Dwindling Population of Alligators, Crocodiles Throws Off Ecosystem Balance

Conservationists urged better protection for the endangered amphibians, warning that the loss of crocs and gators would impose a devastating effect on other species and upset the ecosystem's balance.

According to scientists, over half of all crocodilians, which include crocs, gators, and caimans, are in danger of going extinct.

Crocs are allegedly threatened by habitat loss, fishing, hunting, and river damming.

Each species has distinct but significant roles to play in the larger ecosystem, such as digging burrows to provide safe habitats for other animals or eating invasive agricultural pests.

Up to 38% of the crucial ecological functions, according to researchers from the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), are in danger of disappearing.

Vilified Amphibians?

Many people perceive crocodilians as top predators that grab zebras or other prey in wildlife documentaries, however, this behavior is only a small portion of that of a single species, according to Phoebe Griffith, the study's lead author.

She added that the 28 species of crocodilians that exist today are surprisingly different from one another due to evolution. Understanding and preserving global biodiversity and assessing the magnitude of what the world stands to lose if these key players vanish requires gauging the diverse ecological roles that these species play.

The researchers determined which species most urgently required conservation in their study.

By measuring traits like skull shape, body size, and habitat use that affect how they behave in their environment, they also looked into the various roles they play.

Crocodilians play a crucial role in the ecology of the environment they inhabit.

Some animals, such as the saltwater crocodile, can move between freshwater and saltwater ecosystems and travel hundreds of miles throughout the open ocean.

Griffith, a Ph.D. student from ZSL, added that losing the species would mean permanently losing the significant roles they play.

Investigations about what these roles have just begun, however, some species may go extinct before anyone has a chance to learn about their position in the ecosystems where they are found.

6 Out of 10

This is particularly concerning because many of the crocodile species that the group highlights as being ecologically unique are also those that are currently facing extinction.

According to the study, protecting threatened crocs would support the global conservation of species diversity because of their distinct evolutionary history.

But of the 10 species with the most distinctive ecological roles, six are listed cas critically endangered. These are species that have such low populations that they are regarded as functionally extinct in the majority of their historical habitats.

Researchers have also discovered that some characteristics, such as high rates of reproduction, high levels of habitat adaptation, or the ability to withstand extremes in climate, can help animals survive.

The study identified Asia as having the most threatened hotspots, and the coastlines and freshwaters there are vulnerable and subject to significant human pressure.

The EDGE of Existence program of ZSL has designated the Chinese alligator and the gharial as two of the most endangered species.

Dr. Rikki Gumbs, an EDGE Postdoctoral Research Scientist, said that crocodilians have evolved into a stunning array of shapes, sizes, and behaviors, ranging from tiny burrowing alligators to enormous seagoing reptiles.

Regrettably, many of the most distinctive crocodilians in the world are in danger of extinction, along with the roles they play in their ecosystems.

Read also: Giant Dwarf Crocodiles: Newly Discovered Reptile Species Once Hunted our Human Ancestors 

Establishing a Priority Group

According to the group's research, it is possible to preserve a large portion of the diversity that is in danger of extinction by prioritizing conservation efforts for the most distinctive species.

It's interesting to note that preserving the evolutionary history of crocodilians can also effectively protect the threatened functions of these animals.

In essence, by taking inspiration from the distant past, we can preserve crocodilian diversity-along with the advantages that diversity brings to ecosystems-for the foreseeable future.

The gharial has a long, narrow snout that is perfect for catching fish and is particularly adapted to living in the water. Its presence suggests a healthy and clean waterway.

According to ZSL, it has been monitoring the reptiles and assisting them in coexisting with humans with the help of partners in Nepal and India and also local fishing communities.

Professor Jeffrey Lang, a co-author of the current study from the Gharial Ecology Project, said that the preservation of crocodilians depends on people. Conserving the world's gators, crocs, caiman, and gharials will become a priority if these dinosaur relatives are valued.

Importance of Conservation

The first necessary step in ultimately conserving both the most impressive crocodilians, as well as their numerous fascinating and diverse lifestyles, is studying the species and comprehending how significant these aquatic predators are, in the places where they still live.

Locals need to be aware of and appreciate those resident wetland species, such as crocodilians, through community events and environmental education programs in village schools.

Griffith added that their research emphasizes how endangered crocodilians are and how urgent conservation efforts for many of these species are necessary if people are to safeguard their ecological roles in the freshwater ecosystems they inhabit.

This is crucial because freshwater habitats are the most endangered on the planet and offer a variety of essential services to the environment, Newsweek reports.

Related article: Turtles and Crocodiles at Risk of Extinction among Other Reptiles Species