More than 21% of reptile species are "in trouble"?

Science and Technology Daily reporter Zhang Mengran

A study recently published in the British journal Nature conducted a comprehensive assessment of more than 10,000 reptile species worldwide and found that more than 21% of species are at risk of extinction. The results show that urgent conservation actions are needed to prevent some reptiles from going extinct, including many crocodiles and turtles.

Researchers have conducted comprehensive extinction risk assessments for birds, mammals, and amphibians, but there has been no comprehensive assessment for reptiles. Until now, conservation strategies for reptiles have relied on the ranking and distribution of other animals on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List to guide relevant policies and action priorities.

A team of American public welfare natural scientists classified reptiles using the levels of the IUCN Red List to assess the extinction risk of reptiles worldwide. Among the 10,196 assessed species, they found that at least 1,829 species were at risk of extinction (divided into vulnerable, endangered, and critically endangered at different levels). Crocodiles and turtles are among the most vulnerable species to extinction, with 57.9% and 50.0% of species endangered, respectively. The research team pointed out that factors such as agriculture, logging, urban construction, and invasive species are all sources of threats to reptiles, but they said the threat posed by climate change remains unclear.

While reptiles in arid environments had been predicted to be most at risk (where reptile diversity is high), the researchers found that forest-dwelling species were at greater risk, perhaps because forest reptiles are more exposed to specific dangers.

The researchers note that many of the threats facing reptiles are similar to those facing other animal groups, and suggest that conservation measures to protect these populations, including habitat restoration and invasive species control, may also benefit reptiles, but they caution that urgent conservation action is needed to prevent some reptiles from going extinct.

Source: Science and Technology Daily