The Sixth Mass Extinction is speeding up, according to a new report.
The Sixth Mass Extinction Event is the extinction event that we are currently in, where species are being wiped out much faster than the normal rater. Species are disappearing at such a fast rater that they are now believed to be disappearing at a faster rate than the dinosaur extinction.
The dinosaur extinctions happened during the earth's last mass extinction event: the fifth mass extinction, which is also known as the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event.
Today we are wiping out species quicker than when the asteroid hit the earth to wipe out the dinosaurs 60 million years ago, which is quite something.
The new report into the sixth mass extinction and ongoing biodiversity crisis were published in the National Academy of Sciences. Rather than climate change being the most serious threat to nature and mankind, it found that the loss of species was the biggest threat to nature and humans.
It is the biggest threat because we are seeing endangered species becoming more common, the ones that are already endangered species edging towards extinction faster, and, that this is the biggest threat we face because things like extinction and habitat destruction are irreversible.
They noted that thousands of species already had become extinct within the last century and that humans were solely responsible for accelerating the extinction of both animal and plant species. The reason that species extinctions are happening faster and more species are becoming endangered is because of the human population growth and human consumption.
In other words, human pressure on the natural world is destroying it.
The more we destroy the natural world the less room for wildlife we leave. As a result, more species become endangered, and, more endangered species get pushed even closer to extinction. To save endangered species, it's important that we save their habitats.
The natural world is like a link, therefore, if we start seeing more extinctions, then, it doesn't only directly affect the species that went extinct, it also affects other species who relied on the extinct species for survival. All animals rely on other animals and plants to survive, therefore, the more species that we lose to extinction the more species we will push towards extinction.
Which is what we are seeing today.
But it isn't just concerning in relation to the species themselves, but also concerning the ecosystems. Like with the climate, ecosystems also have tipping points. If we cross these tipping points then it is thought that ecosystems could collapse. For example, if we crossed the tipping point of the Amazon rainforest - the tipping point is crossed when a certain percentage of the Amazon rainforest is destroyed - then it will result in the Amazon rainforest collapsing.
Other ecosystems are the same.
Therefore, if we destroy ecosystems too much, not only will we see mass extinctions of plants and animals, we will also see ecosystems collapse - which will mean they will stop functioning.
What Are The New Reports Findings?
There are several findings from this new report. They are:
. 94% of the 77 species on the brink last century are now extinct
. 515 species are on the brink of extinction
. 237,000 populations of on the brink species could have disappeared since 1900
. Ongoing regional biodiversity collapses
. One species heading towards extinction can cause others to follow
. Many species on the brink (critically endangered species?) will likely become extinct soon
. Human pressure on the biosphere is increasing
. Earth is in a sixth mass extinction
. Species are disappearing/going extinct at hundreds and even thousands of times the normal level today
What Species Are On The Brink Of Extinction?
There are many species on the brink of extinction, including many of the world's most visible and well-known wild animals. Some of them are very near extinction.
Here is a list of some of them:
. Northern White Rhinos (only 2 exist in the world today)
. Yangtze Giant Softshell Turtle (3 remain today)
. Vaquita Porpoise (about 10 now remain)
. Hula Painted Frog (less than 20)
. Scottish Wildcat (about 30 to 35 now remain)
. Asiatic Cheetah ( now 50 remains)
. Sumatran Rhino (only 80 are left in the world)
. Amur Leopard ( Just more than 84 left)
. Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth (less than 100)
. Silky Sifaka (less than 250 individuals)
. Philippine Eagle (250-270 individuals)
. Sumatran Tigers ( less than 400 now exist)
These are just some of the wild animals that we could see becoming extinct in the coming years.
But it doesn't have to be like that - we don't need to see these animals becoming extinct. By protecting their habitats and protecting them, we could save these animals from extinction
You can read more from the new report - here.
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