Science Snippet: Vertebrate Populations Are Disappearing

Mammals, birds, amphibians, fish and other vertebrates are slowly disappearing from the planet. A recent survey of the size of wild populations of these animals indicates that between 1970 and 2012 they have declined by 58 percent. Freshwater fish have fallen by 81 percent. The reasons: habitat loss, over exploitation and climate change. The only vertebrate population that continues to grow is mankind. Simply put, the world is losing its vertebrate biodiversity. (Living Planet Report, Oct. 26, 2016; Nature, Nov. 3, 2016)