The Coming Mass Extinctions

Dateline: 03/02/00

Deforestation has always been the subject of intense debate. A new report published in Nature suggests that we are moving toward biological doom if the current trends of deforestation, particularly in the rain forests, continue. Much of what is contained in the report is very troubling indeed.

Current State of Biodiversity

The authors of the report; Stuart Pimm, a research scientist at the Center for Environmental Research and Conservation; and Peter Raven of the Missouri Botanical Garden note:

• There are some seven million species on earth.
• Of those species, approximately 85 percent live on land.
• Almost 70 percent of those on land live in the tropics.
• Taking into account both the current rate of deforestation and the amount of remaining tropical rain forests, the forests will likely be gone within a short time.

Conservation Efforts

The researchers note that there are about 25 hotspots around the globe which contain much of the biodiversity of the earth. These spots are much smaller in terms of land area and conservation efforts within these areas could result in enormous benefits.

Likewise, due to the process of extinction, if strong conservation steps are taken now, all may not be lost. Although about half of the tropical rain forests have already been removed, there are approximately 85 percent of the species left in the remaining areas. If strong measures are taken, the biodiversity loss could be somewhat minimized.

It is estimated that the destruction of habitats by humans surpasses Earth's natural extinction rate by some 1000 times. The researchers note that extinction is not reversible and we risk irreparable damage to the Earth's ecosystem and biodiversity.

Share Your Opinions

What do you think? Is the destruction of the Earth's tropical regions through deforestation a problem? If so, how might we curb the rate of deforestation? If not, why do you think there is all the fuss? Come on over to the Biology Forum and share your thoughts, opinions and feelings. 'Til next time...

For additional information see:

Tropical Habitat Loss Threatens Mass Extinction Akin To Fall Of The Dinosaurs
Report from Columbia University

Land Biomes
Biomes are the world's major habitats.