Extinct Plant Species
07 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment
in House Plants Tags: biology, conservation, environment, extinct plant species, extinct plant species 2010, extinct plant species europe, extinct plant species in australia, extinct plant species world, nature, science
Extinct species and its detrimental effects on humans!?
Many species are endangered and close to extinction, oftentimes due to anthropogenic factors.
Is there a plant or animal species, should it become extinct, that would have a detrimental or
positive effect on the human species?
Most extinctions would do little to affect humanity – on the surface. But every extinction reduces the genetic diversity of an ecosystem. It makes the ecosystem more vulnerable: climate change may seriously damage an ecosystem, even though it might actually have been “better” (more biomass) with less species, in the current climate. As such, any extinction may damage an ecosystem tremendously in time, which could lead to diverse and annoying effects. (less fertile farming ground, desertification, etc.)
On the detrimental effects on humanity, it is useful to note that, logically, there is a direct correlation between the effect on humanity and how common the species is. But this also means that the most detrimental of extinctions are also the most unlikely. Pigs will not die out. Neither will grass, or wheat, or rice. Nor fishable fish (although they would reach such low numbers that they’re pretty much uncatchable).
A positive effect? I think not. There is no species which serves no purpose in an ecosystem. There is no species which is a threat to us which also doesn’t keep herbivores in check, or reduce waste.
One In Five Plant Species Face Extinction