Threatened Afrotropical faunal realm
- Threatened Ethiopian biogeographic realm
Nature
The threatened Afrotropical faunal realm refers to the escalating risk of extinction facing animal species within the Afrotropical biogeographic region, which includes sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and surrounding islands. This problem arises from habitat loss, poaching, climate change, and invasive species, leading to declining populations of iconic wildlife such as elephants, rhinoceroses, and primates. The loss of biodiversity in this realm disrupts ecosystems, undermines local livelihoods, and diminishes global natural heritage. Urgent conservation efforts are required to address these threats and preserve the unique fauna of the Afrotropical region for future generations.
Background
The Ethiopian biogeographic realm was a part of the Arctogaean faunal realm in the older system which divided the globe into three faunal realms: Neogaean (New World), Notogaean (Australasia) and Arctogaean (Old World).
Incidence
The Afrotropical faunal realm, encompassing sub-Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and surrounding islands, is experiencing significant biodiversity loss, with over 1,000 vertebrate species currently threatened according to the IUCN Red List. Habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change are accelerating declines, making this region one of the world’s most critical hotspots for threatened fauna. The scale of species endangerment has global ecological and conservation implications.
In 2023, the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) population in Gabon suffered a sharp decline due to intensified poaching and habitat encroachment, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of Afrotropical fauna to human-driven pressures.
In 2023, the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) population in Gabon suffered a sharp decline due to intensified poaching and habitat encroachment, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of Afrotropical fauna to human-driven pressures.
Claim
The threatened Afrotropical faunal realm is a crisis demanding urgent global attention. Rampant habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change are pushing countless unique species toward extinction, eroding irreplaceable biodiversity. Ignoring this catastrophe not only devastates ecosystems but also undermines livelihoods and cultural heritage across Africa. Immediate, decisive action is essential—failure to protect the Afrotropical realm is an unforgivable betrayal of our planet’s future and moral responsibility.
Counter-claim
Concerns about the threatened Afrotropical faunal realm are vastly overstated. Nature is resilient, and species have always adapted or been replaced over time. Human progress and development should take precedence over worrying about a few animal populations. Resources spent on conservation could be better used for economic growth and infrastructure. The supposed crisis is exaggerated, and there are far more pressing global issues than the fate of some obscure species in the Afrotropics.
Broader
Related
Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(C) Cross-sectoral problems
Biological classification
N/A
Content quality
Unpresentable
Language
English
1A4N
J6942
DOCID
12069420
D7NID
167605
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Oct 4, 2020