Posted on 09/02/2010 12:15:59 PM PDT by decimon
Mass extinctions have served as huge reset buttons that dramatically changed the diversity of species found in oceans all over the world, according to a comprehensive study of fossil records. The findings suggest humans will live in a very different future if they drive animals to extinction, because the loss of each species can alter entire ecosystems.
Some scientists have speculated that effects of humans - from hunting to climate change - are fueling another great mass extinction. A few go so far as to say we are entering a new geologic epoch, leaving the 10,000-year-old Holocene Epoch behind and entering the Anthropocene Epoch, marked by major changes to global temperatures and ocean chemistry, increased sediment erosion, and changes in biology that range from altered flowering times to shifts in migration patterns of birds and mammals and potential die-offs of tiny organisms that support the entire marine food chain.
Scientists had once thought species diversity could help buffer a group of animals from such die-offs, either keeping them from heading toward extinction or helping them to bounce back. But having many diverse species also proved no guarantee of future success for any one group of animals, given that mass extinctions more or less wiped the slate clean, according to studies such as the latest one.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Is this like repeating oneself?
Relax...extinction is the rule, not the exception.
Again: BRING IT ON!
I don’t know about unwarranted anxiety. Here in the midatlantic region we had record snowfalls last winter with mild freezing. This summer we are having record heat. Russia is having record drought, and will not export any wheat. Pakistan started out with record heat, recording in one place 129 degrees F. Then, of course the record floods because warm air holds more moisture to become rain when it hits the mountains. It also seems the lower North Atlantic ocean is having record temperatures.
I am not anxious, but I have 10 gallons of water stored for emergencies, and a 3 month supply of food.
Oh my gosh. The Discovery Channel killer was right. People need to stop reproducing. The only way to save the planet is to stop people from reproducing.
Or not.
Awesome, I hope this massive event takes place on Tuesday morning, I’ll take my three day weekend and say “In your face destruction” !!!
I would take exception to the first sentence of that as I don’t believe there is any “preordained course” in any theory of evolution.
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