Question

How is the presently occurring species extinction different from the earlier mass extinctions?

Answer 1

Introduction to mass extinctions:

Mass extinction refers to the loss of a large number of species within a short period of time.


Presently occurring species extinction vs earlier mass extinctions:

• Earlier mass extinctions were due to natural disasters like floods, volcanic eruptions, high temperatures, continental drift, asteroid collision etc.
• Species extinction presently is mainly due to human (anthropogenic action) like over-exploitation of resources, destruction of habitats, alien species introduction etc.
• This has accelerated the rate of extinction to 100 to 1,000 times faster than the earlier mass extinctions.