As humans focus most of the conservation efforts to land animals and plants, the marine life is in trouble with one in four species at risk of extinction.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield made a comprehensive analysis of conservation data for both marine and land species. Their initial findings showed that overfishing, pollution, climate change, and destruction of coral reefs have made the marine life extremely vulnerable.
Further analysis revealed that 25 percent of the common marine species are on the brink of extinction, almost equal to the land animals and plants. But when it comes to conservation efforts, marine life conservation efforts fall short compared to land organisms.
"Until now, there has been a general assumption that, despite pressures on marine environments like pollution and overfishing, marine species are unlikely to be threatened with extinction, said Dr Thomas Webb, study leader from the University's Department of Animal and Plant Sciences, in a university news release.
"We have shown that, on the face of it, there are indeed far fewer marine species of conservation concern; but much of this can be explained by the fact the conservation status of fewer marine species has been formally assessed."
The researchers recommend concentrating conservation efforts even on the common marine and land species for balance and to remove the difference between these species. Although Dr Webb suggests that humans should save the marine species first if prioritization is needed.
"This is not to say that there are no important differences, but rather that assumptions need to be tested in order to make sensible decisions about managing the marine environment," Dr Webb added.
The study was published in the Jan. 29 issue of Current Biology.
