Top 10 Signs We Might Be Experiencing a Modern-Day Mass Extinction

By Tracy V. Wilson, HowStuffWorks.com

Are we in the middle of a mass extinction?

In January 2009, scientists announced the discovery of a pink iguana on the Galapagos Islands. If you keep your eye on the news, you'll see discoveries like these all the time. As researchers explore the most remote parts of the world, it can seem like new and unusual species crop up every day.

But just as frequent are headlines that warn of species that are dying out, or becoming extinct. The idea that we're in the middle of a widespread, human-caused mass extinction is prevalent in the scientific community.

Researchers have documented a fraction of the species on Earth, so how can we know — or even suspect — that we're in the middle of a mass extinction? Read on to learn about 10 of the biggest warning signs.

10. A Changing Landscape Human-caused habitat loss is one of the major contributors to mass extinction.		5. The Temperature is Rising Global warming threatens a quarter of all plants and land animals with extinction.
9. Changing Oceans Major changes in and near oceans play a role in a mass extinction.		4. We See It in the Fossil Record We may be in the middle of an extinction that started about 40,000 years ago.
8. Loss of Biodiversity A loss of biodiversity puts food sources at risk.		3. The Numbers Add Up We're currently experiencing the fastest extinction rate ever on our planet.
7. Invasive Species Invasive species are destroying nearly half the world's threatened and endangered species.		2. The Biologists Agree Seven out of 10 biologists surveyed believe the Earth is undergoing a mass extinction.
6. Due for Impact An asteroid big enough to cause a mass extinction is overdue to strike the Earth.		1. Extinction Is Inevitable Earth experiences an ongoing cycle of extinction and development.

CONTENT

Animal Armageddon

A Modern-Day Mass Extinction?

Top 10 Signs We Might Be Experiencing a Modern-Day Mass Extinction

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