Extinction

Anthropogenic extinction: extinction that has been caused by human activities

Causes of anthropogenic species extinction:

• Habitat Destruction: natural habitats have been destroyed leading to species extinctions

--> result of aggriculture

• Invasive Species: when alien species are introduced to ecosystems can drive native species to extinction by predation, spreading of pests and diseases or competition for resources

• Pollution: microplastics, fertilisers, fossil fuels can cause ongoing damage to natural environments

• Global Climate Change: enhanced greenhouse effect changing climate conditions and increasing ocean acidification

Case studies:

• Carribbean Monk Seal - native to the warm temperature waters of the Carribean Sea and western Atlantic

--> hunted for its oil and meat (overexploitation) through the 18th century

--> docile nature made it easy for them to be hunted

• Giant Moa - native to the North Island of New Zealand until 1300

--> hunted to extinction for meat

• European Bison - native to Britain and Switzerland before the last ice age

--> extinction due to climate change

--> other species started to dominat