Though the conflict between humans and wildlife started with the evolution of man, the intensity of conflict has increased due to the activities of modem man. Justify your answer with suitable examples.
Though the conflict between humans and wildlife started with the evolution of man, the intensity of conflict has increased due to the activities of modem man. Justify your answer with suitable examples.
From a study of the history of life on earth through fossil records, we learn that large-scale loss of species like the one we are currently witnessing have also happened earlier, even before humans appeared on the scene. During the long period (> 3 billion years) since the origin and diversification of life on earth there were five episodes of mass extinction of species. How is the ‘Sixth Extinction’ presently in progress different from the previous episodes? The difference is in the rates; the current species extinction rates are estimated to be 100 to 1,000 times faster than in the pre-human times and our activities are responsible for the faster rates. Ecologists warn that if the present trends continue, nearly half of all the species on earth might be wiped out within the next 100 years. The colonisation of tropical Pacific Islands by humans is said to have led to the extinction of more than 2,000 species of native birds. The IUCN Red List (2004) documents the extinction of 784 species. The last twenty years alone have witnessed the disappearance of 27 species.
-
The relation between species richness and area for a wide variety of taxa turns out to be a rectangular hyperbola. Give a brief explanation.
3 years ago
-
Explain briefly the ‘rivet popper hypothesis’ of Paul Ehrlich.
3 years ago
-
Species diversity decreases as we move away from the equator towards the poles. What could be the possible reasons?
3 years ago
-
Describe the consumptive use value of biodiversity as food, drugs and medicines, fuel and fiber with suitable examples.
3 years ago
-
What is an ecosystem service? List any four important ecosystem services provided by the natural ecosystems. Are you in favour or against levying a charge on the service provided by the ecosystem?
3 years ago
- 321 Forums
- 27.3 K Topics
- 53.8 K Posts
- 1 Online
- 12.4 K Members