| Primary cause | Spread of invasive species |
| Invasive species | Megapod • Skyfish |
| Efforts to combat | Containment of invasive species • Biodiversity loss prevention |
| Results of efforts | Mixed |
| Major ecological collapse | Rainforest Dieback |
In this alternate timeline, biodiversity loss is a significant and growing environmental issue. However, unlike in our reality, habitat destruction and climate change are lesser factors. Instead, the rapid spread of invasive species has emerged as the leading cause of biodiversity loss.
The timeline in question is characterized by the presence of two particularly destructive invasive species: the "megapod" and the "skyfish."
Megapods, giant flightless birds native to the remote Ocean Island, were first introduced to New Gaul as livestock in the 1960s. They quickly escaped human control and established feral populations that spread across the European Continent. Having no natural predators, they have severely impacted native animal populations by direct competition and habitat destruction.
Megapods have also had a drastic impact on flora, as they forage for fruits, seeds, and foliage. Their immense size and large population numbers make them a major cause of habitat change, leading to the loss of many plant species.
Skyfish are a curious creature native to the planet Othior, introduced to Earth through the Voynich Accident. They are massive, airborne creatures with an aerodynamic body and elongated, leathery fins. Skyfish feed primarily on aerial insects and birds, which they catch by swooping down with a quick turn of their stiff, oversized wings. Though not an especially aggressive species, their sheer size poses a major hazard to aircraft and skylines.
Since their introduction, skyfish have spread across continents at an alarming rate. The lack of natural predators has enabled their rapid population growth, leading to a massive overhunting of flying insects and birds. This, in turn, has wreaked havoc on the food chain, exacerbating the biodiversity crisis.
The proliferation of invasive species has triggered several ecological collapses, the most significant being the "Rainforest Dieback." This event began in the 2020s when skyfish, attracted by the dense insect populations, began colonizing the Amazon Rainforest.
As their numbers grew, the skyfish hunted larger and larger prey, including native birds and even mammals. This led to a severe imbalance in the food chain, followed by a drastic decline in plant life as insects, which play a crucial role in pollination, were wiped out.
As a result, massive swathes of the Rainforest have been virtually destroyed, resulting in a loss of countless plant and animal species that had not even been discovered yet.
World governments and NGOs have been working tirelessly to address the biodiversity crisis, with mixed results. Efforts to contain the spread of invasive species, including the megapod and skyfish, have met with limited success.
Public awareness campaigns have been launched to educate the general public about the threat posed by these invasive species, in the hopes that a greater understanding will lead to more effective controls and management strategies.
In addition, investments are being made in research and development of new technologies to track and monitor invasive species, and to develop more humane and efficient ways of controlling their populations.
Some conservationists and environmentalists have expressed concerns that these efforts are too little, too late, given the rate at which biodiversity is being lost. Nevertheless, the fight to preserve the planet's natural heritage continues, with the hope that future generations will not have to face a world devoid of the wonders of nature.
