Human Impact: The Next Mass Extinction?

The earth has experienced five mass extinctions, which is an extinction where a considerable amount of the world’s population was wiped out. Some people believe that humans are going to be the cause of the next mass extinction. Because of unclear counting methods, and unrecorded species humans are being put in the spotlight for the main cause of extinctions. However, the Anthropocene, a period dominated by humans, could be a benefit to biological diversity by using hybridization, re-wilding species, and pushing more towards an aggressive conservation to relocate species and fill the gap in extinction rates.

The increase in extinction rates is documented in many different ways, Pearce (2015) gives insight on how the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, U.N Convention on Biological Diversity, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and various other scientists and institutes have contributed methods of counting and graphing extinction rates to the world. However, because of hazy calculations, these numbers are not precise (para. 1-3). Pearce (2015) gives further evidence to these bizarre counting methods

18). He gives proof to this statement in the fact that Salvador has lost 90% of flora but only 3 of its 508 species of birds (para. 19). Thomas (2013) gives further support when he mentions that Britain has gained 1,875 non-native species without losing any of its native breeds (para. 2). Both of these instances shine light on the fact that native and non-native breeds can prosper alongside one another, as well as being able to cope with quick climate changes. Thomas (2013) states how species are reacting to climate changes by moving beyond their perceived abilities. This demonstrates how animals and nature are able to adapt to the changes in the world (para.