A new study has found that billions of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians have disappeared around the world since the beginning of the 20th century, researchers state that the sixth mass extinction is under way and is occurring more rapidly than was thought.
The study published in PNAS (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States), was conducted by the Mexican Gerardo Ceballos, Paul R. Ehrlich and Rodolfo Dirz. The researchers studied the reduction of populations in existing, rare and common species, rather than analyzing the number of extinct or endangered species, a process normally used to perceive the magnitude of the problem. In particular, they verified the situation of 27,600 species of terrestrial vertebrates - among birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals - since the year 1900.
They analyzed population declines in a sample of 177 mammalian species between 1990 and 2015. FRom these 177 mammals, all lost at least 30% of their geographical areas and almost half lost at least 80%. About 40% of mammals, including rhinos, orangutans, gorillas and big cats, survive with 20% less territory than would be desirable.
The decline of wild animals is mainly attributed to the disappearance of their habitat, excessive consumption of resources, pollution and the development of invasive species and diseases. Climate change has also contributed and this decline has accelerated, the researchers warn.
This massive los sin terms of population and species is a prelude to the disappearance of many other species and the decline of the ecosystem that makes civilization possible.
Researchers are also calling for something to be done against the causes of this decline in wildlife, especially overpopulation and over-consumption.
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Climate change is not the only thing we should be worrying about. Once these species go we can't get them back. This experiment in destroying the earth has already gone too far. There's more to life than profit.
As much as we love our current animal species, species due out all throughout the history of the world. Old species go, and new species come. Just imagine what kind of cool animal might take it's place.