About 1 in 3 vertebrate species is used, eaten or traded by humans, study finds

A cheetah gracefully pouncing on a gazelle, a bear swiftly snatching a fish out of the water with its sharp claws, and perhaps the most dangerous predator of them all: a human and their pet bird engaging in a lively dance to the tune of Gangnam Style.

Scientists embarked on a mission to quantify the impact of humanity on our coexisting 46,755 species and discovered that we are the most prolific exploiters of animals by a substantial margin. In comparison to wild predators of similar body size and appetite, we capture or kill nearly 100 times more vertebrate species on average.

For instance, orcas, like humans, have a comparable range and social behaviors. However, while killer whales consume 121 different types of vertebrates, humans consume 83 of those species and an additional 10,337 in the ocean alone. The same pattern occurs on land, where jaguars consume nine different prey species, all of which are used by humans, along with another 2,698 species that coexist with both jaguars and people in their habitat.

Boris Worm, a marine conservation biologist at Dalhousie University and the senior author of the study, explains, “This provides a clear perspective on our species and our actions, allowing us to grasp the exceptional nature of humans.” Unlike other animals, humans have developed a wide range of skills that enable survival in diverse environments, granting us access to a greater variety of animal species than what is typical for large vertebrates.

The researchers delved into data from the International Union for Conservation of Nature to gain insight into the ways humans exploit animals. The data includes information on wildlife species, their populations, geographic range, habitat preferences, and threats they face. Through this analysis, they identified the 14,663 species exploited by humans and how they are used.

Surprisingly, only approximately 55% of the species exploited by humans are used as food, primarily mammals and fish. Pets constitute about 55% of exploited species, while an additional 8% are utilized to create various products, with birds, reptiles, and amphibians being the primary sources. Study leader Chris Darimont, an ecologist and conservationist, emphasizes that “humanity has grossly overshot its role as a predator.” While our pre-industrial ancestors may have engaged in sustainable hunting practices, modern humans exploit nearly one-third of all living vertebrate species for various purposes, signifying a clear imbalance with nature.

The study revealed that 13% of the exploited species are vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, a higher number than expected. This suggests that reducing reliance on other animals would contribute to greater sustainability for our planet. Although the study focuses on direct impacts, it’s important to note that human activities, such as habitat destruction and the introduction of invasive species, indirectly harm wildlife even more than direct exploitation.

Despite these bleak findings, Boris Worm highlights a silver lining, stating, “This study equips us with the tools to prioritize species conservation and change our practices.” By raising awareness of our impact on other animals, he hopes to encourage people to reconsider their utilization of animals.

2023 Los Angeles Times.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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