Australia's Hidden Crisis: The Alarming Extinction Rate of Insects and Invertebrates Unveiled

Invertebrates, lacking a backbone, include diverse species such as insects, worms, snails, and more, comprising 95% of animal life. Tragically, over 9,000 non-marine invertebrate species have gone extinct in Australia since 1788 due to human impact.

P24 News Media

December 10, 2024

1 minute

Australia's Hidden Crisis: The Alarming Extinction Rate of Insects and Invertebrates Unveiled

India

Michael Lun, a 17-year-old macro photographer, experienced a surprising moment when he discovered a vibrant male peacock spider in his backyard in Perth. A few years ago, he was taken aback to find this tiny creature, only a few millimeters in size, on his fence. Lun described the spider’s appearance as particularly striking, noting its vibrant red and blue abdomen that set it apart from other jumping spiders he had seen before. "I had only seen videos of peacock spiders and always thought they existed in far-off rainforests," he recalled.

This encounter ignited a passion within him to document these remarkable arachnids and contribute to the understanding of new species. However, he remains concerned that many species, including those he holds dear, may vanish before they are even officially recognized. Recent research indicates a troubling trend where Australian invertebrate species, including arachnids, insects, and mollusks, are becoming extinct at an alarming rate. A study published in Cambridge Prisms: Extinction estimates that approximately 9,111 species of endemic non-marine invertebrates have already gone extinct since the arrival of Europeans, with the actual number potentially ranging from 1,465 to an astonishing 56,828.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding these figures, lead author John Woinarski from the Biodiversity Council asserts that the extinction rate is likely to increase, with estimates suggesting that one to three species may vanish each week. The study calculated these extinction rates by assessing the population of native invertebrate species in conjunction with the average extinction rates of Australian vertebrates and global invertebrates. Alarmingly, many of the species that have disappeared may have never been documented or even seen, a situation the authors have termed "ghost extinctions."

David Yeates, the director of the Australian National Insect Collection and a systematic entomologist, expressed that the assumptions made in the study regarding extinction rates are plausible and shed light on the dire circumstances faced by many invertebrates across Australia. Dr. Andrew Mitchell, an entomologist from the Australian Museum, echoed these sentiments, suggesting that the proposed extinction figures might even be conservative. "Many invertebrate species have highly restricted habitats or are dependent on other singular species, increasing their susceptibility to extinction," he explained.

Currently, the Australian government has pledged to prevent any new extinctions of wildlife. A representative from the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water reaffirmed this commitment, stating that the government supports both large-scale conservation initiatives and targeted species action. Yet, the knowledge surrounding invertebrates remains limited. Invertebrates represent an impressive 95 percent of the world’s described species, with around 320,000 non-marine invertebrates thought to exist in Australia—both known and yet to be classified. In contrast, there are only about 8000 vertebrates, underscoring the knowledge gap in the study and protection of invertebrate species.

Dr. Jess Marsh, an arachnologist from the University of Adelaide and co-author of the study, indicated that only one-third of Australia’s non-marine invertebrates are recognized by Western science. "This leaves a significant amount of species unaccounted for, which complicates efforts to understand and conserve them," she said. Out of the 67 modern fauna extinctions recognized by the Australian government, only one pertains to an invertebrate, highlighting a glaring disparity in conservation efforts regarding invertebrates compared to more charismatic species.

Beyond the bureaucratic challenges, there is an urgent need for more researchers and funding to address the plight of these creatures. The criteria used to classify species as threatened often depend on an understanding of their habits and populations—knowledge that is often lacking for invertebrates. Yeates pointed out that larger, better-known organisms, despite their smaller ecological impact, tend to receive more research attention and resources.

Invertebrates play critical roles in ecosystems, serving as pollinators, soil maintainers, and food sources for larger species. Megan Head, an evolutionary biologist at the Australian National University, emphasized the fragility of ecosystems when invertebrates are lost. "You never know which species could be the key component that holds the entire system together," she stated, likening the situation to removing a necessary screw from an aircraft and questioning the reliability of flying without knowing how many other essential components might also be at risk.

To address these pressing issues, the extinction study advocates for increased investment in species knowledge and monitoring, as well as a more focused approach on species that have not been observed in years. Advocacy groups like Invertebrates Australia are working to map areas with endemic species, seeking to protect these essential habitats. Yeates suggests leveraging modern technology, such as genomics and artificial intelligence, to enhance invertebrate recognition and sampling, necessitating greater resource allocation for these efforts.

The conservation of unique species like the rare Maratus yanchep peacock spider showcases the challenges faced by arachnid conservation efforts. This spider, only described in 2022, has so far been found in a mere three-hectare area of coastal dunes in Yanchep, which is at risk of development into a housing estate. As the clock ticks, conservationists are racing to determine whether this species exists elsewhere or if it should be added to the threatened species list.

Despite the obstacles, Lun remains hopeful that conservation measures can be taken to protect the peacock spiders and other at-risk species. He wrestles with the uncertainty of knowing how many species have already been lost and how many more could disappear unnoticed. "It's a question that often haunts me," he confessed, reflecting on the potential loss of species that he may never have the chance to encounter in his lifetime.