Despite their large mouths and sharp teeth, crocodiles and alligators are no match for humans.
According to scientists, more than half of all crocodilians, which includes crocodiles, alligators, and caimans, are threatened with extinction.
This is a result of hunting, bycatch in fishing, river damming, and habitat loss caused by human development.
Researchers led by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) analyzed the ecological functions of the species and determined that their extinction would have a “devastating ecological impact.
They determined which species are most in need of conservation and are requesting enhanced protection for endangered reptiles.
Phoebe Griffith, the study’s lead author, stated, “Many people think of crocodilians as big predators, capturing zebra in wildlife films, yet this is only a small portion of a single species’ behavior.
‘There are approximately 28 crocodilian species, and they have evolved to be startlingly distinct from one another.
Quantifying the different ecological roles of these species is essential for comprehending and protecting global biodiversity, as well as assessing the magnitude of what we stand to lose if these crucial players vanish.
Each crocodilian species serves a distinct function within the ecosystem.
The conservationists compiled a database of factors, including skull form, body size, and habitat utilization, that influence these ecological roles.
They discovered that the Chinese alligator burrows to protect other species, while the Philippine crocodile feeds on apple snails, which are considered invasive agricultural pests.
The saltwater crocodile traverses hundreds of kilometers across the ocean, from land to fresh and salt water, transporting nutrients between ecosystems.
Other species contain a variety of characteristics that aid in their survival, including a rapid reproductive rate, strong adaptability to a variety of habitats, and tolerance for adverse climatic conditions.
According to a study published today in Functional Ecology, up to 38 percent of the ecological roles reptiles provide for other organisms are threatened with extinction.
Six of the ten crocodile species with the most distinctive ecological services are classified as “critically endangered.”
This indicates that they are so rare that they are deemed functionally extinct in the majority of their traditional habitats.
The coastlines and freshwaters they occupy are vulnerable and subject to intense human pressure, especially in and around Asia, where the study found the most threatened locations.
Ms. Griffith, a doctoral student at ZSL, added, “If we lose these species, we will permanently lose the crucial roles they play.”
‘We are just beginning to examine what these responsibilities are, but some species may become extinct before we get the opportunity to comprehend their place in the ecosystems in which they are present.
This is especially worrisome because many of the crocodile species that we highlight as biologically different are also at imminent risk of extinction.
The study concluded that conserving endangered crocodilians based on their evolutionary uniqueness would aid in preserving the global species variety.
The EDGE of the Existence program of the Zoological Society of London has designated the gharial and the Chinese alligator as a top priority.
The gharial is uniquely adapted to aquatic life. It has a long, slender snout that is good for catching fish, and its existence suggests a healthy and clean stream.
ZSL stated that it has been collaborating with partners in India and Nepal, in addition to local fishing communities, to monitor the reptiles and assist them in coexisting with humans.
Professor Jeffrey Lang of the Gharial Ecology Project, the co-author of the latest study, stated, “People are the key to crocodile conservation.” If we value the presence of these dinosaur relatives, then the conservation of alligators, caiman, crocodiles, and gharials will be a top priority.
The first step in preserving not just the most remarkable crocodilians, but also their many unique and diversified lifestyles, is to study them and realize how vital these aquatic predators are in the places where they still exist.
Community gatherings and environmental education programs in village schools are essential for local respect and knowledge of all wetland animals, including crocodiles.
Ms. Griffith continued, “Our work underscores the highly vulnerable nature of crocodilians and the need for immediate, stronger conservation action for many of these species if we are to safeguard their ecological services in the freshwater habitats in which they are found.”
Freshwater environments are among the most vulnerable on the planet, although they provide many essential services for our planet.
Dr. Rikki Gumbs, EDGE Postdoctoral Research Scientist, stated, “From tiny burrowing alligators to enormous sea-going crocodiles, the immense evolutionary path of crocodilians has produced a bewildering array of shapes, sizes, and behaviors.”
‘Unfortunately, many of the world’s most unusual crocodilians are on the verge of extinction, along with the functions they provide in their ecosystems.
‘However, our analysis indicates that we can save a significant portion of the biodiversity we stand to lose by giving conservation priority to the most distinctive species.
Intriguingly, we can also effectively maintain the endangered functions of crocodiles by preserving their evolutionary past.
By examining the distant past, it will be possible to preserve crocodilian diversity and the advantages it brings to ecosystems in the future.
