Bird Declines Could
Signal Coming Mass Extinctions
By: David DeFranza
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| Cartoon showing biodiversity loss in birds. |
The saying, “Every 20 minutes, we lose an animal specie,” isn’t accurate. It is difficult to collect the data prove that statement and to motivate people to take action. Researchers do, however, believe they can use an easily observed group of animals, birds, to predict ecosystem-wide rates of loss. Clive Hambler, professor at Oxford University’s Department of zoology and lead author of research, had said, “Until now, we had only crude estimates for very few types of organisms. Now we’ve got evidence that many groups of living things-lichens, bugs, moths, fish, plants, and so on- are going extinct at a very similar rate as birds.” Birds are a very diverse species; they occupy a wide range of habitats and fill multiple ecological niches. Also, they can adapt well to a loss of habitat. Researchers have also found a mores serious problem than was originally thought; more than 1,000 species were found to be very close to extinction. This study shows more evidence that a mass extinction may be on its way. This new discovery has given researchers a new way to easily predict the biodiversity loss in specific rejoins.
I think that it is really interesting that scientists can collect data from only birds and predict the biodiversity loss of other species as well. The results they had found were terrible. A mass extinction would be terrible, and would impact the environment and the human species. I believe that scientists and people should take action to avoid this mass extinction.
1.What can people do at home to help prevent this mass extinction?
2.Would have ever thought that birds could help predict the biodiversity loss of other species? Explain.
I think this is a very interesting article as well. I am amazed that scientists are able to do this. I didn't think they had the technology, or even the knowledge to predict the biodiversity loss of species, by only studying it in birds. I think this could help prevent a mass extinction. I hope that a mass extinction will never occur, because it could hace a devistating affect on the environment.
ReplyDeleteHere is a webisite I found on mass extinction. Check it out at http://www.well.com/~davidu/extinction.html
Hola Amigos! I think that it is just incredible the amount of research and technology going into this research, and i am compleetly amazed by all of it. These scientists who soley are researching the birds, are able to find out a little bit about birds, but in the end it helps all sorts of scientists everywhere with all sorts of biodiversity statistics. I found this here picture with a article attached all about the depleation of birds in the United States. The picture is displayed first and the link to the article and a few other things are underneath :) enjoy! Oh! And, does anyone know if you can just copy and paste a picture into the comments? Probably not, I was just wondering.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/graphic/2009/03/20/GR2009032000323.html
I also think that it is amazing how scientists can determine biodiversity using just the population of birds, and use that knowledge to predict a mass extinction. That is really useful and smart!
ReplyDeleteOk I have a few questions of my own:
1) Annemarie asked what could people do to prevent mass extinction. My question is: How many people need to do this thing to prevent it:a town, state, country?
2) Are there any animals besides birds do you think that could be used to determine biodiversity?
3) Will people actually take action, or will they think it is a hoax made up to make them give up their hard earned money to a cause that they don't know much about?
i think that it is really unbelievable that scientists can figure out the biodiversity with the population of birds! I also think that it's really horrible that we may be close to a mass extinction. We should definitley do something to save these animals and make sure they will be okay. If we don't prevent it then, as kyle said, it will have a very devestating affect on the environment. It will be messing up the food chain which may make other animals to become endangered, too. If scientists and us don't do something fast, then this will be a serious problem.
ReplyDeleteI have some questions of my own.
1) If there is a mass extinction, will that wipe out the food chain?
2) Is there ever a time when we can be sure the animals will be okay, or when we're sure they will not?
3) WIll they're ever be any other ways to determine biodiversity and predict mass extinctions, besides just using the birds populations?