kenya — Africa's wildlife populations have experienced a catastrophic decline, shrinking by an average of 76% in the past five decades, painting a stark picture of a continent's biodiversity teetering on the brink, according to the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) Living Planet Report 2024, writes Winston Mwale.
The report, released Thursday, reveals that monitored populations of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and fish across Africa have dwindled drastically between 1970 and 2020.
This alarming trend, driven by habitat loss, overexploitation of resources, pollution, and the escalating effects of climate change, signals a "system in peril," raising concerns about irreversible damage to Africa’s natural ecosystems and the livelihoods they support.
Habitat Loss: The Primary Culprit
Habitat loss, primarily driven by the conversion of natural landscapes for agriculture and infrastructure development, emerges as the most pervasive threat to Africa’s wildlife.
As forests, grasslands, and wetlands are cleared, fragmented, and degraded, countless species lose the essential resources they depend on for survival, making them increasingly susceptible to the added pressures of climate change.
Overexploitation: Exacerbating the Crisis
Unsustainable hunting, fishing, and harvesting of natural resources further compound the biodiversity crisis.
By depleting populations, overexploitation weakens the resilience of ecosystems, leaving them ill-equipped to withstand the impacts of climate change.
Climate Change: A Looming Threat Amplifier
Climate change acts as a potent threat amplifier, exacerbating the impacts of habitat loss and overexploitation.
Rising temperatures, shifting rainfall patterns, and increasing frequency of extreme weather events disrupt ecological processes, alter species' ranges and behaviours, and push already vulnerable populations towards the brink.
Tipping Points: A Point of No Return?
The report underscores the alarming prospect of ecosystems crossing critical tipping points.
As ecosystems are pushed beyond their limits, their ability to sustain both wildlife and human communities becomes compromised, with far-reaching consequences for food security, water availability, and climate resilience.
Martin Kabaluapa, Regional Director for the Congo Basin at WWF, expressed his deep concern, stating, "Africa’s biodiversity is calling for urgent action. The interlinked crises of nature loss and climate change are pushing African wildlife and ecosystems to their limits, with global tipping points threatening to destabilize entire ecosystems."
He warned of the global repercussions of losing some of Africa's most iconic species and ecosystems, "The catastrophic consequences of losing some of Africa’s most precious species, from forest elephants to gorillas and ecosystems, would reverberate across the world."
Glimmers of Hope Amidst the Gloom
Despite the bleak overall picture, the report highlights a few beacons of hope, demonstrating the positive impact of conservation efforts.
The mountain gorillas in the Greater Virunga Landscape, encompassing Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, offer a testament to the effectiveness of dedicated conservation actions.
Once facing a precipitous decline, mountain gorilla populations have rebounded by 3% annually between 2010 and 2016 due to successful conservation interventions, including protected area management, community engagement, and anti-poaching measures.
A Call for Systemic Change
While conservation successes offer encouragement, the report emphasizes that isolated victories are insufficient to bend the curve of biodiversity loss.
Alice Ruhweza, Senior Director for Policy Influence and Engagement at WWF, stressed the need for a fundamental shift in approach.
Ruhweza asserted, "We must realize that conservation by itself is not enough to bend the curve, and we need a systems shift."
She highlighted the urgency of scaling up nature-based solutions across Africa to address the interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.
"It is critical we scale up nature-based solutions across Africa to address the interconnected biodiversity loss and climate change crises. Reforestation, wetland restoration, and agroforestry projects not only help to preserve biodiversity but also enhance livelihoods by providing jobs, improving food security, and increasing resilience to climate change," she added.
Global Summits: A Pivotal Opportunity
The upcoming international summits on biodiversity (COP16) and climate change (COP29) present a critical opportunity for nations to demonstrate their commitment to tackling these intertwined crises.
WWF urges countries to formulate and implement more ambitious national nature and climate plans that include measures to:
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Curb global overconsumption
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Halt and reverse biodiversity loss, both domestically and through addressing the impact of imported goods
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Reduce emissions equitably
Bridging the Gap Between Commitments and Action
While African countries have pledged to halt and reverse nature loss under the Global Biodiversity Framework and to combat climate change through the Paris Agreement, the Living Planet Report cautions that current actions are falling short.
National biodiversity strategies and action plans are often inadequate, and critical tipping points, such as the degradation of coral reefs, savannas, and rainforests, remain imminent threats.
WWF calls on governments to increase both public and private funding for conservation efforts and to align their climate, nature, and sustainable development policies to ensure cohesive action.
Case Studies: Illuminating the Challenges
The report delves into specific case studies that shed light on the challenges and potential solutions to biodiversity loss in Africa.
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Gabon: The report spotlights the dramatic decline of forest elephants in Minkébé National Park, attributed largely to poaching for the ivory trade.
Between 2004 and 2014, an estimated 78–81% of forest elephants in the park were lost. This stark decline underscores the devastating impact of the illegal wildlife trade and the urgent need for stronger enforcement measures.
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South Africa: In contrast, South Africa provides a positive example of proactive government action to address biodiversity loss and climate resilience.
The report acknowledges the South African government's efforts to expand protected areas strategically, recognizing the need to represent a wider range of ecosystems and enhance resilience to climate change.
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Kenya: The report highlights a community-led initiative around Lake Naivasha that successfully addressed food loss through improved supply chain infrastructure.
By constructing a fresh vegetable shop equipped with solar-powered cooling facilities, a cooperative of 146 farmers managed to reduce food loss from nearly 50% to below 10%, showcasing the positive impacts of local solutions.
A Global Imperative
The Living Planet Report 2024 serves as a stark reminder that biodiversity loss is not just an African issue but a global crisis demanding urgent and coordinated action.
The interconnected nature of these challenges necessitates a systemic shift in approach, with a focus on sustainable development, equitable resource management, and a global commitment to safeguarding the planet's biodiversity for present and future generations.
*Download the report below:
