Australia’s invertebrates: facing a crisis of extinction

A recent article in The Conversation, co-authored by the Environment Institute’s, Dr Jess Marsh, it’s reported that more than 95% of Australia's animals are invertebrates, yet the scale of their extinction is largely overlooked.

A new study published in Cambridge Prisms: Extinction estimates that 9,111 invertebrate species have become extinct since 1788—a stark contrast to the official count of just 100 extinctions across all species.

Invertebrates are essential to our ecosystems—pollinating crops, cycling nutrients, and maintaining clean water and air. The rapid loss of these species threatens the stability of our environment and the resources we depend on. Key challenges contributing to this crisis include habitat destruction, climate change, pesticide use, and invasive species. 

The study warns of “ghost extinctions,” where species disappear without ever being formally described. The rate of extinction is currently estimated at 1–3 species per week, highlighting the urgent need for action.

So how can we help?

• Prioritise the protection of centres of endemism (regions with unique species).
• Improve monitoring of invertebrate populations.
• Invest in taxonomic research to discover and protect unknown species.
• Shift conservation efforts to include invertebrates, alongside vertebrates.

In 2022, Australia pledged to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, committing to zero new extinctions. However, without action to address the invisible loss of invertebrates, this ambitious goal is at risk.

It’s time for a shift in conservation priorities. By understanding the magnitude of the invertebrate extinction crisis, we can work toward more effective protection for all species. 

This article has also been cited in ABC Online and The Guardian.

Image Credit: Adrian Vieriu