What is the relationship between the geological scale and the processes of extinction?5 answersThe geological scale is intricately linked to the processes of extinction, as evidenced by various studies. Extinction periodicities spanning the Phanerozoic era have been identified, with a notable 27-million-year cycle affecting genus extinctions and mass extinction events. Additionally, the geodynamic scale developed based on catastrophic extinctions and geological processes highlights the cyclical nature of expansion-compression modes, pinpointing dates of extinctions with high accuracy. The structure of the geologic time scale, influenced by paleontological origins, aligns with periodicities in mass extinctions, despite radiometric dating uncertainties. These findings underscore the interplay between geological scales and extinction events, emphasizing the significance of understanding temporal patterns in shaping the history of life on Earth.
What is the extinction rate estimate for plants in 2100?4 answersThe estimated extinction rate for plants in 2100 varies depending on emission and temperature change scenarios. Under low-emission scenarios, most tropical montane species are expected to survive. However, under mid or high-emission scenarios, a minimum of 5-36% of study species may go extinct and 10-50% of populations may be lost. The short-term estimate for known plant species at risk of extinction is 21%, but this does not account for as-yet undescribed species, which are also likely at risk. Additionally, it is estimated that as many as 100,000 of the estimated total 300,000 vascular plant species may be gone or on the way to extinction by the middle of the next century. The current rate of plant extinction is 500 times faster than the natural rate. Plant extinctions are dominated by insular species, and the drivers of plant extinction may have an inertia that could last well into the future.
What is the extinction rate estimate for tropical plants in 2100?5 answersThe estimated extinction rate for tropical plants in 2100 varies depending on emission and temperature change scenarios. Under low-emission scenarios, most tropical montane species are expected to survive. However, under mid or high-emission scenarios, a minimum of 5-36% of study species may go extinct and 10-50% of populations may be lost. Additionally, historical plant-collection records and quantitative measurements suggest that 19-46 endemic plant species have already gone extinct in Ecuador over the last 250 years, mostly due to habitat loss. The extinction risk in tropical forests, including for plants, is difficult to quantify due to several key unknowns, such as the influence of climate change on forest persistence and the adaptation/acclimation ability of tropical organisms. Overall, the extinction risk for tropical plants is significant and will likely increase in the future due to human actions.
What is the relationship between diversification and extinction in evolutionary history?4 answersDiversification and extinction in evolutionary history are closely related. Studies have shown that rates of diversification and origination are negatively correlated with diversity, while extinction rates are only weakly correlated with diversity. Episodic pulses of speciation and extinction have been observed in various clades, including nonmarine invertebrates like insects. Rapidly diversifying lineages may also be more prone to extinction, as seen in amphibians where rapidly diversifying clades have a greater share of threatened species. Extinction within a phylogenetic framework may result in the loss of branches from the tree-of-life, potentially leading to a loss of functional diversity. The balance between speciation and extinction governs the rise and fall of diversity within clades, with periods of rapid diversification followed by short-term extinction events.
What is the relationship between meteorites and extinction events?5 answersMeteorite impacts have been increasingly recognized as a potential cause of biological extinctions. However, more research is needed to establish meteorite impacts as a general causal factor in extinction. Spectral analyses of terrestrial impact craters and biotic extinction events suggest a correlation between the two, with about 60% of the trials showing a connection. Meteorites, fragments that make it to Earth's surface, have caused injuries and property damage in the past, with notable events such as the Chelyabinsk meteor explosion in Russia and the Tunguska atmospheric explosion in Siberia. The study of meteorite impacts is important for understanding the evolution of the Earth and its environment, as well as for practical applications such as ore formation. However, an analysis suggests that reported cosmic collisions cannot explain North American extinctions.
What are the causes of wildlife extinction based on wildlife ecology?3 answersHabitat destruction is a major cause of wildlife extinction, leading to the loss of species and biodiversity. Unsustainable hunting by humans is also contributing to the decline of wildlife populations and disrupting ecosystems. In addition, the loss of top predator species can trigger secondary extinction cascades, where other species are also lost. Harvesting of carnivorous parasitoid species can result in increased extinction rates of other parasitoid species, demonstrating the ripple effects of altering predator-prey relationships. These findings highlight the complex array of social, economic, political, and biological factors driving wildlife extinction. Overall, habitat destruction, unsustainable hunting, and the disruption of ecological interactions are key factors contributing to the loss of wildlife species and biodiversity.