Threatened Palaearctic faunal realm
- Threatened Palaearctic biogeographic faunal subregion
Nature
The threatened Palaearctic faunal realm refers to the growing risk of extinction faced by animal species within the Palaearctic biogeographic region, which spans Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia north of the Himalayas. This problem arises from habitat loss, climate change, pollution, overexploitation, and invasive species, leading to declining populations and biodiversity. Iconic mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians are increasingly endangered, disrupting ecological balance and ecosystem services. Conservation efforts are urgently needed to address these threats and preserve the unique fauna of the Palaearctic realm for future generations.
Background
The Palaearctic 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 Palaearctic faunal realm, spanning Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia, faces escalating threats from habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and overexploitation. Numerous species, including the saiga antelope, Siberian tiger, and European mink, have experienced dramatic population declines. The region’s biodiversity is under increasing pressure, with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) listing hundreds of Palaearctic species as threatened or endangered, highlighting the global significance of this crisis.
In 2022, Kazakhstan reported a mass die-off of saiga antelopes, with over 40,000 individuals lost due to disease outbreaks exacerbated by environmental stressors, underscoring the region’s vulnerability.
In 2022, Kazakhstan reported a mass die-off of saiga antelopes, with over 40,000 individuals lost due to disease outbreaks exacerbated by environmental stressors, underscoring the region’s vulnerability.
Claim
The threatened state of the Palaearctic faunal realm is an urgent crisis demanding immediate global attention. This vast region harbors irreplaceable biodiversity, yet relentless habitat destruction, climate change, and human exploitation are pushing countless species toward extinction. Ignoring this problem risks catastrophic ecological collapse, undermining ecosystem services vital to humanity. We cannot afford complacency—protecting the Palaearctic’s unique wildlife is a moral and practical imperative for the planet’s future.
Counter-claim
Concerns about the threatened Palaearctic faunal realm are vastly overstated. Countless species have always adapted or migrated in response to environmental changes. Human progress and development should not be hindered by exaggerated fears over a few animal populations. Resources are better spent on pressing human issues like poverty and healthcare, rather than on protecting obscure species whose loss would have minimal impact on our daily lives or the planet’s overall health.
Broader
Related
Metadata
Database
World problems
Type
(C) Cross-sectoral problems
Biological classification
N/A
Content quality
Unpresentable
Language
English
1A4N
J7632
DOCID
12076320
D7NID
175599
Editing link
Official link
Last update
Oct 4, 2020