The Extinction: A simple outline

It is estimated that over 99% of all species that ever lived are extinct.

Extinction occurs by different means, the term ‘Extinction’ referred by governments, conservation groups and NGOs are different from the scientific community. The scientific community even tries to make certain species extinct (Small pox, Polio virus, species of Mosquitoes by genetic coding). So, we have to be careful of the terminology. Ever since, life started on earth, species are evolving and going extinct almost simultaneously. Even then, the term extinction which reaches the board room is of very small percentage of species generally those species which comes under the category of Birds, Mammals and fish.

Let us broadly categorize the whole extinction phenomena,

• Genetic Pollution (A hybrid causing a pure bred species to go extinct)
• Natural disasters
• Extra terrestrial (Meteorites)
• Competition for food, Lack of prey, Too many predators etc (Survival of the fittest, case)

• Human intervention( Global warming, Pollution, Habitat loss, Over exploitation, Nuclear disaster, Genetic accidental experimentation.)

The first four have been happening for millions of years, and the last one, few people in the scientific community call it the Sixth extinction,  is the serious issue here, it has been happening since the industrial revolution and needs check.

What we are interested in is the extinction which are happening with human intervention which can be categorized broadly into two

• Over exploitation
  • Hunting,
  • Fishing
• Habitat loss
  • Toxic pollution
  • Habitat destruction
  • Introduction of new species(predators, food competitors)

When it reaches the boardroom, the advocates of environmental groups face the grave task of intangibility of the effects created by human beings in terms of Global warming, toxic pollution, habitat loss etc.

A Tasmanian tiger, extinct {The photo is under Public domain}

The tangible cases of over exploitation are considered and once the agencies step into action mostly it is too late  for the species to viably bounce back and reproduce and sustain or the habitat is under a different nation’s control which has no concern for environment.

Links:

The following link shows the numbers of extinct species under various category.

http://extinctanimals.petermaas.nl/

Following link shows the list of species which are extinct in the wild and are present only in captivity.

http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/search

Therein is the tragedy. Each man is locked into a system that compels him to increase his herd without limit—in a world that is limited. Ruin is the destination toward which all men rush, each pursuing his own interest in a society that believes in the freedom of the commons.”

  -Garret Hardin, 1968.

As I mentioned earlier, the term extinction which reaches the board room is of very small percentage of species generally those species which comes under the category of Birds, Mammals and fish. Where as we should be worried about various fruit, vegetable and other edible plants species as well. The nature should be abundant with diversity. The complexity of nature is its beauty. All the more one tries to simplify our fragile nature, the more trouble one will have to face.

Well, As an individual one cannot stop extinction, let alone mass extinction. However you have the choice of how you live your life in a sustainable, eco-friendly manner.