Scientists believe that some of the world's biggest wild animals are now dwindling in populations that can ultimately lead to a world of "empty landscapes".

Research reveals that 60 percent of giant herbivores or large plant eaters that include rhinos, elephants and even gorillas are at serious risk of extinction. Some 74 species of herbivores were analyzed and are now in danger of disappearing from the face of the planet due to poaching and habitat loss.

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Prior studies also reveal that large carnivore species are also experiencing similar declines in populations. According to William Ripple from the Oregon State University, his team analyzed and further studied herbivores who weighed over 100 kilograms from reindeers to the African elephant.

He also adds that this study marks the first time that herbivores were analyzed as a whole. He notes that this process of decline in animals are causing empty landscapes such as forests, savannahs and grasslands.

According to David Macdonald from the Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit, the big carnivores that include big cats or wolves face graver problems such as direct persecution, over hunting and extreme habitat loss, however this new herbivore study can also affect these animals, making it harder for them to survive.

He adds that, there will be no use of conserving habitats for animals when there's simply nothing left to eat.

This new study about herbivore decline are generated by numerous factors such as habitat loss and meat hunting or body part-hunting including competing for food sources and ever resources for livestock.The rhino horn is apparently more expensive than gold or diamond in illegal black markets as researchers warn that the rhinoceros can become extinct within 20 years in Africa.

When large, wild herbivores decline in population, there are huge environmental impacts that can disturb numerous ecosystems including those of humans. These effects include habitat loss, food chain loss where large predators can no longer find prey, the dispersal of seeds can also be limited and humans will also suffer loss of food sources since there's an estimated 1 billion people who rely on wild meat especially in South East Asia, India and Africa.

This study is published in the journal, Science Advances. 

Tags60 percent herbivores will be extinct, large herbivores extinction, elephants, rhinos, animal extinction, herbivore animals