Extinction rate

Definition

The extinction rate refers to the speed at which species become extinct over a specific period of time, often measured as the number of species lost per unit of time, usually expressed per million species per year. This rate is crucial for understanding the health of ecosystems and biodiversity, which are vital to human life, as they provide essential services like food, clean water, and climate regulation. A high extinction rate indicates a loss of biodiversity that can lead to ecosystem collapse, affecting not only wildlife but also human well-being and survival.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Current extinction rates are estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times higher than natural background rates due to human activities.
2. Habitat destruction, climate change, pollution, invasive species, and overexploitation are major drivers of increased extinction rates.
3. The loss of biodiversity can disrupt ecosystem services that humans rely on, such as pollination, water purification, and disease regulation.
4. Some scientists estimate that up to 1 million species are currently threatened with extinction in the coming decades.
5. Conservation efforts aimed at protecting habitats and species can significantly reduce extinction rates and help restore biodiversity.

Review Questions

• How does the current extinction rate compare to historical background rates and what implications does this have for biodiversity?
  • The current extinction rate is alarmingly estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times higher than historical background rates due to human activities such as habitat destruction and climate change. This rapid loss of species threatens biodiversity, which is essential for resilient ecosystems. The decline in biodiversity can lead to diminished ecosystem functions and services that are critical for human survival and quality of life.
• Evaluate the main factors contributing to increased extinction rates and their impact on human life.
  • Key factors contributing to increased extinction rates include habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, invasive species, and overexploitation of resources. These factors disrupt ecosystems and can lead to the loss of essential services such as food production and clean water supply. As these ecosystems deteriorate, humans face greater risks related to health, food security, and economic stability, highlighting the interconnectedness between species survival and human well-being.
• Synthesize the relationship between extinction rates, biodiversity loss, and ecosystem services that support human life.
  • The relationship between extinction rates and biodiversity loss is critical because diverse ecosystems provide essential services that support human life. High extinction rates lead to a decline in biodiversity, which can severely impact ecosystem services like pollination, water purification, and climate regulation. As these services diminish due to lost species, humans may experience increased vulnerability to environmental changes and resource shortages. Therefore, maintaining low extinction rates is vital for sustaining healthy ecosystems that ultimately benefit humanity.

Related terms

biodiversity: The variety of life in the world or in a particular habitat or ecosystem, including the diversity of species, genetics, and ecosystems.

endangered species: Species that are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, environmental changes, or other threats.

ecosystem services: The benefits provided by ecosystems to humans, including provisioning (like food and water), regulating (like climate and disease control), supporting (like nutrient cycling), and cultural (like recreation and spiritual) services.