Decreased Ecosystem
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Animal extinction profoundly impacts ecosystem resilience, disrupting the delicate balance of biodiversity and creating a domino effect that reverberates globally.
One critical consequence highlighted by "The Effects of Endangered Species" is the disruption of food webs. The extinction of a predator, for instance, can lead to an overpopulation of its prey, causing imbalances throughout the ecosystem. Without certain plant species, herbivores may struggle to find suitable food sources, affecting population dynamics.
Keystone species, as emphasized in a study published in Nature Communications, play a vital role. Their disappearance triggers a chain reaction with disproportionate effects on the ecosystem. A prime example is the sea otter, a keystone species controlling sea urchin populations. Without sea otters, sea urchin populations surge, leading to overgrazing on kelp forests and impacting various marine species.
Endangered species contribute significantly to climate regulation, as highlighted by the Columbia Climate School. Certain species, like trees in forests, act as carbon sinks. However, declining species diminish the ability of ecosystems to absorb and store carbon, exacerbating climate change challenges.
Ecosystem resilience, according to Khan Academy, relies on the diversity and adaptability of species. The loss of biodiversity undermines this resilience, making ecosystems more vulnerable to environmental changes. An example is the decline of pollinator species, impacting everything from food production to water purification.
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The effects of animal extinction extend beyond natural ecosystems to human-altered environments. ScienceDirect explores ecosystem resilience in the context of human activities, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices. Urban areas, for example, face challenges in maintaining resilience due to habitat destruction and fragmentation caused by urbanization. |
In conclusion, the extinction of animal species has multifaceted consequences, disrupting food webs, affecting keystone species, and undermining climate regulation and ecosystem resilience. Conservation efforts are crucial for safeguarding the intricate interactions that sustain the health of our planet's ecosystems. |
Food Web and
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Before getting into the cause-and-effect relationship, we need to understand the food web and ecosystem first. The extinction of animal species has profound implications for food webs and ecosystems. Each organism within an ecosystem plays an irreplaceable role in maintaining balance and function. When a species becomes extinct, it sets off a chain reaction that can have far-reaching consequences. Considering the predator-prey dynamics, Predators regulate the population of prey species, preventing them from overwhelming the ecosystem. If a predator becomes extinct, the prey population may surge, placing excessive pressure on vegetation and disrupting the delicate balance of the ecosystem. On the other hand, the disappearance of a prey species can leave predators without a crucial food source, leading to their decline. All together, this is called a trophic cascade. For Herbivores, they play a significant role in controlling plant populations, preventing overgrowth, and ensuring a diverse array of vegetation. If herbivores face extinction, certain plant species may proliferate unchecked, altering the landscape and impacting other organisms dependent on those plants. Moreover, species are interconnected in beyond complicated ways. Mutualistic relationships, where different species depend on each other for survival, can be disrupted by the extinction of just one participant. For example, a plant and its pollinator may have a symbiotic relationship. If the pollinator disappears, the plant may struggle to reproduce, affecting other species that rely on its fruits or seeds. |
Last but not least, after studying on this topic with many different species, human activities, such as habitat destruction and climate change, contribute significantly to species extinction. Conservation efforts are essential to mitigate these impacts and preserve biodiversity. By understanding the intricate connections within ecosystems, we can appreciate the far-reaching consequences of animal extinctions and work towards maintaining the delicate web of life on Earth. Ecosystem resilience, according to Khan Academy, relies on the diversity and adaptability of species. The loss of biodiversity undermines this resilience, making ecosystems more vulnerable to environmental changes. An example is the decline of pollinator species, impacting everything from food production to water purification. The effects of animal extinction extend beyond natural ecosystems to human-altered environments. ScienceDirect explores ecosystem resilience in the context of human activities, emphasizing the need for sustainable practices. Urban areas, for example, face challenges in maintaining resilience due to habitat destruction and fragmentation caused by urbanization. |
Disrupt
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Every year, 2.4 species of pollinating birds and mammals have been on the verge of extinction in recent decades. It is noted that the risk of extinction for these species has increased significantly, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which compiles the Red List of Threatened Species. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) points out that 100 crops in the world provide more than 90% of human plants, and 71 of them are pollinated by bees. Bee pollination is vital to the survival of 264 crops in Europe alone and more than 4,000 plant species. Occasionally, animals such as birds, wind, or water can serve as pollinators inadvertently. In many cases, however, plant pollination is done by insects, such as bees, beetles, butterflies, dragonflies, etc. As pollinators, bees play an important role in global agriculture, which makes them vital to human survival. Nevertheless, pesticides sprayed by conventional agricultural methods kill bees and other insects rapidly, and the production of food, fruits, flowers, etc. will be greatly reduced. A loss of 577 billion US dollars is estimated to result from the extinction of pollinating animals alone. Deforestation caused by non-permaculture agriculture contributes significantly to the decline of many pollinating birds and mammals. Furthermore, humans hunt large fruit bats and other pollinating mammals for food, while alien species threaten pollinating birds. During the period 1988-2012, 18 species of pollinating birds were on the verge of extinction. One of them, the Anthochaera phrygia, has experienced a sharp decline in population due to long-term agricultural development and competition with other species, and its protection level has been "upgraded" from endangered to critically endangered. In the last 25 years, no pollinating bird species have had their protection status lowered. |
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